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New FTC Tetrix components for the 2009-10 season

As a 2009/10 FTC team, order Tetrix parts from LEGO Education (Pitsco) with a 20% discount at this link: http://parts.ftcrobots.com/Default.aspx?bhcp=1.

Motor Power Cable W731903, 1.56 disc	HiTechnic IR Seeker Sensor W991379, 35.96 disc	Omni wheels (2) W731132, 31.96 disc	Tube plug pack (2) W739193, 2.36 disc

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Notice from FIRST about new FTC Kit availability

To FTC Teams...

Guess what?? It's time for the information you have all been waiting

for: HOW TO ORDER KITS, WHAT'S IN THEM, and HOW MANY CAN YOU BUY???

1. Ordering

Starting tomorrow, Wednesday, May 13, 2009, you can order kits in the same manner that you did last year, either through the Team Information Management System (TIMS, https://my.usfirst.org/ftc/tims/site.lasso) or by calling Pitsco at 1-800-362-4308. You will not be able to order a kit until FTC has received a Purchase Order or form of payment for the $275 program registration fee. Kits should begin to ship by mid-summer and we will update teams as a specific date is made available.

2. Kit of Parts Options

Option 1: FTC Competition Kit - $999

The FTC Competition Kit features over 1,000 parts and includes everything needed for teams to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge.

Included are:

* TETRIX Base Set, which includes:

o Brackets and mounts

o Structural channel and plates

o Structural tubing and hubs

o Wheels and gears

o NEW Omni wheel

* LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT Set

* New game sensor

* LabVIEW, MINDSTORMS NXT, and Robot C software for FTC with team licenses

* LEGO Bluetooth dongle

* Hard Point Connectors for attaching TETRIX to LEGO Technic

* Two Logitech joystick controllers

* Servos, DC motors, and associated HiTechnic controllers

* Battery pack, connectors, and charger

* Hardware and hex keys

* User guide and FTC game manual

* Storage bin

Option 2: FTC Competition Kit Without NXT - $799

Already own a LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT Set? Get everything you need, except the NXT set with this kit. The FTC Competition Kit features more than 600 parts and includes everything needed for teams to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge. For those that already own a LEGO MINDSTORMS Education NXT set, the FTC Competition Kit includes:

* TETRIX Base Set, which includes:

o Brackets and mounts

o Structural channel and plates

o Structural tubing and hubs

o Wheels and gears

o NEW Omni wheel

* New game sensor

* LabVIEW, MINDSTORMS NXT, and Robot C software for FTC and team licenses

* LEGO Bluetooth dongle

* Hard Point Connectors for attaching TETRIX to LEGO Technic

* Two Logitech joystick controllers

* Servos, DC motors, and associated HiTechnic controllers

* Battery pack, connectors, and charger

* Hardware and hex keys

* User guide and FTC game manual

* Storage bin

Option 3: 2009 FTC Challenge Kit - $149

A low-cost option for returning teams who need only the components unique to this season's game. Returning teams can buy this kit and reuse their existing TETRIX metal and MINDTORMS control components. The kit

includes:

* Updated LabVIEW, MINDSTORMS NXT, and Robot C for FTC software needed for the 2009 season

* New game sensor

3. Ordering Limits:

As for ordering limits, the system will look like this for the 2009 season:

New Teams

. Buy 1 of $799 (no MINDSTORMS) kit OR

. Buy 1 of $999 (full) kit OR

. Buy 2 of $999 kit OR

. Buy 2 of $799 kit OR

. Buy 1 of the $999 and 1 of the $799

No more than two kits total. Two of the same or one of each, but two kits total.

Returning Teams

. Buy 1 of $149 (game/challenge) kit and 1 of $999 kit OR . Buy 1 of $149 kit and 1 of $799 kit OR . Buy 1 of the $149 kit No more than two kits total.

~~FTC Staff~~