Aiming that remote: Laser pointer allowed?

[Mark McLeod]

The Refs held up the start of a match in NJ, because someone in the audience was flashing a laser pointer around. An announcement was made to stop it, and they waited a few minutes to be sure the request was complied with.

[Mr. Freeman]

MY PREDICTION is that the official response from the GDC will be "No laser pointers, period".

If you want a way to aim the remote then get a paper towel tube and tape it to the remote. Look down the tube towards the robot to aim it. For more accuracy, get a sheet of paper and roll it into a tube with a smaller diameter, tape that to the remote. You could test and calibrate either method with a laser pointer at home or in the shop, then just draw some marks on the remote for future alignment should the tube ever come off.

[Joe Ross]

I think <T22> precludes the use of a laser pointer or almost anything else to help the robo-coach.

<T22> The only equipment that may be brought on to the field is the OPERATOR CONSOLE, reasonable decorative items, and special clothing and/or equipment required due to a disability. Other items, particularly those intended to provide a competitive advantage for the ROBOCOACH, are prohibited.
Devices used solely for the purpose of planning or tracking strategy of game play are allowed inside the ALLIANCE ZONE, if they meet ALL of the following conditions:
* Do not connect or attach to the OPERATOR CONSOLE
* Do not connect or attach to the FIELD or ARENA
* Do not connect or attach to another alliance member
* Do not communicate with anything or anyone outside of the ALLIANCE ZONE (for example wireless communications must be disabled).
* Do not in any way affect the outcome of a MATCH, other than by allowing team members to plan or track strategy for the purposes of communication of that strategy to other alliance members.

[efoote868]

I talked with the Head Referee at St. Louis. He didn't have a problem with it, as long as I didn't use it maliciously.
Thanks for pointing out T22. I missed that in my initial search.

I'm still going to ask the Q & A.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Mark McLeod

The Refs held up the start of a match in NJ, because someone in the audience was flashing a laser pointer around. An announcement was made to stop it, and they waited a few minutes to be sure the request was complied with.

Hahaha! That's because a team was handing them out in the pits as a giveaway (which was cool) but definitely counter-productive with this year's game as to how someone could use them.

That would be someone handing out "free middle fingers" as opposed to "free hugs" at first competitions. Just a bad thing to do, & while their isn't a specific rule against either, it would be frowned upon by pure common sense.

Hopefully teams are advised in the next update to NOT hand out laser pointers in the pits (or middle fingers for that matter.) lol