Newcomer / Intro Advice for a would-be Explorer?

[Concenaros]

Hey all.

I thought i'd just straight up ask...

So I'm thinking about becoming an explorer. How viable would this be with a sidewinder?

I've been looking into the required materials needed and just want to ask if it's a really good source of income for someone who's just starting out, or if I should just stick to cargo running/bounty hunting to start?

I'd appreciate any tips and/or tricks you could provide!

Thanks, fellow CMDR's.

 

[Valdemar]

Hauler , adder and cobra are the best low cost scout ships. The cheapest one is the hauler but is the most fragile as well. I've managed to set up a cobra for a 25 ly jump range and I've recently cashed up 5 milion for my last tour ( gone for the horsehead nebula ) .

But you need 2,5 milions only for the equipments ( d- scanner, surface scanner and ftl drive ) .
But that's true only if you want to hunt for the unknown systems. sidewinder is a no no.

 

[Exeider]

Hey all.

I thought i'd just straight up ask...

So I'm thinking about becoming an explorer. How viable would this be with a sidewinder?

I've been looking into the required materials needed and just want to ask if it's a really good source of income for someone who's just starting out, or if I should just stick to cargo running/bounty hunting to start?

I'd appreciate any tips and/or tricks you could provide!

Thanks, fellow CMDR's.

Ok first off you want to try and get this build, it's the second best explorer in the game, the first being many orders of magnitude more expensive then this.

Hauler Build

However, you going to want to get a good cash flow to finance this build if your just starting out, I would, get an adder right away and start hauling routes, make as much money as you can.

This will help you plan routes

 

[InMemoriamSirocco]

I'd advise you to read Nutters Explorers Guide to the Galaxy


The best you can do with a Sidewinder for exploration is this:

[Sidewinder Scout]

U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 2D Power Plant
TM: 2D Thrusters
FH: 2A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 1D Life Support
PC: 1D Power Distributor
SS: 1D Sensors
FS: 1C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 2)

2: 2A Fuel Scoop
2: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner
1: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: 52,00 MJ
Power : 4,84 MW retracted (67 %)
4,84 MW deployed (67 %)
7,20 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 2 T
Mass : 36,9 T empty
38,9 T full
Range : 20,04 LY unladen
20,04 LY laden
Price : 2.276.702 CR
Re-Buy: 113.835 CR @ 95% insurance

 

[Exeider]

I'd advise you to read Nutters Explorers Guide to the Galaxy


The best you can do with a Sidewinder for exploration is this:

[Sidewinder Scout]

U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 2D Power Plant
TM: 2D Thrusters
FH: 2A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 1D Life Support
PC: 1D Power Distributor
SS: 1D Sensors
FS: 1C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 2)

2: 2A Fuel Scoop
2: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner
1: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: 52,00 MJ
Power : 4,84 MW retracted (67 %)
4,84 MW deployed (67 %)
7,20 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 2 T
Mass : 36,9 T empty
38,9 T full
Range : 20,04 LY unladen
20,04 LY laden
Price : 2.276.702 CR
Re-Buy: 113.835 CR @ 95% insurance

you might as well have him buy the hauler.

While I like Nutter's min-max hauler, it requires you run without shields, and if you exploring sub light and getting up close that could mean death, I don't like that, but OP it is an option if your really wanting to max out your range, but I don't like running with out shields.

Also, if you have a better power plant you don't need heat sink launchers.

 

[Greyhawk]

I just used the stock sidewinder to get most of my early credits. It got me enough to swap the sidewinder for a hauler at any rate.

 

[InMemoriamSirocco]

While I like Nutter's min-max hauler, it requires you run without shields, and if you exploring sub light and getting up close that could mean death

How could it mean death unless you are attacked by someone or have an accident while docking?

AFAIK, shields don't help against overheating which is the only issue you can run into while exploring.

 

[Ophion]

This is a good and not so expensive setup with good jump range. You will need about 3 million Cr for this.

 

[Cybermykl]

A good FSD - A mod and a fuel scoop of any rating along with a heat sink is all you need once you get past civilization. The detail scanner and the advanced is for serious explorers and you can get by with a basic and detail. The difference is the range. The advance will get you infinite range. The basic - 500 Ly and the intermediate 1,000 Lys. Also, don't bother scanning the asteroid range as they are worthless. Next to worthless are the moons, then the planets, gas giants and stars.

 

[kislany]

I started in a sidewinder almost a week ago. Took a nice route to the outskirts of civilization (just a few hundred LYs away from outposts, so not all that far away). in 2 days I came back with enough credits to upgrade to a hauler (most modules D except a few that needed better ones for exploring). So you can go out in a sidewinder, just don't venture out all too far (well there is that guy who is still out in a sidey from January I think, so it 'can' be done). Stay a few days out there, going around 100-150-ish LY from the last system with an outpost in which ever direction you want to go and start exploring with your basic discovery scanner.

It was about 120 LY away when I found my first system, and when I got back the next day, I could claim it as my own. Granted, it was a rather short trip, just enough to get credits for a straight hauler upgrade. Now I'm about 500 LY outwards and heading further away towards the edges, as far as my hauler can take me.

Tl:dr short term - yes. Long term - not so much. Upgrade as fast as you can to a hauler.

 

[Chrisfs]

A sidewinder will work for some exploring, you'll want a fuel scoop and a heat sink. The biggest problem is the small fuel tank means you have to scoop fuel more often and hope you don't hit a string of unscoop-able stars. I love my sidewinder. But you may want to look at getting a hauler or adder, with bigger fuel tanks and eventually space for a detail scanner.

Whatever you choose, go light. Sell your weapons. Get a D power distributor. Don't wait around until you have the ideal layout, just get a fuel scoop and a heat sink, sell your weapons and go.

 

[Concenaros]

Wow guys! Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have some questions though...

1.) How close to a star do you need to be in order to scoop fuel?

2.) Do I NEED a detailed surface scanner AND the basic discovery scanner to start making credits?

3.) Why is the Hauler better than an Adder for exploration?

4.) Is it really necessary to sell my weapons? I would still like the ability to defend myself from would-be pirates. I got killed yesterday by some idiot while flying around looking for bounties. An actual player messaged me asking what type of cargo I had, I said I had nothing, was doing bounties then was immediately killed. So yeah...

 

[FaolGlas]

1) The scoop starts up automatically, so I never pay attention to what the actual distance is. Does mean that you don't have to worry about overheating, you'll know when your scoop kicks in, and then you can drift in til you get it working at its max but while keeping an eye on the temp gauge.

2) You need a Detailed Surface and an Advanced Discovery (rather than the Basic). The Advanced Disc replaces the basic, and lets you find all bodies in the system, a must if you explore for credits. The Detailed Surface makes a vast difference to profits, so again, if you are in it for the money, then that's a yep to needing both.

4) Up to you. Once you leave civilized space you won't be seeing anything anyway, so the weapons will just reduce your jump range and be of no benefit. Big question is this - will your weapons really save you, or will most pirates kill you anyway with their ships kitted out for combat while yours is kitted for exploring? Often running is the best policy!

 

[Concenaros]

1) The scoop starts up automatically, so I never pay attention to what the actual distance is. Does mean that you don't have to worry about overheating, you'll know when your scoop kicks in, and then you can drift in til you get it working at its max but while keeping an eye on the temp gauge.

2) You need a Detailed Surface and an Advanced Discovery (rather than the Basic). The Advanced Disc replaces the basic, and lets you find all bodies in the system, a must if you explore for credits. The Detailed Surface makes a vast difference to profits, so again, if you are in it for the money, then that's a yep to needing both.

4) Up to you. Once you leave civilized space you won't be seeing anything anyway, so the weapons will just reduce your jump range and be of no benefit. Big question is this - will your weapons really save you, or will most pirates kill you anyway with their ships kitted out for combat while yours is kitted for exploring? Often running is the best policy!

Ahhhh alright. Thanks for clearing some of those up.

As for your answer to 2.

I'm kind of broke atm I had a hard time focusing on what I wanted to do, so I only have the basic scanner for now. Should I just jump out and start using the basic scanner to acquire currency till I can afford a detailed surface scanner?

 

[InMemoriamSirocco]

1.) How close to a star do you need to be in order to scoop fuel?

2.) Do I NEED a detailed surface scanner AND the basic discovery scanner to start making credits?

3.) Why is the Hauler better than an Adder for exploration?

4.) Is it really necessary to sell my weapons? I would still like the ability to defend myself from would-be pirates. I got killed yesterday by some idiot while flying around looking for bounties. An actual player messaged me asking what type of cargo I had, I said I had nothing, was doing bounties then was immediately killed. So yeah...

1.) The distance for scooping is different for each star. The bigger the star the larger the distance. A good rule of thumb is to kill speed immediately after jumping in and then carefully approach the star until your fuel scoop activates. With careful use of throttle you can find the sweet spot between overheating and maximizing your fuel intake. Others like to skim the corona at full speed, but that's a tad riskier... stopping for scooping, however, makes you an easy target for interdictions. Your decision.

2.) You only need the basic discovery scanner to start making credits. Having the detailed surface scanner maximizes your payout per scanned body, that is all.

3.) The Hauler can reach a better jump range if equipped right. That is its sole advantage. The Adder, however, has more internal compartments and can carry more equipment. It is also quite capable of defending itself if armed on all three hardpoints.

4.) If you equip your ship for maximum jump range, you rely on D-class modules a lot. Those are very lightweight - because they have little mass. Little mass means also they can be easily destroyed. Essentially, maximizing your jump range makes your ship more fragile. Not something you want to fly into battle. Risking the destruction of your ship and the wipe of all your gathered exploration data is something you oughta think about very carefully. Selling your weapons gives you more jump range and forces you to run from confrontations, which is your best chance of making it home in one piece and being able to sell your data at all.

 

[Concenaros]

1.) The distance for scooping is different for each star. The bigger the star the larger the distance. A good rule of thumb is to kill speed immediately after jumping in and then carefully approach the star until your fuel scoop activates. With careful use of throttle you can find the sweet spot between overheating and maximizing your fuel intake. Others like to skim the corona at full speed, but that's a tad riskier... stopping for scooping, however, makes you an easy target for interdictions. Your decision.

2.) You only need the basic discovery scanner to start making credits. Having the detailed surface scanner maximizes your payout per scanned body, that is all.

3.) The Hauler can reach a better jump range if equipped right. That is its sole advantage. The Adder, however, has more internal compartments and can carry more equipment. It is also quite capable of defending itself if armed on all three hardpoints.

4.) If you equip your ship for maximum jump range, you rely on D-class modules a lot. Those are very lightweight - because they have little mass. Little mass means also they can be easily destroyed. Essentially, maximizing your jump range makes your ship more fragile. Not something you want to fly into battle. Risking the destruction of your ship and the wipe of all your gathered exploration data is something you oughta think about very carefully. Selling your weapons gives you more jump range and forces you to run from confrontations, which is your best chance of making it home in one piece and being able to sell your data at all.

Thanks InMemoriamSirocco.

That clears up my question about the Adder Vs. the Hauler and the Scanner question.

So how does one find an unexplored system? Do I just FSD into blank space, Scan and then jump towards an unknown point or something? I'm completely new at this, so I just want to have a clear idea as to what I'm doing before I start venturing out.

 

[ethelred]

What I've found effective is choosing a real life star that exists in the game and going to visit it. For example, you could pick the brightest star in your birth constellation. For me that is Antares in Scorpious that is about 500 ly from Sol.

so, using the Galaxy map I planned my route (I'm running with exactly the hauler above) using the most efficient route as I'm in no hurry.

Some tips I've found useful (mainly from nutter's thread on exploring)

1. Have an aim (a nebula or star) as an abject ice to give you focus.
2. ALWAYS throttle down when entering hyperspace so you arrive at a new star with zero throttle. Some stars are very hot and start to critically heat your ship very quickly if you hit them at full speed.
3. Remember the last inhabited system you passed so you can return to it easily if needed.
4. FOG KBAM - these are the stars you can scoop from.
5. Run with a minimum of a discovery scanner and a surface scanner. The basic/intermediate/advanced scanners give you longer ranges to scan for stars/bodies when you enter a system. You need to assign a fire group to the scanner (they work in super cruise) and the ranges iirc are basic 200ls, medium 2000ls advanced - infinite.
6. Scan the star on arrival and then sound your hooter (the scanner - you will see what I mean) for a list of bodies then use the system map to determine which ones you want to scan.

for a more detailed list - check out nutter's guide - it is excellent!

see you in the black!

edit - useful to bind the gal maps & system maps as you'll be looking at these a lot, the disco scanner (surface scanner is auto when you are close enough) and the "select next destination on route" key

 

[Whoamus]

My experience today suggests the advanced scanner. Been playing a month now and recently have been flying around 20 systems or so while outfitting my Cobra to take out for a spin to explore. Bought the Advanced Discovery Scanner today. Went back to one of those systems with a double sun and one outpost that was 340,000Ls out, long drive. Had been there before and scanned with the basic scanner. Found a few things when I first went there. Went back today and thought I would rescan the system, 47 new objects found. Saving for the Surface Scanner now.

Also watch insurance amount you have. When you add that expensive scanner your insurance increases accordingly.

 

[Optics]

Lots of good information here. I was thinking of starting with exploration as well so thanks for all the info.

 

[Concenaros]

So from what I've gathered from you guys is that I should stick with my basic scanner to start because I'm poor and outfit my ship with a fuel scoop as well. From there I can head out into the black and start to discover systems but not scan astral bodies as I don't have a surface scanner.

Upgrade to the Detailed Surface Scanner as soon as I can and then purchase the Hauler or Adder.

Once doing that, I should then save for the Advanced Scanner and Then outfit my ship so I'm able to travel as far as possible in a single run.

Am I understanding pretty much what you guys have explained. I'm going to be attempting this tonight.

In-game name is CMDR Concenaros maybe i'll happen to run into one of you folks.

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So how does one find an unexplored system? Do I just FSD into blank space, Scan and then jump towards an unknown point or something? I'm completely new at this, so I just want to have a clear idea as to what I'm doing before I start venturing out.

Still would like an answer to this. As soon as I'm off work, I'm going to hop into my cockpit, outfit my ship and then head out into the black. I wanna maximize my game time.