A mounting problem

[Tom Line]

I think you need to set your sights a bit lower.

A decent electric "RC" car with 2 channels will run you $200 - 400 dollars. The 6 channel radio system for my RC sailboat runs $500. When I look at the IFI and other prices, I actually think they're incredibly cheap for what you're getting.

A victor is a deal compared to many variable speed controllers you purchase for RC cars, and the RC cars are made in much larger quantities and handle lower power outputs. The spikes are a bit pricey, but not really to bad.

On the other hand, if you got to a good hobby shop, you can pick up a robot "kit", which is what my 7 year old recently did. It was similar to an erector set, but when he was done he had a robot that turned left and right, drove forward, and could pick up a foam block, raise it, and set it back down again. This cost about $40. This was self-assembled. He had to build the 2 gearboxes and solder together the circuit board that the controller used.

Do a search, for instance, on froogle for hobby robot kit.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...De n%26sa%3DN

One similar to my son's:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...De n%26sa%3DN

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...De n%26sa%3DN

The FIRST equipment isn't for "Hobby" robotics. It's actually quite high-end, and while you probably won't find it in a Darpa entry it's good for just about everything you can think of.