Predictions Week 3: Creating Flow

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by Jared341

But we used our 6 hours well, and are showing up with a somewhat different looking robot

I'm excited to watch it perform this weekend.

-Brando

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Jared341

Good assessment of 341. We had numerous shooter and intake issues at Hatboro-Horsham, as well as camera issues (the code works great...but the camera kept falling off )

But we used our 6 hours well, and are showing up with a somewhat different looking robot

It's always a hardware problem with this guy.... I kid, I kid.

[Akash Rastogi]

Just saw some practice video of 1640- those guys will be gunning for top seed at Chestnut Hill. I could see them or 3974 pairing up with Daisy and taking a fairly easy ride to Blue Bannertown.

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Just saw some practice video of 1640- those guys will be gunning for top seed at Chestnut Hill. I could see them or 3974 pairing up with Daisy and taking a fairly easy ride to Blue Bannertown.

They've really stepped it up this year. Maybe it's another year of tuning that swerve, or improved drive code, or more driver practice, or the lower CG, or something entirely different. But they're flying around the field. It's awesome to watch them spin into the loading station.

[Shane 2429]

hahaha funny enough 2429's robot is named falco

[mrmummert]

looks like he got some of these right...i know he did for VCU

[Siri]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Just saw some practice video of 1640- those guys will be gunning for top seed at Chestnut Hill. I could see them or 3974 pairing up with Daisy and taking a fairly easy ride to Blue Bannertown.

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

They've really stepped it up this year. Maybe it's another year of tuning that swerve, or improved drive code, or more driver practice, or the lower CG, or something entirely different. But they're flying around the field. It's awesome to watch them spin into the loading station.

I know I'm late to the party, but thank you both so much! We're still reeling from how good this robot is. I know we weren't up to snuff at SCH--we got our tails kicked in semis for a variety of reasons--but we're working those kicked tails off for MAR (80 points; fingers crossed). We want to show everyone that 30 (50?) point climb much more often!

To answer your question, Sean, it's basically all of the above. The big thing though is the drive code; we've finally got truly holonomic drive. The better modules, lower CG and faster finish (more practice) really makes it shine. Thanks for the compliments!

[nikeairmancurry]

Originally Posted by Looking Forward

[*]When your standards of success are as high as those of RUSH and the Thunder Chickens, just reaching the finals at a single event is a disappointing season. Both 27 and 217 were hoping that 2013 would be better than 2012, but neither managed to get the results they wanted at their first event of the season. We haven't seen the best from either team yet, and there's a chance that either (or both) could be in the winner's circle at St. Joseph's if they can work out the kinks in their machines. They're going to have to catch-up to 2474, as Excel was terrific at Traverse City (#3 seed, 1st pick, and champion).

217 is not competing this weekend. TBA lists them, but FIRST does not. Plus that would be a fourth district they would be attending.

[mrmummert]

Its nice after so long a time to even be mentioned here. And yes at least
1610 is wary and knows what 3015 could do. I see some of the New York
teams and a few locals to do well at VCU this year.

[Squeakypig]

Originally Posted by nikeairmancurry

217 is not competing this weekend. TBA lists them, but FIRST does not. Plus that would be a fourth district they would be attending.

You are correct, 217 opted out of St. Joseph's in order to compete in the week 6 Bedford district. This will mean that Troy will count for them as a points tournament. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone.

Also, Guerillas and Bedford better watch out for us, we're competing at Detroit!

[nikeairmancurry]

Originally Posted by Squeakypig

You are correct, 217 opted out of St. Joseph's in order to compete in the week 6 Bedford district. This will mean that Troy will count for them as a points tournament. I wouldn't wish that fate on anyone.

Also, Guerillas and Bedford better watch out for us, we're competing at Detroit!

I actually don't know how that was possible. No team was offered a third event until Bedford opened.

[NotaJoke]

Originally Posted by Squeakypig

Also, Guerillas and Bedford better watch out for us, we're competing at Detroit!

Detroit had no idea what was coming. Huge props to your drive team, you guys put up some of the most aggressive and game-changing defense I've seen anywhere this season. Awesome job this weekend.

Originally Posted by OZ_341

We could not have won at Springside-Chestnut Hill without the help of Team 225, Tech Fire. This is the first time they have ever been in a regional final in 15 years of play and their teleop points were an incredible 737. This story seems to be a trend with Ultimate Ascent across FIRST.

I was just about to comment about how 225 came out of nowhere to be one of the best robots of the season (thus far,) but you beat me to it! You all had an awesome performance, and another well deserved win.

[Deetman]

Originally Posted by NotaJoke

I was just about to comment about how 225 came out of nowhere to be one of the best robots of the season (thus far,) but you beat me to it! You all had an awesome performance, and another well deserved win.

On Thursday evening 225 came out on the open field (practice matches but not really practice matches) at Springside-Chestnut Hill and just started nailing the full court shot their first "match". It sure shocked me from the scorekeeper's table. Gotta love the robot name too... "Tyrannosaucer Rex" with the teeth and intimidating eyes on the shooter. If my memory is correct, I don't think they missed a single shot from the feeder station in the last finals match.

Look for teams at Lenape next weekend to move to block their full court shots next week as I believe their shooter exit is a bit below 60 inches.

[Jaxom]

Originally Posted by Deetman

Look for teams at Lenape next weekend to move to block their full court shots next week as I believe their shooter exit is a bit below 60 inches.

Why weren't teams blocking them this week? What's going to be different in a week that would make blocking more effective than it was yesterday?

[Squeakypig]

It seems as if the full court shooter is making a mark this year. Something that people should know (something I found out last week) is that robot starting configuration does not limit you to 60". You can start 84". You sacrifice the ability to go over half court, but it will shut down any 60" tall full-court shooter. Just food for thought! (credit to 3096, the first team I saw do this to block 910 at Detroit district).

Our "Plan B+" attachment is mounted to our hanging hooks and starts at 60" tall and when we extend our hooks is at 66" tall. Not quite 84" but more than 60". We use plywood with a strong fabric in between. Some people thought they could just shoot till it tore. Well it did tear, but never all the way. Remember, you don't have to stuff the shot, just tap it, redirect it a tiny bit, anything to take it off track.