Exploration - why the Anaconda?

[FoxTwo]

All my deep space exploration so far has been with an Exp Asp and I thought I'd upgrade to an Anaconda to go out to Colonia. I see a lot of recomendations for the Anaconda as an exploration ship and I'd like to know why. I realise we all have our preferences but the Ana doesn't seem to have a greater jump range than the Exp Asp, is slow and difficult to manouvere, and has limited visibility through the cockpit. I'm beginning to think I wasted my credits. What's the upside that I'm missing here?

If I may, I just want to add that ANY SHIP can be an "exploration ship". People have gone out in Sidewinders even.

Generally, the popular opinion is that you should have as much jump range as possible on an exploration ship. Typically this would be the Annie. However, with engineering, DBX can beat the Annie now. Why the long jump range? It's for when you go into a patch of space where stars are far apart (like towards the outer rims of the spiral arms). Ships with short ranges tend to be unable to make those 30 LY or more jumps. In the past, Beagle Point was inaccessible to number of smaller ships like the Sidewinder (before engineering).

But personally I still go out in ships that I think might be fun to go out in. I've gone out in a Cobra, a Viper, an Asp et al but my personal favourite is still the Cobra. Yeah I know, short jump range, but I'm not bothered by it. I just don't head outwards

 

[Zebaoth]

All fine additions however I am curious how that all works on a ship that has no artificial gravity?

Put a rubber band on the cockpits joystick and voilà -> centripetal force.
Enough to keep the water in the pool and your feet on the dancefloor.

Don't need no artificial gravity.

 

[verminstar]

Boys and their toys...some just need the biggest there is and thats about as complicated as reasons get. I dont have an annie btw because Ive never been able to afford one and likely never will at the rate I go. I do however wanna build an exploration python...not because its practical or has advantages...just cos it looks better than the asp which after a year of nothing else...

Im a very shallow guy Im afraid...I can be won over by looks alone although tbh, the conda looks like a rip off star destroyer and just doesnt do it fer me at all. My feeling might be different were I rich enough to own one...but Im not and wont be fer some years ^

 

[Stonn Mrogg]

My AspX was my explorer but then I lost my mind and bought an Anaconda, mostly because my roommate bought a Python and I wanted to show him I was still much better endowed.

It took a lot of visits to the engineers but this is my working 55ly jump-o-conda. Still gets boost, shields to keep scratches off, essential exploring tools included, plus a Swiss Army pulse laser. Love love love. If I'm out of the bubble, it's the Anaconda. Inside, AspX. If someone has a bad day and takes it out on little ole me the insurance is less plus the large landing pad is no longer an issue.

If you got half a billion credits, I'd go for it. You can always sell it, minus the test drive fee.

 

[missmartian]

Highest jump range and you pack everything you need including the kitchen sink.

 

[Marshall...]

Although it has a shorter jump range, im really fond of the DBX due to it being nippy in SC.

 

[Flyinspaghetti]

The module space is a good reason for the anaconda, I found with the asp I often had to make compromises to change roles while with the anaconda you can easily double the ship as a trader, miner or even more recently for the alien activities without having to sell off or store any modules you might need for exploration later on. This might not bother you as a pure explorer but if for instance some one off event happened while you were in the black (for instance for me it was Jaques being found in the Colonia while I was on my way back from beagle point) you are a bit more prepared for such a thing with a bit more of a multi role capable ship.

 

[DCLXVI your God]

Why the Anaconda, indeed.
I recently finished a trip to Colonia, with my Cobra Mk IV.
A really pleasant journey. [yesnod]

Despite a lot of beige and the lack of deep canyons.

 

[Sunleader]

All my deep space exploration so far has been with an Exp Asp and I thought I'd upgrade to an Anaconda to go out to Colonia. I see a lot of recomendations for the Anaconda as an exploration ship and I'd like to know why. I realise we all have our preferences but the Ana doesn't seem to have a greater jump range than the Exp Asp, is slow and difficult to manouvere, and has limited visibility through the cockpit. I'm beginning to think I wasted my credits. What's the upside that I'm missing here?

You could say its the "Exploration with Style" thing.
Conda can reach over 30 ly Jump Range while not abandoning everything for Jump Range.
And you can keep all sorts of Modules inside it along your normal Stuff to keep you Entertained and to also keep you Protected in case of FD ever Introducing stuff that Shoots at you in Deep Space

For example. My Own Conda when Fitted for Exploration is still an Fully Combat Capable Ship that could go into High Intensity Conflict Zones.
While also having Fighter and SRV Hangars to Explore Planets on the Ground or have some Fun.
The Large Number of Utility Mounts means I got Wake Scanners and Kill Warranty Scanners. Shields Boosters as well as Point Defense, Heat Sinks and Chaffs to keep me Safe in all Situations.
Especially the Heat Sinks in case I have an unfortunate meeting with Pulsar or White Dwarf.
I of course also have Collector Limpet Controllers and Limpets and Mining Lasers to get Materials from Asteroid Belts Comfortably.

If fitted like that it has less Jump Range than an Asp of course. But its Acceptable Jump Range for Exploration. And if you add the Large Module Sizes it makes for a nice Ship.
Especially if you want to Explorer Darker Regions of Space. Because you can add Large Fuel Tanks to it. Which allow you to Travel through large Fields of Dwarf Stars that cant be Scooped. Thus reaching areas you could otherwise not reach and use routes that cut through such fields rather than needing to go around.

Or you can Fit it for Max Jump Range.
Using Minimal Modules on everything doing Light Weight Upgrades and running an absurd Jump range that easily compares to an Jump Range Fitted ASP.

 

[Tim Langfeld]

There are other threads on jump range, my Annie is currently about 67lys full exploration build, and over 72lys stripped for max range for fast travel.

Edit: See link

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/261356-Post-your-Jump-Range

 

[Maro-Val]

Makes the galaxy smaller. You can point and click on the galaxy map and be there shortly.

 

[ByteMe]

I used an AspX on my trip to Sag A (pre Horizons). I now have an explorer build Anaconda parked and collecting dust. Sure it has great jump range, but I hate flying it!!
Currently in the Formadine rift flying a Dolphin with 2 srv's and still have a 48 ly jump range. Simply much more enjoyable to fly. Just wanted to point out that there
are other options so use any ship that you actually enjoy flying.

 

[NW3]

All my deep space exploration so far has been with an Exp Asp and I thought I'd upgrade to an Anaconda to go out to Colonia. I see a lot of recomendations for the Anaconda as an exploration ship and I'd like to know why. I realise we all have our preferences but the Ana doesn't seem to have a greater jump range than the Exp Asp, is slow and difficult to manouvere, and has limited visibility through the cockpit. I'm beginning to think I wasted my credits. What's the upside that I'm missing here?

As others have said, the Anaconda has a great jump range and a lot of cargo space.

Before you say that you don't need that extra range, I will agree that you usually don't. The only need for it is to reach distant stars that you otherwise can't reach, or to shave time off a long journey if you have a destination in mind.

Having a higher jump range also reduces fuel usage for smaller jumps. Having to scoop less often can reduce the drudgery of a long voyage.

The Conda is the better explorer "on paper". The Asp's cockpit gives a much better view though IMHO.

I agree. I don't fly an Anaconda, due to the restricted cockpit view. My preference is for Lakon ships. My main ship is an AspX and my CG cargo ship is a Type-9.

There are other threads on jump range, my Annie is currently about 67lys full exploration build, and over 72lys stripped for max range for fast travel.

That certainly beats my AspX, with a max of 56 lys, which is why so many explorers fly an Anaconda.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

There are other threads on jump range, my Annie is currently about 67lys full exploration build, and over 72lys stripped for max range for fast travel.

Edit: See link

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/261356-Post-your-Jump-Range

Thank you.

Alison, the Asp Explorer, 43 light-years, armored (military), fully armed (Class 1 and 2 pulse lasers) and equipped (all utility mounts C+, nothing except sensors and l/s d class). Courtesy of too many non-exploit hours at Felicity's Casino Of Wonders. And Jean Selene's armor diet workout regime.

You should *see* the comps you get from playing at Felicity's table games. The buffet is fantastic at Selene Jean's.

 

[Tim Langfeld]

That certainly beats my AspX, with a max of 56 lys, which is why so many explorers fly an Anaconda.[/QUOTE]

It is good for getting places fast, but exploration is more than just getting somewhere, so I carry a SLF and 2 SRVs. The ASP does have an amazing view and handles better in SC. If it wasn't for the external camera the Annie would probably be a big no-no simply due to the restricted view compared to other options. All about indevidual priorities I guess.

 

[Spiridon]

This all comes down to two types of explorers: one are interested "only" in going further deep into the black, up and down the galaxy. Claiming the virgin systems, black holes and such. The other type likes to stay in the system and land on new planets.

To each it's own.

If your aim is the range (and bear in mind, on the fringes the systems are sparse, 60-70 LY apart) it's Conda. If you prefer landings too, than anything will do.

 

[NW3]

It is good for getting places fast, but exploration is more than just getting somewhere, so I carry a SLF and 2 SRVs. The ASP does have an amazing view and handles better in SC.

True, but sometimes getting somewhere requires a long jump range. The only reason my AspX has 56 ly jumps is that I needed that distance to go on the Distant Stars Expedition. Otherwise, I never would have spent the 2 months it took me, to engineer the FSD and other modules (to reduce mass).

I love the Lakon cockpit view, too.

 

[Tim Langfeld]

True, but sometimes getting somewhere requires a long jump range. The only reason my AspX has 56 ly jumps is that I needed that distance to go on the Distant Stars Expedition. Otherwise, I never would have spent the 2 months it took me, to engineer the FSD and other modules (to reduce mass).

I love the Lakon cockpit view, too.

Did you do the whole "Jump of no return" thing? I watch a lot of vids on it, thought thay was amazing and well organised too o7

 

[Shinji Ikari]

A while ago I was asking myself the same question. The end result was that there was only one reason for Anaconda and it was SLF. I really wanted to take it with me, allegedly for faster geyser search. So I equipped the Anaconda and went out. Before long I realized that flying SLF was not much different from flying my engineered ASP, except that I don't need to launch it at all. And the Anaconda's SC turning rate was getting on my nerves, A LOT.

I went back to ASP. Unless there are really cool exploration tools added into the game that ASP will not be able to carry... I'm staying. Anaconda does have immense slot capabilities but I just don't need them right now.

The manueverability is what killed my idea of making my annie an exploration ship, it's just annoying, even in normal space I do like the turning rate but in SC it just sinks, I just don't have the patience to wait for it to turn and cross the star to make the next jump.

The Conda is the better explorer "on paper". The Asp's cockpit gives a much better view though IMHO.

The cockpit in the Asp X objectively has better views because it has a wider angle of view, you can see upfront, down, up, left and right with minimal view obstruccion.

 

[Shinji Ikari]

If I may, I just want to add that ANY SHIP can be an "exploration ship". People have gone out in Sidewinders even.

Generally, the popular opinion is that you should have as much jump range as possible on an exploration ship. Typically this would be the Annie. However, with engineering, DBX can beat the Annie now. Why the long jump range? It's for when you go into a patch of space where stars are far apart (like towards the outer rims of the spiral arms). Ships with short ranges tend to be unable to make those 30 LY or more jumps. In the past, Beagle Point was inaccessible to number of smaller ships like the Sidewinder (before engineering).

But personally I still go out in ships that I think might be fun to go out in. I've gone out in a Cobra, a Viper, an Asp et al but my personal favourite is still the Cobra. Yeah I know, short jump range, but I'm not bothered by it. I just don't head outwards

That's not true, the best DBX I've seen has a max jump range of 63 ly and the best annie I've seen has 72 ly.