[FTC]: Tetrix structural components @ Pitsco

[GeorgeTheEng]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

Maybe I am mistaken but wasn't the original idea of FTC to be the low cost prototyping for FRC?

Actually no. The original purpose behind the program was to be act as a program with less barrier to entry. Not just lower* cost, but also requiring less resources and reducing the need for large numbers of mentors. Here I'm talking specifically the FTC program, not the Vex kit (2 different things entirely).

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

Also it would be interesting to see what new accessories they come out with, as right now they don't have some of the things I know I would need for a competitive robot ( rack and pinion for example)

Interesting, but consider that for the 2 years of FTC (or FVC at the time) those things didn't exist for Vex either and teams made very competitive robots.

While I agree that some of this is expensive, before deciding too many things (like number of teams you can support) wait for the rules to be published. I don't think anyone outside FIRST HQ and the FTC GDC know for certain whether extra parts will be allows and if so what kind of rules govern them. There could always be discounts or bundles offered to teams. I'm not saying any of this may happen, but I'd tend to hold judgement until we know for certain.


* Note: I specifically chose "lower" instead of "low". "Low" is subject to vastly different opinions. "Lower" in relation to FRC is easier to quantify and justify.

[dickswan]

When I looked earlier this week, the Tetrix parts on the PITSCO online web site were discounted 20%.

[wilsonmw04]

Looking at the amount of metal that came in the new kits, I don't think we will need to purchase anything else for this year's game. I'm satisfied with the bang for the buck my team is getting. If I need to spend 200-300 bucks replacing parts every year, I can live with that.

[paragon571]

i get all my extra parts from legoeducation.com but they are the same price

[ttldomination]

It depends on the parts. I'm pretty sure that in the long run, when you have a $1000 order, the 20% can make a difference.