Exploration Ship Recommendations? What's Your Favorite?

JetsonRING

JetsonRING
My two cents worth:

It depends on (a) which ship you enjoy flying, because you will spend a LOT of time in it while exploring and (b) what level of exploring you want to do.

If all I want to do is "jump-honk, jump-honk, jump-honk" I can get by with a Diamondback-Explorer (DBX). For more flexibility, if I maybe want to "what's that over there" explore some planetary surfaces the Asp-Explorer (Asp-X) is a good choice because it will fit an SRV hangar plus, it has that great canopy window to view the universe through. The DBX will fit a SRV hangar too but is short on module space for other modules I will want on longer trips. For the ultimate in long-range full-tilt exploring I prefer the Anaconda. Good jump-range, room for an SRV hangar and SLF hanger plus all the modules I will need and maybe even a redundant module or two, like redundant AFMS. An AFMS cannot repair itself (they do break) but one can repair the other and vice-versa.

All that being said there is too much emphasis on jump-range among exploring CMDRs. Jump-range is really only important when you are out on the very fringes of the galaxy where systems are farther apart. Inside the thick part of the galaxy longer jump-range means you will jump right past systems you should be exploring, systems many other CMDRs have also jumped past because of their own jump-range fetish. So if you do not plan to go out to the edges of the galaxy, select for modules, not jump-range. You WANT to hit every system you can, not fly right past them.

The DBX is (IMO) a great ship for gathering materials for the engineers. It is great for when I want to go somewhere and do something (like collecting materials). With its ultimate jump-range and ability to carry an SRV it makes a great taxi for crossing those hundreds of light years to collect those rare mats and it gets better "mileage" iu.e.: uses less fuel per jump than the Asp-X.
 
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Cmdr Aeries Hunter

Cmdr Aeries Hunter
Personally I love the Orca, but another quirky exploration ship is the Type-6. Has plenty of slots and un-engineered hits the 30Ly mark.

If you can save up for it, I would highly recommend getting horizons. It opens the game up to so many more possibilities and will give you all the new up coming 2018 features for free.
 

-VR- Max Factor

-VR- Max Factor
I really like my Diamondback Explorer. But I.also like my Dolphin (horizons only). The Cobra Mk3 is nice to use too.

But I would recommend getting horizons as it is on sale right now (or it was), and there will be a load of free goodies being added next year to the horizons expansion.
 

lokvette

lokvette
Lost my frist DBX trying to learn fuel scopping, tried the DBS, the Asp scout I have used for edge of the bubble scouting, the Asp X I used for my first real long trip went 9k out towrds the edge, but alas I use it more as a taxi for first class paying passengers.

I now use the Annconda, i know people wil say stuff about its view but when your getting just under 54Ly jumps, and the only thing I have pimped is the FSD, and add to that it holds all the other stuff I want in my deep space ship, then its my go to.

The ony thing I find lacking is npc crew sitting in the empty chairs or crew per se, its a huge ship and only me at the helm. (and no I have no intrest in letting on hobo's in the form of MC, there would be nothing for them to do anyways.)

Just went over 50k Ly on this trip, been 17k out to the outer arm, had to do a few long range jumps to get as far as I could, now heading back in. I love the Asp X but for the sense of being a deep space nomad the Annie is the ship for me.

Just wish the factions on Astroid bases had a bit more to them, ie msissions from the Crab to the Heart then the Heart to the Soul I would have stayed out there for a much longer time, but I docked took a screen shot and moved on, thier nice and all but with nothing to do at them its more of a deep space refull, but that was about 40kLy back.

Coloina is just over 21K, about the same distance to the POI, Im heading to, then its on to Coloina for my 2nd vist, depending on how it looks might spend some time there, last time I was there it was just after the station had been fixed.

Then if I have the will power its time to get to Sag A. :)
 
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NW3

NW3
OP, as you can see, there are many ships which can be used for exploration.

My personal favorite is the AspX. Mine gets up to 56 lys, which shows what engineering can do for you (once your wife gives Horizons to you). Until then you might want to try exploring near the bubble, so you don't have to go too far when it comes time to visit the engineers. It might be worthwhile to test drive the exploration ships which appeal to you, before heading out for a long voyage.

I like the AspX for the Lakon "fishbowl" cockpit, which has an awesome view. The Dolphin and Diamondback Explorer also have good cockpit views. (When I'm exploring, I enjoy looking at the stuff I find.) The Asp has a good assortment of optional slots, so you can pack an SRV and an AFMU. I've flown my AspX to Beagle Point and back, which is proof that it's a good exploration ship.

The Anaconda has a lot of storage space and a great jump range, which is why it's a popular exploration ship, but personally, I hate it. The cockpit view is quite restricted and big ships feel sluggish. My Asp is far more nimble. (Granted, engineering can improve the handling of any ship.)
 
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M00ka

M00ka
Trickylion said:
Be the first to beagle point in an un engineered eagle.
Click to expand...

I am sure there was a thread within the last week or so, complete with pics, of a guy who just did that. Can't remember if the Eagle had been modded or not but damn did that little ship look beat-up at the end, not much paint left.
 

zarking

Z
For going a long way away quickly, the anaconda, 61.5 light years jump range is very nice :)

For general wander around and look at things, I like the orca, aspx and dbx. I switch between them. The dbx suffers a bit as it's slow to scoop and is a little slow. The aspx has the best view but feels a little "ok at everything but not great at anything". The orca has slightly less jump range but it's pretty fast, handles very nicely, huge fuel tank and doesn't need a massive scoop, and has a nice view, it might lack a little in internals but it's my current favourite and can also take luxury passengers out on a trip with you :)
 

Shiro Akai

Shiro Akai
andylegate said:
Am I missing something there?

Anyways - would love to hear what your favorite exploration ship is, or any recommendations.
Click to expand...

For basic exploration you can go with such small ship as Adder. Max FSD and Fuel Scoop in it, rest D-rated and the smallest Power Plant that can supply your build. 29.8 LY range for 3.3M credits. Not to mention people went to Beagle Point in stock Sidewinder...

From personal experience I can talk about DBX and AspX.

DBX - this was my first "real" explorer. It has exactly the right amount of internals I needed. As I went for "safe" exploring I equipped AFMU and shields. Better safe than sorry. I still had room for SRV, no cargo rack tho. Without Engineering I had 30+ LYs range. Ship handles well, has good cockpit view and runs cold as unwilling GF. Really, no heat issues from that ship.

AspX - this is my current ship I took for a spin. Same safe approach as above, shields, AFMU and SRV for planet rolling. And I have space for cargo rack (already equipped tho can't say why). Cockpit view is even better than DBX, handles... well, lets say it handles. Before I engineered it it was capable of 32 LY jump. Now it's 52 LY max with av. 48. True - IWW plane prop sound but it has its own value.

Anaconda is my "on-list" ship. But considering amount of credits involved in that build, you can safely skip on that right now. For real starters you can try Adder. Good option is plain T-6. Dedicated cargo hauler but has lots of internals and you can play with modules for lightweight and max LY build. Fairly cheap, lots of space, solid entry ship. More "dedicated" are DBX (cheaper) and AspX.
 

Cervantes01

Cervantes01
OP whatever ship you fly, you really do need horizons for exploration, the thrill of landing on a distant world and deploying the SRV never gets old.
 

Origin

Origin
I've only ever tried the AspX, but it's all I need when the wanderlust bug bites. The way it handles is truly a thing of beauty. Currently, I use my Anaconda as a long haul trader, which works nicely, but I'd imagine the handling would get to me after awhile.
 

Red Anders

Red Anders
M00ka said:
I am sure there was a thread within the last week or so, complete with pics, of a guy who just did that. Can't remember if the Eagle had been modded or not but damn did that little ship look beat-up at the end, not much paint left.
Click to expand...

Think that was an Imperial Eagle although I could be mistaken. My speed build Imperial Eagle jumps 30LY from memory, can't log in to check right now.
 

verminstar

Banned
verminstar
Everyone has an all time favourite and some will have current favourite. Ive used aspex and DBE fer ages...cool ships but currently Im in a type 9 parked up out at sag A. Non engineered with a whopping 19ly range.

Its not the ship that makes an explorer, its the other way around and Im now at the point where I flip a coin...heads I go back to colonia or tails beagle point ^
 

andylegate

A
I've settled on the Clipper for now.

It has a great view from the cockpit. Love the way it handles.

It's not engineered and has only a 25 ly jump range, but that's okay as I'm not in a hurry. I'm just sight seeing for most of it.

I did slap and extra fuel tank on it though. 16t was not good enough for me. It would be like me to not be paying attention and end up low on fuel among a group of brown dwarfs.
 
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