(Part 3) Top products from r/FRC

The camera available in FIRST Choice isn't cheap in terms of FIRST Choice points, but it is very cheap if you buy it elsewhere. Amazon has it for $21.

This year, I would recommend a USB camera (cuts out one of the two cables needed for an IP camera). Pretty much any USB camera should work. Unfortunately the new control system is not yet available to the public and I haven't heard of any beta test teams trying out different cameras, so I don't think there will be any people qualified to give a recommendation.

Since the Lifecam 3000 is available in FIRST Choice, I would say it's a fairly safe bet.

EDIT: It occurred to me that you might be looking for a recommendation for using with the old control system (potentially for an offseason project). If that's the case, then all I can really recommend are the Axis cameras, as that's all I've really seen teams use.

The XT60 connectors are very nice. My team switched to them this year and we love them. Very easy to solder and virtually indestructible.

Have you tried the goggles that look like this? https://www.amazon.com/3M-91252-80024-Chemical-Splash-Impact/dp/B00467C7AE If it works for you a bunch of school science classrooms have them, if you're a school team. I'm 90% sure they're compliant but if they work for you it's good to make sure.

These are the best safety glasses available IMO

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B006WPSDXS/

My team uses Anderson Powerpoles just about everywhere we can. They allow for easy changes without coming apart accidentally. We've got four colors of them on our robot, to match the wires they're used on (red/black and green/white). They even snap together to make two-wire plugs.

Connectors

Crimper

Colors available

Minimum bend radius of CAT-5e is ~1", In a case like this, your stressing the internal pairs since they are stretching due to the jacket. You can see the cable going flat right at the bend.

Will this work? Yes

Is there a chance they could go the full season without a problem? Yes

Is it worth the risk? I personally don't think so.

https://www.amazon.com/Tripp-Lite-Gigabit-Molded-N204-010-BL-DN/dp/B005WKIQG8?th=1 Cheap insurance custom made for this application :D

better option

Any of the air horn/lowrider/air suspension tanks are way better options than using a ton of little tanks

Check robot manual for rules regarding compressor, as far as I know for offboard they must be rated at a max of 1.1CFM at 12v

IIRC tank just needs to be rated to appropriate specs for pressure

best option for offboard compressor

even better option for compressor

Our team did it last year to record game footage. As long as the inspectors sign off on it, you're good to go.


I recommend picking up a GoPro tripod adapter for mounting it. It let's you attach the camera on with a 1/4-20 bolt and is a little more secure than the adhesive mounts.
http://www.amazon.com/GoPro-GTRA30-Tripod-Mount/dp/B002RCLYXG

Sorry for the bad link, on mobile.

Our team uses Victor SP's since we can't afford Talon SRX's, so CAN is out of the picture.

Do you mean "real Y cables" as in something like this?: https://www.amazon.com/PWM-Y-Splitter-Cable-Adapter/dp/B002OFP6QW

Edit: Will we be penalized for keeping our PWM cables soldered together?

They are just regular cable ties. You get a pack of tie mounts like these http://www.amazon.com/Startech-HC102-Adhesive-Cable-Mounts/dp/B00008VFBE/ref=lp_507844_1_9?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1396873899&sr=1-9 and you place a zip tie through it and around what you want to mount.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ENJF7I4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FoPHyb1HZJB04

I'm guessing something along these lines might be helpful. Have the students click for every bank that goes in and write down the number at the end of each cycle. (sorry for the link not being pretty. Posting on mobile from work).

One of our mentors lent us this tool that we call 'nippers', and they make our life about 200x easier with cutting Alupanel or Lexan. Very similar to this.

We ran with the Logitech controllers this year to allow the driver to move into the next driver station or switch positions with the co-driver as needed to improve his sight lines. If your students have used the Logitech controllers before, I'd personally recommend sticking to them.

A lot of teams use joysticks. Common ones are:

• Mad Katz V1 - Ambidextrous, but I've heard bad things about the build quality
  
• Logitech Extreme 3D - Includes twist axis, nice button set, but only right handed
  
• Logitech Attack 3 - Ambidextrous, fairly rugged (we've had some since like 2010), but not readily available anymore.
  
  Or you can totally jump the shark and go full-on 114 style DJ board and guitar as controllers!

Of the few we've tried, these are our team's most popular: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FA4RB12/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We've also used side shields, but we got dinged by a judge at one district for using the flimsy plastic ones: http://www.staples.com/Bouton-Slip-On-Side-Shield-Clear/product_560729

Now we offer these and they work well even on the glasses that have large "arms". However, they are very difficult to put on and take off. So I have students that use them for competition days only. http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/b-52.html

We've got a tube of this that works wonders on all sorts of gearboxes.

Here you go: https://www.amazon.com/Wacky-Noodles-Floating-Choose-Assorted/dp/B004UHED0C

Try using wire loom, it’s what is used in most industries (don’t believe me check your cars wiring) it gives a professional look while protecting wire and can be found on amazon for cheep https://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Polyethylene-Wire-Diameter-Black/dp/B00DP3K8A6?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_3