Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

RE: Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

mcb1 — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 03:00:54 GMT

I do like ice cream, but my waistline doesn't.

Answer of the year ...

I've looked at the prizes over the years and like [mention:193ac2434c814a24b46635a2210baec1:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] the prize has never been a motivator.

I prefer the vouchers to enable me to purchase goods from the local element14 site.

Tools and Instruments are fine, but what if you already have those (or better equivalents)

Having said all that, my Nexus tablet I won was great but was UK based and therefore had no warranty and the wrong power pack.

It's used regularily, and will continue to get used until it dies.

The above shows great thinking to have goods matching the theme, but I'd like to see the value reduced so that you could offer something to others who have tried but not won.

Perhaps the community could vote on the 'finishers' and they receive a $xxx shoping voucher.

To encourage newer members one of these could be only for those that are entering a Design Challenge for the first time.

Mark

RE: Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

Workshopshed — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:33:24 GMT

There were some excellent prizes back in 2015, I got a Trip to the New York Makers Faire, there was a Bobba Fett helmet and some custom posters made too.

I like stuff that you can't just buy so for me even the Element14 backpacks and T-Shirts are a great prize. Even something like photo signed by the Ben Heck team could work.

In general tools and gadgets are great and a shopping cart is good but I don't think I'd want that to be the only prize.

One big ticket item can be a bit of a turn off. For example I think I'd be a bit scared to use something like that Keithley multimeter incase it got broken. I was much more interested in the Dremel in that prize bundle.DMM7510 Digital Multimeter

RE: Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

fvan — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 08:38:37 GMT

Tools or instruments and/or shopping cart.

Thinking of things like 3D printers, laser cutters, etc ... Speaking of which, have you seen the new Robox Pro? [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-3542c374-4772-4578-ae5d-f9f4388aeec5/contentimage_5F00_4751.png:16:16]
Gadgets like VR sets, drones, segway sound cool as well! In the past there were also prizes containing trips to events such as Electronica.

Personally, things like a coffee machine or tea make like in the latest challenge, do not really appeal to me. I do understand it fits the theme of the challenge though [View:/resized-image/__size/16x16/__key/commentfiles/f7d226abd59f475c9d224a79e3f0ec07-3542c374-4772-4578-ae5d-f9f4388aeec5/contentimage_5F00_3.png:16:16]

RE: Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

DAB — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 18:25:37 GMT

Having the ability to choose what you want given a dollar amount would be the best benefit.

We all have a toy list, so having a voucher to defray the cost would help each of us build up our own suite of equipment.

DAB

RE: Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

fmilburn — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 18:19:31 GMT

I like tools and instruments. I have the basics but they are for the most part entry level and upgrades would be welcome. Vouchers also work and they would allow me to try out some of the more esoteric sensors and components available these days. Having said that the main incentive for me to enter a contest is a theme that interests me and a belief that I have a good project idea.

RE: Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

dougw — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 18:06:24 GMT

I think the value of the prizes add to the prestige of winning, but for me the actual prizes are not usually a significant motivator. For example I'm participating in the Pi Chef Challenge but I'm not a coffee drinker and I'm not a tea drinker. I do like ice cream, but my waistline doesn't.

As with [mention:d214a0a0f5594ee19515b2a3782e7070:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] I like tools and instrumentation prizes, although I have most of what I need already (thanks to the road test program). But Gene is right - it is always nice to have more.

I like the idea of the winners getting 3 prizes, one in each of 3 categories to provide the widest motivation:

consumer item like a camera or smart watch or selfie drone
tools and instrumentation like power supplies, scopes, meters, microscopes, and CAD packages
development kits and platforms like Raspberry Pi, arduino, PSoC, Launchpads, MBED and Farnell/Avnet vouchers

Normally I hate coupons and vouchers, but I like them from Farnell just fine, in fact they are the best type of prize.

Item 3 has not been a traditional design challenge prize, but once you have most of the toys and tools you want, it may be the most useful.

RE: Help us Shape Design Challenges - Prizes

genebren — Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:35:37 GMT

I personally like prizes that are tool and equipment based. I never seem to have too many tools and I always can find a place and a need for one more piece of equipment (scope/power supply/DMM etc). Anything to feed the hobby.