I'm going use a word here that I'm sure bugs some, and that is, "true" explorer. A "true" explorer doesn't mind the return trip. A "true" explorer is out in the deep black for one reason only, to be where nobody else has gone before, to see things nobody has seen and to experience what Buzz Aldrin called, "Magnificent Desolation."
For a true explorer, it isn't about the money either. That is but a small bonus in our eyes. And yes, while systems do become similar at times, it's those stunning surprise systems that are what we are truly on the search for, the systems that can, perhaps, only be churned out by visiting some of the more procedural parts of the galaxy.
Now of course exploration can be greatly added to, as right now it's in a barebones state but to say there is nothing there for us isn't quite accurate. For one, it's not just about going to a system, picking out the best looking planets and scanning then moving on. Some of the best moments I've had are when you drop down on some of those interesting looking and even uninteresting worlds and just drive around the landscapes. Some of the vistas you come across are mindblowing.
On top of that FDev have put in some great work on things such as Geysers and Fumaroles. This alone can be worth those long trips. At first Volcanism was a tough nut to crack and with our limited tools it can still be time consuming, but just look to the forums. We "geologists" have been hard at work cataloging these sites across the galaxy and in that time have picked up some awesome tricks to make finding your own much more easier. There are still some planets that are tough to crack but once you do unlock those secrets man can they be awesome.
Now, to the other types of explorers I do understand by what you mean when you want a quicker way of returning, or someplace out in the deep to sell your data, welp, we now have asteroid bases in some of the regions of deep space. They will help in selling your data and getting you to a sort of save point while on your adventures. If you worrie is mainly the return trip, then perhaps it's best to just stick to within 1,000 LY of SOL. This is still enough range to get you out to some spectacular places. Now, if you only goal is to get your name on unknown systems, well then you are going to have to put in that extra effort.
Exploration is not supposed to be easy. It harkens back to the old days where around every corner could be danger. For me, it is by far the most dangers career choice out there, not in terms of combat but in the fact that a single misstep can take away days, weeks, months and even years of your hard work and leave you with nothing to show for it. Not only data and credit dangers exists but black holes, white dwarfs, neutron stars. All of these can turn a decent trip in to a hellish ride.
Do we need more, Yes! I'd love to see old ruins, that don't tie to a story but are just there for flavor, perhaps more interesting types of wrecks the further out you go. The best thing is that this is just the beginning, once we start opening up other worlds Exploration will truly begin to blossom. Exploration isn't necessarily about doing something, it's about finding something and taking in the beauty of it all. Would I like more and better scanners yes, but not having that doesn't take away from the beauty of the worlds I discover. Besides, you can always make up your own gameplay. You have an SRV, find a nice looking canyon and race around in it. See how far you can jump, how fast you can go. You come to a geyser field, well, jump on top of one of those and see how far it shoots you into the air. If you own an SLF, well, finding a juicy looking canyon to zoom through is always a great time.
Let me ask you, have you seen radioactive green gas giants, have you been to a volcanic site, with such a big universe out there there is possibly plenty still left to find for those willing to search and that is what exploring is all about. It's not always going to be a blast, there are going to be long times of nothingness but that is the price an explorer pays because the rewards in the end can be more than anything you could have asked for. Let alone the knowledge that nobody else may come that way again....it's beautiful.
To keep things exciting I now only fly with 1 filter and that is the filter for unvisited stars, this makes sure that everywhere I go is someplace new for me, someplace I've never see, using that method there really isn't a return journey for me, the return is really just a new journey home. If that makes sense. Anyways. Sometimes you have to make your own gameplay but there is fun to be had out there. Improvements needs, YES. but that's a story for a whole different thread.
Exploration is different things to different people. To some of them racing somewhere is exploration, apparently... [haha]
