Imperial Cutter and docking computer is a joke.

PCJimmmy · Mar 30, 2016

I love the docking computer. Gives me time to do all the little tasks that come with real life while gaming. Bathroom breaks being a big one for an old goat like myself.

But OP is right on target with my observations on the computer and the Imperial Cutter - its not a ship to put in auto dock and head to the head. It often does fail to hit the slot. I also find this to be the worst ship with regards to hitting the slot in manual. I think I miss the slot almost as often as the docking computer. Things ok if your lined up for a head on entrance - but trying to make a tight turn at speed into the slot is impossible for me and most of the time for the docking computer on this ship.

So is it broken or just an intended design issue? probably both - so use the docking computer with care on this ship - driver beware!

Heavenly-Hammer · Mar 30, 2016

LOL @ using a docking computer on a billion-dollar ship. .

These Robigo instant-millionaires, never learning how to actually fly in ED. Feels bad.

Hell Razor5543 · Mar 30, 2016

I have a docking computer on my Anaconda (and on a couple of my other ships), but I always fly my ships through the docking slot before handing over control. That way I don't get stuck in queues, or see my ships try docking through an alternative (non existent) docking slot. I am not greedy, I just like the nostalgia of the music.

RandomGun · Mar 30, 2016

Heavenly-Hammer said:
These Robigo instant-millionaires, never learning how to actually fly in ED. Feels bad.

I use DC even for small ships like Vulture which is trivially easy to park. DC is not about skills, speed or need. It's about luxury, relaxation and immersion. Feels good!

DragoonKnight · Mar 30, 2016

Lianachan said:
Indeed. I'm willing to sacrifice 4 tonnes of cargo space from a C2 for it in my Asp, but if I had to put it in a C3 or bigger I'd struggle to justify it. Anyway, my point was just that using a docking computer is not a sign of a lack of ability. Sometimes it's just laziness .

It seems like the kind of thing that should use a utility mount, anyway.

How bad do you have to be at docking to need a docking computer on an ASP?
I've docked an asp with one eye open and half drunk.

Jerakeen · Mar 30, 2016

It's just that the docking computer isn't up to handling the Cutter, it's more that the Cutter's thrusters aren't powerful enough to manoeuvre the ship effectively. The computer applies the directional inputs that it can but they're not enough to overcome the inertia of the ship unless it's moving very slowly.

PGleesonuk · Mar 30, 2016

It's a known bug and is on the "known issue" list for a couple of patches now.
I hope they fix it in 2.1

I flew my cutter without shields as I was trying to maximize profit to get my Elite trader rank (which I now have)

Given the bugs in the DC I used once I was in the station to find the pad, and land. Quicker than I could do it myself.
And gave me time to plot the next route etc. for a real speedy turn around.

xaisis · Mar 30, 2016

Cutter + DC & no shields ??

Id rather just take control of the ship myself and ram the hell out of that space station.

[hotas]

Spudulika · Mar 30, 2016

I had some problems with the cutter initially with the DC, however if you don't use boost at all when exiting SC the DC seems to then be able to handle the docking sequence fine. What really kills it, is the drift from boost, so the answer is, don't boost

Iori · Mar 30, 2016

Imperial Cutter ~~and docking computer~~ is a joke.

fixed it for you

DHMeyer · Mar 30, 2016

DragoonKnight said:
How bad do you have to be at docking to need a docking computer on an ASP?
I've docked an asp with one eye open and half drunk.

How bad do you have to be at life to have to reassure yourself about your value by fulfilling simple and basic menial task of docking a spaceship at station?

Bigglesof206 · Mar 30, 2016

Apos said:
The docking computer is obviously developed, manufactured and distributed within and from Federal systems.

The clipper can't handle it, the cutter can't handle it. It's an inside job to get rid of the Imperials.

Dunno about the Cutter, but I've never had any problems from the docking computer on my Clipper.

As suggested above, if you do your best to get the ship lined up with the mail slot before engaging the computer it all tends to work fine, obviously be ready to hit reverse if things are clearly going awry.
Maybe you didnj't get a DC? Look in the box, there might be a drunken monkey in there or something....

Comrade Error · Mar 30, 2016

ColdFish said:
If you died while using the DC it seems you can contact support to get reimbursed for the loss.

Also, you are contradicting yourself:
If you were greedy, then you would fly without DC to have more cargo and be faster at docking.
So I conclude: You are just being lazy.

Don't do that. I did that and while I did get money back they did tell me that the DC ain't perfect and it's ment to be that way or something.

777Driver · Mar 30, 2016

Heavenly-Hammer said:
LOL @ using a docking computer on a billion-dollar ship. .

These Robigo instant-millionaires, never learning how to actually fly in ED. Feels bad.

What has being a Robigo billionaire have to do with it? I have a DC on my Cutter/Conda & T9. I fly those ships 99% FA-OFF, sometimes you want the computer to dock for you. Options dude, it's all about options.

Anyway, the Dc fix will likely come in the next update, the Anaconda DC took a while to fix. Was hitting the roof on the mailslot for a year, now flies the procedure silky smooth.

Comrade Error · Mar 30, 2016

777Driver said:
What has being a Robigo billionaire have to do with it? I have a DC on my Cutter/Conda & T9. I fly those ships 99% FA-OFF, sometimes you want the computer to dock for you. Options dude, it's all about options.

Anyway, the Dc fix will likely come in the next update, the Anaconda DC took a while to fix. Was hitting the roof on the mailslot for a year, now flies the procedure silky smooth.

Robigo has a lot to do with it. Don't talk like there aren't a bunch of mostly harmless Anacondas out there who got as rich as a player who has played 400-500 hours but with none of the experience.

Not saying it is the case here but it could very well be.

777Driver · Mar 30, 2016

Spudulika said:
I had some problems with the cutter initially with the DC, however if you don't use boost at all when exiting SC the DC seems to then be able to handle the docking sequence fine. What really kills it, is the drift from boost, so the answer is, don't boost

The DC automatically boost, best option is to just monitor the DC and be prepared to take over. You only need to apply a small amount of throttle to override the DC. Majority of the time the DC will work fine on the Cutter, if it acts weird then override it.

anikaiful · Mar 30, 2016

Mmm, about Cutter ...

1) never try land it with docking computer unattended - it'll try kill you just like HAL.
2) don't bother with docking computer at all before you're near/above your pad - the DC takes aeons to get anywhere.

And about DC in general... I just *hate* how it tries to dodge other ships, especially the smaller-than-thou kind, when you're docking with a lumbering whale. That said, I rarely let DC do anything else than the very final adjustments to landing and do everything else before that manually - quicker that way, anyway.

fennster · Mar 30, 2016

777Driver said:
What has being a Robigo billionaire have to do with it? I have a DC on my Cutter/Conda & T9. I fly those ships 99% FA-OFF, sometimes you want the computer to dock for you. Options dude, it's all about options.

Anyway, the Dc fix will likely come in the next update, the Anaconda DC took a while to fix. Was hitting the roof on the mailslot for a year, now flies the procedure silky smooth.

I think they are implying that via Robigo, you will grind up to a cutter/corvette without playing the game, I.e not learning how to pilot a ship.

777Driver · Mar 30, 2016

Error said:
Robigo has a lot to do with it. Don't talk like there aren't a bunch of mostly harmless Anacondas out there who got as rich as a player who has played 400-500 hours but with none of the experience.

Not saying it is the case here but it could very well be.

You can't get to a trade fit Cutter with low flying experience, even if you fast track and mode switch for money and navy rank, you'll still need to have a fair bit of docking experience under your belt. The Cutter is a whole different beast, I can dock an Anaconcda/T9 FA-OFF in my sleep, the Cutter was still a learning curve for a day or so.

You have 1000 hour cmdr's that are rubbish at docking, others pick it up naturally. Others will stick a DC on every ship and only have one landing under their belt, that is entirely their choice, they still have to undock and get the ship out of the slot.

My only point was the DC is there for a reason, billion credit super heavy ship with a rediculous amount of internals, DC is the perfect option for anyone getting to grips with it, or just want the computer to handle the docking phase.

SCTrojanbulldog · Mar 30, 2016

anikaiful said:
Mmm, about Cutter ...

1) never try land it with docking computer unattended - it'll try kill you just like HAL.
2) don't bother with docking computer at all before you're near/above your pad - the DC takes aeons to get anywhere.

And about DC in general... I just *hate* how it tries to dodge other ships, especially the smaller-than-thou kind, when you're docking with a lumbering whale. That said, I rarely let DC do anything else than the very final adjustments to landing and do everything else before that manually - quicker that way, anyway.

Spot on!

I've never used a DC but have accidentally damaged or killed other cmdr's using a DC. Plus, I don't have the patience to use a DC, and part of the fun is landing and tacking off in your own ship.

Last, What would Sulu do (WwSD)? He wouldn't use a pos DC. He'd throw that thing Super Cruz within the station if he could!