Imperial Cutter and docking computer is a joke.
- Thread starter valbarr
- Start date
I have to disagree with you and other non-boost commanders on this one. Since I trade between the same two systems most of the time in my cutter I can exit into normal space directly facing the docking corridor. On exit I immediately boost and also set the throttle to 75%. At 7.5km I request docking permission, all the time making sure that I'm lined up. At 2.5 - 3km I reduce the throttle to 50% and fly through the slot. The moment the ship starts to rotate inside the dock I centre the joystick and zero the throttle and the docking computer does the rest. Easy, quick and I fly through the slot at 97-98 every time with a boost to approach the station.
Of course this only works if you set the throttle to 75% or less. Set it to max and you'll be trying to fly through the slot with a fairly high velocity which can be fun (not)!
If, on the other hand I'm approaching a station that I have never been to before then I approach from directly between the station and the planet. On exit I can see the slot but nowhere near facing me and then I never boost as the momentum of such a fast approach from that angle really makes the approach hard. In this case I just go for 75% throttle and land as before but without the boost.
Aye the "don't boost in range" thing is a bit vague. I think the idea is "don't boost when you can see the whites of his eyes!" Even going in under normal DC conditions, the Cutter has to be thrown into reverse by the DC to get down to Pad 1 as it can't stop in time.
They should add a failsafe in the DC that says "Sorry, I can't do it. You're too heavy, drop some weight or do the landing yourself."
Currently, using the docking computer is also cheating because it circumvents the speeding rule.
I did some tests with the DC, and I found it helpful only when docking at outposts. The behaviour for mail-sloted stations is rather erratic and suboptimal.
I sometimes use it with large stations, never had any issues since SJA made the tweaks a few updates back, the last ship to have issues was the Anaconda, that was resolved a while back.
Don't really understand why this topic needs three pages, the Op has a valid point, the Cutter's DC will sometimes underperform, devs are aware of the issue and will fix it. In the meantime monitor the DC on the Cutter, making tea or going for bathroom breaks whilst on autodock is not advisable on any ship, especially on the Cutter.
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I have a DC on my trading Anaconda as while the ship is auto docking I'm in the map plotting my next destination so as soon as I land I'm ready to unload, take on new stock and take off in short order, it shaves some time off a long circular trade route and bumps up the Credits per hour.
Wots a Pesent?
Peasant.... Hey, creative spelling works ;-)
I don't and never have used a DC. I immediately boost toward the station once I drop from SC regardless of my position, and I'm completely lined up by the time I slow down 1.5 out.
So, I'm with ya on not understanding how a DC equipped cmdr is having trouble.
you sound like a banana. whats wrong with using a docking computer?
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Pretty easy to understand, you must be joking. If you are going too fast toward the station when you let the computer take over it cannot stop that big ship. So easy to understand to be honest.
I don't usually use a DC in the Vulture, because I use the slot for a hull reinforcement package. But I always kit out different ships with one, because I enjoy the break. These days, the approach is much like a real player would take, but I liked the beta, when it would absolutely limp at at least quarter speed into the bay. I kind of think it should still be like that. There ought to be a penalty for using a DC and time spent docking would do.
Fly anyway you like, but in a large ship with large inertia, just be patient and wait until you are crossing the gate threshold. Sorted.
The docking computer is, drum roll, a docking computer. Designed to assist docking. It's not specifically an autopilot and if you pop out of SC, point and the station, boost and then expect the DC to solve your approach speed and vectors for you, you might as well get a friend to play on your behalf.
Also, no offence? No shield but a docking computer means no sympathy from me if you hit anything. That's all on you, friend.
The docking computer is, drum roll, a docking computer. Designed to assist docking. It's not specifically an autopilot and if you pop out of SC, point and the station, boost and then expect the DC to solve your approach speed and vectors for you, you might as well get a friend to play on your behalf.
Also, no offence? No shield but a docking computer means no sympathy from me if you hit anything. That's all on you, friend.
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Well, I guess I should never use a DC given my apparent inability to pilot a ship to take advantage of it taking over for landing. XD
It's kinda like being to crappie of a driver to start accelerating on ice in an automatic so you have to default to a standard transmission.....
It's a docking computer, not an autopilot. Yes, it will take control of the ship and attempt to land, but it uses pre-programed inputs to achieve this. If you persist in not using it for it's intended purpose (docking) and instead as an auto-pilot, then you don't get to protest at it being a bit average at being an auto-pilot.
If it was an AP, it'd say that. It isn't. It's designed to automate docking. Enable it as you cross the gate, or at least line up with the front of the gate first. Expecting it to have capabilities of lateral thinking and being able to make approach vector judgement calls, based on a huge number of variables, is a bit daft, imho.
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Yeah on the Cutter and anything else that has drift. I've seen the DC drive a Clipper into the comms tower, too. But for that very reason, you learn that the computer only takes over if you go below a certain speed. On my Python, I slot manually then let the computer take over once I cleared the door. You don't have to queue up, and you won't get slammed into the doorway.
Also as a sidenote, seems the DC scares easily. I had another player slot in front of me, which caused my DC to go bananas, and punch me into the cowgrill.