Cobra Mk III explorers. Share your layouts and experiences.

Cdr Voorheez

Cdr Voorheez
Just wondered if exploring in a Cobra was feasable and any suggested layouts from those Cdrs who have done it. I used to Bounty hunt in one and am considering returning to it as an explorer/killer/trader rather than chug around in my ISO container with thrusters (type 6 in case you need clarification) :)
 

Allitnil

Allitnil
I took my Cobra Mk III, Roncevaux, to the far side of the galaxy and set what I believe is the record for the longest trip in terms of the number of systems visited between docking at a little over 14,000. My trip thread is at https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=139177 and the loadout is on page 3.

I would definitely recommend the Cobra for anyone looking to make a really long trip. It's a tough little beastie with good heat management and is more forgiving of errors than most other ships.
 

smysha

smysha
Cobra explorer reporting in.
Pretty good ship for exploration. I would recommend it for beginners. Way cheaper than Asp, and a lot of slots for equipment. But jump range is average - 25 LY for me.
As soon as I get back home, I will buy Asp. Can afford it now.
 

CMDR Space Lurker

C
Cobra works fine as long as you stay away from the edges of the galaxy.. out on the fringes you need better jump range than you'll get with a Cobra. I used my Cobra, the "Starglider", on my trip to Sgr A* and back.. but now I'm lurking about on the Galactic Rim in Asp, the "Dark Voyager".. and its jump range of about 35LY is not enough out here..

- - - Updated - - -

As far as equippment goes, you can get all you need into a Cobra, without kicking out the shields.. so no problem there.
 

Ziljan

Ziljan
Even though it might cost more and weigh more, I'd highly recommend that you slot A4 thrusters and A3 Power Dist. That way your data is always safe from humans. From Thargoids? Idk.
 

Zulu Romeo

Zulu Romeo
Almost all my exploration has been in the same Cobra. A fine vessel, good to fly in, and while it hasn't got the best jump range or weapon placement, you will have quite the adventure in one.
 

Zenith

Zenith
I did a run to Pleiades, Betelgeuse and back to Lembava on Sunday with this loadout...
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=702,5QR5QR,2-4s6u6Q5K4s5K6k,4_w7Q4mpU2jw2UI

Main thing to watch is that you carry an A rated Power Plant. It runs cooler so you can take the heat of fuel scooping just a little better.
I took a 3A instead of a 4A to save a bit of weight and get a little extra range (I was looking to get 25ly+).

Don't dismiss the T6 as an effective exploration ship. It can have a respectable jump range, and can cope with heat well if you use A rated Power Plant and fast fuel scoop.
 
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Cody

Cody
I ain't an explorer, but I do fly a Cobra. It may not have the best jump range, but stripped down it has a great turn of speed (which can be handy).
 

Galactic Midden

Galactic Midden
Cdr Voorheez said:
Just wondered if exploring in a Cobra was feasable and any suggested layouts from those Cdrs who have done it.
Click to expand...

I went exploring in my cobra. It was a fantastic ship all kitted out with A class drive and the biggest fuel scoop I could afford. The fuel scoop for me was important, such a time saver as it gulps at the passing stars with ease and can even help you avoid overheating. I now fly an Asp but I would be very happy with the cobra again, wonderfully versatile ship :)
 

iain666

iain666
I've visited 2000 plus systems in this and she's grand. There are some systems I won't get to but 26ly jump range will get you to most of the galaxy.

Although I really do need to get a bigger scoop at some point.
 

Lord_Itchybum

Lord_Itchybum
I used my Cobra on my first exploration trip to the pencil nebula. It served me well. Only gripe is the view from the cockpit is not as good as some of the other ships but otherwise if kitted correctly she will serve you well.
 

Lord_Itchybum

Lord_Itchybum
Cody said:
Is that down to less canopy area? If so, does less canopy area equate to less chance of canopy damage?
Click to expand...

The view is reduced because of the canopy, but it does not make much difference to the damage model as far as I am aware. However, now that we can take beautiful selfies outside of the ship the view is less of an issue.
If you can afford a DB Explorer that is a great ship to take out. Mine got me to the core with minimal damage and that was all my own fault.
 

Cdr Voorheez

Cdr Voorheez
Thank you all very much for replies here. I am going to admit I am a bit unsure at the minute about the best ship to use, I have a DBE with a good explorer fit and it seems to be doing a good job at the minute. Thing is I like the Cobra and from what I am seeing they appear to be really good at exploration. Someone please put me outta my misery and tell me to either ditch the DBE for a cobra or keep my DBE :)
 
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Jackie Silver

Jackie Silver
I'm flying a Cobra at the moment, unarmed but with good shields and thrusters so I'm not overly concerned about being attacked. I have a small (size 2) AFMU and a large (size 4) extra fuel tank fitted; my jump range is unremarkable but enough to let me cruise along over 500 light years above the plane. It's a good ship for exploration, but I'm thinking of taking a DBE out for a longer flight after I eventually return to civilisation.
 

PANTHER STARFORCE

PANTHER STARFORCE
Cdr Voorheez said:
Just wondered if exploring in a Cobra was feasable and any suggested layouts from those Cdrs who have done it. I used to Bounty hunt in one and am considering returning to it as an explorer/killer/trader rather than chug around in my ISO container with thrusters (type 6 in case you need clarification) :)
Click to expand...

Greetings Commander.
I've recreated to the best of my recollection my current Cobra that I've built explicitly for mining in-system.
It was cheap, got the kit sorted after just a few test runs, and have been having a blast learning the ins and outs of mining the belts. Granted this really isn't an exploration build at all... but it has been a very "zen" departure from hunting bounties and dog-fighting wanted scum in my Eagle :)

Not sure if you can access this link, but here is my Cobra build re-created in the Coriolis tool:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk_...01C1P01o.Iw1-kA==.Aw1-kA==?bn=basic_privateer


The ship hasn't yet paid for itself... I've been earning about 30K-50K per hour of mining in heavily trafficked systems with common reserves... but I'm getting hungry for some big paydays so I'm on a quest to get out toward the edge of the bubble to see if I can find some pristine reserves out in the deep. (but not too deep, so I can still get home :))
 

Gorrister

Gorrister
EJIRO said:
Greetings Commander.
I've recreated to the best of my recollection my current Cobra that I've built explicitly for mining in-system.
It was cheap, got the kit sorted after just a few test runs, and have been having a blast learning the ins and outs of mining the belts. Granted this really isn't an exploration build at all... but it has been a very "zen" departure from hunting bounties and dog-fighting wanted scum in my Eagle :)

Not sure if you can access this link, but here is my Cobra build re-created in the Coriolis tool:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk_...01C1P01o.Iw1-kA==.Aw1-kA==?bn=basic_privateer


The ship hasn't yet paid for itself... I've been earning about 30K-50K per hour of mining in heavily trafficked systems with common reserves... but I'm getting hungry for some big paydays so I'm on a quest to get out toward the edge of the bubble to see if I can find some pristine reserves out in the deep. (but not too deep, so I can still get home :))
Click to expand...

You can save weight by getting a D grade powerplant. Also one mining laser is sufficient. You always need some firepower.

Pristine rings are listed in the thread "call of the wild" but if you find some yourself you are invited to add some names to the list. Regards, Gorrister.
 
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Oveja-Negra

Oveja-Negra
I think the Cobra Mk3 is an excellent choice, my load out is this;
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=702,5QG5QGmpU0Wg0__,2-4s6u6Q5K5K5K6k,4_w7Q40M20J42jw2UI
apart from down to 96% hull nothing else wrong with it, and that was all my fault, first was not throttling to zero, and while reading the forum the ship started to career toward the sun, and obviously no control at all.. bam that was 2%, then I tried to repair my ship and of course too much power used, and another 2% from the hull...

I think it is an excellent ship and would recommend it to anyone starting out, I am currently about 5000 kylies from the bubble, and still going towards Sag A*.
 
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