Even if you hate the Docking Computer...

IndigoWyrd

IndigoWyrd
Go ahead, cry "exploit", because every cleaver thing we do is - but so is using a macro key, or voice attack - which is just a voice-activate macro anyways. ;-)

I can finally give you one very good reason to have a docking computer: Time.

In this particular case, I am able to shave a good bit of time off every landing, loading and unloading by allowing the Docking Computer to take over and bring my ship in while plotting my return course, so the only time I'm spending in station services is the time it takes to buy or sell goods, increasing the number of runs I can make per hour, and increasing my total profit per hour as well.

[video=youtube_share;JB2Y-4HBTWo]https://youtu.be/JB2Y-4HBTWo[/video]

And this is not about knowing how to fly or how to land - I'm an Elite Trader - I know how to fly and how to land. I just like the efficiency in this case. I was also able to record, upload, and write this post all in the time saved.

Fly Smarter, not Harder.
 

Kzak

Kzak
+1. I do the same thing when I do trading community goals, to maximize gain/effort. Generally, two hours of trading with a Cutter gets me in or near the top 10% of commanders.
 

CptXabaras

CptXabaras
IndigoWyrd said:
Go ahead, cry "exploit", because every cleaver thing we do is - but so is using a macro key, or voice attack - which is just a voice-activate macro anyways. ;-)

I can finally give you one very good reason to have a docking computer: Time.

In this particular case, I am able to shave a good bit of time off every landing, loading and unloading by allowing the Docking Computer to take over and bring my ship in while plotting my return course, so the only time I'm spending in station services is the time it takes to buy or sell goods, increasing the number of runs I can make per hour, and increasing my total profit per hour as well.

https://youtu.be/JB2Y-4HBTWo

And this is not about knowing how to fly or how to land - I'm an Elite Trader - I know how to fly and how to land. I just like the efficiency in this case. I was also able to record, upload, and write this post all in the time saved.

Fly Smarter, not Harder.
Click to expand...

Beside the common jokes with friends using the docking computer, there is really nothing wrong in using it.
 

CMDR MRMAURICE

CMDR MRMAURICE
Its not an exploit OP, its in the game and you dont have to justify using one. I use one in a few of the big ships, pretty much for same reasons you do
 

rrobes

R
I don't own but 4 ships and none have a DC. No queue delay.

Some ships are fun to land when you play "beat the scans".

The Corvette is my favorite due to its' smooth response. But have to be careful if you come in too hot.

Though it is nice to take a break with a DC at a CG, nothing wrong with that and if it's a time saver for you, all good and legal.
 
Last edited:

Blairvoyach

Blairvoyach
If I have a spare slot in a ship, I always fit a docking computer. I have no problem landing any ship but it's just nice to have the comfort of an automated landing after a 10Kylie stint. Never had a problem with the DC. Fit 'em as standard I say :)
 

Spiridon

Spiridon
OP, until six months ago I would go with "...learn to dock, you &%$#..." but I've tried it and found it saves exactly what you stated - time. Now I can plot the next course or get up and fetch the coffee or...

Highly recommended.
 

HeavyGroovez

HeavyGroovez
I engage the DC on my Conda for the very last part of the sequence because it's so much more precise and efficient than I am at the drop/clunk stage of landing. And the Blue Danube never gets old :)
 
Last edited:

Mohrgan

Mohrgan
I always feel, when I'm bulk trading like that, that the only real 'flying' I do is take offs, and landings. So, I just do those things. I never fly any of the large pad ships either, so that might make a difference.
 

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
I prefer to dock myself, it's one of the most rewarding parts of flying.

Especially when you "swish" an Anaconda through the slot, and manage to land square on the pad and "chunk" in one go. :D
I think those moments are much faster than the DC.

Of course, sometimes it won't play nice, and end up shimmying about trying to hit the sweet spot.
These moments are not faster than the DC. Heh
:p

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead
 

askavir

askavir
Mohrgan said:
I always feel, when I'm bulk trading like that, that the only real 'flying' I do is take offs, and landings.
Click to expand...

This. I do not hate docking computers, although I never used one.

To me ED is a spacehip flying game. There are very few moments where some actual flying is involved, and among these few are taking off and exit station / approach station and landing. Even if at this point I could do it sideways with my eyes closed, are still the only moments where I feel like I'm flying a ship. I never cared about efficiency of the frequency of changing numbers, so in my case, using a DC would take these little pleasant moments away, and give me nothing in return.
 

furrycat

furrycat
Opening the map and plotting the route when you don't need to be at the controls is a genuinely good idea if you want to save time. You can even do it in supercruise on the way to the station then just press the target next system in route hotkey on arrival in normal space.

Or you can plot your route after clicking Launch and waiting for your pad to turn around. In the video IndigoWyrd plotted the jump in a few seconds. Easily quick enough to be done during the turnaround or indeed while the Type 9 - not the fastest ship - approached the slot after requesting docking permission.

So the docking computer almost saved three or four seconds, but didn't really. Not to mention that it took two whole minutes to complete the docking.
 

MarkAusten

MarkAusten
furrycat said:
Opening the map and plotting the route when you don't need to be at the controls is a genuinely good idea if you want to save time. You can even do it in supercruise on the way to the station then just press the target next system in route hotkey on arrival in normal space.

Or you can plot your route after clicking Launch and waiting for your pad to turn around. In the video IndigoWyrd plotted the jump in a few seconds. Easily quick enough to be done during the turnaround or indeed while the Type 9 - not the fastest ship - approached the slot after requesting docking permission.

So the docking computer almost saved three or four seconds, but didn't really. Not to mention that it took two whole minutes to complete the docking.
Click to expand...
If he had just plotted the next jump then that would have been the case, but he was also messaging to another commander, so a few seconds saved there and who knows what else that was not game related, such as sitting back for a few seconds and taking a good slurp of that cup of tea that has been cooling beside the keyboard.

Taken from the point where the DC took over, a commander manually docking would not have been a lot quicker in a T9. You'll notice that the DC used the boost almost all the way to the slot and then maintained a good speed (<100ms-1) once the ship in front had cleared. Then a fast (for a T9) descent to the pad. Manually docking on that pad may have been 3-4 seconds faster in a T9 on average I'd guess. Now, if that had been a pad at the back of the station then manually docking may have been a few seconds faster if you sped to the back, but this is a T9 and stopping and landing from a high speed is not easy given the mass.

I've done both in a T9 a lot and on average for me, the DC is faster if the pad is close to the slot and not so if the pad is at the back. But, a DC allows me to take a break and visit the toilet when I have to as well as do other things if I am working on the next thing. EDDB on the other monitor for example.

You may not find it faster or more convenient, but I do and so does IndigoWyrd and many other commanders.
 

dayrth

Volunteer Moderator
dayrth
Careful. One day that DC will turn round and bite you in the bum. I wouldn't take my eyes off it for a second or you'll find yourself wedged in the toast rack with all the station guns trained on you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom