The Docking Computer thread.

Gribeson

Gribeson
So I thought I'd give the docking computer a try.

It activates as soon as docking is granted - the module was already turned on for me.

It flew straight down the middle of the slot. Nobody else was about and I'm not sure what it would have done if they were. Inside the station it dropped down and vaguely seemed to go in the direction of my assigned bay. After about 7 minutes it was doing nothing, and I wasn't too sure where it had got in relation to the landing pad. 3 minutes before my docking time was up, I turned the module off to regain control. Cue the doorbell and a postman wanting me to sign something. Ran back upstairs and manually docked it with seconds to spare.

The end result is that I'll probably give it one more go, but it's not looking to reliable if my first attempt is anything to go by. Probably going to sell it and go back to manual as it's very easy anyway.
 

Half Giant

H
Pecisk said:
Prices is not final, it will take considerable amount of time to get docking computer AND having to complete docking procedure so many times can be tedious in the end.

Don't worry, it will be balanced. And remember, not all stations will support docking computers.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Also why does anybody care how anybody else docks? Personally I have never crashed docking but I'd be interested to see how it works. If I trust it enough then for a Lakon type 9 full of millions of credits of cargo then it might be the smart thing to do.
 

Dynamo

D
In the video posted earlier - it lined the ship up with the centre of the docking bay, port side of the ship lined up with the red light.

Does it always do it this way?

It may answer the age old debate as to whether the lights are for In/Out or Port/starboard orientation.
 

V3teran

V3teran
Docking computers are for noobs lol. The only time you will need one is for planetary landings but for Space Stations i dont think there needed as much.:)
 

Half Giant

H
V3teran said:
Docking computers are for noobs lol. The only time you will need one is for planetary landings but for Space Stations i dont think there needed as much.:)
Click to expand...

Not everyone has a joystick. I've docked with K+M and haven't crashed yet but I can see how someone without a joystick might just fancy simplifying it. Maybe the DC gives you a chance to grab a cup of tea? Maybe it scrapes the paint work of a Lakon type 9 a bit less than I do. Or maybe it helps people with less motor skills wanting to play the game. Or maybe just not everyone is very good at it. What I don't understand is why people feel the need to point out how great at docking they are. Is it just because the server is down?
 

Amadeus

A
To the people saying they're using DC's as a reason to go and have a cup of tea etc.

What evasive action do they take when there is an obstruction in the way such as another ship?

If it takes avoiding action I can see a lot of people having fun playing "chicken with them.
If it doesn't then I don't like the idea of ships blinding following their "Right of way".

Also what tea you making? I find PG Tips Rich One (Or as we say in our house a Lionel) perfect for space flight.
 

Uridium

Uridium
I don't mind that they are now in the game. They take up a slot on the ship, and are slower then manually docking.

I wont be using one. And i will be waiting for the times that people who have relied on them in the core systems, suddenly find themselves at a station with no Docking Computer support!!!!
 

Dashik

D
[redacted]

If people want to play with a Docking Computer then so what? It was one of the most iconic gaming moments in the Original Elite when I was first playing, I was amazed back then at the thing :D

So guess what the first bit of kit I just bought was? ;) Do I care if some think its sad? I can dock manually just fine thanks but the DC is FUN :D

You can use it or not as it suits YOU!

Let people get on with their game the way THEY want to play.

Its a GAME :D :p
 
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Naranek

N
i think docking is quite easy and fun :)
nevertheless i gave the dc a try – unfortunately it kept me in kind of a limbo between telling me to "throttle down" (even when i was below 10, sometimes even at 0 spped) and telling me that it was "docking". in other words, it didn't work.

perhaps it's got something to do with the throttle of my hotas (saitek x52 pro)? it looked like the dc was struggling to attain / keep a constant speed.
 

Riedquat

Riedquat
Docking computers dont exist because docking is too difficult.

After a long trade mission, I might want to flick on the computer and let it dock me whilst I go and make a cup of tea, or go to the toilet etc.

Also some people find having the docking computer bring you into the station highly immersive.
 

Mutant

M
the real docking computer is assisted flight mode ... try turning that off and dock at the station :eek:
 
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Jenner

I wish I was English like my hero Tj.
Jenner
There's no docking computer out there than can dock the Imperial Way.
 

V3teran

V3teran
Docking with Space Stations was much harder on Elite and Frontier, you actually needed one for these games but with the new game its much easier.:)
 

Darojax

Darojax
The current docking computer behaves very strangely indeed, and is very slow. I'd say something's broken there.

Also I don't get why that Strauss tune starts playing with music volume set to off. Really, it's time to let go of the past. Let's look forward and create something new! The original Elite would never have been awesome if it tried to copy something from the past.
 

Mazhurg

Mazhurg
If one stops and think about it, a "docking" computer is about having a system to move in - and out - of stations. The critical issue in docking is not so much the actual landing but the transit through the slot, especially for the larger ships and this happens when entering and exiting a station.

I suggest that if docking computers are available that are for more than nostalgia sake, then those computers should program both the arrival and departure of the station boundaries.
 
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