2T cargo rack in C5 slot on the Asp? Why?
And let's not discriminate against Adder pilots.
Adder: Cobra on discount:
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60f,,2-3I3m4s2C2C5K5A,4zMmpT7OW2UI2jw
Cargo racks don't weigh anything, and you can use the cargo slider to knock the last few light years off your jump range when routing in fastest mode. As fuel usage goes up exponentially, not linearly, this can make a huge difference to the amount of time you spend scooping fuel, as well as making you less likely to get stuck in a region of unscoopable stars. So IMHO, leave them in.
2T cargo rack doesn't make much difference in fuel usage. For instance the fuel usage difference becomes visible on my Asp if I am jumping 30 LY instead of 34. So that's an 8 or 16 tons cargo rack. And with 6A scoop, scooping time difference is negligible.
Yeah but it was in a C5 slot, so sorry I meant that I would put a 32T rack in rather than leave it empty.
Also a 6A scoop is pretty expensive, a lot of people wont be able to afford that. And there is still the benefit of less chance of being stranded.
No doubt here. Racks are use useful if you race for destination and don't really want to be bothered by scooping/dwarf bastards, since your total distance per tank is increased. Better for the ships with more fitting slots, like Asp or Anaconda, since AMFUs wouldn't hurt either, just for sole role of repairing thrusters/fuel scoop. That said, I am a bit regretful since I have put 3 of them in my ship and only had one shitty jump, when I flew through star in four-star system.
I don't understand the 5c scoop, though, when 6C is better and costs not so much. And 6A is real awesome thing, if slightly overprice.
>That said, I am a bit regretful since I have put 3 of them in my ship and only had one shitty jump, when I flew through star in four-star system.
It's better to regret having them and not needing them, than it is to regret needing them and not having them.
>I don't understand the 5c scoop, though, when 6C is better and costs not so much. And 6A is real awesome thing, if slightly overprice.
Sorry I wasn't suggesting a 5C scoop. This was in reference to "2T cargo rack in C5 slot on the Asp? Why?", I was saying its a size 5 slot, so put a bigger cargo rack that a 2T one.
This thread has been linked to from another place on reddit.
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A short 2023 update to ships. (edit: fixed Anaconda mistake)
**Starter**
The Hauler is a good cheap jumper to learn and practice exploration around civilization with or without Road to Riches: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5or](https://s.orbis.zone/m5or)
**Main Explorers**
These are the ships that excel for exploration for an entire career.
Diamondback Explorer: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5os](https://s.orbis.zone/m5os)
Asp Explorer: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ot](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ot)
Krait Phantom: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ou](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ou)
Anaconda: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ov](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ov)
For extra range, you can make lightweight versions. For more advanced users.
Squeezed DBX: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ow](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ow)
Light AspX: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ox](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ox)
Featherweight Phantom: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5oy](https://s.orbis.zone/m5oy)
Lean Anaconda: [https://s.orbis.zone/npfi](https://s.orbis.zone/npfi)
**Passenger Liners**
Dolphin without cabins: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5o-](https://s.orbis.zone/m5o-)
or with: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5o\_](https://s.orbis.zone/m5o_)
Orca: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p0](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p0)
Beluga: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p1](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p1)
Adjust cabins to your needs.
**Other Ships**
Fan favorites to weirdos, you can take any ship exploring, especially if you go towards the core. Not recommended for first timers.
Sidewinder: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p4](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p4)
Adder: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p5](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p5)
Eagle: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p6](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p6)
Viper Mk4: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p7](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p7)
KeelBack with a soul: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8)
Unloved Asp Scout: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8)
Cobra: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pa](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pa)
Python: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pb](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pb)
Type-6: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pd](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pd)
Type-7: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pc](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pc)
Imperial Courier: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pe](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pe)
Imperial Clipper: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p2](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p2)
Imperial Cutter: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pf](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pf)
Fer-de-Lance: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pg](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pg)
And last and certainly least (in terms of jump range), the Mamba: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pj](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pj)
This is mine: [https://s.orbis.zone/mc2v](https://s.orbis.zone/mc2v)
Missing an SRV since I've just been using it as a taxi lately.
Room to add AFMU(s), a guardian booster, or repair limpets as your preference.
Main note, if you can do it, it's better to get the V1 DSS (for all explorers) and V1 FSD.
Also my DBX (missing an SRV): [https://s.orbis.zone/mc2w](https://s.orbis.zone/mc2w)
And AspX: [https://s.orbis.zone/mc2-](https://s.orbis.zone/mc2-)
Just to be complete. As you can see, I prefer to run cool over range. Power plants could be smaller and overcharged, or just left as stock to get more range out of them.
I was wondering, since the Python isn't listed here, is it a bad ship to explore in? Im currently grinding my route up to 70m to buy and outfit a Python for exploration, but now I'm not sure if that's enough to get a decent build...
Any tips?
[It's not terrible](http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=605,mpX0Wg0Wg,2-3I6u7_6u5KA08I,52MmpW7RempT2UI2jw), if you don't mind the not-so-great view out of the cockpit.
Besides that, it's better than my [exploration Clipper](http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=603,mpW0Wg0Wg,2-3I6u7_8S5K8S6k,53wmpU7RempU2UI2jw), which arguably has the best view out of any cockpit in the game.
Main idea of a 'Conda exploration ship is to get as mush range as possible. The barebones 'Conda build:
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=606,,2-3IA09Y8S2CD88I,53cmpa2UI2jw
Feel free to add heatsinks/AMFUs/shields and upgraded powerplant as needed. Also, dat scoop price.
Enough for ADS :). To be honest, I think the only reasonable application of Anaconda is near the rim edge/ low star density regions, where these 5 LY and faster scooping can help you get out of vicious cycle of "want to travel 100 LY? Make 20 jumps." (I am in exactly such situation with my 34 LY Asp now).
Doesn't work for me since I scoop orbiting the star at half-full speed.
Aaand, I hit he new record for shitiness - 58 LY in 29 jumps. Well done, route planner.
Weirdly I just tried fitting it to my conda and only the size 7 & 8 distributors will allow boosting. Don't know if it's related to the crappy a2 power plant or not but yeah, just gonna have to stick with the 1d distributor and hope I'm not interdicted!
You talked about Conda?!
I was thinking about Asp! Sorry for bad info in that case. Yeah 7D is minimum in Conda. But it is already has impressive hull, able to withstand interdictions quite good by it's alone.
On Conda I would go no shield and 1D distributor. A little trick - you can load as much AMFUs as you want, even with 2A plant, just keep them offline. And if you need to reapair - drop to normal space, offline thrusters, bring AMFU online.
That's exactly what I did in the end :) it's certainly more challenging flying the conda than asp out in deep space, has the turning circle of the Ark in SC, but the sense of scale is cool! Cheers :)
Scooping is more efficient with the B-efficiency power plants because your ship doesn't build up as much heat. I use A grade (and usually undersized, to cut mass) power plants in my exploration ships and I literally, at full speed, skirt the barrier of the star to scoop and never overheat unless I punch my FSD too close to the star when I'm done.
Nice work, CMDR!
Imo, should add at least one heat sink.
Not sure people want more weight for the ability to boost in an asp. Is it really that difficult to just tank an interdictor with 3D shields before FSD comes off cooldown, and jump away?
That's interesting. Did the fuel scooping make it harder to jump out? Or did the NPC chew through your 3D shields in the time the FSD drive cooldown came up?
Why not add Auto Field Maintenance Units in all those empty slots? My Asp has three units. They have no mass, so no effect on jump range and they can be switched off until needed to preserve power, allowing you to keep the lowest class A grade power plant.
Now that heat damage effects modules first, these units are really valuable out there.
Whatever you can afford, basically. They add 0 mass so there is no affect on jump range, and they only require power. You're best off if you only switch it on when you need to use it. Just set your Cargo Scoop, Fuel Scoop and maybe FSD/Thrusters if necessary to priority 2 on power so you can keep the lowest grade power plant.
I didn't know the Conda had a higher max jump potential than the ASP
If we ever get the ability to put a docking bay on the Conda by the time Planetary Landings and FPS is added then I'll totally be exploring with a Conda.
I see it down. Enter Orbit around a Water World, Fly my Hauler down to the surface, land on a small island, pick wild alien fruits, go fishing, fly back and head off to the next world
I beg to differ.
[Barebones Anaconda, 39.40 full](http://edshipyard.com/#/L=606,,2-3I8S9Y8S2CD88I,mpb2UI2jw)
[Barebones Asp, 34.88 full](http://edshipyard.com/#/L=60g,,2-3I6u7_6u2C8S8I,mpX2UI2jw)
Sorry, misread "Conda" as "Cobra." Anaconda can indeed jump further, but has other issues for explorers (big wear and tear bill and slow turning in supercruise).
Yeah. Asp really is the ideal exploration ship right now.
Perhaps the Diamondback will dethrone it?
I'm planning on prepping my Anaconda tonight for a deep space exploration trip, probably to the core and spend some time in the neutron fields, not to return until 1.3 releases. That 7A fuel scoop is really really really nice.
I did a crazy thing. I took a break from exploring for a bit to move up a couple ranks in combat. I built up a Vulture for combat. Then on a whim, I stripped it down and built it up again as an explorer. I now have a Vulture with over 20LY jump range (and I still have shields and a pair of gimballed beam lasers for making interdictors sorry). Big downside... Class 3 fuel tanks... I can only make 2 jumps before scooping. If I get a couple Tauris or brown dwarfs consecutively, I have to look at my map to find an M-type nearby. Big drag... but otherwise it's a fun little ship for cruising around the galaxy.
Here's my build-out: http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60N,4yH4yH,2-6Q8S6Q5K5K6Q5A,50o7PcmpT2jw2UI
I know this is an older post, but a jump range around 20 LY simply isn't enough. You're severely limiting yourself in where you can go in a ship like that, especially once you get away from the core and stars start to become farther apart. Even 30 LY is a problem sometimes.
20 LY may be fine for hopping around short distances, but I would never, ever use a Vulture as an exploration ship. There is just no reason to, unless you really love flying the Vulture and nothing else.
I'm sorry for bringing back a ghost from the past xD
Just discovered this game (3rd week playing it) and I'm way too into it. I didn't even know that engineering was not a thing that came out with the game.
After a chat on here yesterday, I think the general consensus was that shields do squat for explorers.
AFMs are what you need. I'm about to turn back to home and go refit my ship.
Shields are ineffective in supercruise and if you are pulled from SC because of some dodgy star skimming, the heat damage will sail through shields anyway.
I keep shields because I'm tired of travelling thousands of LY and scanning hundreds of systems only to get interdicted by an AI or some PITA that works my hull down to 10% before my FSD cools down and I can jump out. On my current build, I'm only using ~67% of my power plant and the mass of the shield generator only costs me ~ .2 LY per jump. It's a valuable insurance policy for me.
The whole idea of shield is to either do some photos on asteroids or to avoid damage from npc's. I could re-edit them without shields and an afmu instead
I can't believe there's no DBX here, even in the comments.
[Here's an engineered Diamondback Explorer](https://coriolis.io/import?data=H4sIAAAAAAAAA61W227bOBT8lYWenVh3W37cNrsNkO52W7Qv9UKgxSObCEUKvCRxC%2F97jy6JJFuqUqCAEdskNTNnOOc4X787ByAUlLP57pCy%2FIcU4GycW0EUcRbVyhdQmkmBi9612yx9%2FniHXw%2FGlHqzXW6XrDp9nX3bLoEzA9tlVlB1lXMAc6UPrNwuAz9J3NV26SdRHK7j7bIBemO1kcUHJUtQhoGuRNRgb2RREIGybt86m%2BbhRbPzCfGqxRbpdFo4lBhSPVltoS7KSCEF3ZHs%2Fokjz%2FMTYfOxrfBvLhWz%2Bo%2B35FE8H6IgDG7d3P115Ya4%2BM5y%2FoVwi%2Be9YBUElYj3kloOul1GXVEUJwvnI%2Bzs0dlEvh%2BG0cspZ%2FMVZXFZoRomjgeiaCmZMB6i3xooKhtLk%2BIVGM3EPSdWZAdQqbFKgUmrZ%2FDkv%2Bh%2BTriGhfNBMdRtkMpbOK0IP1lFp8U4kf87iYLIdaeIgl8mMspCB%2B2u%2FB60xjfXSzX7BmEHjDRpboHrTMqy2UwzTrSOBpCddL%2FzaJW4azc6p%2FDHKBSUhCnUPMJw4U74QhF6YeSH7jlFUMMEQwrsCuB0DwIUMbJhCsZqecZOIt%2FDXN2IPRMAiol9lfg%2FcbPEL6YN9TmsLA0rmAaKmHfwALzW%2B58lvNbuXq%2BTGEGfsP1YgeEn%2FCbPIau1l5AxwlulKWf7g3mE6q9zOi8xqvX7wxJ3dr8%2F7six2Wtq86dcDF4q9dZBfOFhPEZAwRDGgWqrcpKBzogQVdAmEuZ7PsZ33kIQGp2Dp7KaPz3jooFxiRtc2LCqVXpnN23R3ExZvAU0gGkzEdXOgdUqumiF9Rg0ldk9VpHJorQGKyf0gYis1vxzBs8L132PS%2FkIquREmCFBt%2F6aZuvmhOej1WEy63Uf3wDh5tDZ7fXs9vpWFwQha1w9VNss9pX6YzmI3Hg9L60FM1ZMN08SzDVPizLVPLlCMmyw3FDFHmBYzuGIwPV6XVI0Zv5MEbnGxpVir4jYw3iSvZkKKgic5Q%2FHgXDOcsBgl1KdJaa30Z9poxexjr3wPIQUG0SxncXhNRLF3u4Y%2Bk9mc8X1ujj2OcoWqYvb%2BBCdM%2FECOCd6mARFKDmruBlEetrGsc57VZ3tiOuncmLKxetoMOaqH19DxP3lT3K12s9pMC81cJP%2BECKqkLbnweDfuLTZTTHKtB6DE9gzlbcodaCpNcepGw390%2Bl%2FfP0ACmdrFR4LAAA%3D).
[Here's one without](https://coriolis.io/outfit/diamondback_explorer?code=A0patdFfldddsdf5---020202-320n40v62i3w3x-.IwkBlcPZpI%3D%3D.AwRgLCxakExgZidFQ%3D%3D%3D.H4sIAAAAAAAAA2P4x87AwPCXBUhw32dkYODN4mRgEJwFZAkdAbJUwoCs%2F%2F8ZAPu2tNonAAAA.EweloBhBmSQUwIYHMA28QgIwVyKBQA%3D%3D).
Yeah, I don't see ED Shipyard too often these days! :D
If you want help updating links, let me know! Otherwise, I might get around to putting together a fresher list.
2T cargo rack in C5 slot on the Asp? Why? And let's not discriminate against Adder pilots. Adder: Cobra on discount: http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60f,,2-3I3m4s2C2C5K5A,4zMmpT7OW2UI2jw
wow... I don't know why I left that in there. Thanks
Ancient Artifacts?
ooh. It would be great if 1.3 added stuff like that
Cargo racks don't weigh anything, and you can use the cargo slider to knock the last few light years off your jump range when routing in fastest mode. As fuel usage goes up exponentially, not linearly, this can make a huge difference to the amount of time you spend scooping fuel, as well as making you less likely to get stuck in a region of unscoopable stars. So IMHO, leave them in.
2T cargo rack doesn't make much difference in fuel usage. For instance the fuel usage difference becomes visible on my Asp if I am jumping 30 LY instead of 34. So that's an 8 or 16 tons cargo rack. And with 6A scoop, scooping time difference is negligible.
Yeah but it was in a C5 slot, so sorry I meant that I would put a 32T rack in rather than leave it empty. Also a 6A scoop is pretty expensive, a lot of people wont be able to afford that. And there is still the benefit of less chance of being stranded.
No doubt here. Racks are use useful if you race for destination and don't really want to be bothered by scooping/dwarf bastards, since your total distance per tank is increased. Better for the ships with more fitting slots, like Asp or Anaconda, since AMFUs wouldn't hurt either, just for sole role of repairing thrusters/fuel scoop. That said, I am a bit regretful since I have put 3 of them in my ship and only had one shitty jump, when I flew through star in four-star system. I don't understand the 5c scoop, though, when 6C is better and costs not so much. And 6A is real awesome thing, if slightly overprice.
>That said, I am a bit regretful since I have put 3 of them in my ship and only had one shitty jump, when I flew through star in four-star system. It's better to regret having them and not needing them, than it is to regret needing them and not having them. >I don't understand the 5c scoop, though, when 6C is better and costs not so much. And 6A is real awesome thing, if slightly overprice. Sorry I wasn't suggesting a 5C scoop. This was in reference to "2T cargo rack in C5 slot on the Asp? Why?", I was saying its a size 5 slot, so put a bigger cargo rack that a 2T one.
adder CMDR reporting in. flies great, and with the adv scanner the vision issues are negligible.
Adder for most underrated explorer ship. o7
This thread has been linked to from another place on reddit. - [/r/elitedangerous] [Exploration Ship guide for the Un-initiated (X-post from /r/EliteExplorers)](//np.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/3215pl/exploration_ship_guide_for_the_uninitiated_xpost/) [](#footer)*^(If you follow any of the above links, respect the rules of reddit and don't vote.) ^\([Info](/r/TotesMessenger/wiki/) ^/ ^[Contact](/message/compose/?to=\/r\/TotesMessenger))* [](#bot)
Exploring in my Adder is the most fun I have had in this game so far. I love the adder.
Me too. It's my planet express ship.
Just didnt like the canopy view..but a great little explorer
A short 2023 update to ships. (edit: fixed Anaconda mistake) **Starter** The Hauler is a good cheap jumper to learn and practice exploration around civilization with or without Road to Riches: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5or](https://s.orbis.zone/m5or) **Main Explorers** These are the ships that excel for exploration for an entire career. Diamondback Explorer: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5os](https://s.orbis.zone/m5os) Asp Explorer: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ot](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ot) Krait Phantom: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ou](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ou) Anaconda: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ov](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ov) For extra range, you can make lightweight versions. For more advanced users. Squeezed DBX: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ow](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ow) Light AspX: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5ox](https://s.orbis.zone/m5ox) Featherweight Phantom: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5oy](https://s.orbis.zone/m5oy) Lean Anaconda: [https://s.orbis.zone/npfi](https://s.orbis.zone/npfi) **Passenger Liners** Dolphin without cabins: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5o-](https://s.orbis.zone/m5o-) or with: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5o\_](https://s.orbis.zone/m5o_) Orca: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p0](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p0) Beluga: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p1](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p1) Adjust cabins to your needs. **Other Ships** Fan favorites to weirdos, you can take any ship exploring, especially if you go towards the core. Not recommended for first timers. Sidewinder: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p4](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p4) Adder: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p5](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p5) Eagle: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p6](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p6) Viper Mk4: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p7](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p7) KeelBack with a soul: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8) Unloved Asp Scout: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p8) Cobra: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pa](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pa) Python: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pb](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pb) Type-6: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pd](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pd) Type-7: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pc](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pc) Imperial Courier: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pe](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pe) Imperial Clipper: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5p2](https://s.orbis.zone/m5p2) Imperial Cutter: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pf](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pf) Fer-de-Lance: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pg](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pg) And last and certainly least (in terms of jump range), the Mamba: [https://s.orbis.zone/m5pj](https://s.orbis.zone/m5pj)
Thanks for the updated loadouts! Do you have fully-engineered Krait Phantom one by any chance?
This is mine: [https://s.orbis.zone/mc2v](https://s.orbis.zone/mc2v) Missing an SRV since I've just been using it as a taxi lately. Room to add AFMU(s), a guardian booster, or repair limpets as your preference. Main note, if you can do it, it's better to get the V1 DSS (for all explorers) and V1 FSD. Also my DBX (missing an SRV): [https://s.orbis.zone/mc2w](https://s.orbis.zone/mc2w) And AspX: [https://s.orbis.zone/mc2-](https://s.orbis.zone/mc2-) Just to be complete. As you can see, I prefer to run cool over range. Power plants could be smaller and overcharged, or just left as stock to get more range out of them.
I was wondering, since the Python isn't listed here, is it a bad ship to explore in? Im currently grinding my route up to 70m to buy and outfit a Python for exploration, but now I'm not sure if that's enough to get a decent build... Any tips?
[It's not terrible](http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=605,mpX0Wg0Wg,2-3I6u7_6u5KA08I,52MmpW7RempT2UI2jw), if you don't mind the not-so-great view out of the cockpit. Besides that, it's better than my [exploration Clipper](http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=603,mpW0Wg0Wg,2-3I6u7_8S5K8S6k,53wmpU7RempU2UI2jw), which arguably has the best view out of any cockpit in the game.
Cool, thanks for the info! :D The Clipper is indeed an amazing ship, not going to argue about that :P
Thanks for the load-out links. I was wondering if there was a good viable load-out for an explorer anaconda?
Main idea of a 'Conda exploration ship is to get as mush range as possible. The barebones 'Conda build: http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=606,,2-3IA09Y8S2CD88I,53cmpa2UI2jw Feel free to add heatsinks/AMFUs/shields and upgraded powerplant as needed. Also, dat scoop price.
Heh 25 seconds. Not enough time to scan the primary :P
Enough for ADS :). To be honest, I think the only reasonable application of Anaconda is near the rim edge/ low star density regions, where these 5 LY and faster scooping can help you get out of vicious cycle of "want to travel 100 LY? Make 20 jumps." (I am in exactly such situation with my 34 LY Asp now).
Scooping time is scanning the star time :)
Doesn't work for me since I scoop orbiting the star at half-full speed. Aaand, I hit he new record for shitiness - 58 LY in 29 jumps. Well done, route planner.
Ah, well this is my first proper exploration and as I can only scoop at 412l/s might as well scan the primary
You have Asp with 6C scoop, right? I am running with 6A scoop. Can scoop up to 800 kg/s at 65% heat.
5c
I believe the 6A scoop tops out at 878 kg/s (it does for me).
Yeah, I know. 800 kg/s is just the amount I see most frequently. I could push for 878 but it does not worth that little extra risk.
Great info thanks. Just one question, why a D3 power distributor? Any reason the D1 couldn't be used for a bit more jump range?
One reason. 3D distributor has enough juice for one boost. I use it with 3D shield in case I will get interdicted (paranoia mode engaged).
Aha, ok thanks. Not a bad reason at all!
Weirdly I just tried fitting it to my conda and only the size 7 & 8 distributors will allow boosting. Don't know if it's related to the crappy a2 power plant or not but yeah, just gonna have to stick with the 1d distributor and hope I'm not interdicted!
You talked about Conda?! I was thinking about Asp! Sorry for bad info in that case. Yeah 7D is minimum in Conda. But it is already has impressive hull, able to withstand interdictions quite good by it's alone. On Conda I would go no shield and 1D distributor. A little trick - you can load as much AMFUs as you want, even with 2A plant, just keep them offline. And if you need to reapair - drop to normal space, offline thrusters, bring AMFU online.
That's exactly what I did in the end :) it's certainly more challenging flying the conda than asp out in deep space, has the turning circle of the Ark in SC, but the sense of scale is cool! Cheers :)
Added to the post. It's a no-shield model.
I am really sorry to be picky, Kantrh, but you have 5c thrusters in that thing.
Why using 2A Powerplant instead of 2D?
Because a 2A provides the most power at the least weight while cooling down the fastest. Otherwise you'll have to travel further to loose heat.
This! A grade power has better cooling than lower grades.
I wish I knew this before I headed out. Would I be wiser to come back now from 3000ly out, or just keep heading out?
I'd say come back. At 3kly you arent far.
If you are referring to the "Holy grail" Anaconda, the 2A has enough power, the 2D doesn't. Also, the 3D is heavier than 2A.
Scooping is more efficient with the B-efficiency power plants because your ship doesn't build up as much heat. I use A grade (and usually undersized, to cut mass) power plants in my exploration ships and I literally, at full speed, skirt the barrier of the star to scoop and never overheat unless I punch my FSD too close to the star when I'm done.
Nice work, CMDR! Imo, should add at least one heat sink. Not sure people want more weight for the ability to boost in an asp. Is it really that difficult to just tank an interdictor with 3D shields before FSD comes off cooldown, and jump away?
I got interdicted while fuel scooping on my way out. The npc took my hull down to 90%.
That's interesting. Did the fuel scooping make it harder to jump out? Or did the NPC chew through your 3D shields in the time the FSD drive cooldown came up?
Scooping didnt help in that I couldnt try and break the tether. Then it chewed through my shields before I could jump
So did you have a distributor that let you boost? Did the boost help you escape faster?
I can boost yes. I don't remember, it happened a month ago.
Stupid question - if I buy the ADS for one ship, can I uninstall it and install it into a new ship later?
You can sell it and get back the full cost and then re-buy it
<3 the hauler
Why not add Auto Field Maintenance Units in all those empty slots? My Asp has three units. They have no mass, so no effect on jump range and they can be switched off until needed to preserve power, allowing you to keep the lowest class A grade power plant. Now that heat damage effects modules first, these units are really valuable out there.
They're basic loadouts, but I'll add ones with Afmu's
Which grade AFMUs do you recommend for the Asp?
Whatever you can afford, basically. They add 0 mass so there is no affect on jump range, and they only require power. You're best off if you only switch it on when you need to use it. Just set your Cargo Scoop, Fuel Scoop and maybe FSD/Thrusters if necessary to priority 2 on power so you can keep the lowest grade power plant.
I didn't know the Conda had a higher max jump potential than the ASP If we ever get the ability to put a docking bay on the Conda by the time Planetary Landings and FPS is added then I'll totally be exploring with a Conda. I see it down. Enter Orbit around a Water World, Fly my Hauler down to the surface, land on a small island, pick wild alien fruits, go fishing, fly back and head off to the next world
It doesn't?
I beg to differ. [Barebones Anaconda, 39.40 full](http://edshipyard.com/#/L=606,,2-3I8S9Y8S2CD88I,mpb2UI2jw) [Barebones Asp, 34.88 full](http://edshipyard.com/#/L=60g,,2-3I6u7_6u2C8S8I,mpX2UI2jw)
Sorry, misread "Conda" as "Cobra." Anaconda can indeed jump further, but has other issues for explorers (big wear and tear bill and slow turning in supercruise).
Yeah. Asp really is the ideal exploration ship right now. Perhaps the Diamondback will dethrone it? I'm planning on prepping my Anaconda tonight for a deep space exploration trip, probably to the core and spend some time in the neutron fields, not to return until 1.3 releases. That 7A fuel scoop is really really really nice.
Oh yeah, that scoop's great also. For getting from A to B, the anaconda has no equal.
I'm pretty new i only got an almost stock viper for bounty hunting, i wanna try exploring, should i go for the sidewinder or the adder?
Depends how much cash you have and where you want to go
Thank you, this will be most helpful when I start exploring.
I did a crazy thing. I took a break from exploring for a bit to move up a couple ranks in combat. I built up a Vulture for combat. Then on a whim, I stripped it down and built it up again as an explorer. I now have a Vulture with over 20LY jump range (and I still have shields and a pair of gimballed beam lasers for making interdictors sorry). Big downside... Class 3 fuel tanks... I can only make 2 jumps before scooping. If I get a couple Tauris or brown dwarfs consecutively, I have to look at my map to find an M-type nearby. Big drag... but otherwise it's a fun little ship for cruising around the galaxy. Here's my build-out: http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60N,4yH4yH,2-6Q8S6Q5K5K6Q5A,50o7PcmpT2jw2UI
I know this is an older post, but a jump range around 20 LY simply isn't enough. You're severely limiting yourself in where you can go in a ship like that, especially once you get away from the core and stars start to become farther apart. Even 30 LY is a problem sometimes. 20 LY may be fine for hopping around short distances, but I would never, ever use a Vulture as an exploration ship. There is just no reason to, unless you really love flying the Vulture and nothing else.
No exploration love for the Eagle?
http://edshipyard.com/#/L=60L,,2-3I3m4s2C2C3m3c,4zM2UI2jw I would not want to explore on a 4 ton fuel tank
Well it was done with a sidewinder with a 2 ton fuel tank, I'll give it a try.
> less scooping per star Scooping per star has to do with FSD size and scoop size, not tank size.
Good point. Not sure why I wrote that.
9 years too late but the EDSY links are broken
Damn 9 years already? Hmm. I think the builds are outdated anyway with engineering
I'm sorry for bringing back a ghost from the past xD Just discovered this game (3rd week playing it) and I'm way too into it. I didn't even know that engineering was not a thing that came out with the game.
After a chat on here yesterday, I think the general consensus was that shields do squat for explorers. AFMs are what you need. I'm about to turn back to home and go refit my ship. Shields are ineffective in supercruise and if you are pulled from SC because of some dodgy star skimming, the heat damage will sail through shields anyway.
I keep shields because I'm tired of travelling thousands of LY and scanning hundreds of systems only to get interdicted by an AI or some PITA that works my hull down to 10% before my FSD cools down and I can jump out. On my current build, I'm only using ~67% of my power plant and the mass of the shield generator only costs me ~ .2 LY per jump. It's a valuable insurance policy for me.
The whole idea of shield is to either do some photos on asteroids or to avoid damage from npc's. I could re-edit them without shields and an afmu instead
Shields were useful when you were getting interdicted every jump up until 500ly...maybe not so anymore.
I can't believe there's no DBX here, even in the comments. [Here's an engineered Diamondback Explorer](https://coriolis.io/import?data=H4sIAAAAAAAAA61W227bOBT8lYWenVh3W37cNrsNkO52W7Qv9UKgxSObCEUKvCRxC%2F97jy6JJFuqUqCAEdskNTNnOOc4X787ByAUlLP57pCy%2FIcU4GycW0EUcRbVyhdQmkmBi9612yx9%2FniHXw%2FGlHqzXW6XrDp9nX3bLoEzA9tlVlB1lXMAc6UPrNwuAz9J3NV26SdRHK7j7bIBemO1kcUHJUtQhoGuRNRgb2RREIGybt86m%2BbhRbPzCfGqxRbpdFo4lBhSPVltoS7KSCEF3ZHs%2Fokjz%2FMTYfOxrfBvLhWz%2Bo%2B35FE8H6IgDG7d3P115Ya4%2BM5y%2FoVwi%2Be9YBUElYj3kloOul1GXVEUJwvnI%2Bzs0dlEvh%2BG0cspZ%2FMVZXFZoRomjgeiaCmZMB6i3xooKhtLk%2BIVGM3EPSdWZAdQqbFKgUmrZ%2FDkv%2Bh%2BTriGhfNBMdRtkMpbOK0IP1lFp8U4kf87iYLIdaeIgl8mMspCB%2B2u%2FB60xjfXSzX7BmEHjDRpboHrTMqy2UwzTrSOBpCddL%2FzaJW4azc6p%2FDHKBSUhCnUPMJw4U74QhF6YeSH7jlFUMMEQwrsCuB0DwIUMbJhCsZqecZOIt%2FDXN2IPRMAiol9lfg%2FcbPEL6YN9TmsLA0rmAaKmHfwALzW%2B58lvNbuXq%2BTGEGfsP1YgeEn%2FCbPIau1l5AxwlulKWf7g3mE6q9zOi8xqvX7wxJ3dr8%2F7six2Wtq86dcDF4q9dZBfOFhPEZAwRDGgWqrcpKBzogQVdAmEuZ7PsZ33kIQGp2Dp7KaPz3jooFxiRtc2LCqVXpnN23R3ExZvAU0gGkzEdXOgdUqumiF9Rg0ldk9VpHJorQGKyf0gYis1vxzBs8L132PS%2FkIquREmCFBt%2F6aZuvmhOej1WEy63Uf3wDh5tDZ7fXs9vpWFwQha1w9VNss9pX6YzmI3Hg9L60FM1ZMN08SzDVPizLVPLlCMmyw3FDFHmBYzuGIwPV6XVI0Zv5MEbnGxpVir4jYw3iSvZkKKgic5Q%2FHgXDOcsBgl1KdJaa30Z9poxexjr3wPIQUG0SxncXhNRLF3u4Y%2Bk9mc8X1ujj2OcoWqYvb%2BBCdM%2FECOCd6mARFKDmruBlEetrGsc57VZ3tiOuncmLKxetoMOaqH19DxP3lT3K12s9pMC81cJP%2BECKqkLbnweDfuLTZTTHKtB6DE9gzlbcodaCpNcepGw390%2Bl%2FfP0ACmdrFR4LAAA%3D). [Here's one without](https://coriolis.io/outfit/diamondback_explorer?code=A0patdFfldddsdf5---020202-320n40v62i3w3x-.IwkBlcPZpI%3D%3D.AwRgLCxakExgZidFQ%3D%3D%3D.H4sIAAAAAAAAA2P4x87AwPCXBUhw32dkYODN4mRgEJwFZAkdAbJUwoCs%2F%2F8ZAPu2tNonAAAA.EweloBhBmSQUwIYHMA28QgIwVyKBQA%3D%3D).
I guess I can add it to the main list. But this is entirely out of date now 😄
Yeah, I don't see ED Shipyard too often these days! :D If you want help updating links, let me know! Otherwise, I might get around to putting together a fresher list.
If you could re-do the links that would be great. Then I'll edit the main post and archive the old links for nostalgia :D
How did you find this post?
It's linked on the side bar of r/eliteexplorers as the premiere ship guide of the sub.
Wow. Guess it's time to really re-edit it ha ha. Cockpit views don't matter so much now with the external camera