What do I order???
I already got the battery and cables… What else, please???
I would pick up a couple AM-9015s for use on manipulators, and another battery; they run out of charge faster than you’d expect. I don’t know what rookies teams usually get in the KOP.
A PG71 with encoder could also be handy. Some shaft collars could come in handy.
If you opted out of the KOP chassis, it’s going to be tricky to build your own. What are your facilities? Is there a nearby team mentoring you? What is your budget for the coming year? Some things are better deals than others.
Considering there are only up to 3 motor controllers in your KOP (A voucher for either two Talons or Three Victors from VEX Pro) I’d recommend putting some motor controllers on your list.
There are many different ways to make a priority list. Here are two options that don’t require any research:
- Don’t submit a list
- Choose randomly
On first glance, these both sound like terrible options. And there’s no question that they have drawbacks. However, they’re not as bad as they might seem on first glance.
Consider option 1: This leaves you with unused points that you can use after kickoff. There will be items you miss out on, but you’ll have a better idea of what your needs are when you do order. Additionally, you might be able to get more of things that would only appear after kickoff, like items specific to that year’s game.
Consider option 2: In general, the available items are there because people thought that they would be useful to FIRST teams. Not every item will be useful to every team, but most parts are useful to a broad spectrum of teams. You can leverage the expert knowledge of our generous suppliers by simply choosing randomly from what they have made available.
Neither of these is how I put together my list, but that’s because I already know what all the parts are and have a pretty good idea of which ones my team would use.
Where did you find this information? I’ve had a look online and cant seem to find it?
Another Victor SP assuming you use your voucher for 3 Victor SPs.
Encoders, encoder mounts and cables.
Victor 888 motor controllers.
Motors, the new Bosch motor with integrated encoder looks interesting. The AndyMark motor and transmission combination either with or without the encoder.
Camera and ring light using vision may be a little advanced for your rookie year but if you’ve got students with the skills and desire it would be nice to have.
Pneumatic fitting kit and tubing, you’ll get a basic pneumatic system in your kit but it is nice to build up inventory.
Pneumatic cylinders, in the past there has been a voucher for 3 cylinders but again building up inventory is a good idea.
Lead screw and nut, Linear slide kit. Depending on the challenge these can be useful and it is one of those things that you need when you need it so having them for the future is a good thing even if it is not suitable this year.
Tools.
The crimper is the exact right tool for use with the terminals included in the kit for the battery cable/connector. There are other methods that will work but this is guaranteed to do it right and secure battery connections are required to ensure reliable operation.
Below are dependent on what you already have.
The multimeter, is a high quality unit but if you have access to one already you may not want/need another. The socket/wrench/Allen wrench or ratcheting wrench set if you don’t have something similar.
In my opinion, your first two items should be, without a doubt:
-Battery. You can never have enough batteries, and these go quickly. Skip the cables, they provide many of these in the KoP each year, and are easy to purchase if you need extras.
-4x Victor 888. You need to acquire a large number of speed controllers, and in your rookie year, likely won’t gain much from the new features of the SP/SRX.
After that, my next suggestion would be a full pneumatics system. Pneumatics are not included in the kit, and it’s nice to be able to test out ideas that require them early in the season. To get yourselves up and running with pneumatics, you’ll need the compressor, fitting kit (two may be a good idea), pressure switch, a roll of tubing (one is plenty to get through a season,) a few of the plastic air tanks, teflon tape (or not, it’s cheap/easy to acquire locally), and a few of the cylinders. You’ll also need to pick up a regulator and some solenoids from Andymark or VexPro.
The rookie kit for the last few years has included a full pneumatic kit (with vouchers for the cylinders) and I’m betting it will this year too. No guarantees of course. That said as in my list above it would be a good idea to get an extra fitting kit and more tubing. Not that there isn’t enough tubing in the kit but it is nice to have more than one color. Of course no way to know what color will come in the kit so no way to know which color to put on the list.
The rookie kit for recent seasons has only come with 3 battery connectors, so one less than you need to be able to add one to the charger. So I’d put two connectors on the list. One for the charger and one for the battery they hopefully get.
I’ll disagree here. Even if you don’t use the new features, the fully-enclosed, no-fan controllers are great, especially for your first few years. We’ve gotten a lot better over the years about getting pieces drilled before installation, but our rookie year, we went on a serious night of weight removal on the night of bagging. Even with drop cloths over the board, we lost a couple of controllers when we fired it back up in the pit.
Other than batteries, motor controllers, motors, tools, and shaft hardware, and things that you decide that you need, you’re probably better off waiting until after kickoff and banking the points. The other alternative is to put nearly everything on the list so you’ll have whatever you have at kickoff.
I recommend NOT getting the Lazy Susan bearing. We got one our rookie year, at it was irresistible to use it. Putting our shooter on a turret was an incredible labor-hour and parts sink, to essentially no benefit other than cool factor. It would have been much better if we had made a fixed azimuth shooter and had time to calibrate the shots so that we actually made one. (OBTW, this was 2012 Rebound Rumble, a basketball game.)
Motors, motor controllers, and couplers.
It’s in a blog article:
http://archive.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-2016-motor-controllers
Every team will get a voucher to order three Victor SPs or two Talon SRXes from VEX Robotics. Additionally, Rookie teams will receive 2 Victor SPs in their Kickoff Kit. There will also be limited quantities of Victor 888s, Victor SPs, Talon SRXes, and Sparks in FIRST Choice.
Hey Kate, if you’re reading this, you folks should advertise this one a bit better.
New thread created over here to help you out as well: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=139574
Just keep in mind that priority lists are individual team things so we’re not telling anyone what they should pick, just what we have picked.
I’ve been wondering if this hasn’t been publicized heavily because a) it’s definitely going to be in the physical KOP so they don’t feel like calling attention to it until kickoff or b) they haven’t gotten the e-voucher ready yet on the TIMS page like FIRST Choice or the AM PDV. VEX employees lurk here, maybe they can help.
I do wish there was a reminder; I keep having to bring it up when we are going over pre-season orders that we will get between 2-3 SRXs before we touch the PDV.
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What to order depends a lot on your other resources and what you already have.
Obviously these are my opinions. Others will agree or disagree. YMMV
Tools:
The fluke meter is well priced and every one needs a good meter.
The gear wrench set is well priced.
The complete tool set is a little pricey, but worth it if you are short on had tools.
The crimping tool is the right one for the battery connector, but overpriced at 200 point compared to other options. We use a harbor freight hydraulic one.
Parts:
gear motors would be at the top of my list
speed controllers would be next. Having at least one Talon would let your programmers learn canbus.
encoders are nice to have. As well as other electrical bits.
It is good to have spares of the PCM, PDB, & VRM. But maybe for a later day.
Camera & servo are also good to have.
I would stay away from the little mechanical bits. They are inexpensive & easy to order from Vex & AM.
I feel smart 
With the help of my 17yr daughter, I have almost all of what you listed before I read this. Thank you for your quick reply.
Am I to understand correctly that just b/c it is on my priority list, does not mean I get it for my team?
How and when will I know?
If I add to my priority list will I be locked into paying for additional items?
You guys are awesome, thank you!
Here are the full rules.
It’s a snake draft type system for all the teams that enter a priority list before the 6th of Dec.
On Dec 8th we find out what each team got.
Anything on your list that you don’t have credits for or are out of stock before the round when you would have ordered of it will not be sent to you and you will not have to pay for anything. The only thing you have to pay for in FIRST choice is shipping.
I found this flow chart even more helpful.
http://archive.usfirst.org/sites/default/files/2016%20FIRSTChoice%20Process.pdf