Thinking about exploring...and a ship.

DukeIronHand

D
In all my ED careers I have done everything but serious exploring. Well that and kill Gluttony Fang in that war wagon of his.
Sure I honk and cash in when smuggling or when on a mission but have never set out for SERIOUS exploring with a Detailed Surface Scanner, going to planets..the whole nine yards. Sounds like it might be cool.

Three obvious ships come to mind.
1) Anaconda - way out of my price range.
2) Asp Explorer - of course.
3) Diamondback Explorer.

Have a lot of stick time in the Asp in a lot of roles. Obviously a great ship.
Also have a lot of stick time in the DBS - DBX's little brother. Love the DBS but have never owned a DBX.

In a quick glance at the Corolis site both the Asp Explorer and DBX are certainly comparable - almost roughly equal.
But for the semi-serious explorer (may try it and hate it...maybe) I can get a DBX for about 1/5 the cost of the Asp.

Anyone have strong feelings either way? Something I am missing?
 

mistohise

mistohise
The asp has more internal slots meaning you have room for scanners, fuel tank/scoop, srv and whatever other good stuff. You might find the dbx limiting.
 

Alex Brentnall

Alex Brentnall
My main issue with the DBX is that its a slot or two short on internals. Otherwise its a great ship, cool running, good looking and flies nicely. Somewhere I could sit in for a month or two.
The Asp X not only gives me the room for my fuel scoop, vehicle hangar, shield and 2 scanners but additionally to the DBE can fit me 2 extra slots I can use for a fuel transfer limpet controller + cargo. Or a pair of AFMU's etc

Basically put the Asp has that little bit extra that puts it ahead. Also I have more paintjobs for my Asp so I enjoy the screenshots despite the DBE being the nicer looking ship imho. If you don't have horizons and have no need for a shield+vehicle hangar then it's totally the DBE all the way for me.
 
Last edited:

Macros Black

Macros Black
I've been to Beagle Point in the Anaconda (twice), Imperial Cutter, and the Asp Explorer (and recently to Jaques Station in the Sidewinder).

Considering your price range, I would take the Asp Explorer as it has more internals, like Alex mentions.
 

jasonbarron

jasonbarron
MacrosTheBlack said:
I've been to Beagle Point in the Anaconda (twice), Imperial Cutter, and the Asp Explorer (and recently to Jaques Station in the Sidewinder).

Considering your price range, I would take the Asp Explorer as it has more internals, like Alex mentions.
Click to expand...

Whoa whoa whooaa, wait just a minute....did you really just say that you've been to Beagle Point four times????
 

Zylark

Zylark
Viable options from dirt-cheap to "is the toilets made of Platinum or something?!"

- Hauler, the Ghetto Explorer. Cheap with long legs.
- DBX, for the space tourists. Comes in yellow as default!
- AspX, for the explorer professional!
- Anaconda, even got an observation deck in the nose.

Obviously, lightweight builds with the biggest Fuel-Scoop and grade A FSD you can fit is mandatory. For extra jump-range, a good level 5 jump range roll at the Farseer Casino and Modified Parts LTD won't hurt.
 

tafkabb

T
The Asp is the best out of the three, no question. It's built for a purpose, and it excels. But it's dull.
Personally, I'd take the DBX because it's fun to fly, it's cheap, it has character and it'll teach you to explore without an AMFU ;)
The Anaconda is ridiculous.
 

GTwannabe

GTwannabe
Definitely the Asp. More internal slots and you'll definitely want to bring an SRV or two. You'll need one to restock your Jumponium and AFMU.
 

jasonbarron

jasonbarron
MacrosTheBlack said:
Yup .
Click to expand...

I just snapped this picture of myself as I was reading your post:

giphy.gif
 

Macros Black

Macros Black
BongoBaggins said:
The Asp is the best out of the three, no question. It's built for a purpose, and it excels. But it's dull.
Personally, I'd take the DBX because it's fun to fly, it's cheap, it has character and it'll teach you to explore without an AMFU ;)
The Anaconda is ridiculous.
Click to expand...

The Anaconda is the best explorer. Best outfitting options, and you can explore in style. Not as much style as the Imperial Cutter, but close.
 

DukeIronHand

D
Grammar

Thank you gentlemen.
Yes money is an issue (new'ish career after a restart) but I have some time to give it some thought.
And just because of said money reasons - not doubt the Asp is better for this role - I may give the explorers life a test run in a DBX. Or I could convert my sole ship - an Asp E that is currently D/E rated fitted out as a miner that has been quite a money maker. Have about 10 million in credits.
IIRC to fit out the Asp (so I am not a space tourist!) will take more funds then I have.

I'll roll both up in Corolis and see how it looks. Maybe my exploration career may be delayed for more money accumulation.
 
Last edited:

verminstar

Banned
verminstar
Building a good exploration asp is actually a lot cheaper than ye might think. Much of yer current stuff could do the job perfectly well with D rate stuff a lot lighter than higher end gear. The likes of a power plant is only a 3A which is still enough to run everything, and way lighter. In fact, the only thing more expensive than the ship itself is the biggest fuel scoop ye can fit.

And ye...aspx is basically the only ship I have, need or could ever want. A bit bland compared to others, but there really is no better ship for being out here in the black ^^
 
Last edited:

CMDR-AD

CMDR-AD
I've owned one DBX, but never got a chance to take it out exploring. If I were to do so, it looks fine for the job so long as you are prepared to make the choice of either an AFMU, or an SRV.

Sample build, just swap AFMU for SRV if you prefer. Some power management required if the AFMU is needed.
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70i,mpV0Wg0Wg01Q,2-4s6u7_5K3I5K8I,7RA4_w0KU2jw2UI

For me, the SRV adds considerably to the sense of wonder while exploring. And the only two times I had to use an AFMU were due to my own mistakes (and even then, a few modules were only damaged 1% or so, same as an Emergency Drop).

IMO heat sinks are worth taking. "Hot" things can happen in an instant.

I took the Asp Explorer on DWE, it's of course an ace at such things.

Have fun!
 

DukeIronHand

D
Excellent. Thanks much for the sample build on the DBX.

Guess I was on crack as I thought it would be about half that price.

Well I guess I'll look at the cost of converting the Asp - guessing I have the money to make a reasonable explorer or perhaps a smuggler - use that big money to really make it sweet.
 

Buglet

Buglet
Hi there,

I have been playing around with Explorer ship builds for a little while now, and have made some horrific discoveries....

...The Transit van of space (hauler) has been nerfed. the Hauler used to be my favorite ship for exploring; it's cosy, tidy, and sounds like a happy little sloth yawning through space. however, with all exploration-necessary components, the Hauler packs a measly 25ly max jump: https://coriolis.io/outfit/hauler/0p3t3F0l3d3s3f2---2t2iv62f.Iw19A===.Aw19A===

DBX is looking more and more appealing as an explorer: this build trumps the Hauler by 10ly, with all the same components! https://coriolis.io/outfit/diamondback_explorer/0p3tdFfldddsdf5---------v62i2f.Iw1-kA==.IwBj4yKA

The Asp is a fabled explorer. However, after flying the thing for just 10 minutes I was left with chronic buzzing in my ears, so I choose not to think about that ship anymore.

Anaconda will take you across space fast, and in style, like a Bentley. However, long-range explorers have reported the on-board toilet systems occasionally refuse to flush, which is cause enough for me to avoid it in favor of a more sanitary machine.
 
Last edited:

DukeIronHand

D
Thanks for the DBX alternative.
Checked with Corolis and I can convert my current mining Asp Explorer for about 6 million which will leave me a nice cash reserve.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom