Exploration Ship Recommendations? What's Your Favorite?

[andylegate]

Horizons is on the horizon for me, so to speak.

I'm waiting as my wife wanted to get it for Christmas for me, most likely during the Black Friday sales on Steam or something. I'm having enough fun that I can wait for it.

 

[Sylveria]

Sounds like you hate explorers to be honest, you've just complained about the ones you've flown, so I get the feeling you'll complain about any ship to be honest.

So I'm just going to go left field and say the type 6. 30+ jump range before looking at engineers, and plenty of space for all the things you need, similar to the Asp Explorer, but cheaper, similar to a Diamondback Explorer. But as a trade ship it'll sound hopefully different to what you've complained about, and has the best view from its cockpit, more like a small cathedral than a pilots chair.

Now I'm going to sit back as people tilt their head in bemusement at my suggestion.

I've actually used one for Exploration before as well.

It's not bad as an exploration vessel at all... I personally didn't really like the handling in comparison to the DBX.

 

[DukeIronHand]

Since they have not been mentioned I will throw out the T6 and Cobra Mk III. Both make fine explorers.
I have used them along with a DBX and AspX.

One thing that always leaves me slightly puzzled is the emphasis everyone seems to place on great jump range for exploring. If you are really exploring (by this I mean scouting systems) I have never found big jump range to be all that important. Now if you are trying to travel to a destination somewhere then that's another story.

 

[wrmiller]

Horizons is on the horizon for me, so to speak.

I'm waiting as my wife wanted to get it for Christmas for me, most likely during the Black Friday sales on Steam or something. I'm having enough fun that I can wait for it.

Received my copy of ED last Christmas. Been wasting time on this darn game ever since.

 

[Mrat13]

Since they have not been mentioned I will throw out the T6 and Cobra Mk III. Both make fine explorers.
I have used them along with a DBX and AspX.

One thing that always leaves me slightly puzzled is the emphasis everyone seems to place on great jump range for exploring. If you are really exploring (by this I mean scouting systems) I have never found big jump range to be all that important. Now if you are trying to travel to a destination somewhere then that's another story.

Firstly, I mentioned the type 6 before you .

Secondly, I see your point, but if you want to reach say, beagle point, you need a certain jump range, but engineers can fix that to a certain extent if your willing to make that sort of deal with the devil. But yes, for the most part, exploring is not about pure jump range, but actually having a look around. This is also why you need horizons for true exploration, so you can land and look around on planets.

 

[Red Anders]

Sounds like you hate explorers to be honest, you've just complained about the ones you've flown, so I get the feeling you'll complain about any ship to be honest.

So I'm just going to go left field and say the type 6. 30+ jump range before looking at engineers, and plenty of space for all the things you need, similar to the Asp Explorer, but cheaper, similar to a Diamondback Explorer. But as a trade ship it'll sound hopefully different to what you've complained about, and has the best view from its cockpit, more like a small cathedral than a pilots chair.

Now I'm going to sit back as people tilt their head in bemusement at my suggestion.

Since they have not been mentioned I will throw out the T6 and Cobra Mk III. Both make fine explorers.
I have used them along with a DBX and AspX.

One thing that always leaves me slightly puzzled is the emphasis everyone seems to place on great jump range for exploring. If you are really exploring (by this I mean scouting systems) I have never found big jump range to be all that important. Now if you are trying to travel to a destination somewhere then that's another story.

I've actually used one for Exploration before as well.

It's not bad as an exploration vessel at all... I personally didn't really like the handling in comparison to the DBX.

You're right, the T6 is a good choice as an entry-level explorer. Before they gave the DBX its extra slot so that you could finally carry an SRV, shield, both scanners, scoop and an AMFU, the T-6 would have been my suggestion for anybody looking to give exploration a try in the early game because it's very cheap and still effective.

The DBX is a better exploration ship for not many more credits though; the only reasons I'd consider a T6 ahead of one now is if OP has some principled objection to a DBX or if he wants some cargo space in addition to the standard six exploration internals. The only issue I have with the DBX is class 5 tank with class 4 scoop. It's less of an issue for me than some players because I tend to keep topped up at every scoopable rather then running it dry but even so it's painfully slow compared to my other exploration ships.

 

[yah-ta-hey]

Currently running an unmodified t-6 with detail scanner and 2 srvs on board. 36 ly range, fuel scoop, dolby surround sound system and a years worth of p**n on blu-ray hologram.

 

[Mrat13]

The only issue I have with the DBX is class 5 tank with class 4 scoop. It's less of an issue for me than some players because I tend to keep topped up at every scoopable rather then running it dry but even so it's painfully slow compared to my other exploration ships.

See, I've never had that problem with mine, maybe I'm just patient. Doesn't really matter on the DBX either, as you can take as long as you like scooping, and that thing will simply not overheat, at least from my personal experience.

 

[Arguendo]

I see a lot of people recommending ships because they can fit an SRV. The OP does not have Horizons, so he can't fit the SRV even if he wanted to!

For non-Horizons I would put the DBE in first place, hands down. Most bang for your buck, with the upgrade it has enough slots for everything you need and some cargo. The biggest drawback it has is the slow fuelscooping, but you get used to that.

For Horizons the DBE will be a compromised build, because it has one slot too few. Either of the Dolphin or Orca would be my choice (if you don't want to go the extreme-Conda route), because why not explore in style

 

[Red Anders]

See, I've never had that problem with mine, maybe I'm just patient. Doesn't really matter on the DBX either, as you can take as long as you like scooping, and that thing will simply not overheat, at least from my personal experience.

I don't think I could make it overheat if I tried, it's basically a fridge with a seat and an engine It's just those extra seconds do wear me down over time - last trip I took in the DBX was about a 30k LY round trip and I was practically gnawing my desk when scooping after about 10k.

I'm fully on board with the Orca now as an explorer. I have an Anaconda, Asp and DBX all fully fitted for exploration, the Asp and DBX both jump about 55LY and the Anaconda does a shade under 58LY. In exploration fit, my Orca does about 47 which is still plenty for reaching any area of interest quickly and when you reach somewhere you want to hang around in for a while it's so much more rewarding to fly than the Anaconda.

The Asp will always be king for planetary flight just for the cockpit - I went out to Hawking's Gap looking for surface bases when the whole Formidine Rift thing was happening and again recently when the INRA bases were being found and there's still nothing to touch it for being able to quickly scan a planet visually. The DBX is fun to fly and carries everything you need for exploration for very little cash - there's a place for all of them which is why I own them all.

 

[Red Anders]

I see a lot of people recommending ships because they can fit an SRV. The OP does not have Horizons, so he can't fit the SRV even if he wanted to!

For non-Horizons I would put the DBE in first place, hands down. Most bang for your buck, with the upgrade it has enough slots for everything you need and some cargo. The biggest drawback it has is the slow fuelscooping, but you get used to that.

For Horizons the DBE will be a compromised build, because it has one slot too few. Either of the Dolphin or Orca would be my choice (if you don't want to go the extreme-Conda route), because why not explore in style

Fair point regarding the SRV. With Horizons though, the only thing you might want but can't fit in a DBX is a cargo rack and I've never used one when exploring on either a DBX or an Asp just because I'm not looking to compromise my jump range in order to make about 20k credits after carrying 8 tons of tea and consumer goods around with me for 15k LY

 

[Mrat13]

Fair point regarding the SRV. With Horizons though, the only thing you might want but can't fit in a DBX is a cargo rack and I've never used one when exploring on either a DBX or an Asp just because I'm not looking to compromise my jump range in order to make about 20k credits after carrying 8 tons of tea and consumer goods around with me for 15k LY

You realise you can make more with data delivery missions IF you can get there in a week. If you can't you'll have to take passengers, so you'll need a bigger ship (like a dolphin).

Oh, and I'm assuming your talking about going to Colonia.

 

[Red Anders]

You realise you can make more with data delivery missions IF you can get there in a week. If you can't you'll have to take passengers, so you'll need a bigger ship (like a dolphin).

Oh, and I'm assuming your talking about going to Colonia.

No I just meant in general from picking stuff up that I find on planets whilst I'm out and about. I've only ever done one deliberate trade run to Colonia, that was when the station was first found out there and we had the CG to repair it; I took out 320 tons of stuff in my explorer Anaconda after ripping out most of the internals and sticking cargo racks in it. The other three times I've been out there were either just for fun or as a stopover point during longer trips.

When I go exploring, discovery is all I'm focused on, I make my money in the bubble. I banked just over 80m in about two and a half hours tonight running passengers to 36 Ophiuchi in my Cutter. Next time I'm heading out and I'm likely to stop at Colonia I probably will take a batch of data missions just because it would be daft not to but I've got 16 ships and just over a billion credits in cash at the moment (assets are about 2.9bn in total) so I'm lucky enough not to have credit acquisition as a major driver of my gameplay.

That's not to say I don't still make them but when I do it tends to be a quick spurt of earning and then back to doing whatever I fancy. I did two deliveries for the current CG on Thursday night and got into the top 25%, I was still in it tonight when I checked (got to love the Cutter...) - that's another 6.5m coming based on the current tier, might need to do another run later in the week if I drop down to the 50% bracket. Chasing credits is probably the worst way to play the game in my opinion, I've never really done it to any significant degree and I've still managed to accrue a decent pile.

 

[nosleepdemon]

You can't explore without Horizons, what meagre entertainment you can get from exploration is cut in half by not being able to land on planets and farm for materials.

The Anaconda is hands down the best explorer in the game. It's slow, yes, but it will carry everything you will ever need plus a crate of kitchen sinks. And a kitchen to put them in.

 

[WR3ND]

Personal favorite is my Vulture, The Ronin. https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/vul...loBhAOEoUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=&bn=The Ronin WR3-1V

I have a Cobra Mk. III, The Ranger I plan on taking to Beagle Point sooner or later, and would generally recommend as being a more typical exploration type ship. https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/cob...oBhBGA2EoFMCGBzANokMK6A=&bn=The Ranger WR3-4C

After that, probably my Eagle, The Scout. https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/eag...loBhAWEoUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=&bn=The Scout WR3-2E

But yeah, the main thing is using whatever ship you like spending time in piloting around. The Asp Explorer, Type-6, Orca, etc. are fine ships for the job, depending on your preferences.

 

[WR3ND]

You can't explore without Horizons, what meagre entertainment you can get from exploration is cut in half by not being able to land on planets and farm for materials.

The Anaconda is hands down the best explorer in the game. It's slow, yes, but it will carry everything you will ever need plus a crate of kitchen sinks. And a kitchen to put them in.

Mostly useless junk for exploration, in my opinion, for people that don't know what they're doing or are generally incompetent pilots. Personally wouldn't be caught dead in the pointy bloated space cow. But to each their own, I guess. It does have good jump range and fuel scooping potential at least. [hehe]

Spoiler

Yes, this comment is mostly tongue in cheek, though it is true that I prefer piloting small ships for the way they handle and perform in general, and I've never had the need for heat sinks, AFMUs, etc. while exploring. Cumulative hull damage for me has been maybe 1% for every 1,000 systems visited on average with the most on one trip only being a handful percent.

 

[Jenner]

Yeah, I took a bunch of data missions to Colonia recently just for the heck of it. There is no way I'm getting there in a week, though, if at all! lol. I pretty much wanted to just go out exploring a bit.

On topic: I love my Asp X for exploration.

 

[CMDR ANCALAGON]

As others have said, and as often the case for "best ship for X" questions, the best ship is going to be the one that you enjoy the most. Sure, ship specs and feedback from others can be used to narrow options down, but ultimately you need to take your short list for a test drive.

Also, I can't wrap my head around exploring without Horizons, so I'm afraid I won't be much help.

I do prefer the Anaconda, though not for the storage capacity. I never take cargo racks, hardpoints, or even shields when I go exploring so my anaconda is mostly empty when I set out. I like the massive jump range (which you won't be able to achieve) I get while also carrying a large fuel scoop, 2 SRVs, and 16 SLFs. I also really value having the SLFs for long haul exploration. Nothing like risk free high speed canyon running to fend off the space madness that can set in as your distance from Sol starts being counted in the tens of thousands of lys.

 

[yolomcbobbinz]

My favorite is an anaconda, duh! But before I got it I was in love with the DBE

Aspx all day long.
I know you can make an Annie jump further, carry more stuff etc. but part of exploring is the view. The Aspx has a great view and really good range, especially when engineered. It will also carry all the stuff you might need on your travels. Seriously, get that and you won't ever regret it.

I know it's kinda immersion breaking but there is the 3rd person camera, it has a better view than any cockpit

 

[Vardaugas]

If you want to visit planetary sites or just land anywhere, try the Viper IV. It can be engineered to 30+ ly jump range and has a tiny footprint for landing. Seriously, you can just plop it down anywhere.