VEX Robotics Upgrade Incentive Program

VEX News
#1

VEX Robotics is announcing two upgrade incentive programs aimed at assisting those customers who wish to acquire the latest VEX technology.

We realize that discontinuing the VEXnet Upgrade puts a financial burden on VEX Robotics Competition teams that are planning to attend certain events that run on VEXnet only. The programs below are aimed at helping teams that want to upgrade their technology while minimizing their costs.

These programs are not mandatory for participating in the VEX Robotics Competition. Most events in 2010-2011 will still allow teams to run on 75 MHz Crystals or VEXnet. Check with your event organizer to be sure what system is being used where you are competing. Please note that the 2011 VEX Robotics Competition World Championship will be a VEXnet only event.

VEXnet Upgrade Return Incentive

Send in both the VEXnet TX Upgrade Module and the VEXnet Microcontroller Upgrade Module (keep your VEXnet USB Adapter Keys) and receive a $50 coupon code good towards any purchase made on vexrobotics.com. See return instructions below for this program.

This offer is valid for units returned from September 3 - December 17, 2010.
**
PIC Microcontroller V0.5 AND 75 MHz Transmitter/Receiver Trade-In Program**

The following offer is valid ONLY for VEX Robotics Competition teams that are registered and paid for the 2010-2011 “Round Up” season.

Send in a PIC Microcontroller V0.5, a 75 MHz Transmitter AND a 75 MHz Receiver and receive a coupon code for $200 off a VEXnet System Bundle (P/N: 276-1604).

1 Coupon Code will be given for each PIC Microcontroller and 75 MHz Transmitter/Receiver received. (e.g. Return 2 PIC Microcontrollers and 2 75 MHz Transmitters/Receivers and you will receive 2 coupons, each good for $200 off a VEXnet System Bundle.)

Only one $200 coupon may be used per VEXnet System Bundle ordered. VEXnet System Bundles are backordered until mid-October.

When using a discount code to purchase a VEXnet System Bundle, an additional discount of $45 will be deducted from the total given that a single-seat copy of Easy C V4 for Cortex, Part Number 276-1714, is purchased on the same order.

This offer is valid for units returned from September 3 - December 17, 2010 for teams that are registered and paid VEX Robotics Competition teams for the 2010-2011 season.

Return Instructions

Fill out the Upgrade Incentive Program form indicating what you are returning. Print out this form and include it with your returns (1 form per package). Customers are responsible for shipping charges and we recommend shipping via a trackable carrier (UPS, FedEx, USPS with Delivery Confirmation, etc.) to ensure your package arrives.

Package your units appropriately and send them to:

VEX Robotics, Inc.
Upgrade Incentive Program
1519 Interstate 30 West
Greenville, TX 75402

Once your units have been received and the contents verified the appropriate coupon codes will be e-mailed to you.

Thanks,
The VEX Robotics Team

#2

Thanks, Ricky. A couple clarifying questions that might help teams understand:

  1. Some competition teams have spare controllers. If, for example, a school has four teams, but five v.5 PIC controllers, can they exchange all five, or only four?

  2. How long will it take to get the order codes for the new Cortex controllers after we send in the form? It’s the competition season and we don’t want to have robots without controllers!

  3. Will instructions on using the coupon code be sent to us after we send in our old units?

  4. Can we send multiple VEXnet Upgrade modules and PIC controller/transmitter/receiver sets in the same box as long as the forms are all there?

Thanks!

#3
  1. Some competition teams have spare controllers. If, for example, a school has four teams, but five v.5 PIC controllers, can they exchange all five, or only four?

Yes, as long as the team is registered and paid for the 2010-2011 season they can turn in as many PIC controllers, 75 MHz Transmitters and Receivers as they’d like.

  1. How long will it take to get the order codes for the new Cortex controllers after we send in the form? It’s the competition season and we don’t want to have robots without controllers!

**Return units will be verified and codes will be emailed out within 5 business days. **

  1. Will instructions on using the coupon code be sent to us after we send in our old units?

Yes, the email with your coupon code will have instructions on how to use it.

  1. Can we send multiple VEXnet Upgrade modules and PIC controller/transmitter/receiver sets in the same box as long as the forms are all there?

Yes, the form has a spot to indicate quantities that are being sent in. Only one form is needed per box.

Thanks!

#4

Will any of the VEXnet TX Upgrade Module and the VEXnet Microcontroller Upgrade Module be made available for sale as Refurbished???

#5

similar question as marko
will they just be thrown away?
or given/sold for cheaper to organizations ect
or given out as contest prizes, ect
thanks

#6

They will not be sold as refurbished. Depending on the amount that we receive, we will use them for team support at events.

#7

Thanks for the clarification…

I did not get the VEXnet Upgrade Modules when first released and would like to aquire some for Vex Support and Testing…

#8

What is the purpose of keeping the adapter keys? Will we need these if we purchase the Cortex system, or will new keys be issued?

Also, will the Vexnet Upgrade (used with the old PIC controller and old transmitter) be allowed in future competitions?

#9

The USB WiFi keys haven’t changed – you will use them with your Cortex units. Both versions of VEXnet are still legal in the VRC, and 75MHz crystals are also legal for local events that choose to support crystals. World Championships are all-VEXnet, as are local events at the discretion of the local event organizers.

#10

I would like to thank VEX for providing these upgrade options. It is support like this that makes it easy for me to talk to high school teachers and administrators and explain why VEX is the best program for getting started in competitive robotics. I can be perfectly honest and tell them that, yes, over time they will need to budget to upgrade their equipment, but that rather than being price-gouged that they will be supported as much as is possible.

However I do have one question.

It is my understanding that for those using EasyC, an upgrade from V2 to V4 is required when upgrading to the Cortex. Is there a similar discounted rate for upgrading software when upgrading hardware?

Thanks,

Jason

#11

I have to agree, even mainly as a Hobbyist, with FRC/VRC ties…

The Official Word is no…

See Thread easy c for cortex.

#12

Jason,

Right now the answer is no, but we are currently working with our software partners to determine any upgrade options that might be available.

Paul

#13

What hardware and software are needed for compatibility for the upgrades?

For example, our orange programming cable recently broke, and we need to know whether to buy one ASAP because we will have a spare old microcontroller (not enough transmitters to be bundled into an upgrade package), and we have to ascertain whether or not it’ll be obsolete.

Thanks!

#14

I don’t see the condition of the equipment specified anywhere. Do you except broken Micro-controllers? Also, do you care if the hand held controllers come with or without an antenna?

#15

This is 5 business days after the shipment has been received at Greenville, correct?

#16

Yes, that is correct.

#17

Please note an update to the original post:

When using a discount code to purchase a VEXnet System Bundle, an additional discount of $45 will be deducted from the total given that a single-seat copy of easyC V4 for Cortex, Part Number 276-1714, is purchased on the same order.

#18

Wow I love unexpected bonuses.

~DK

#19

That is a nice addition!! Thank You very much!!!

#20

Great news about EasyC. Thank you.
Does it also apply to RobotC?