Beginer Explorer Ship? :)

[WR3ND]

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So it would be cool if some of you can help me Fit a Ship I can use for long exploration tours, like 3-4 Hours.

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FYI: Long exploration tours are more like 3 or 4 months. Some people have even been out for years. I'm taking the ship I previously mentioned out to Beagle Point (far end of the galaxy) and back.

I've also been out for months at a time exploring in a fully combat loaded Vulture. More on that here, if you're interested. → https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...Space-Ships!?p=2828837&viewfull=1#post2828837 It's fine for systems per time exploration efficiency, but just not good at racing places, and unfortunately can't quite reach Beagle Point without compromising the reasons why I use it in the first place.

You're right to priorities having a good fuel scoop. I would recommend having an A rated one which is at least the same size as your A rated max size FSD. For me, this rules out both the Diamondback Scout and Diamondback Explorer. This isn't really so much of an issue if you're doing economic route plotting, but for max range jumps it will reduce your exploration per time efficiency, and more importantly and in my opinion, enjoyment. I took a Diamondback Scout out to Sgr A (black hole system in the middle of the galaxy) in 3301 and had my fill of waiting near stars fuel scooping back then.

I'm not really sure I see the point in grinding out the exploration rank and getting Elite in it as soon as you can, but to each their own. For most explorers in the game, I imagine it's more just something you get along the way while playing.

Either way, good luck.

 

[Major Klutz]

... a Ship I can use for long exploration tours, like 3-4 Hours. ...

FYI: Long exploration tours are more like 3 or 4 months. Some people have even been out for years. ...

Yeah. 3-4 hours will get you about 5000 - 7000 ly away depending on your ship. Half that distance if you want to turn around half way and be back in 4 hours. Not bad for a first trip to test the waters but hardly a long tour.
I'm on my way back from a trip to the edge of the Galaxy that (so far) has taken me a few months and ~77 hours of actual play time.

 

[Heavy Johnson]

Here's a cost comparison of all available exploration capable ships, along with jump range and speed comparisons.
https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...oration-ship?p=5585663&viewfull=1#post5585663

In Jump Range Order ...
A Diamondback Explorer equipped will run you ~12.6 million. https://eddp.co/u/aZhFyvzl (60 ly)
Even stripped down to minimum the DBE will still run you over 11 mil.
A Dolphin can be had and fully equipped for around 8.5 mil. https://eddp.co/u/wxiX9SXz (50 ly)
A Type 6 fully equipped for exploration will run around 7.7 mil. https://eddp.co/u/1dnWhEk2 (46 ly)
A Courier is fun to fly and can be equipped for exploration for around 6.7 mil. https://eddp.co/u/dxwJaLjP (41 ly)

Those ranges assume engineers, which are probably out of scope for the OPs "beginner" ship requirement.

OP, you haven't said if you want a SRV bay to go planet exploring. Most explorers also assume an Advanced Discovery Scanner and a Surface Scanner to be requirements. "Beginner" also has a lot of variation; it's easier to list a budget.

If I had to recommend one ship, not knowing budget, I would suggest the DBX (Diamondback Explorer). It gets excellent range, and will fit an SRV+ADS+DSS, and even an AMFU if you wish. The price is excellent when compared with the Asp Explorer - which is a favorite of many explorers. The DBX's single weakness is the maximum of a class-4 fuel scoop. This is really only an issue if you are doing lots of rapid jumps; you'll eventually need to stop and spend an extra 30-60 seconds while refueling.

 

[WR3ND]

In addition to the O, B, A, F, G, K, and M type stars on the route plotter, I would also recommend having Non Sequence Stars selected, as Black Holes and Neutron Stars are worth quite a lot as well. Some people even go farming neutron stars and black holes to rank up more quickly. Of course you can't scoop from them (well, other than from the jets on a neutron star, which can cause damage but also provide a jump range boost) and have to be careful to keep a safe distance, so it's up to you if you want to risk jumping to them or not.

Spoiler

Since ranking up quickly seems to be a priority, I would not recommend using a DbE due to it's inefficient fuel scooping potential, unless you're fine with doing economic route plotting. You could also use the DbE to get out a ways and then switch to economic route plotting.

Get out a good few thousand LYs in any direction and most everything you come across will very likely be untagged, unless you're near a nebula or some other kind of popular destination or route. This way you can get the first discovered by tag bonus, which add to your credits and rank when turning in exploration data. I would also recommend going above or below the galactic plane by a couple hundred LYs for a wider selection of star types on average. You'll want to spend some time out there tagging stars (especially black holes and neutron stars) and planets (especially earth-like worlds, water worlds, and ammonia worlds) to get the bonuses.

...

Here's a generic DbE exploration build I put together that will cover the basic exploration needs very well. → https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/dia...ATByifyALKWQ===..EweloBhBmSQUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=

Note that it's about the same price (around 14.5 million credits) and has roughly the same capabilities as my Cobra Mk. III build I linked to earlier, only having greater jump range (assuming no FSD Engineering), but less speed, maneuverability, and fuel scooping efficiency.

So essentially, I would suggest saving up for one of these two types of ship builds for basic, capable exploration ships.

Here's also a basic Type-6 build for around 12.5 million, though given the opportunity, I would go for a 5A fuel scoop over the 4A. → https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/typ...BBMYreSALCUIg==..EweloBhBGA2EoFMCGBzANokMK6A=

 

[Heavy Johnson]

I have to disagree with this on two three points:

1) Since 2.3, Water Worlds, Ammonia Worlds and ELWs are worth far more than Neutron Stars and Black holes. An easy way to get credits is simply to set your route plotter only to F/G/K; you'll hit those three planet types reasonably often. Some people add type A, but I find the hit rate to not be good, as well as having planets farther out (ie, more time spent). This ends up being more efficient timewise than NS/BH farming.

2) The DBX fuel scoop issue is only an issue if you're doing extremely fast jumping: Warp->honk->scoop while aiming for next waypoint->warp. The extra time needed to refuel, if you do nothing but this... is about 60 seconds, after about 15 jumps. That's fairly trivial. It has never been an issue for my exploration, only for when racing.

3) There is really no call for economic routing.

 

[Jaiotu]

Best exploration ship? Whatever you happen to be flying at the moment. Don't confuse max jump distance as a measure of what makes for good exploration.

You can make good in old Sidewinder. A-rate the FSD and get the best fuel scoop you can. Affix an Adv. Discovery Scanner + Detailed Surf. Scanner.

Set a route to Sagittarius A* (you can follow the Colonia Connection Route if you'd like so you can stop off for periodic repairs). Once you've reached Sgr A* set your route for home. If you scan every Earth-like, water world, ammonia world, white dwarf, neutron star and black hole you happen upon you should be Elite or real darn close by the time you get home.

Sticking to the Sidewinder helps reduce your jump distance and ensures you hit enough star systems over the course of your journey. You could do just about the same thing in any ship by reducing your jumps to "economical".

 

[Aura Lorell]

I have to disagree with this on two three points:

1) Since 2.3, Water Worlds, Ammonia Worlds and ELWs are worth far more than Neutron Stars and Black holes. An easy way to get credits is simply to set your route plotter only to F/G/K; you'll hit those three planet types reasonably often. Some people add type A, but I find the hit rate to not be good, as well as having planets farther out (ie, more time spent). This ends up being more efficient timewise than NS/BH farming.

2) The DBX fuel scoop issue is only an issue if you're doing extremely fast jumping: Warp->honk->scoop while aiming for next waypoint->warp. The extra time needed to refuel, if you do nothing but this... is about 60 seconds, after about 15 jumps. That's fairly trivial. It has never been an issue for my exploration, only for when racing.

3) There is really no call for economic routing.

Completely agree and to add a fourth point: terraformable HMCs (landable or not are worth usually between roughly 300,000 and 400,000 credits (and terraformable WWs are worth as much as an ELW). To find terraformable use either Jackie Silver's habitable zone calculator or the one in EDDiscovery.

 

[WR3ND]

I have to disagree with this on two three points:

1) Since 2.3, Water Worlds, Ammonia Worlds and ELWs are worth far more than Neutron Stars and Black holes. An easy way to get credits is simply to set your route plotter only to F/G/K; you'll hit those three planet types reasonably often. Some people add type A, but I find the hit rate to not be good, as well as having planets farther out (ie, more time spent). This ends up being more efficient timewise than NS/BH farming.

2) The DBX fuel scoop issue is only an issue if you're doing extremely fast jumping: Warp->honk->scoop while aiming for next waypoint->warp. The extra time needed to refuel, if you do nothing but this... is about 60 seconds, after about 15 jumps. That's fairly trivial. It has never been an issue for my exploration, only for when racing.

3) There is really no call for economic routing.

Point 1: I seriously doubt they're common enough and worth enough to overcome the value of neutron stars and black holes in a systems per time scale of efficiency. You can optionally remove the other scoopable star types I have listed, if it increases your chances of getting ELW, WW, and AW, but I would still not remove Non Sequence Stars.

Point 2: It is always an issue as it adds to the total time you take per system on average, reducing your systems per time efficiency, unless you're doing economic route plotting. More time scooping means less time exploring, even if you're taking your time elsewhere.

Point 3: See point 2.

 

[Heavy Johnson]

1) On my last 5k ly section I hit at least 30 WWs, and a dozen or more ELWs and AWs. I actually leave non-sequence enabled since I'm way out in uncharted space.

Value of a scanned ELW: 600-700k
Value of a scanned AW & WW: 270-330k
Value of a scanned terraformable WW: roughly same as ELW
Value of a scanned BH: ~ 60k
Value of a scanned NS ~ 55k

One Water World or Ammonia World is worth 5 BH/NS. Terraformable WWs and ELWs are worth 10 BH/NS.
If you restrict down to F/G/K, you will hit them that often. Also, they're usually more interesting than NS over and over and over....

2 & 3) If you're stopping in systems to scan an object, than 9 times out of 10 you will spend longer than minimum in the fuel scoop zone, in order to line up with the object you're going to scan. This increases the fuel you collect. This isn't theory crafting, I've been flying a DBX for months like this. Sol->Colonia->SagA*->Beagle Point-> on the return route....


Edit: If the explorer is also willing to spend the time to look at HMCs, terraformable HMCs are worth about 400k. Those are about as common as Water Worlds, in my experience.

 

[WR3ND]

I haven't bothered using a DbE, but from my experience taking a DbS out to Sgr A and back, the fuel scooping time definitely adds up and makes a difference. Even switching to using a Vulture as an exploration ship after the DbS, it seemed to make a significant difference.

I'll defer to your expertise on the DbE, but for me at least, it isn't a ship I would bother using nor recommend unless jump range potential were a priority over exploration efficiency.

 

[Heavy Johnson]

That's the selling point. The DBX now has the 2nd best range in the game, even out-ranging the Asp Explorer. Mine does 53 Ly and is only somewhat engineered. I think Qohen has one that does 60 Ly now. If you're trying to reach some of the harder places in the game, those extra light years really help.

 

[Sweetdeal]

Hey guys, you was very active while I slept,

so : No Buggy, no engeneering (I have not even a small clue how that work) and I can fit up to 16 Mio now. I currently running my DBX but might go back to T6 Hauler?

Not sure actually.

 

[Heavy Johnson]

You should probally stick with the DBX. You can increase the range, as you get more $$$ and more engineers, far more than the T6 is possible.

 

[WR3ND]

That's the selling point. The DBX now has the 2nd best range in the game, even out-ranging the Asp Explorer. Mine does 53 Ly and is only somewhat engineered. I think Qohen has one that does 60 Ly now. If you're trying to reach some of the harder places in the game, those extra light years really help.

Yeah, no disagreement from me there. [up]

Cheers.

 

[WR3ND]

Hey guys, you was very active while I slept,

so : No Buggy, no engeneering (I have not even a small clue how that work) and I can fit up to 16 Mio now. I currently running my DBX but might go back to T6 Hauler?

Not sure actually.

This DbE build I posted early covers the bases and is a good option, though you can of course remove the SRV and put something else there, if you want, etc. → https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/dia...ATByifyALKWQ===..EweloBhBmSQUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=

That's around 14.5 million (assuming no discounts), so with something like that you should be good cost-wise, including having enough for a rebuy in case the unexpected happens.

If you want to get a bigger power plant, and change the power usage priorities around, that is an option too, of course. I would just recommend getting an A rated power plant in general regardless of which size you choose.

As mentioned though, just bear in mind that you'll be spending a bit more time fuel scoop than with other types of ships. I'll leave it up to you (and others), if you think it makes a significant enough difference. From my experience using a DbS (for what it's worth), it does seem to to me.

 

[iain666]

so : No Buggy, no engeneering

Because you've only got the base game so no access or because you've not gotten round to playing with them yet? If it's the latter then it's well worth taking the time to get to know that bit of the game. Hooning about with the SRV on an icy planet is something else to do for half an hour to break up a trip if nothing else

 

[Valije]

Here's also a basic Type-6 build for around 12.5 million, though given the opportunity, I would go for a 5A fuel scoop over the 4A. → https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/typ...BBMYreSALCUIg==..EweloBhBGA2EoFMCGBzANokMK6A=

Why a 4A instead a size 5 scoop?. For example a 5D can fill the tank in 48 s and costs only 142k, compared with the 4A that take 46 s but costs 2.9 M.

1) On my last 5k ly section I hit at least 30 WWs, and a dozen or more ELWs and AWs. I actually leave non-sequence enabled since I'm way out in uncharted space.

Value of a scanned ELW: 600-700k
Value of a scanned AW & WW: 270-330k
Value of a scanned terraformable WW: roughly same as ELW
Value of a scanned BH: ~ 60k
Value of a scanned NS ~ 55k

One Water World or Ammonia World is worth 5 BH/NS. Terraformable WWs and ELWs are worth 10 BH/NS.
If you restrict down to F/G/K, you will hit them that often. Also, they're usually more interesting than NS over and over and over....

2 & 3) If you're stopping in systems to scan an object, than 9 times out of 10 you will spend longer than minimum in the fuel scoop zone, in order to line up with the object you're going to scan. This increases the fuel you collect. This isn't theory crafting, I've been flying a DBX for months like this. Sol->Colonia->SagA*->Beagle Point-> on the return route....


Edit: If the explorer is also willing to spend the time to look at HMCs, terraformable HMCs are worth about 400k. Those are about as common as Water Worlds, in my experience.

Terraformables are more common than WW. In my current trip I have 1400 HMC TC and "only" 500 WW (half of them terraformable too).
Even if they are not terraformable with the current payouts 2 HMC are worth roughly the same as a NS, unless you scan tiny planets, since they are about 30k each.

 

[WR3ND]

Why a 4A instead a size 5 scoop?. For example a 5D can fill the tank in 48 s and costs only 142k, compared with the 4A that take 46 s but costs 2.9 M.

...

Yeah, very good point. [up] Too hasty of a build mock-up on my part.

A 5D or 5C fuel scoop is a lot more reasonable, with 5C even being significantly better performing than 4A. → https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/typ...BBMYreSALCUIg==..EweloBhBGA2EoFMCGBzANokMK6A=

The AFMU could also be switched out to a better one for roughly three-fifths the price of the 4A. → https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/typ...BBMYreSALCUIg==..EweloBhBGA2EoFMCGBzANokMK6A=

 

[Sweetdeal]

I had no time to check out Exploring yet.

I did some exploring today for 5 Hours and farmed arround 50 Mio Credits, so I am a bit over Ranger now, so I can spent more into ships. If someone can give me a short briefing on Engeneering how I upgrade my Frameshift for example, would be cool. All I heard is you get invitations to planets but tbh. no idea how it works

 

[WR3ND]

Yes, most if not all of the Engineer bases are on world surfaces. Once you have an invite to them they'll show up as locations in the galactic and system maps, so you can plot a route to them. For landing on world surfaces and landing pads keep an eye on your rate of descent and momentum, having better thrusters will help with this as well as trying to keep your ship more level with the ground. Having shields for this is also a very good idea so you don't take damage from minor bumps with the ground or landing pads.

You want to unlock and use Elvira or Felicity – most people use Felicity for the followup Engineers using her will make you aware of. I forget what their requirements to get an invite to them are offhand. I think one of them is traveling 1K LY away from your starting system. Once you get the invite you then have to unlock them by collecting some things for them. I think for at least one of them you can just buy some rare commodities and donate them to the Engineer, though it may be something else now, since I think they removed much of the commodities needed for the Engineers (not sure). To unlock higher tiers of Engineer mods to get the tier 5 FSD range mod, you can sell exploration data to either of them. After that, you'll need to collect the material items for them to use to make the mod. From what I remember, this will involve some driving around on world surfaces to collect rare minerals, scanning some ship high wake signals (over a ground base seems to work rather well), and collecting some NPC drops that trader ships tend to have more often, which I did by just doing a bit of bounty hunting at a navigation beacon for a while, or maybe it was an asteroid belt.

You can use this for a listing of what you need for the Engineers and what they have available to offer. → https://inara.cz/galaxy-engineers/

Oh, also, sometimes your standing with them doesn't update right away, like after selling them exploration data, so logging out or switching modes might help with refreshing them.

Also, if in open mode, be aware that other Commanders sometimes hang out at the Engineer bases looking for PVP, etc.

Cheers.