Can I go lower Sig than just with Silent running?

[Cmdr_Prussian]

Can I actually run on a lower sig than with silent running on? By, say, combine SR with turning off additional systems? It doesn't seem so, as the signature is a complete flatline with only SR on. Does this mean turning off other modules just decreases my heat generation?
I'm still getting scanned quite often while entering stations in Silent Running, so I'd do anything to keep my sig low.

Running a DBX

 

[777Driver]

Silent running flat lines your signature, you can't get any lower. Turning of modules or dumping heat sinks will only help reduce internal heat buildup.

Engage SR as early as possible before making the run into the station, also watch the patrols, you can still be detected at a close range.

 

[Commander Dave]

Silent running just buttons up your ship so that no heat can escape.
Heat is still being generated by your systems but it can't get away so your ship heats up.
You can eject a heat sink to prevent heat damage to your ship or you can lower the rate of heat generation by powering down various systems. Powering down systems reduces the energy consumption of your ship and therefore the amount of heat generated is reduced allowing you to stay in silent running mode for a longer time.

Bear in mind that nothing can stop them seeing you visually, and if they're close enough they can lock onto you regardless.
Silent running is not a panacea, it does not make you effectively invisible to sensors. All it does is reduce the likelihood of you being immediately visible and targeted by another ship.

You cannot run a lower heat signature than when in silent running.

 

[DrakeAurum]

Silent Running takes all your heat output and keeps it inside your ship, where it builds up until you either switch off silent running, dump it into a heatsink, or explode.

Switching off systems decreases that heat output. It won't make you as stealthy as silent running, but it will make you more stealthy without engaging silent running - or, if you are in silent running mode, it will decrease the rate at which your ship heats up, allowing you to remain in that mode for longer.

 

[SCSkunk]

NPC's don't seem to care much whether you have a heat signature or not. I mean, it helps I suppose, but speed is your ally. I stopped using Silent On running altogether on approach. Just doesn't seem to matter enough to waste time shutting down modules. Just line up your angle from 7.5km out, full throttle and deploy landing gear just before you pass through the "mail slot" to slow you down and prevent aft bulkhead collisions. Though I miss the ice forming on the glass...basically a waste of time currently.

 

[Cmdr_Prussian]

Okay, then its like I thought. Thanks all!

@SCSkunk:

Still the move profitable waste of time I've come across yet, and not entirely boring too! (Scan system needs to be fairer and penalty needs to be bigger though)

 

[DrakeAurum]

NPC's don't seem to care much whether you have a heat signature or not. I mean, it helps I suppose, but speed is your ally. I stopped using Silent On running altogether on approach. Just doesn't seem to matter enough to waste time shutting down modules. Just line up your angle from 7.5km out, full throttle and deploy landing gear just before you pass through the "mail slot" to slow you down and prevent aft bulkhead collisions. Though I miss the ice forming on the glass...basically a waste of time currently.

I take the same approach in smuggling missions, except that, now that the Docking Computer works inside stations, I just zero my throttle as I pass through the slot and let the DC do all the work of stopping me from splatting against the back wall.

 

[bamber]

Can I actually run on a lower sig than with silent running on? By, say, combine SR with turning off additional systems? It doesn't seem so, as the signature is a complete flatline with only SR on. Does this mean turning off other modules just decreases my heat generation?
I'm still getting scanned quite often while entering stations in Silent Running, so I'd do anything to keep my sig low.

Running a DBX

DBX is still a large ship - silent running does not stop you being seen visually

 

[Ydiss]

NPC's don't seem to care much whether you have a heat signature or not. I mean, it helps I suppose, but speed is your ally. I stopped using Silent On running altogether on approach. Just doesn't seem to matter enough to waste time shutting down modules. Just line up your angle from 7.5km out, full throttle and deploy landing gear just before you pass through the "mail slot" to slow you down and prevent aft bulkhead collisions. Though I miss the ice forming on the glass...basically a waste of time currently.

It affects npcs fine. But you're always able to scan a target within a certain range, no matter how cold they are.

You're correct, getting past them quickly helps. But so does using heat management and observing them, ensuring you make your pass when they're far enough away.

 

[nosscar]

I take the same approach in smuggling missions, except that, now that the Docking Computer works inside stations, I just zero my throttle as I pass through the slot and let the DC do all the work of stopping me from splatting against the back wall.

I do this as well, have done for a long time with great success, ever since buying my Conda i have used the DC.
The DC is inactive until you slow down, so just boost in at speed, and hit zero throttle, (DC kicks in ) makes landing so much easier.
A little tip: You can't use heatsinks whilst using DC, even if it's inactive, so before starting your run for the letterbox, drop a couple of heatsinks before requesting docking, then make your dash, the heatsinks will launch one after the other, lower temps mean less chance of a scan.

 

[dementia]

Can I actually run on a lower sig than with silent running on? By, say, combine SR with turning off additional systems? It doesn't seem so, as the signature is a complete flatline with only SR on. Does this mean turning off other modules just decreases my heat generation?
I'm still getting scanned quite often while entering stations in Silent Running, so I'd do anything to keep my sig low.

Running a DBX

Silent running doesn't make you invisible. It's not a cloaking device after all. It just makes your signal non existent or intermittent to the scanners but only at longer ranges. If you can be seen visually then you can be scanned. As has been said, watch for the patrols. I find that approaching the station from the rear and skimming close the hull until quickly entering the station is a good tactic but even then it is not 100%.

 

[Sentenza]

Anyone found at what range you can still be seen on scanners?