Ships ASP vs Diamond back explorer

[Sgt.Barnes]

Hi thanks for reading my question. I'am at the point where I want a dedicated explorer ship. Either of these two are in my budget including the cost to upgrade to a good spec. I 'am hoping that some of you would have had the time to test the new DB exp and compare its performance to the ASP. So in your opinion which would make the best "dedicated" long range explorer (max jump range, most fun, best bang for buck etc). I have had a quick look on ED's shipyard but the figures dont always give the full story.

Many thanks
Barnsey

 

[Futuristic Kung Fu]

Asp is probably better explorer ship as it has more jumprange ( not much more though), more internals and a (very slightly) better view. However DBe has almost as much jumprange and I find that a 4A fuel scoop is enough. DBe is somehow more fun to fly. It also depends on how careful you are, because in DBe you can only fit one repair unit. So if you are a "hardcore" explorer and you're going to be taking a lot of damage then asp is the way to go but if you are careful than probably DBe. I personally use a DBe for exploring and an asp for rares trading. Feel free to ignore my advice!

 

[Mysturji]

I recently bought a DB Explorer and kitted it out pretty much all A-grade, though I haven't had a chance to take it on a long trip yet.
I sold my Asp so I could afford a Python, but I'd say the DBE compares very favourably, at least on the stats.
It's a bit smaller, with fewer module and hardpoint slots, and (I think) a smaller fuel tank, but fully armed and kitted out, it still has a 29 LY jump range (I think my Asp was 27 LY, but I don't travel without weapons, so since the Asp is bristling with them, dropping them would probably increase the range significantly.
The DBE has a lovely feel to it too, but sounds weird when you're decelerating after a boost.
The Asp has a slot for a HUGE fuel scoop, so you don't even need to decelerate to scoop, but the DBE uses less fuel (being lighter) so a 4A does the job just fine.
Fully outfitted for exploring, unlike the Asp, the DBE has no room for even a small cargo bay (I like to keep the option of picking up something interesting if I find it), but that's not why you're going out into the big black yonder, is it?
The power management and heat management on a properly outfitted DBE is excellent too. You can't have all A-grade, but pretty close (I don't have anything below a C).
You need to watch your heat in an Asp. Not in a DBE (but pack some heat sinks anyway).
Happy exploring!

 

[puca]

You need to watch your heat in an Asp. Not in a DBE (but pack some heat sinks anyway).

??? What's wrong with asp's heat management, it has probably the best heat in the game.

 

[Fireclown]

Well, if you are going a really long exploration jaunt to rim or whatever and can afford an Asp buy an Asp.
Then again if you want more limited exploration trips doesn't really matter much whether you use a cheapo option like an Adder, Cobra, Type 6 or Hauler.

 

[farli]

Asp is probably better explorer ship as it has more jumprange ( not much more though)

Actual the Diamond back has very very close max jump range at 32.94 ly were Asp with same load out has range of 33.12 ly thats only 0.16 of a light year

I recently bought a DB Explorer and kitted it out pretty much all A-grade, though I haven't had a chance to take it on a long trip yet.
I sold my Asp so I could afford a Python, but I'd say the DBE compares very favourably, at least on the stats.
It's a bit smaller, with fewer module and hardpoint slots, and (I think) a smaller fuel tank, but fully armed and kitted out, it still has a 29 LY jump range (I think my Asp was 27 LY, but I don't travel without weapons, so since the Asp is bristling with them, dropping them would probably increase the range significantly.
The DBE has a lovely feel to it too, but sounds weird when you're decelerating after a boost.
The Asp has a slot for a HUGE fuel scoop, so you don't even need to decelerate to scoop, but the DBE uses less fuel (being lighter) so a 4A does the job just fine.
Fully outfitted for exploring, unlike the Asp, the DBE has no room for even a small cargo bay (I like to keep the option of picking up something interesting if I find it), but that's not why you're going out into the big black yonder, is it?
The power management and heat management on a properly outfitted DBE is excellent too. You can't have all A-grade, but pretty close (I don't have anything below a C).
You need to watch your heat in an Asp. Not in a DBE (but pack some heat sinks anyway).
Happy exploring!

Dont Kit out you explore with all A grade stuff your jump range will be a lot less as A grade stuff is heavy. D grade is genraly lighter , jump engines has to be A tho see below. and the big thing for me is cost to full kit out the Asp will cost 45,060,447 CR were as the Diamond back will cost 14,418,119 CR thats 30,642,328 less


Diamond back explore

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 4D Power Plant
TM: 4D Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 3D Life Support
PC: 4D Power Distributor
SS: 3D Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)

4: 3D Shield Generator
4: 4A Fuel Scoop
3: 3A Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner
2: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: 92.25 MJ
Power : 10.42 MW retracted (89%)
10.42 MW deployed (89%)
11.70 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 32 T
Mass : 341.9 T empty
373.9 T full
Range : 32.94 LY unladen
32.94 LY laden
Price : 14,418,119 CR



Asp Explore

[Asp]
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher
U: 0I Heat Sink Launcher

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 5D Power Plant
TM: 5D Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4D Life Support
PC: 4D Power Distributor
SS: 5D Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)

6: 6A Fuel Scoop
5: 3A Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 3D Shield Generator
2: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
2: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner
---
Shield: 93.54 MJ
Power : 11.78 MW retracted (77%)
11.78 MW deployed (77%)
15.30 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 32 T
Mass : 339.9 T empty
371.9 T full
Range : 33.12 LY unladen
33.12 LY laden
Price : 45,060,447 CR

 

[Fireclown]

Change that to a 3A powerplant and you'd get a bit more jump range

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70i,,2-4s6u7_5K6u5K8I,7Q44_w0KU2jw2UI

 

[Zeeman]

Asp, not ASP.

Z...

 

[farli]

Change that to a 3A powerplant and you'd get a bit more jump range

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70i,,2-4s6u7_5K6u5K8I,7Q44_w0KU2jw2UI

well pointed out. that take jump range up to 33.07 on diamond back( you need those heat sink launchers) and Asp can also fit that as well which takes it jump range to 33.62

 

[Sgt.Barnes]

So it seems that they both have an equal performance on the edge "give or take" but with the DB ex costing less than half it seems a no brainer ?

 

[clivewil]

??? What's wrong with asp's heat management, it has probably the best heat in the game.

i'd have to respectfully disagree, i've managed to get mine slightly burnt a few times.

in contrast, last night in my DB-Ex i accidentally started my hyperjump while i was still fuel scooping. i thought i'd see how hot it got, finger at the ready to cancel it as soon as it hit 95% - but it only got to 80%. that was the clincher that decided me to retire the Asp and stay with the DB-Ex. the Asp is now a mining ship.

 

[puca]

Would be interested in rigorous testing of heat (I keep saying I will do it, but I need to hit trader elite first).

 

[Sgt.Barnes]

Cannot be as bad as the "ole tinderbox" T6 I have now

 

[puca]

It's true, both anaconda and t6 have awful heat. I was skeptical at first and thought it was all about turning speed, but I don't think it's just that.

I have not done rigorous testing, but I think the difference between say the asp and the conda/t6 is quite large for similar scooping tactics and loadouts. I was able to activate FSD and jump out while still scooping in the asp for certain stars, and not even go over 99% heat. This results in conda-kabobs whenever I tried it on a conda.

 

[Sgt.Barnes]

These where the load outs I had calculated in shipyard.

[Asp]
U: 0I Point Defence
U: 0I Chaff Launcher


BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 5A Power Plant
TM: 4A Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4D Life Support
PC: 4A Power Distributor
SS: 5D Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)


6: 6C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 64)
5: 5A Fuel Scoop
3: 3A Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 3C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 8)
3: 3D Shield Generator
2: 2A Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
2: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: 93.54 MJ
Power : 13.73 MW retracted (67%)
13.73 MW deployed (67%)
20.40 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 104 T
Mass : 347.8 T empty
451.8 T full
Range : 27.26 LY unladen
27.26 LY laden
Price : 33,698,135 CR
Re-Buy: 1,684,907 CR @ 95% insurance

-------------------------------------------

[Diamondback Explorer]


BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 4A Power Plant
TM: 4A Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 3A Life Support
PC: 4A Power Distributor
SS: 3A Sensors
FS: 5C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 32)


4: 4A Fuel Scoop
4: 4C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 16)
3: 3C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 8)
3: 3A Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
2: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: 114.58 MJ
Power : 10.73 MW retracted (69%)
10.73 MW deployed (69%)
15.60 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel : 56 T
Mass : 355.0 T empty
411.0 T full
Range : 29.97 LY unladen
29.97 LY laden
Price : 17,986,349 CR
Re-Buy: 899,317 CR @ 95% insurance

Although these charts show lower range than that which was quoted on the actual tables. It was more like roughly 32.70 asp and 33.92 on the diamond back if memory serves me (probably not)

 

[Fireclown]

It's true, both anaconda and t6 have awful heat.

I remember using a T6 for exploring and not having any particular heat problems, think it was an A rated power plant though.

 

[Sgt.Barnes]

I have a T6 with a lot of miles on the clock. Ran out round the Betelgeuse systems with it to test it as an explorer. It only really runs cool if you are careful and approach the star slowly, have top rated gear and a really fast fuel scoop. If you can keep it around 72 -74 degrees you should be ok but above that it suddenly shoots up and you have to do a runner fast.
I kinda find it like heating a gas can with a heat gun. It will just take so much then "pooof" I do like my T6 though and have grown quite fond of the old brick. I have made many credits on the rares in her.

 

[Fireclown]

I do like my T6 though and have grown quite fond of the old brick. I have made many credits on the rares in her.

I miss my old brick, wasn't expecting much when I grudgingly bought it to do some trading and exploring but it performed admirably. Loved the jump range.

 

[puca]

My favorite thing about the T6 is those enormous retrothrusters and the jets I see come out of them when I slow down. T6 has a ton of character for a cheapo hauler ship, I love it. Don't get much reason to fly it anymore. Pity.

edit: by the way for people linking their builds, can you include the actual edshipyard url, it makes it easier to fix your builds for you .

 

[goemon]

just saw some loadouts with 3A AMU in here - i guess, 3B will make more sense: more Ammu in class B (so: more repair capacity), and repairing during exploration is not time-critical... ah, and 2 MIO CR less ;-)