The Docking Computer thread.

[Schmack]

If they got one thing right, it's the DC. That think rocks! Especially on outposts in a Vulture or Python, good lord.

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While I manually dock at stations the docking computer is a beast at outposts. Like it turbo crazy docks at outposts really well, faster than I can because I often spend 30 seconds trying to find the damn pad.

Is there anyway to toggle on/off the docking computer without having to do it through the modules panel?

lol I thought I was the only one who took forever to find the docking pad...

When the DC is on, oddly the docking pad is always right were I drop out of SC. Still, full speed and even smacked nose to tarmac a few times.

 

[Deleted member 38366]

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[nighthawk71]

Kinda tempted to put a docking computer in my Cobra Mark III.
After all, I am trying to build my Cobra like the Classic Elite one (albeit with 36 tons of cargo, cause 35 isn't possible with the cargo racks being multiples of 2).

 

[Mikkel Toxwenius]

You're working on the assumption that it's needed, that's why you can't understand it. Personally I have months of experience in docking T9's (lift feet) and Anaconda's (duck head) long before they even put the DC into the game. I don't use one because I have to, I use one because I choose to.

No I am not working on that assumption. Really, I wonder why anyone wants to use it at all. Me using the word "Wants" should indicate I am full aware that it's a choice, not a necessity. For instance, why do you choose to use docking computer?

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Because it's an awesome tool for a trader and great if you trade with no shields. I replot my course and stuff while auto dock is doing it's thing.

I don't fully understand your point. Can you elaborate? I mean I usually just replot course during the launch sequence (plenty of time during that really). As I stated in my post Docking Computer s slow, takes up a module slot and manual docking is so easy. Docking without a shield is easy too, unless perhaps if you want to do docking in a T9 at boost speed. All Docking Computer does is add a considerable time sink on your trading runs lowing your earnings/h significantly.

EDIT: Come to think of it: If the reason is some sort of roleplaying or because you want to take your time, enjoy the journey, etc I can fully understand that; that would make sense.

 

[Poseidal]

New docking computer is amazing. You can alt-tab or read a book for those trading runs, or check the news on galnet while listening to Blue Danube.

 

[Mikkel Toxwenius]

The old Docking Computer was...

The new, current one... Holy schmokes - only a madly Afterburning smuggler is (just a tiny tad) faster than this Docking Computer
I'm carrying one in every single ride... too bad it's now so incredibly fast, I hardly get the docking Music before the Ship hits the Pad

Huh? I'm not really seing that. I mean, yes, the new DC is a lot better than the old. But it's still rather slow. Manual docking is a lot faster still.

In fact I wanted to test it out so I made these two videos:

Manual docking:
[video=youtube;lAvcIPvyfm8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAvcIPvyfm8&feature=youtu.be[/video]

Docking computer
[video=youtube;htR8nAMgqWQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htR8nAMgqWQ&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[Hell Razor5543]

Not only is there nothing wrong with the Docking Computer, it is DEFINITELY better and quicker than it was in the past. Yes, experienced Commanders can land more quickly, but the DC is now far more reliable. Well done, SJA!

 

[Seonid]

For instance, why do you choose to use docking computer?

Because I can and I'm the one flying my ship, not you.

Edit: When I am trading I use it, when I am smuggling I don't. Simples.

 

[Commander Debic]

Why oh why would anyone ever use the docking computer? It's slow and it takes up a module slot and manual docking is easy unless you want to speed dock.

If you want to know why I can tell you I love it, for the wonderful rendition of the Blue Danube playing, as the DC crazily boosts me towards the big rotating thing in my 'Conda, and then slots it through the letter box neat as cotton threading the eye of a needle, finally popping me down as gentle as feather on the pad. I can nip away and get the kettle going too while it does its' thing. So thank you Sarah for all your hard work.
As a by it also exempts me from possible destruction should I ever be struck hard by a rammer.

 

[Scouto]

A small question / suggestion about the docking computer (which is absolutely amazing now! luxury module!). Would it not be more accurate for the "slow down for auto dock" to actually say "disengage throttle for autodock" / "throttle off for autodock" or something along those lines? After all it seems to disable the autodock even if your throttle is set to 1.

(Also loving the new ship A.I btw! )

 

[Glenn Ross]

Don't understand how you can consider the 1.3 DC to have been 'nerfed' from the 1.2 version? 1.2 DC was slower, frequently tipped the nose down and hit the thrusters before you were through the slot - thus forcing your ship to drag it's nose backwards through the slot until you were outside again. [presumably it thought the station 'smelled bad'!]

New one keeps to a consistant 99 once you are close enough to the toast rack, and often boosts you up to that point, and I have had several instances where it has stopped, maneuvered, or even reversed to avoid a collission. It's [Expletive Deleted] amazing now! It's actually doing the job it was designed for and saving me from having to be at the controls when I dock - allowing me to get something to eat or drink, Alt-Tab out to check the forum, or do anything else during that time and know that I've landed safely.
And yes, I do love the music from 2001: A space Odessy playing whilst it does it's thing.
.
P.S. It doesn't Debic. The rammer can still destroy you, but the station won't.

 

[DangerousLarry]

Huh? I'm not really seing that. I mean, yes, the new DC is a lot better than the old. But it's still rather slow. Manual docking is a lot faster still.

In fact I wanted to test it out so I made these two videos:

Manual docking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAvcIPvyfm8&feature=youtu.be

Docking computer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htR8nAMgqWQ&feature=youtu.be

Try that in a Type 7. If you mess up you don't just lose the 1million in insurance, you lose the 2-3million of cargo you were hauling plus any potential profit from the cargo. Plus you can do other stuff while it docks which is worth it for the 10-20seconds extra it might take to auto dock.

Personally, I wouldn't dream of using a DC in a combat ship or multipurpose ship but when you're flying from station to station in a flying brick you generally get fed up of docking constantly. With the new DC you don't spend 5-10minutes docking, instead it's more like 1 or 2 minutes.

 

[Sarah Jane Avory]

DC is also getting another upgrade... I'm making it a bit safer (fixing a few boost distance issues), and faster in some cases, especially when approaching the slot of a Coriolis station. It can avoid the holding position and fly straight in. For fun, if you briefly take control to hit boost, it can fly through the slot at over 260 m/s... and still dock safely! Now that is a scary ride!

 

[Mikkel Toxwenius]

Because I can and I'm the one flying my ship, not you.

Edit: When I am trading I use it, when I am smuggling I don't. Simples.

So you choose to use it because I'm not the one flying your ship? That sounds.. odd. But each to his own I guess I for one could see me using the Docking Computer to roleplay the space trucking experience, but I could not personally see me using it for anything else as I think it is just to inefficient. But it is definately better than the old one. And for completely green players it may also be an easy way to avoid crashing.

 

[Esvandiary]

DC is also getting another upgrade... I'm making it a bit safer (fixing a few boost distance issues), and faster in some cases, especially when approaching the slot of a Coriolis station. It can avoid the holding position and fly straight in. For fun, if you briefly take control to hit boost, it can fly through the slot at over 260 m/s... and still dock safely! Now that is a scary ride!

I would loooove to see videos of the DC flying in internal builds - the ones that are deemed too unsafe (or scary) to make it out.

 

[Mephane]

DC is also getting another upgrade... I'm making it a bit safer (fixing a few boost distance issues), and faster in some cases, especially when approaching the slot of a Coriolis station. It can avoid the holding position and fly straight in. For fun, if you briefly take control to hit boost, it can fly through the slot at over 260 m/s... and still dock safely! Now that is a scary ride!

No wonder FD also makes rollercoaster games, with people like you.

 

[JestersGhost]

DC is also getting another upgrade... I'm making it a bit safer (fixing a few boost distance issues), and faster in some cases, especially when approaching the slot of a Coriolis station. It can avoid the holding position and fly straight in. For fun, if you briefly take control to hit boost, it can fly through the slot at over 260 m/s... and still dock safely! Now that is a scary ride!

I've found this is actually a decent use for the DC - if I'm in a hurry (or smuggling [or both]) I'll boost in through the slot, then immediately hit x and let the DC land me on the correct pad. I find it can generally do that a lot quicker than I can - or at least, consistently quicker. Sometimes I'll do a perfect swoop in and land, other times I'll bounce off the control tower a few times, etc. DC is perfect for the actual landing, even if you choose to fly through the slot yourself.

 

[Seonid]

So you choose to use it because I'm not the one flying your ship? That sounds.. odd.

I'm going to guess that's a language thing, in basic terms I choose to use the DC, you choose not to and it's all down to choice.

 

[Joe Cool]

Under 1.3 for platform docking I don't reckon I could have beaten the DC

Spoiler

[video=youtube;qHsKRNdVWo8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHsKRNdVWo8[/video]

Hope the updates haven't watered down the white knuckle ride too much!

 

[Marak]

DC is also getting another upgrade... I'm making it a bit safer (fixing a few boost distance issues), and faster in some cases, especially when approaching the slot of a Coriolis station. It can avoid the holding position and fly straight in. For fun, if you briefly take control to hit boost, it can fly through the slot at over 260 m/s... and still dock safely! Now that is a scary ride!

Thanks Sarah - Please never stop being awsome!