My team wants to invest in a couple linear slides in case we need some in the future. We currently use all goBilda parts so obviously there viper slide probably would be fine. I saw coach Pratt’s video on the OffSet Robotics box slides which seem great although more expensive. Any other recommendations or things to consider? Should we just wait and see what the game is next year to know which sizes we need?
I always tend to say, “Wait to buy hardware until you find out you need it in the game.” Though, I also say “be wary of doing anything in the regular season that you haven’t done at least once in the past” and I understand how conflicting that can be for team growth. I don’t think there’s a wrong answer to which linear slide to use in order to build confidence in using them, just all linear slide systems come with tradeoffs of the 3 C’s - cost, complication, consistency. Certainly the Offset Robotics box slides are an attractive option, but please also remember that influencers - like “Coach Pratt” and others - sometimes receive kick-backs for mentioning products in their videos (not that I know anything specifically about “Coach Pratt’s” sponsorship model), so you are doing the right thing by doing your own homework after watching them.
Thanks for the wisdom. The Offset kit is certainly more costly. But after seeing teams struggle with goBilda viper slides last year for Into the Deep, the box type look good. Plus they are currently clearancing them off.