I'm leaving, I don't expect to return.

[Sonof Hibachi]

I'm not much of a photographer it seems, but this planet has my name on it! Seems the guy who discovered the system was a little lazy... Anyway, here is the LCU Self Preservation Society on Oochost C1-D C28-1 A2 (or A4, can't remember which).



Anyway, the bad news is I decided to come back to the bubble, for two reasons:

1) I can not for the life of me work out how to make any progress with the galaxy map. I seemed to be going round in circles at several points.

2) I have a new HOTAS that I want to use, and I reckon trying to get all the bindings right 1200ly from the bubble is asking for trouble.

So I am back, with just over a million credits earned from my little trip. The plan is to buy a little sidewinder to bed in the HOTAS and then learn how to use that bleedin' map.

More than happy with the DBX, she didn't put a foot wrong over the 2400ly trip and seems to run really cool - fuel scooping was a doddle. She has been given a white makeover though, so she stands out in piccys.

I have two weeks off in mid March, so she will be heading out again for some more sightseeing in a few weeks.

If at first you don't succeed etc etc.

Hibachi.

 

[CMDR Pugwash]

I used to travel in open then switched to Fleetcom, because that is what most explorers use. Then I moved on to solo except where I think I might meet someone. Solo is faster and you get high res screenshots. No one around anyway.

Good luck when you do go.

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

Rather than starting a new vanity thread, I will hijack my own, and use it for my own purposes, i.e. to track the further adventures of...

... the Diamondback Explorer LCU* Suddenly It Got Serious.

*Limited Contact Unit for the non Iain M Banks Fans

Max Jump 31.05ly, (some level 1 engineering I think on shields and FSD, but I got really confused by those daft sods and if I could rewind I would).

A rated in FSD, thrusters and power distribution, D in everything else I think (I forget, I just fly the bad girl). Also rocking pulse lasers in all slots, 2x heat sinks, chaff and a sexy tactical white skin (which is a super disappointment - thought it would make for good piccys). I had to chose between AMFU and SRV, I chose AMFU and now I regret it, but it is what it is.

Yes I know all you super explorers will say “lose the guns Hibachi!”, but if I am going into the black, I am going armed. The USS Enterprise had guns, lots of them, and I come as peaceful as they did!

I am not here to debate outfitting, she is what she is and I love her.

We left Crowley Enterprise, HIP 75446, in open play, at 0940ish UTC on the morning of Saturday 4th March. In Open. Didn’t see a soul.

The plan is to follow the Colonia Connection route, visiting all the bases on the way to Colonia.

Updates and piccys to follow, along with a shed load of questions...

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

LCU Suddenly It Got Serious leaving her first virgin system

A couple of questions if I May...?

I keep finding systems that are "unexplored" even though every body in the system has been tagged. Does this mean that the "owner" has not used the DSS or am I missing something?

Is the DBX slow to wind up for a jump or is that my perception? I feel that my old T6 didn't take so long to jump. No biggy, it would be nice to know is all - the DBX has performed flawlessly so far...

 

[Flash_Baggins]

Curse you all!
I come and read this thread for 5 seconds and I crash into a neutron star!

JK luv yoo

- - - Updated - - -

A couple of questions if I May...?

I keep finding systems that are "unexplored" even though every body in the system has been tagged. Does this mean that the "owner" has not used the DSS or am I missing something?

Is the DBX slow to wind up for a jump or is that my perception? I feel that my old T6 didn't take so long to jump. No biggy, it would be nice to know is all - the DBX has performed flawlessly so far...

The system has been explored by someone else, but not by you, hence it comes up with unexplored

 

[Saool]

Welcome to the rest of the galaxy.

Hope you get bitten by the bug.

(No not those bugs. They have not bitten yet, but probably will, as soon as some flag waving xenophobic Federation pilot (EG any of them) starts shooting at them).

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

Oh yes, made it to Hillary, and now drinking a few with the Mallory v Hillary crowd. Got interdicted twice (no cargo, no anything) so either NPCs don't work or the small d*cks are now here. As I said in a different thread: submit, chaff, boost, see ya!

And now my day is done, really must sleep..ZZZzzzZZzzzzzZzzz...

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

Curse you all!
I come and read this thread for 5 seconds and I crash into a neutron star!

JK luv yoo

- - - Updated - - -


The system has been explored by someone else, but not by you, hence it comes up with unexplored

Ouch! Sorry mate!

Welcome to the rest of the galaxy.

Hope you get bitten by the bug.

(No not those bugs. They have not bitten yet, but probably will, as soon as some flag waving xenophobic Federation pilot (EG any of them) starts shooting at them).

I come in peace, but have guns just in case. I still remember when we had an Empire blah blah blah.

I haven't done any faction stuff yet but I did like the northern lassy welcoming me to stations. Who's side is she on?

 

[Saool]

Ouch! Sorry mate!



I come in peace, but have guns just in case. I still remember when we had an Empire blah blah blah.

I haven't done any faction stuff yet but I did like the northern lassy welcoming me to stations. Who's side is she on?

If you mean the Lass with the broad Yorkshire (or as we like to call it, God's own country), that voice is used in Independent bases (along with Russian and Indian. Or at least what I think is Russian and Indian).

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

If you mean the Lass with the broad Yorkshire (or as we like to call it, God's own country), that voice is used in Independent bases (along with Russian and Indian. Or at least what I think is Russian and Indian).

That's her! When we get space legs I'm going to have to try to blag my way into the control tower and see if she fancies a drink...

In other news, I have nine days off work! I finished my night shift at 0400, stopped at Asda in my Honda SRV for supplies (OK, beer and wine) on the way home and the LCU "Suddenly it's Serious" dusted off from Hillary Depot at 0527 on her way to Amundsen Terminal. She's about a quarter of the way there now. Progress would have been quicker but I've found four virgin systems (I tend to tag everything if it's virgin, no matter the size) and one huge system where the original explorer tagged a couple of planets close in to the star (but not the star itself) and then seemingly got bored, leaving some juicy stuff for me.

Yet to find anything really sexy planet wise, but I'm just enjoying the bimble to Colonia at the moment. Navigation is STILL confusing me (is it possible to be number dyslexic?) but I seem to be heading in the general direction of Amundsen. I keep forgetting to take piccys but if I do get anything nice, I'll post 'em.

The DBX is performing flawlessly, she runs so cool (but I have still exhausted most of my heat sinks due to a twitchy second finger on my mouse setting them off unintentionally). She fuels scoops plenty quick for me but others seem to think she's slow at this? She's jumping 30+ ly packing pulse lasers in all slots, heat sinks, chaff and point defence. If only she had one extra optional internal, as I sacrificed an SRV to take AMFU, I perhaps would never fly another ship.

One question to any explorers on the Colonia trail - are you in Open, Fleetcomm or what? I'm happy to play in anything and it would be nice to say hello!

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

OMG, totz emosh (as I am lead to believe youngsters say to each other these days) I keep finding virgin system after virgin system. Still no sexy stuff yet, but progress toward Amundsen Terminal is slow (but great) because of all these untouched systems.

Belt clusters are doing my bleedin' head in though - but I think I am starting to work out the in-system navigation.

I was thinking that so many people had been to Colonia that there would be shipping lanes between the stations, but no sign yet!

Just switched to a new ISP which keeps dropping out, hence the updates whilst I kick the new router a bit, and once again, if you're on the Colonia Trail let me know where you are playing. I have a couple of mini Mars Bars left to share...

 

[Siobhan]

Good luck! Have fun, and try not to "waste too much time", otherwise there are some in these forums who'll say you're spoiling their game... don't ask me why though...

 

[ITZC0ATL]

+ rep for some nice pics, CMDR!

I'm also out on the Colonia trail, about 2000Ly out from the bubble. Running an Anaconda in Open, no guns. Will say hi if I come across you in my travels!

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

Wow, just under ten hours, four Daura Damms and a bottle and a half of South African red after leaving Hillary Depot, the LCU and I wearily flop down on pad three, Amundsen Terminal. I say flop down, because in all honesty I couldn't call it a landing. No interdictions on my run in though, unlike Hillary depot.

During the first couple of hours I found five or six pristine systems and so spent some considerable time scanning them from top to toe. However, after about half way, every system I jumped into had been marked, like a dog marks a lamp post or a pillar box. The star and maybe one or two of the larger planets had been tagged and that's it. Personally I do not approve and I think if you are the first in a system you should do a proper job and scan everything, but I'm a noob explorer so what do I know (am I even exploring if I'm following the Colonia Trail?)

I think that on my way to Eagles Landing I will shift sideways or vertically a few hundred light years, in the hope that there will be fewer tagged systems.

The DBX is still running faultlessly, despite my erratic guidance. She took a tiny bit of damage during my first abortive attempt to enter planetary orbit on my way to Amundsen, but the million and a half that the Cartographer gave me paid for the repairs and more than a few rounds in "Scott's Bar". Looking at my bank balance, I could probably afford a half decent Asp explorer now, but a) they are as ugly as sin and b) why change a winning team?

Well the LCU is being put to bed for the night, and the pilot is going to finish the wine, before turning in as well.

See you in the morning Commanders o7.

- - - Updated - - -

+ rep for some nice pics, CMDR!

I'm also out on the Colonia trail, about 2000Ly out from the bubble. Running an Anaconda in Open, no guns. Will say hi if I come across you in my travels!

Well met CMDR, I may be a little ahead of you but I am sure you will catch up flying a 'Conda. I am also in Open so I will keep an eye out for you...

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

Well after a couple of days rest, the LCU Suddenly It's Serious and I dusted off from Amundsen Terminal at approx 1330 today, heading for Eagles Landing. As I mentioned earlier, the plan was to "side step" a bit from the straight route, and boy is it paying off.

Seems few people have been this way, so I reckon this may well be an incredibly long leg as I'm finding virgin system after virgin system. I tend to navigate in roughly 200-250ly chunks, and in three and a half hours I have managed about 300 ly! I am certainly eating my words about "lazy" explorers not scanning everything in system - there comes a time when one gets fed up with all those icy bodies.

Seem to be having a problem with screen shots, but I have rescued this piccy from my current trip.



Might see you in Eagles landing in a week or so...

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

Still less than 500 ly out from Amundsen Terminal. keep finding lovely virgin systems. Found a planet the other day with water based life - no idea whether that is worth much, but a new one for me and a change from all the icy worlds and rocky bodies.

Still no ELWs but it's not like I'm in a rush. I may make Colonia an a few weeks time, but at this rate it may be a bit longer...

I keep seeing what I have named the Baboon's Backside nebula (piccy below, top right). I struggle with the navigation (not a great admission for a would be explorer) but as it often seems to be vaguely "on my way" I guess I will encounter it sooner or later and discover it's real name.

In the meantime, the long-wave towed array tells me that the mighty England rugby team have convincingly beaten a fine Scottish side, so time to crack open a beer or two. I can not believe I have got so caught up in this game that I missed an England rugby match - damn you Frontier!!

 

[Manticore]

After 3 days, 16 hours and 24 minutes, I am leaving.

Noooo, not leaving Elite Dangerous, I am leaving the bubble on my first proper exploration trip.

Have fun and o7!

 

[iain666]

Found a planet the other day with water based life - no idea whether that is worth much

Terrestrial water world then yes, worth a good chunk.

Gas giant with water based life then no, worth not a lot.

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

Terrestrial water world then yes, worth a good chunk.

Gas giant with water based life then no, worth not a lot.

Unfortunately it was the Gas giant version.

Never mind, will keep scanning and enquiring and see what happens...

 

[Sonof Hibachi]

A week later and I have just arrived at Eagles Landing. I am amazed at how many untouched systems I found on a relatively short journey, but then I guess the number of CMDRs that have made this journey is a small percentage of the total number playing the game. I made roughly 3.2 MCr between Amundsen and Eagle's Landing and now my earnings from exploration are twice what I have made from combat and trading combined.

However, I must admit I am having a long dark night of the soul, and am considering whether to carry on to Colonia or not. I'm just not sure if I am cut out for this exploration lark for a couple of reasons:

1) I have not found anything remotely interesting in roughly 13,000ly outside of the bubble (I did about 6-7000ly in a T6 before buying the DBX and heading out for Colonia). Not one neutron star, black hole, terra-formable world, ELW, waterworld or anything. I scan absolutely everything in a virgin system (if someone has tagged parts of it I move on) but the best I have found is high metal content worlds. I am sure this is just bad luck, I am certainly not moaning at FDev for not having two ELWs in every system, but after a while it gets to me!

2) I am not a rich man with a fleet of ships (I am currently operating my DBX and have a T6 stored in the bubble) because I refuse to grind for anything in this game. When I first set out into the black I am in a joyous mood as I bimble about in systems scanning this, that and the other, but after a while I think "Hmmm, need to cash that data in" and then rush for the nearest station/base. For example I took perhaps 12 hours game time to get two thirds of the way to Eagles Landing from Amundsen Terminal, and about 45 minutes to cover the last third, ignoring plently of virgin systems (after checking for sexy stuff). This is starting to feel like grinding to me. Again, not the game's fault, just me being me.

3) I explore with guns. When Cpt Cook discovered Australia, he was carrying guns. When Lewis and Clark opened up the west, they carried guns. I can not imagine that real explorers in 3303 would not be tooled up. So it costs me a few ly jump distance along with the chaff and point defence. But will I ever need them? Again, I don't expect psychotic, salivating aliens in every system, but when the bubble is apparently full of twelve year old kids with little in the pants department eager to ruin your day (not that I've ever been ganked), surely an explorer might have to fend off a space grizzly or some drugged up low tech hoolies every now and then?

4) Is there anything to do in Colonia apart from leave again?

...and finally (and this will attract hate mail I am sure)...

5) They are buffing the DBX! Idiots! I fly my beloved DBX BECAUSE she is imperfect, BECAUSE she doesn't have enough optional internals (I agonised for days over AMFU vs SRV), BECAUSE she is unloved by so called experts, BECAUSE the Asp is so much better, BECAUSE she's not flown by every Tom, and Harry who ever ventured 500ly from Sol, BECAUSE I could afford her with several rebuys but if I bought an Asp I'd struggle, and BECAUSE she looks so bloody cool. She is an LCU (Limited Contact Unit) in Iain Banks' Culture terms, not a GCU (General Contact Unit) which would be the bigger and more powerful Asp.

Any way, whilst writing this I have come to a decision: the LCU Suddenly it's Serious will continue on her way to Colonia, and if 2.3 drops before I get there, she may have magically grown an extra optional internal whilst dieting.

TLDR? Here's a piccy of a planet that made me hungry for chocolate cake! Fly safe CMDRs.