Auto-docking just got me killed...

Red Fox Four

Red Fox Four
I used auto dock for my Type6, Type7, Asp, Clipper and even Sidewinder. Used it in Solo and Open play. Never had any issues or problems.

Only thing to be aware of is that autodock sometimes drops you onto pad and 'drags' you along pad towards left for a few moments before it succeeds with the docking. If you have shields it makes no difference, but if you dropped shields for extra cargo it will damage hull.
 

protte

P
Im using the docking computer quite often. Because you have some minutes you dont have to watch the game. But you have to know some things to mak a good docking.
The most failers happens when you and the landing pad are on the same plane. If you move your ship 1-2+km above the pad and than start the automatic docking procedure. The docking compoter does everything well. The same works on station with a portal. Just move your ship so you can see the portal completly.

It seems that the game trys to navigate to a point 500m above or in front of the portal. If it find a way to this point in the right vector and without something intersect it. everything is fine
 

wolferr

wolferr
The docking computer flew my ship into the station and tried to dock backwards and bounced around until the hull breached. Cr100,000 lost. Grrr!
 

Gremlin

G
Cidcaldensfey said:
As others have said, you're trusting your life to a computer and you died. You should be flying yourself and don't buy the autodock. This is your fault.
Click to expand...

Dont be an idiot/troll.

This is an in game module, it should work properly.

The same way that guns and turrets should work properly.
 

wolferr

wolferr
You can turn off the docking computer by selecting Cancel Docking Request from the 1 menu. But if you are inside a station when you do, you're bantha fodder.
 

Sprax

Sprax
I use the DC all the time....just follow some basics and you should be fine...line it up and relinquish control about 2km out...don't expect the DC to be able to negotiate coming from the side or rear of the stations...keep a careful eye on it and be prepared to reverse full thrusters if it is developing suicidal thoughts.

Only problem I ever had was when I went too close and too fast...pilot error!

I love the fact it allows me the time to crack another tinny ;)

...oh and never....never use it on the outside stations....disaster awaits!!

Spraxy
 

Tommyknocker

Tommyknocker
Been using mine since I could afford it, but I tend to treat it like a 3 year old with a stick of dynamite. I NEVER open any screens when I am under it's power, the first time was enough to show me how it likes to dock sideways. Also I always make sure I am facing the entrance/docking platform before i engage it. The setup can take a few minutes sometimes, but I have never lost a ship. But as others have said it is not perfect.
 

woolenthreads

W
I bought a Docking Computer once. I loved the "Blue Danube" it brought back fond memories of the original game. It tried to dock sideways to a platform. I turned it off and parked it properly. I then realised I would have to be level with the platform any time I wanted to dock. So I sold it and park it myself, it's simply easier.
 

Pekaafax

Pekaafax
All this has convinced me to equip my freebie Eagle with docking computer, just for the humour of it.

Wouldn't want to endanger player traffic with it though, so I'll let the Marvin re-incarnation express himself on solo mode only.
 

Luponator

L
Cidcaldensfey said:
As others have said, you're trusting your life to a computer and you died. You should be flying yourself and don't buy the autodock. This is your fault.
Click to expand...
Right! Using an in-game system is clearly the player's fault when it's bugged. Where is the 'it is realistic' pointer?
Would you say the same if shield cells would cause your ship to explode after use randomly, is it is the players fault for for not flying good enough, too?
Total . The player trades an equipment slot for convenience, and that is perfectly fine. The docking computer needs some love, simple fact. You dont have to use it.
 

MissMeYet

M
IRL, Auto-land is a great feature when it's been a long day and the weather is awful, but your thumb is never far from the disconnect switch just in case... The same basic rule should also apply in ED IMO.

On the topic of equipment not always working 100%, I think a useful feature in ED would be items that have a low but very real failure rate. Microsoft FlghtSim allows you to set realism levels whereby engines or landing gear (among many other systems) will randomly fail.

My 2 cents...
 
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Fia

F
Suicidal auto docking computers are a time honoured feature of Elite. Not being able to trust the docking computer is how people get so good at docking in the original.
 

FoxTwo

FoxTwo
Lethargus said:
All good. I make it through the portal and all of a sudden the guns open fire and the station turns red. I am not carrying anything illegal, I don't have hardpoints deployed. And of course auto-dock means I can't do anything other than sit there and let myself get blown away.
Click to expand...

You are probably not aware of this then:

You can always disengage Auto-docking at ANY time by simply increasing throttle.

I'm guessing you used up your 10 mins extricating yourself from the side of the station and the station shot you for trespass :D
 
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