Mini Bot - displeasure

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Mike Martus

Am I the only person out in the Community of FIRST that thinks the constraints of Tetrix (FTC kit) to build the mini bot is UNFAIR!

Up until this year Michigan was discouraged from FTC as FIRST was scared that they would loose FRC Growth due to costs. Now the winds have changed and we are asked to do something that is not possible. Not possible because:
1. Many of us do not have $400.00 for a basic kit + all the extra stuff that will make the amount higher..
2. No kits are available for purchase. This is the BIG one!!!!

If FIRST is pushing FTC you would think that they would have made sure that there was a stock for kits..... after all there are MANY more FRC teams than FTC teams - especially in Michigan.

I do get that FIRST is trying to compete with VEX - but at our expense and stress level.

Mike,

You're not quite stuck. Motors can be had for $30 per, and appear to be in stock on LEGO Education Store. We did the math Saturday and came up with a figure of around $200 if you have an NXT brick, including two motors, a battery, and the motor controller. Sheet aluminum, lexan, and rivets are all legal too, which practically every FRC team should be able to use.

While many aspects of minibots are frustrating to me, this one doesn't seem so bad.