I had considered outfitting/engineering a DBX for minimum heat generation and try to see how close I could get to certain things, like a neutron star, or a black hole, etc. That heat management is excellent.
Why choose the Diamondback Explorer over the Asp Explorer
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The DBX needs a class 5 slot. That'll give it enough to make it a viable long range explorer, and give it a class 5 fuel scoop. That class 4 is just painful.
I bought a DBX after I bought an Asp just to try it out. Found it completely superfluous. I agree it looks better but I just couldn't find a decent loadout for a decent role. I tried outfitting it a few times, got frustrated and gave up. I don't expect it to do everything the Asp does but it doesn't meet the minimum requirements for me to bother exploring in it. Sure some of that equipment isn't essential but the less you can do exploring, the less fun it is.
If I hadn't had the Asp I would have used a T6.
If I hadn't had the Asp I would have used a T6.
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I have the money for an AspX, and prefer my DBX for multiple reasons. [???]
I have one of each, and don't use either nearly as much as I probably should. But I find my Asp to be great for fetching various bits of pirate bait from systems that sell them, and my DBX to be the same when these materials are even further away from where I need them and I don't need as many.
Looks and I quite enjoy being out there with a compromised build...feels more explorey...it's a word.
I have an AspX and a DBX and I love them both. My Asp stays in the bubble for cargo etc. My DBX is out on long range and ranking trips. I also have an iCourier for bounty hunting.
The Diamondback Explorer really excels as a fast mission runner or smuggler. The ability to land on small pads means that outpost docking can be faster as you rarely have to wait for a small landing pad and the heat management means it is better at silent running. It's also easier to find a landing spot in rough planetary terrain as it is substantially smaller than the Asp. The jump range with an equivalent FSD is actually slightly better than the Asp using a similar loadout as well. The Diamondback Explorer is however notably slower than the Asp (typically 50 m/s difference in max boost with similar setups) and it doesn't really have the internals to do proper exploration outside of the bubble (not enough slots for a ADS/DSS/AFMU/SRV/cargo/fuel scoop simultaneously) and can't mount a large fuel scoop like the class 6 slot you have available on the Asp.
can't say I've ever needed an AMFU while exploring. Out for 4 months one time, came back with the lowest module at 90% damage.
People call the Federal ships ugly, well the Diamondback (either version) is not something I have ever purchased and its purely for aesthetic reasons.
The Asp looks cool, sounds cool and I enjoyed flying one for quite a while. Stats be damned. lol
I fly a DBX over the ASP for exploration purely because it's more maneuverable and easier to maintain.
Cons involve less internal space and possible not enough utility mounts, otherwise its great to fly through canyons and doesn't feel like you're using a crowbar to turn.
On a side note Sandy is on record as saying he would like to have a look at the internals at some point. (maybe split out one of the grade 2s to 2 grade 1s?)
Cons involve less internal space and possible not enough utility mounts, otherwise its great to fly through canyons and doesn't feel like you're using a crowbar to turn.
On a side note Sandy is on record as saying he would like to have a look at the internals at some point. (maybe split out one of the grade 2s to 2 grade 1s?)
Fair enough.
I also have a Cutter covered in dust, and spend most of my time in my Clipper or my Cobra.
As a noob I find it very forgiving and one reason is the ease of scooping, I can also slam it into docking bays stupidly easily. Would love another slot though.
I went to SagA during 2.0 and I didn't take much module damage on that trip but despite this I was overprepared with a dual AFMU setup so I could use the AFMUs to repair each other plus I had several mat synthesis refills so I wouldn't even need to worry about planetary landings to replenish them. I found that I used around a quarter of my AFMU ammo but that was to keep everything at 100% which wasn't really necessary at all. Now with the changes to heat you take quite a bit more module damage from even from a relatively short period of overheating so I would still bring a single AFMU on any long-range trip. I would only really use my AFMU to keep my FSD at 100% which is important now to avoid malfunctions when jumping (given that the reboot/repair only gives you a few percent integrity if you lose your FSD) but I would probably not worry about the other modules unless they start to malfunction.
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I fly both and for me it's basically the different Cockpit view, while still having a high JumpRange similar to the AspX.
Other than that, the AspX has its Internals going for it. So if Cargo Rack and/or AFMU shall be onboard, then the DBX can't compete.
And I kinda like the bigger Fuel Scoops, the Class 4 Scoop on the DBX works just fine but at times I wouldn't mind a Class 5 one.
Other than that, the AspX has its Internals going for it. So if Cargo Rack and/or AFMU shall be onboard, then the DBX can't compete.
And I kinda like the bigger Fuel Scoops, the Class 4 Scoop on the DBX works just fine but at times I wouldn't mind a Class 5 one.
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The DBX has 1L HP. By the numbers the ASP outguns the DBX. In real life it doesn't.
This really depends on the weapon selection and target. I find that the Asp's four small hardpoints are excellent for a missile pod array as missile damage doesn't "scale" with hardpoint size while the ability to overwhelm the target's PD can be more important. If you're comparing a multicannon loadout, however, the Diamondback Explorer's large hardpoint can be very useful against larger targets due to the damage reduction of the small/medium-sized hardpoints. The Diamondback also has an excellent vertical field of fire with the side-mounted medium hardpoints, meaning they can often stay on target better than the Asp's top-mounted mediums. Generally I've found that when interdicted the Asp can often get more alpha-strike damage (especially with missiles) while the Diamondback Explorer tends to have better sustained damage output.
I'm out exploring now with an Asp with a A4 scoop, if I recall correctly. Heat issues? I have no issue with heat--it maxes at maybe 69% heat getting 300-400 units (depends on the star) while I use the local map to see what's worth scanning. If I went in farther to max my fuel intake, it'll get upwards of 78%, but it's not really needed--300-400 units with this size fuel tank fills rather quickly.
Sure, the DBX runs cooler than that, but the Asp doesn't really have issues here.
[Edit] forgot to mention I run dual AFMUs, which isn't possible in the DBX I don't think.
Sure, the DBX runs cooler than that, but the Asp doesn't really have issues here.
[Edit] forgot to mention I run dual AFMUs, which isn't possible in the DBX I don't think.
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I mostly fly my DBX because it's not an Asp, I just like being different
That said, the DBX can be modded into a capable combat ship - thanks to its excellent heat management it can have G5 overcharched plant and G5 dirty drives, prismatic shield with 2 A0 boosters, a couple of plasma accelerators and still it never overheats. And even with all this equipment it has 43 Ly jump range and can get across the bubble on one fuel tank. I find it an awesome little mission runner, the only thing it can't do is haul large amounts of cargo or passengers.
That said, the DBX can be modded into a capable combat ship - thanks to its excellent heat management it can have G5 overcharched plant and G5 dirty drives, prismatic shield with 2 A0 boosters, a couple of plasma accelerators and still it never overheats. And even with all this equipment it has 43 Ly jump range and can get across the bubble on one fuel tank. I find it an awesome little mission runner, the only thing it can't do is haul large amounts of cargo or passengers.
because you can put any modul, which you fit on an DBE, also on an AspE - or a bigger one with less quality and less price - a 6E fuelscoop "outscoops" an A4 fuelscoop -
: the difference between the two is ~1,5 mio CR. i wouldn't call that considerably.
the DBE is the cooler running ship, and can stand roughly 20% more heat, and vent heat 20% faster than an AspE (https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/286628-Research-Detailed-Heat-Mechanics).
that's for the numbers.
DBE is easier to land - it needs a smaller spot. it also has a smaller hitbox.
But I simply love the DBE. which is why i fly it. the AspE is boring to me - if i need internals, i take my explonda.
now, that's a considerable price difference...