Newcomer / Intro Docking computer v. basic discovery scanner

[Touchwood]

Very early in my Elite playing experience I decided I needed a docking computer - it's not that I can't dock, it's just that I find it difficult and very time consuming. I'm still toying with the idea of putting in some serious time practising to take the pain out of docking, and doing away with the docking computer, but I'm waiting for delivery of my HOTAS before I do that as there's no point I think in practising with KB and mouse only to have to repeat the process with the HOTAS.

I've found with small ships it's necessary to lose the basic discovery scanner in order to outfit the docking computer - and that really is my main question; what am I losing by not having a discovery scanner? I haven't yet tried exploration (and when I do I'll do it in my Cobra, not my Eagle, so I can have both DC and scanner) so my assumption that I'll need the scanner for that is untested - I've noticed I can't use the inventory tab in the LHS UI panel but I don't need to, I can check inventory in the RHS UI panel. I notice also that when I go to the "Contacts" tab in the LHS UI panel and select a ship, it says "scan needed" - but I don't know what, if anything, I'm missing out on apart from this?

Whilst on the subject - my biggest problem with docking has been finding the damn slot on the stations that have multiple faces - any tips for this?

I'm aware also that having the DC on my Eagle gives me some power management problems - this promises to be the main driver for getting rid of it. I can't run the kill warrant scanner and the DC at the same time, I have to disable them in turn or I go over 100%

 

[aRJay]

When you venture into a system unknown to you and your ships database the only way you will be able to find anything is either by using the discovery scanner or finding and scanning the Nav beacon.

 

[BigBANGtheory [VR]]

I don't understand the logic of using a DC on anything other than the larger more cumbersome ships, a DC is a tool of convenience at the end of the day.

Decent discovery scanners are most useful for boosting your rep to either Engineers or to a minor controlling faction that isn't otherwise giving you easy options through say missions. Once you can afford the larger ships this is arguably less useful (as you will have done it already) so why not fit a DC to make life easier... Personally I really want to see and autopilot for similar reasons.

 

[goemon]

- not having a discovery scanner is more viable since 2.1. you can drop to the nav beacon, scan it via contacts, and get info on all mission related uss and surface stations. with a discovery scanner, you don't need to do so - you can "ping" the system.

- concerning powerusage of a dc: put it to a lower priority level (to 5), it will be turned off as soon as you deploy hardpoints.

- station entries always face the planet they are orbiting. if you approach from the planet, you'll be in the right direction. otherwise target the planet and move towards it, till the station is behind you.

- if you request docking, the compass will direct you to the entry - if you are "in front" of a station.

 

[Touchwood]

When you venture into a system unknown to you and your ships database the only way you will be able to find anything is either by using the discovery scanner or finding and scanning the Nav beacon.

But I assume this will only occur when exploring?

 

[aRJay]

- not having a discovery scanner is more viable since 2.1. you can drop to the nav beacon, scan it via contacts, and get info on all mission related uss and surface stations. with a discovery scanner, you don't need to do so - you can "ping" the system.

- concerning powerusage of a dc: put it to a lower priority level (to 5), it will be turned off as soon as you deploy hardpoints.

- station entries always face the planet they are orbiting. if you approach from the planet, you'll be in the right direction. otherwise target the planet and move towards it, till the station is behind you.

- if you request docking, the compass will direct you to the entry - if you are "in front" of a station.

At an outpost when you have permission to dock the compass points towards your chosen pad, as it does in a station once through the letterbox.

 

[Touchwood]

- not having a discovery scanner is more viable since 2.1. you can drop to the nav beacon, scan it via contacts, and get info on all mission related uss and surface stations. with a discovery scanner, you don't need to do so - you can "ping" the system.

Thanks - but not sure what you mean by "ping the system"? Excuse my ignorance!

- concerning powerusage of a dc: put it to a lower priority level (to 5), it will be turned off as soon as you deploy hardpoints.

Yes, actually, I've figured that one out since I posted!

- station entries always face the planet they are orbiting. if you approach from the planet, you'll be in the right direction. otherwise target the planet and move towards it, till the station is behind you.

- if you request docking, the compass will direct you to the entry - if you are "in front" of a station.

Many thanks, that's a big help

 

[aRJay]

Thanks - but not sure what you mean by "ping the system"? Excuse my ignorance!



Yes, actually, I've figured that one out since I posted!



Many thanks, that's a big help

A discovery scanner has to be associated with a fire button to use holding the fire button down for 10 seconds triggers it and it makes a loud honk sound known as honking, this process is also known as pinging from how stuff underwater is found by sonar and via how you can check some stuff about your internet connection.

 

[Touchwood]

- concerning powerusage of a dc: put it to a lower priority level (to 5), it will be turned off as soon as you deploy hardpoints.

Further to my last reply - I don't think that works, as my power consumption goes to 101% if I enable both DC and kill warrant scanner? That's BEFORE I deploy hardpoints.

 

[Ashnak]

I think it's matter of training. If you want to see how fast people can dock without the DC, watch a few buckyball videos .

Personally, I never bought a DC. Main reason was that I could use the slot for something more useful. On the other hand, the biggest ship I had so far was a Python, so I don't know if I will change that opinion once (if ever) I get to fly something really big.

What you lose without the discovery scanner is simply the ability to scan an (to you) unknown system. For one thing, that can make you some easy money (also in the bubble), for another, if you fly to a system which you don't have the data for, you'd otherwise need to stop and scan the nav beacon in order to find where e.g. the surface ports are. But the discovery scanners are just for the astronomical bodes, not for ships. Ships you will scan with your basic sensor suite and/or dedicated bounty/cargo scanners.

For exploration, you'll also need one of the discovery scanners. A detailed surface scanner is also very useful for that.

Using the scanners: you have to map them to a fire group, then hold the associated trigger until the scanner has charged up - same as for the KWS, just that you don't have to aim the DS's. Due to the sound the discovery scanners make, for these, it's also called 'honking' the system.

Finding the slot: approach from the direction of the planet. Or try it. With the d12 shaped stations, once you're out of SC and have the station selected, the station image on your left HUD also has some arrows pointing to the slot. And in general, the stations all rotate counter-clockwise around the slot.

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Further to my last reply - I don't think that works, as my power consumption goes to 101% if I enable both DC and kill warrant scanner? That's BEFORE I deploy hardpoints.

OK - in case you still have enabled the cargo hatch, switch it off. That'll save you a few %. You'll ponly need it if you actually want to transfer any cargo from/to your ship (e.g. using the cargo scoop).

 

[Smykes]

BTW ..Adv Disco Scanner cannot be put at Priority 5..its either active or not.

Ping a system.. Honk a system.. reminds me of Red October.. "One ping only"

 

[CMDR Mr. Boombastic]

A great tutorial on power management (and fire groups). Taught me everything I needed to know:

Spoiler

[video=youtube_share;oO1E9_sPtvg]https://youtu.be/oO1E9_sPtvg[/video]

 

[Para Handy]

Further to my last reply - I don't think that works, as my power consumption goes to 101% if I enable both DC and kill warrant scanner? That's BEFORE I deploy hardpoints.

By making your docking computer and cargo hatch and fuel scoop (if fitted) priority 5 - it means that when you deploy hardpoints those items are switched off if you don't have enough power capacity. Similarly, making your frame shift drive priority 4 does the same if you need still more power. The point is that you don't need these items powered if your hardpoints are deployed. Making the FSD a 4 rather than a 5 means it won't normally be unpowered - since it now has a boot-up time that you might not want to have to wait for if a fight gets too messy and you want to wake-out.

I also make some weapons priority 2 and 3 - the reason being that if in battle your power gen gets some damage I suppose it might have reduced power capability - I don't know if that is the case, it just feels right to me.

 

[aRJay]

Further to my last reply - I don't think that works, as my power consumption goes to 101% if I enable both DC and kill warrant scanner? That's BEFORE I deploy hardpoints.

When I get a build like that I start over with bigger Power Plant and/or smaller other stuff. I don't mind being over with weapons deployed as I can put Frameshift, Fuel Scoop etc to a lower priority but if it is over with the weapons retracted it is not right for me. Personally I would lose the Kill Warrant Scanner but that's just me.

 

[Touchwood]

When I get a build like that I start over with bigger Power Plant and/or smaller other stuff. I don't mind being over with weapons deployed as I can put Frameshift, Fuel Scoop etc to a lower priority but if it is over with the weapons retracted it is not right for me. Personally I would lose the Kill Warrant Scanner but that's just me.

I'm very inclined to agree with you about the Kill Warrant Scanner - OK I may get some extra bounty from it but i haven't yet. Any recommendations on what to put in it's place? My Eagle is outfitted for combat, i've tried both RES sites and nav beacons so far with a fair success and it's great fun!

 

[aRJay]

I'm very inclined to agree with you about the Kill Warrant Scanner - OK I may get some extra bounty from it but i haven't yet. Any recommendations on what to put in it's place? My Eagle is outfitted for combat, i've tried both RES sites and nav beacons so far with a fair success and it's great fun!

Point Defence works automatically and draws less than the KWS.

 

[Touchwood]

Point Defence works automatically and draws less than the KWS.

Great minds - I must be getting the hang of this game, because while I was waiting for your response I went and fitted a point defence in place of the KWS - thinking "I can always change it if it's not the best thing"

 

[mistohise]

If you're in the early phase of the game a discovery scanner can pick you up some easy money from scanning systems in the bubble. You don't have to do long range exploring. So the scanner can get you free money and the docking computer can't. Arguably the dc can save you an insurance claim from a botched docking, but with a bit of practice in the tutorials that wouldn't even be a factor.
It really is worth getting to know manual docking because it really is easy once you discover your preferred method.

 

[aRJay]

If you're in the early phase of the game a discovery scanner can pick you up some easy money from scanning systems in the bubble. You don't have to do long range exploring. So the scanner can get you free money and the docking computer can't. Arguably the dc can save you an insurance claim from a botched docking, but with a bit of practice in the tutorials that wouldn't even be a factor.
It really is worth getting to know manual docking because it really is easy once you discover your preferred method.

Never used a Docking Computer yet but might consider for the Anaconda if it does take offs, I often have more scares leaving a station than entering.

The downside to manual docking is that after a few (large) glasses of wine or after a long day the so and so's start moving the letterbox around as well as just having it rotate.

 

[GJ51]

I've only found one circumstance where it makes sense to have a DC

On an Anaconda used for exploration

It has the room and the DC doesn't use power or have mass - so there's no downside.

After a month or so out in the black - it's a bit comforting to have knowing you haven't done this for some time. The DC will help keep you under the speed limit and not do something stupid until after you sell your data.

Other than that, there's always something of more practical value to put in a bay than a DC, unless you just don't like docking manually.