[FTC]: FVC (Vex) VS. FTC (Tetrix)

[JesseK]

Originally Posted by NalaTI

No question - Vex wins on cost. Price was never the issue.

Indeed, many people who do FTC don't do it because of it's superior cost analysis. Yet many people who approach this argument seem to only approach it from a cost perspective, or cost is always somewhere in the argument regardless of what the specific topic is. I like the original intent of this thread, and hopefully it will get back on track?

This list intentionally has cost left out of it, and is a composite of the posts thus far. I tried to only put things in the list that add to or subtract from a student's experience in either program. It also ignores the fact that teams may already have had substantial resources invested in one program or the other, since in the longer term everyone gets to that point regardless of the program. Swapping to the other is just a matter of making the decision and doing it, imo (of course...).

The "+N" means "N" people stated their opinions in this case, thus far. Don't agree? Post the opinion. Differing opinions should be stated as, for example "(+2)(-3)". Weighing facts with +/-N only serves as attempts to bias someone who's making a weighted decision.

FTC
Pros

• Extra material is allowed, including sheet plastics, aluminum, & cord (allows more creativity, +2)
• Better regional competition experience (+3)
• Stronger motors & gears
• Uses the NXT brick, which many of your mentored Jr. FLL & FLL teams are already familiar with for programming. LabView also transitions to FRC.
• More connections to college scholarships
• More & better (+2) sensors

Cons

• Connectivity issues at competition (resolved though, right? Didn't see any issues in Atlanta)
• LEGO parts aren't very compatible with the TETRIX parts (But if they ever are, look out! I know some 8 year olds with mad LEGO skillz!)
  
• Need multiple laptops/blue tooth to demo multiple bots
• Uses bluetooth (-1)

VRC
Pros

• Amazing World Championships, better than Atlanta (+3)
• More variety in the parts, including complex/intricate parts for more in-depth designs.
• Generally speaking, more matches per event
• Higher quantity of competitions per region
• College level division
• Steel parts for structure makes a stronger structure where needed
• Established community where many collaborate on pushing the limits of the VEX system even outside of VRC.
• Entire winning alliance qualifies for nationals
• Online challenges for those unable to attend competitions (link?)
• Skills challenges that are not based upon cooperation in competition

Cons

• Relatively weak motors

Topics that haven't been discussed:

• Number of mentors per student for each program

As Rich Kressly stated in his very well-worded post: you can't look at this from a sheer quantity of pros/cons perspective. Each must be weighed against your local situation and then the best decision can be made.