Our kids built our models yesterday and as coaches we questioned the "function" of two models. The instructions and all pictures seem to be consistent so we are probably wrong, but I did not think it could hurt to ask so if updates are required they can be released sooner rather than later.
LIGHT SHOW
This change does not seem to change the function of the model in competition, but it will make the judges job to reset the model much easier. Without the change, the "lock" bar has to be removed from the model and put back. This does not seem to be SOP for Lego competition models. I suggest the pin should be under the lock bar so the lock bar can be moved freely to reset the model. In theory, it also will allow the robot to reset the model which is the only reason we could think that it may be the way it is. We did not experience the pin being needed to prevent slippage when the bar is raised.
CAMERA
The rubber stopper as shown at the end of the track serves no function (other than aesthetic looks), which may be correct. It does make the model appear more realistic. As shown, if the bar is lifted, the camera will go down the track, hit the hard plastic disk and stop. No complaints from the kids as this makes using the "launcher" at full strength less of a challenge. However, if you move the rubber stopper to the second hole so the camera will it the rubber, the camera will bounce back to the bottom of the hill (as shown in the picture) Note: the bar was down in the video and the camera bounced back - we do not experience that behavior during testing, but we guess it could happen.
The amount of detail and creativity put into the challenge models never fails to awe us. There are likely reasons the models are designed as in the instructions and pictures and we are just overthinking the functional aspects of the models. Maybe the light show can slip and/or a decision was made not to have the camera bounce back. Either way, I would be curious if anyone else had the same thoughts and just wanted to confirm the design.
Going to be a fun season!
Thanks, Rob.
Teams names for this season TBD