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“You’ll also need a series of tools, such as basic hand tools, including:
a soldering iron like this:
Like the other items on my list, you can find cheaper ones. My team used versions of these in the factory I ran, where we were soldering all day long. I know that they last.
hex wrenches like these:
and a Dremel or Flexible Shaft:
I grew up with these. They are pricey. I still have mine from 1986 and it’s still going strong, so I can vouch for the brand. There are models that are 1/3 as much, I just don’t have any experience with them.
ENDBOTS DESC VS SCORPION NANO
DUAL ELECTRONIC SPEED CONTROLLER PRODUCT COMPARISON.
Electronic Speed Controllers are critical for combat robotics.
We compare the Endbots DESC, the Scorpion Nano DESC, and the Fingertech tinyESC v2.
Drive motors and weapon motors must be controlled. Builders do this with an Electronic Speed Controller (ESC). Many speed controllers, like the Fingertech tinyESC, control only a single device. A Dual speed controller controls two devices at the same time. With a dual speed controller, you can often save cost and weight.
Comparison Table
Scorpion Nano
Robot Power- Requires: 1
- Bidirectional Control of 2 motors – yes.
- Continuous Power – 1.2 amps
- Max Power – 2.0 amps peak
- Size: 0.8″ x 0.6″x .15″
- Voltage Min – 3.3v
- Voltage Max – 16v
- Weight – 6gm
- Overcurrent protection – yes
- Overtemp protection – yes
- Failsafe on lost signal – yes
- Onboard mixer – yes
- Battery Elimination Circuit – yes
- Calibrate Function – yes
- Status LED – yes
- Presoldered Motor Wires – yes
- Onboard receiver possible – no
DESC
Endbots- Requires: 1
- Bidirectional Control of 2 motors – yes.
- Continuous Power – 1.6 amps
- Max Power – 3.0 amps peak
- Size: 1″ x 0.7″ x .15″
- Voltage Min – 6.5v
- Voltage Max – 16.8v
- Weight – 6gm
- Overcurrent protection – yes
- Overtemp protection – yes
- Failsafe on lost signal – yes
- Onboard mixer – yes
- Battery Elimination Circuit – yes
- Calibrate Function – yes
- Status LED – yes
- Presoldered Motor Wires – no
- Onboard receiver possible – yes – Lemon
- Don’t offer Endbots
tinyESC v2
Fingertech (requires 2)- Requires: 2
- Bidirectional Control of 2 motors – no
- Continuous Power – 1.5 amps
- Max Power – 3.0 amps peak
- Size: 0.5″ x 0.7″ x 0.2”
- Voltage Min – 6.5v
- Voltage Max – 36.v
- Weight – 7.4gm (2)
- Overcurrent protection – yes
- Overtemp protection – yes
- Failsafe on lost signal – yes
- Onboard mixer – no
- Battery Elimination Circuit – yes
- Calibrate Function – yes
- Status LED – yes
- Presoldered Motor Wires – yes
- Onboard receiver possible – no
Summary
Fingertech tinyESC v2
The Fingertech tinyESC is the gold standard for combat robotics’ brushed motor ESC. However, there is a price to pay (literally) in both cost, complexity, and weight. Fingertech’s tinyESC has only a single bidirectional channel, and therefore requires two ESC’s with the attendant wiring complexity.
Fingertech is the best-known supplier of combat robot parts, and they dominate the Antweight class. Also, they also have a series of parts that work well on beetleweights, particularly their eggbeater weapon and electronics. Fingertech is the designer and/or integrator of a number of classic parts for the industry, and their Viper antweight kit is well known as the most common starter kit.
Fingertech has had some supply challenges for the last year, and supplies of ESC’s, kits, and mechanicals have had issues from weeks to months. However, in general, they are a very reliable supplier, and the best in the combat robotics industry.
Endbots DESC
The Endbots Dual ESC is a well known Dual ESC and, when you consider you only need one unit not two, you gain both a cost advantage and a weight advantage. The Endbots DESC was a project designed and built by a combat robot builder. You can see a snippet about the project here.
Another interesting difference is the Endbots’ option of an onboard Lemon receiver, which neither of the other devices possesses. This can further simplify weight, wiring, and cost. Endbots’ DESC has a good name in the sport, but it can be hard to get.
Endbots is generally seen as a niche supplier. They do offer some custom-designed parts, including the Endbots DESC and a micro switch, but much of the inventory on their website is Fingertech or other manufacturers’. Much of it also shows as sold out.
Endbots’ Founder, Jeffrey Olijar, started his design work with the DESC project. You can find it here on Hackaday.io.
Scorpion Nano DESC
The Robot Power Scorpion Nano is not as well recognized. However, it is at a significantly superior price point. It operates at a lower minimum voltage (3.3v vs. 6.5v). Additionally, the max voltage is similar to the Endbots’ (16v for the Nano vs. 16.8v for the Endbots’). Neither is anywhere near the max of the Fingertech at 36v. The price point is significantly better than the Fingertech, given the fact that one only needs one and not two.
Other Robot Power products are better known. The Scorpion Mini is well known as the Beetleweight “go-to” ESC for ruggedness and reliability. If the Scorpion Nano is as reliable as the Mini, it can be a formidable contender in the DESC market.
Robot Power specializes almost exclusively in robotics power and control boards. While they had at least one point supply problem, in general, they maintain stock and can ship quickly. They are US-based.
Conclusion
All three products are great products, each with its strengths. Currently, COVID has caused the world’s supply to be difficult, which leaves openings for less-known contenders like the Scorpion Nano to make a name for themselves.
SHOP FOR ELECTRONICS:
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Sale!
Tiny ESC v2
$27.00 -
Mini Power Switch
$7.99 -
JST connector – female
$0.79 -
JST connector – male
$0.69 -
JST connector – female to male pair
$1.39 -
Sale!
Mini Terminal Blocks, pair
$5.99 -
Sale!
Switch and Charge Jack
$6.25 -
Sale!
JST to 9V Battery adapter – dual
$6.99 -
Sale!
JST to 9V Battery adapter – single
$4.49 -
Scorpion Mini ESC
$44.99 -
Scorpion Nano Dual ESC
$34.99
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