Collector limpet destroyed... 1st limpet dies, everytime.

Red Fox Four · Dec 9, 2017

I have to raise this here in case it's something odd on my end, though not sure what it could be.

Everytime I use a collector limpet to gather cargo from salvage sites the first limpet blows up as it returns to the cargo hatch.

Every single time.
On every single ship I tried it on.

It never fails.

I release limpet.
It flies to grab cargo can.
It returns to ship.
Once it touches the cargo-hatch/scoop

Collector Limpet destroyed.

Then I release a 2nd one... works just fine.

So what gives?

Why does the 1st one always get destroyed, nomatter what you do ?

Ship is at 0 speed. Hatch is open. I'm not touching controls.

Limpet flies in, blows up.

Second limpet I release will always work, even if I am moving the ship around at speed.

This must be a bug, right???

Cmdr Eagleboy · Dec 9, 2017

There's some issues with limpets, so if you feel it is a bug, report it on Bugs forum potentially with videos for QA to chew on.

Hunter241 · Dec 9, 2017

it kind of sounds like you're using target mode

collector limpets have two modes, target and free

if your targetting something, the limpet will go for that then self destruct after returning to ship
if your not targetting anything and just fire the limpet, it will collect everything within a certtain radius from it, it has a time limit which depends on the module size

if its not that, then maybe you're too close to some debris and its hitting that

Wyaston Hypatia · Dec 9, 2017

Have you targeted the canister?
If so then that's how they work. Target = collect and destroyed. No Target = collect all.

Factabulous · Dec 9, 2017

Sure sounds like a bug.

Sure this isn't the case, but just in case: you aren't targeting the salvage are you? Collectors terminate if you targeted something for retrieval, and only hang around and collect more if you aren't targeting anything (though in this case you would successfully collect the 1st item - then the collector would explode)

Edit: Dammit - double ninjad

Jimbodiah · Dec 9, 2017

Hah, I didn;t even know that, but that explains why all my limpters die after return one material resource but stay alive while mining. Stupid mechanic though, who comes up with this stuff?

Factabulous · Dec 9, 2017

Jimbodiah said:
Hah, I didn;t even know that, but that explains why all my limpters die after return one material resource but stay alive while mining. Stupid mechanic though, who comes up with this stuff?

Not stupid if you are doing black box retrieval with high level NPCs. It is a tad non-obvious. They may be able to change it once they allow you to specify what things you are interested in, which is scheduled for next year.

Wyaston Hypatia · Dec 9, 2017

Jimbodiah said:
Hah, I didn;t even know that, but that explains why all my limpters die after return one material resource but stay alive while mining. Stupid mechanic though, who comes up with this stuff?

It's quite useful if you want one specific item only.
The problem is that nowhere is this explained.

olaide.philipe · Dec 9, 2017

If you select a cargo on left panel then limpet will die after retrieved that 1 cargo.
If none select limpet will bring all cargo there is and stay under ship till you jump away.

So next time open caro scoop fire limpet and if then first one explote then yep you could call that a bug.

Just watch out limpet deuss not bring back illegal stuff.
Check cargo on right panel.

Glock_N_Load · Dec 10, 2017

If you target an item and launch limpet can you target next item and launch 2nd limpet before first limpet gets item/returns?

olaide.philipe · Dec 10, 2017

Never done it... only use a1 limpets.
Because lots off stuff is useless.
But it your limpets can work to ad seem time then i guess you can.

IndigoWyrd · Dec 10, 2017

Try this - don't open your hatch until you get the Limpet Drone Error message.

Glock_N_Load said:
If you target an item and launch limpet can you target next item and launch 2nd limpet before first limpet gets item/returns?

Yep. And if you can launch 3 or 4 or 5 (based on your controller), you can target that many items at the same time too... of course, if I'm needing to collect that many things, I just launch limpets without targets and let them pick up everything. I can always jettison what I don't want.