Help with choosing parts for a first robot, please.

[dotDominic]

Cool, thanks very much! Right now I'm not looking for any really fast charging, just something that works.

Also, just read this thread regarding mixing issues with DX6is and BotBitz ESCs. I imagine everyone on here has already read it, but here it is anyway: http://www.fightingrobots.co.uk/thre...-spektrum-dx6i Not really convinced I'm up to the task of hacking these, particularly when I've never soldered any before. (Not comfortable thinking that one of the first things I try soldering on is an ESC worth £44...) So I'm thinking I might buy a cheaper transmitter which doesn't have this problem. (Or isn't as affected by it.)

But it just made me wonder why people don't control their robots like this, rather than using one control stick:
Dominic's Pretty Naff Diagram.jpg


I imagine this type of control has a name, but I've no idea what it is. I just would've thought that would stop that dead zone in the corners of the control as discussed in the above thread. But since I haven't heard of anyone using it (and that I'm a total newbie to this sort of thing), I'm guessing there is some major problem with trying to control a robot in this way?
Sorry about all these questions.

[Garfie489]

I believe that problem was on the V1s, the V2s i have dont seem to have the same problem.

Also that control type is tank steering effectively. its really hard to be accurate using that system. For example, if you want to go straight down a line, you need to accelerate both sticks at the same rate, and hold them both fully up.

Theres then an added problem of adding a weapon control which is why many use one stick. And also in order to drive that way you need to do the mixing yourself in your head, often itll lead to a very binary and inaccurate form of driving style. My using the mixing included in the transmitter, its just one less thing to think about whilst driving.

Its certainly doable, but its likely to cause more problems than it fixes. You could certainly try learning that way, but its less of a headache to not do it - the driving comes more naturally

[dotDominic]

Superb, thanks very much! I was very worried about having to hack ESCs on my own, so that's a huge relief!

Ah, ok. I understand now. Thanks for the explanation! Might be something to play around with when I'm a bit more experienced but for the time being I'll stick with the more tradition method of control. Thanks for your responses!