Planning for a long trip ...

[JLS1981]

Just want to run this by a more experienced group. I've gathered a lot of information in these forums..

I'm interested in a trip to Colonia and then on to Sag A from there, before coming back to the bubble. I'm about to upgrade an ASP explorer to a grade 5 FSD... I've got an advanced discovery scanner, detailed surface scanner, vehicle bay with SRV, heat sinks and I'm configured for distance.. D rated internals, A rated FSD, and so on..

I'm comfortable with using fuel scoops now and confident about making this trip, mostly.. lol

So here's my question... Aside from outfitting the way I have for distance, is there anything else I really need to consider before I set off?

I'm running no weapons and shields, it's purely for exploration.. should I rethink that?

Any advice from folks who've traveled some great distances, problems they encountered and gear they wish they'd taken...

Thanks!

 

[Susanna]

Just want to run this by a more experienced group. I've gathered a lot of information in these forums..

I'm interested in a trip to Colonia and then on to Sag A from there, before coming back to the bubble. I'm about to upgrade an ASP explorer to a grade 5 FSD... I've got an advanced discovery scanner, detailed surface scanner, vehicle bay with SRV, heat sinks and I'm configured for distance.. D rated internals, A rated FSD, and so on..

I'm comfortable with using fuel scoops now and confident about making this trip, mostly.. lol

So here's my question... Aside from outfitting the way I have for distance, is there anything else I really need to consider before I set off?

I'm running no weapons and shields, it's purely for exploration.. should I rethink that?

Any advice from folks who've traveled some great distances, problems they encountered and gear they wish they'd taken...

Thanks!

It's worth having a smallish D rated shield for landing on planets... Especially high G worlds.
An AMFU is more or less essential, especially if you are going to be using the neutron star highway, which causes 1% damage on every jump. You'll need to repair the FSD after 20 jumps. Two means that the AMFUs can repair each other. But if you are only going to Colonia, one AMFU is enough. Two is for staying in the black for months at a time.
Repair Limpets are nice to have but I doubt you'll have the room... Mats for limpet synthesis are needed.
A size 1 mining laser (why can't we lightweight mod mining lasers! ) is a good idea for obtaining jumponium if exploring the rim.
A plasma slug special effect on a size 1 rail gun means you can burn off fuel to increase your jump range (again, only needed if on the outer rim).
It's a good idea to have the Mats ready for heat sink synthesis...

I don't bother with weapons on exploration builds.
If you were taking a Conda I'd say take a SLF with a well trained (deadly/elite) npc pilot for flying over planet surfaces. If you use a default npc pilot, they may trash your ship while attempting to follow you.

Enjoy your trip! Colonia is only around 150 jumps and can be done in a weekend easily.

 

[Flimley]

Did you know there are a number of outposts along the way to Colonia ? One is situated in the eagle nebulae if I remember correctly. ....Just encase you need them.

Flimley

 

[Susanna]

Did you know there are a number of outposts along the way to Colonia ? One is situated in the eagle nebulae if I remember correctly. ....Just encase you need them.

Flimley

Worth knowing about on the way back to the bubble, you can sell your data before encountering hostile npc's... On the way out, a bit redundant Unless you have messed up some how.

 

[JLS1981]

Awesome information.. no, I didn't know there are outposts on the way... Though I suspected it was possible after visiting the Elephant's Trunk Mine, not knowing I'd find a station out there.

Good to know there are some ports along the way.

I forgot to mention AFMU, but I do have one installed. And I will take a look at configuring for shields.

I'm not in a hurry and I plan to see some things along the way, so I'm not worried about using the Neutron highway, honestly. Although I have played with jet cone boosts and they're pretty cool.

I appreciate the heads up and advice, anything else you can offer is greatly appreciated!

 

[Flimley]

Hey JLS, an AFMU is an important module to take for sure. I end up using one of these.... a lot. It’s nice to have the ability to keep your other modules in good condition. They do not add weight and can be refilled via synthesis. .

Additional. I’m using a 3D shield generator which is engineered. Without this death is certain when pancaking into big round high gravity objects. [haha]
Flimley

 

[JLS1981]

Hey JLS, an AFMU is an important module to take for sure. I end up using one of these.... a lot. It’s nice to have the ability to keep your other modules in good condition. They do not add weight and can be refilled via synthesis. .

Flimley

Yeah, I have an A rated AFMU just to be sure, as well as a power distributor just strong enough to handle the draw.. which I can play with again adding in shields to the mix.

I'm not in a hurry and my FSD is coming along great, so I don't mind sacrificing a bit of jump range in order to take what I should be taking with me.

 

[JLS1981]

Additional. I’m using a 3D shield generator which is engineered. Without this death is certain when pancaking into big round high gravity objects. [haha]
Flimley

I recently had that experience myself.. undersestimated the high G planet I was trying to land on and dropped too fast while my forward moment was still up.. lol

Belly flopped and slid, tore my hull integrity down to 50% ... Oops.. lol

 

[Flimley]

Somehow, absolutely nothing hits the ground more effectively than an Asp explorer. It’s just like dropping a dinner plate on a tiled kitchen floor.

Flimley

 

[JLS1981]

Somehow, absolutely nothing hits the ground more effectively than an Asp explorer.

Flimley

I'm just grateful I misjudged it at low altitude after I'd already killed some speed.. if I'd been much higher... Insurance claim... Lol

 

[Ashnak]

This is what my explorer CMDR is currently out with on the western rim. That CMDR is going slow, only activated when I need a break from the Bubble hubbub (and I feel one of those coming on again).

He set off before repair limpets were a thing, and that AFMU is basically was what was available at some out of the way station shortly after he decided to just set off. The rest is basically the loadout of a mission running Dolphin (passenger bay replaced for a cargo rack). Currently more or less about due west of Colonia, and still going north, at 99% hull/power plant (one unfortunate emergency stop).
Which is why I also think that repair limpets are useless and AFMUs are overrated - in the end, you depend on your power plant, and there's nothing in the arsenal to repair that.

So, don't fret too much about your loadout, or even the jump range. Choose a ship and loadout you like, and simply go. People have gone to Sgr A* and Beagle point in anything, from Sidewinders to battle ready Corvettes. On occasion, just to shoot down other people and then suicide back to the Bubble. Just keep an eye out on the star type before you take a jump. For going to Colonia - yes, there's a string of stations on the way. If you want to use the Neutron Highway though, those stations are so far off the Neutron fields that it's usually a choice of using either one or the other (or use the Highway until you need to drop into one of the stations for repairs). Personally, I've never found the Highway to be that much of a time saver (might be with an AspX, though - compared to the FSD size, they scoop really slow).

 

[JLS1981]

This is what my explorer CMDR is currently out with on the western rim. That CMDR is going slow, only activated when I need a break from the Bubble hubbub (and I feel one of those coming on again).

He set off before repair limpets were a thing, and that AFMU is basically was what was available at some out of the way station shortly after he decided to just set off. The rest is basically the loadout of a mission running Dolphin (passenger bay replaced for a cargo rack). Currently more or less about due west of Colonia, and still going north, at 99% hull/power plant (one unfortunate emergency stop).
Which is why I also think that repair limpets are useless and AFMUs are overrated - in the end, you depend on your power plant, and there's nothing in the arsenal to repair that.

So, don't fret too much about your loadout, or even the jump range. Choose a ship and loadout you like, and simply go. People have gone to Sgr A* and Beagle point in anything, from Sidewinders to battle ready Corvettes. On occasion, just to shoot down other people and then suicide back to the Bubble. Just keep an eye out on the star type before you take a jump. For going to Colonia - yes, there's a string of stations on the way. If you want to use the Neutron Highway though, those stations are so far off the Neutron fields that it's usually a choice of using either one or the other (or use the Highway until you need to drop into one of the stations for repairs). Personally, I've never found the Highway to be that much of a time saver (might be with an AspX, though - compared to the FSD size, they scoop really slow).

Awesome, I appreciate the insight. I was looking at information on the trip and considering the route I want to take. I did find the Colonia Connection Highway of stations and for a first trip, I'll probably go that route for a relaxed cruise up there.

I really appreciate all the advice, this is helpful in getting ready for it.

 

[Crank Larson]

I last went exploring in my AspX before the engineers arrived, so had around 30Ly jump range. Now, my AspX has 39Ly jump range while fully loaded, which combined with a 6A fuel scoop makes travelling a pleasure (I can start charging my FSD while fuel scooping as the AspX runs so cool).

One AFMU will be fine, as you'll only need it for neutron stars. My longest exploration trip was without an AFMU at all (I'd headed out before they were available, but neutron star also weren't scoopable, so it didn't matter).

 

[GunnerBill]

You really should pack a class 3D shield. Without one even the slightest mistake on landing can end in disaster. You can always fly with them off to keep the heat down and only fire them up prior to a planetary landing.

If you are just going to Colonia I wouldn't bother with plasma slug rail or mining laser as these only really apply to long journeys at the galactic rim where jump range is critical. You can gather more than enough jumponium mats via your SRV.

 

[JLS1981]

You really should pack a class 3D shield. Without one even the slightest mistake on landing can end in disaster. You can always fly with them off to keep the heat down and only fire them up prior to a planetary landing.

If you are just going to Colonia I wouldn't bother with plasma slug rail or mining laser as these only really apply to long journeys at the galactic rim where jump range is critical. You can gather more than enough jumponium mats via your SRV.

Yes, I'll be modifying the ship for the shields before I head out. That hadn't previously occurred to me before this thread... Though it honestly should have after my unfortunate belly flop crash landing. LOL

 

[JLS1981]

I last went exploring in my AspX before the engineers arrived, so had around 30Ly jump range. Now, my AspX has 39Ly jump range while fully loaded, which combined with a 6A fuel scoop makes travelling a pleasure (I can start charging my FSD while fuel scooping as the AspX runs so cool).

One AFMU will be fine, as you'll only need it for neutron stars. My longest exploration trip was without an AFMU at all (I'd headed out before they were available, but neutron star also weren't scoopable, so it didn't matter).

I agree, I do love the heat dissipation in the ASP X.. I had played with other ships before I committed to this build.. thanks to the forums and some great youtube content, the ASP was my choice in the end and I don't regret it.

 

[PuffyEichhorst]

Hi Cmdr,
I would recommend to instal eddiscovery. It helps a lot to record your trip, as long there is no to nothing ingame and all bookmarks are set.
I am aswell on the way to sag a, but i am not going straight since i found out that a lot systems are allready discovered. I am trying eddiscovery for the first time and it's at least something i missed in Elite.

 

[GunnerBill]

Hi Cmdr,
I would recommend to instal eddiscovery. It helps a lot to record your trip, as long there is no to nothing ingame and all bookmarks are set.
I am aswell on the way to sag a, but i am not going straight since i found out that a lot systems are allready discovered. I am trying eddiscovery for the first time and it's at least something i missed in Elite.

Yes this +1

Surprised no one already mentioned this!

EDDiscovery here: https://github.com/EDDiscovery/EDDiscovery/releases

Works together online with EDSM here: https://www.edsm.net/

 

[JLS1981]

Hi Cmdr,
I would recommend to instal eddiscovery. It helps a lot to record your trip, as long there is no to nothing ingame and all bookmarks are set.
I am aswell on the way to sag a, but i am not going straight since i found out that a lot systems are allready discovered. I am trying eddiscovery for the first time and it's at least something i missed in Elite.

I had to look it up and see what it was. Sadly, I'm a console player, so I don't have access to voice attack and the various other 3rd party applications that PC and Mac users are enjoying. I would love to see some of these features built into the game though.

 

[CMDR Sheriston]

A fast-scan or long-range modification on your DSS might be useful if you're planning on exploration data along the way. I use fast-scan personaly, most useful when there's only a star in the system.