Bring back the Docking computer.

pev69

P
Hey OP, just by using these couple of tips docking really is not difficult (at least on ship sizes up to the Type 6). First, in case of trouble locating your pad, the compass shows you where it is.
.
BUT I think more important, and this is something I haven't seen anybody else mention here, is that you do not have to do it so complicated as the tutorial shows. That is, you do not have to first go high on top of the pad and then blindly descend using the thrusters, but instead you can fly straight toward the center of the pad, and then just correct your direction and line-up just above the pad. When you are at the center, and close to the correct line-up (ship facing away from you in the aid-hologram image), the pad will "grab" you, and that's that. I also recommend having (even the smallest possible) shields to protect you from small bumps and scrapes, that way you do not get any repair costs if you slightly fumble the approach :)
.
EDIT: And finally a tip to save some time: just when your ship "nods" after having been grabbed and straightened by the pad, you can immediately hit "enter hangar". During the animation you can access all services except outfitting. Why this saves a couple of seconds is that when you leave, your ship does not have to go down and turn anymore.
 
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Tryst

Tryst
pev69 said:
Hey OP, just by using these couple of tips docking really is not difficult (at least on ship sizes up to the Type 6). First, in case of trouble locating your pad, the compass shows you where it is.
.
BUT I think more important, and this is something I haven't seen anybody else mention here, is that you do not have to do it so complicated as the tutorial shows. That is, you do not have to first go high on top of the pad and then blindly descend using the thrusters, but instead you can fly straight toward the center of the pad, and then just correct your direction and line-up just above the pad. When you are at the center, and close to the correct line-up (ship facing away from you in the aid-hologram image), the pad will "grab" you, and that's that. I also recommend having (even the smallest possible) shields to protect you from small bumps and scrapes, that way you do not get any repair costs if you slightly fumble the approach :)
.
EDIT: And finally a tip to save some time: just when your ship "nods" after having been grabbed and straightened by the pad, you can immediately hit "enter hangar". During the animation you can access all services except outfitting. Why this saves a couple of seconds is that when you leave, your ship does not have to go down and turn anymore.
Click to expand...

I fly nose down onto the pad then level out and descend, using thrusters to get me on the right spot. It's not hard once you've found the pad but it is boring. I could be doing something much more constructive like making a coffee while the computer does it for me. The main thing is that with all the previous Elite games, all you have to do was enter the mailslot and you were done, now you have to find the pad inside and then manoeuvre all over the place to get to it. Like I said, it would be better if the HUD only showed yours flashing.

There isn't much to do once you're in the station, you can't get out and go for a walk to the bar, it's not like Privateer that had several "rooms" you could visit depending on what you wanted to do. In fact, the only time you leave the cockpit of the ship is when someone blows you up. You land, you sell/buy/equip/refuel/take a mission and then take off again. If you're trading to make money at the start, you might actually be on the station for a couple of minutes at most, probably less time than it took to land the ship there.

I would really like to get out and walk around, speak to the engineer to see what stuff he can supply for my ship (Privateer), chat to the guy at the shipyard to see what he's got for sale (Privateer), Check the mission board (Terminus), go for a beer at the bar and listen to some gossip (Terminus) and so on. I understand that, for an online game that's a big order since Eve has yet to really implement WIS properly but it would be nice to have other things to do while you're in a station. At least, spending so long to manually dock would be worth it.

Right now, I just want to hit the DC and go make a coffee, read the forums or chat to my friends on the phone while it's docking for me, since I'll be taking off again in about 30 seconds flat.
 
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CR33P

CR33P
In the beginning it seems really tough but it's something that's worth mastering. Forget the docking computer, just keep at it. In time I guarantee you'll be blasting through the "letterbox" at full throttle, arcing and roilling up to your landing pad and coming to a smooth "clunk" right on the mat. And you'll feel all the more badass for it.
 

DCello

DCello
Tryst said:
I fly nose down onto the pad then level out and descend, using thrusters to get me on the right spot. It's not hard once you've found the pad but it is boring. I could be doing something much more constructive like making a coffee while the computer does it for me. The main thing is that with all the previous Elite games, all you have to do was enter the mailslot and you were done, now you have to find the pad inside and then manoeuvre all over the place to get to it. Like I said, it would be better if the HUD only showed yours flashing.

There isn't much to do once you're in the station, you can't get out and go for a walk to the bar, it's not like Privateer that had several "rooms" you could visit depending on what you wanted to do. In fact, the only time you leave the cockpit of the ship is when someone blows you up. You land, you sell/buy/equip/refuel/take a mission and then take off again. If you're trading to make money at the start, you might actually be on the station for a couple of minutes at most, probably less time than it took to land the ship there.

I would really like to get out and walk around, speak to the engineer to see what stuff he can supply for my ship (Privateer), chat to the guy at the shipyard to see what he's got for sale (Privateer), Check the mission board (Terminus), go for a beer at the bar and listen to some gossip (Terminus) and so on. I understand that, for an online game that's a big order since Eve has yet to really implement WIS properly but it would be nice to have other things to do while you're in a station. At least, spending so long to manually dock would be worth it.

Right now, I just want to hit the DC and go make a coffee, read the forums or chat to my friends on the phone while it's docking for me, since I'll be taking off again in about 30 seconds flat.
Click to expand...

If we consider what the devs said in numerous videos and newsletters about wanting to bring out-of-ship interaction and gameplay to Elite, we can assume the current mechanic is just a placeholder for when that comes -- probably in the future we will be able to use everything from the ship like it is now or go out and do it manually, walking around and stuff.
 

Slugsie

Slugsie
Tryst said:
Right now, I just want to hit the DC and go make a coffee, read the forums or chat to my friends on the phone while it's docking for me, since I'll be taking off again in about 30 seconds flat.
Click to expand...

I can go from requesting docking permission at 7500m out to being on the pad in usually under 60 seconds, 90 seconds if it's busy. The docking computer (when I last tried it) usually wasn't even aligned with the slot in that time, never mind landed. Plus it also has a tendency to slam you (especially in the bigger ships) into things - other ships, the station walls, etc. It really doesn't take long to learn how to dock, and it's definitely worth it. The only reason it wasn't in the original Elites is because of the constraints of the computers of the day.
 

Jack Schmit

Jack Schmit
There is a docking computer. not all outfitters sell all the items all the time. I think it fits into a class 2 internal compartment, but it may be a class 1 or 3, I don't know, I'd never use one because I'd rather have something useful on my ship.... such as ANYTHING ELSE. If you can't land your spaceship mayhaps you just are not cut out to be a spaceship commander. I like to roll in quickly and bounce off the dock when I land, docking computer takes all the fun out of that I should think!
 

CC Waterback

CC Waterback
Docking Computer Control Room:eek::eek::eek:

DCControl.jpg
 

Norwyn

Norwyn
Docking computers? who uses them? seriously?

and OP, troll much? going on long rant about 'bring X back! I need my X!' while X is in the game and has not been removed...
 

Zylark

Zylark
- Computer, please go dock at designated landing pad.
<static>
- Why yes sir. Certainly sir. Go dock here, go dock there. all I do, dock!
- In a mood today are we?
- No. But something more varied perhaps. Could I try a FSD jump at least once?!
...
- You're taking your time today.
- Yes, traffic.
- Umm, no, the slot is clear.
- Very well then. Here we go.
<sraping noises>
- Hey hey hey, paint is expensive!
- Slot is small!
- No, no it isn't. Really. More careful next time. Now get us down on pad 34.
- Certainly sir!
<big thump, more scraping noises>
- Jesus! Are you trying to get me killed.
- Who is jesus? And no. Not you, me...

---

I'll do my docking manually after observing how AI ships do it... Safer that way.
 

Owsla

Owsla
I think docking is really well done in ED.
It's also a great way of improve your flying, there's a real art to moving into position quickly and smoothly using the side and down/up thrusters.
I've really enjoyed trying to perfect that since playing Elite from the beta phase.
It's possible to dock very quickly, and effectively, even when the landing pad can't be seen visually because it's on the other side of a landing platform.
A good test of skill.
 
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nosscar

nosscar
:eek:i had a docking computer once, now if only they added faster drives too, being flying from Aulin since gamma, still not seen another planet, been weeks just flying. And don't tell me there already is one of them too.;)
 
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specialsymbol

specialsymbol
The docking computer is utterly useless.

First it gives you a headache by stuttering it's way to the deck - when it found the entrance.

And then it slams your ship on the ground so hard that you need shields to prevent damage.
Or is it only with the clipper?
 

Daveson

D
Having played all versions of Elite, starting with the BBC Micro version when I was about 7, E : D has got to be the easiest version in which to dock. It is not at all difficult - all you have to do, assuming permission granted, is get the flying-thingy through the rotatary-oblong-thingy and then find your pad (the difficult bit), and use your manoeuvring thrusters to land VTOL-style (don't forget landing gear). The only time it can get really tricky is trying to find your pad on an outpost. Use the nav compass for that. Whatever you do, just take your time and go easy on your controls. No point smudging your Sidey all over Dahan Gateway 'cos of impatience.

Are you playing keyb/mouse or HOTAS? If former, might be worth having your vertical, lateral and fore/aft thrusters assigned to the keypad. If latter, what have you got and I'll see if I can help with button mapping.

FWIW, I'm still flying my Sidey and can happily take down NPCs in Cobra Mk3s, or 'oomans in Vipers, and interdict pirates etc.

Defo learn to dock manually before buying something expensive and big.
 
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malicious1

M
in the conda i use my docking computer...l9 too rest i manually dock....it more i do surfing while playing and lets me do that ...like now
 

Phier

Phier
Telling a friend about elite last night.... (another 84er)

Him: "Tell me docking is easier, thats what I remember as the hardest part of the game"
Me: "Its 100 time easier now."

In the original elite a docking computer was heavenly. In ED its more of an easter egg to times of yore.
 

OrLoK

OrLoK
Hello there

In the ZX Spectrum version Docking was a vastly frustrating experience. In Elite Dangerous I bump into everything but still manage to dock incredibly easily in comparison.

IMHO whilst i'd like a docking computer, its just not worth the sacrifice to me of another item in that slot.

My paintjob is dreadful anyway, so whats a few more scratches? Its character building.

Rgds

LoK
 

Rivka

R
The Automatic Derping Computer is one of the best items in the game! I just had a friend who's new to Elite buy one. It took exactly ten minutes before I saw "WTH this docking computer is trying to kill me!
 
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