Our Banebots Experience

[EnderWiggin]

We purchased three Banebots 256:1, 42mm planetary gearboxes to control our main arm joint. Two were being used while one was meant for backup.

After seeing several threads on CD about the reliability of the carrier plates we called Banebots to see if we could return them. We were told that as long as we did not exceed 10 N of force on the gearboxes the carrier plates would not distort, and that if they did he would provide a full refund.

After mounting two (along with a gas spring) the carrier plates quickly distorted after regular use at 10 N. The gearboxes experienced no "shocking" due to the gas spring that was assisting.

We called Banebots and they are refusing to provide us with a refund, saying that other teams are running them with loads in excess of 10 N. They obviously have no concept of customer service and were demanding that we sent them pictures of our robot to prove that we were using their gearboxes appropriately.

This is all after spending thousands of dollars at Banebots over the years and I'm happy to say they will never see any of our money again; and I'm hoping not through FIRST either.