There are many threads with advice, including this one: https://vexforum.com/t/a-good-starter-kit/42232/1
If you use google to search vexforum.com for your question, you’ll turn up many more similar threads.
There are many threads with advice, including this one: https://vexforum.com/t/a-good-starter-kit/42232/1
If you use google to search vexforum.com for your question, you’ll turn up many more similar threads.
I haven’t seen all the links above, but I suggest you buy all the parts separately vs. a kit. We have lots of parts we got from kits that we have not used in 6 years. Good luck and if you need more help, feel free to PM me.
If you aren’t using V5, there may be an organization in your area that is willing to sell you an old cortex.
The cortex trade-in rule states that only one cortex can be turned in per registered team, so if there’s a team that had multiple cortexes, they might have an additional one that they can’t turn in.
The Cortex and all associated electronics will be available new from VEX for quite some time.
It seems as if you can still buy them from vexrobotics.com. Purchasing both the cortex and its controller, as well as the VEXnet keys will cost around $400 (this is called the system bundle, I believe). Then you have to add batteries and their chargers (if you don’t have them), in addition to motors.
The system bundle for the V5 costs only $50 more, and if you are starting a new team and you don’t have any motors, batteries, or chargers, I would highly recommend getting the V5 this year. While it is more expensive, the technical aspects of the V5 are much better than the Cortex, and in a few years, the Cortex will most likely be completely replaced by V5. In other words, you could be spending $600+ dollars now on the Cortex, when in a few years, it may be necessary to purchase the V5.
I would buy the V5 as the V5 system are mandatory in two (2) years.