CDI Survey...

Posted by Joe Johnson.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]

Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 11/10/2000 5:41 PM MST

I am NOT saying this is going to happen, but we need the following information before we can even consider it.

Suppose that you could keep the entire CDI kit with the exception of the Batteries, Battery Chargers, Tether Cable, Extra Light Dome, Robot Controller, AC Adapter, and Operator Interface.

Would you be willing to pay $3,000 to keep the rest?

We will be able to offer some guidance for teams wishing to re-produce the stuff they are returning to us.

So…

Please let us know if this is something your team will be interested in this option if offered (which, I have to admit is not likely at this point, but enough teams have asked about it that I feel that we should at least get information to guide us.)

Do Tell…

Joe J.

P.S. Before teams ask, I don’t think that we would even consider selling the other stuff in the kit (believe me, we have a LOT of sweat equity in those babies – not likely to let the go). Also, from a shear headache avoidance point of view, I don’t think we are interested in selling stuff ‘a la carte.’ It’s a whole-kit or no-kit type deal.

Posted by S. Krussell.

Coach on team #349, Robahamas, from International Academy and Ford Motor Co…

Posted on 11/12/2000 6:29 AM MST

In Reply to: CDI Survey… posted by Joe Johnson on 11/10/2000 5:41 PM MST:

Now that we can keep the FIRST kits, AND for $1000 extra over the entry fee, I would have to say ‘no’ to purchasing the CDI kit. Although my team has two very generous sponsors, competitions outside the realm of FIRST are (for FORD at least) not a consideration at this time. That means we are on our own to find funding. My kids sell hot chocolate every single morning, they do car washes, and collect soda pop cans. We have a few other fund raisers as well, which are work intensive, but it still remains difficult to come up with the kind of money we would need to purchase the CDI kit. We find that we spend hundreds of dollars just on structural materials and additional hardware for CDI.

Don’t get me wrong…we would LOVE to have the kit. But for us, the cost is prohibitive. This is in no way a complaint. We are happy to have the opportunity to compete at the CDI. For my team, the best thing about CDI is the huge learning curve for the kids. And to be able to compete in a tournament of this calibre for $400 is a real gift, because the experience is priceless. Okay, maybe I’m getting a little sappy here, but those of you who are true believers know what I mean.

Posted by Vince Wilczynski.

Engineer on team #124, Whalers, from New London / Montville/ Williams School and Notheast Utilities / US Coast Guard Academy.

Posted on 11/12/2000 8:37 PM MST

In Reply to: CDI Survey… posted by Joe Johnson on 11/10/2000 5:41 PM MST:

Joe -
I have to agree with the other response on this one. 3K is a bit high. Thanks - Vince

Posted by Da Bears.

Engineer on team #247, Da Bears, from Berkley High School and Camou PICO.

Posted on 11/13/2000 9:05 AM MST

In Reply to: CDI Survey… posted by Joe Johnson on 11/10/2000 5:41 PM MST:

Richard says that we go to Berkley and we can’t afford to pay that much money. Sorry

Posted by Joe Johnson.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]

Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 11/13/2000 1:44 PM MST

In Reply to: Re: CDI Survey… posted by Da Bears on 11/13/2000 9:05 AM MST:

To all folks thinking the price we suggested is steep:

We are definitely NOT looking to have folks buy the kit. People have requested what it would take to buy the non-electronic parts of the kit and we decided to try to accommodated them.

We have come up with a number of what we feel it would cost us (not only to re-order the stuff but to re-assemble much of it and to send out P.O.s to have a the custom stuff rebuilt – some of which came from Korea and other non-domestic sources). We do not wish to take advantage of anyone, but we also don’t believe we will be able to host the competition in the future if we have to keep going to the well for funds to replace kits every year.

So… …We will not be upset if nobody take us up on the offer. We hope that the offer did not upset anyone.

Joe J.

P.S. Contrary to what folks may think, we are more likely to allow teams to buy the kit if FEWER teams ar

Posted by Joe Johnson.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]

Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.

Posted on 11/13/2000 1:46 PM MST

In Reply to: Re: CDI Survey… posted by Da Bears on 11/13/2000 9:05 AM MST:

My ‘P.S.’ was cut off!

P.S. Contrary to what folks may think, we are more likely to allow teams to buy the kit if FEWER teams are interested in actually doing it. Even at the price we are asking we would prefer not to have to bother. JJ

Posted by Raul.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]

Engineer on team #111, Wildstang, from Rolling Meadows & Wheeling HS and Motorola.

Posted on 11/13/2000 12:16 PM MST

In Reply to: CDI Survey… posted by Joe Johnson on 11/10/2000 5:41 PM MST:

I did not realize the kit without the electronics was that expensive. I was hoping for a figure around $1000 to $1500. Regardless, I’m sorry to say our funds have dried up for this year and we cannot get our hands on any more until after the start of the new FIRST season.

Raul