This is a list of 3rd party legal vex parts that might help you if you are trying to fit parts in a low budget:
Here’s a list of things that you’ll likely want for the competition, and their cost:
- VEX V5 Competition Super Kit - VEX Robotics ($2000)
- V5 Pneumatics Kit - VEX Robotics ($300)
- VRC (2024-25) Full Game & Field Element Kit - VEX Robotics ($625 with required plates, $600 without)
- Tools - VEX Robotics ($165, I may have calculated it wrong, might be lower)
- Pliers ($15 for a set (recommended), $3-6 for individual)
- Anything Else (feel free to add to it)
Totaling, that would be ~$3105 assuming you have nothing at all right now.
I don’t know much about sponsorship, but I can help out in these parts:
No, although that’ll help (hopefully) attract sponsors more.
The worst you can get is get rejected . If you might need a sponsor, try finding one. You have nothing to lose.
Based on the analysis above, you might need ~$150 more.
The difference between sponsors and donations is that sponsorship is sometimes used to market or advertise that business. Donation is a gift for charitable purpose to support the project. Source
That’s all I know/can help you with. Good luck on the upcoming season!
P.S. If I’m wrong on any part of the answer, feel free to correct me.