Is an exploration Annie worth it?

The Beluga has it pipped now, what with the change to its cabin slots and the introduction of the guardian FSD booster. It has a huge fueltank and handles well in SC.



Yeah, I've coriolised a couple of Beluga explore builds. Might knock one up when I get back to civilization and see how it works out.
 
I pretty much only use my Annie for deep space exploration (Corvette for combat), massive jump range, extra fuel tank, 2 SRV's (deep space is worth having 2 in case somehow lose one), repair limpets, fully engineered modules for weight and manoeuvring, best ship for me for exploring.
 
I have a 7B fuel scoop on my Exploraconda, and it can fill the tank at 1068 kg/s - a 32-ton tank takes 30 seconds to fill from empty to full. Very fast, in other words. And you can put pretty much everything and the kitchen sink on it, its large amount of optional internal slots allows it to be rather self-sufficient while out in the black.

It isn't nearly as agile as the Asp, that's true, but it's still a worthy exploration ship in its own right.
 
Depends on your power plant. I always use a-rated and never had a problem. D-rated may not work as well, but someone else would need to confirm. I can say an a-rated pp wasnt a compromise on jump range if you can get a class 5 in there.


Running a 6d myself. I keep everything shut down that I don't need. SC temp is 26. Scoops fast.

Edit; I think some of the trick is to be sure that you are not using most or all of PP capacity. A real expert might answer this. YMMV
 
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I have a 7B fuel scoop on my Exploraconda, and it can fill the tank at 1068 kg/s - a 32-ton tank takes 30 seconds to fill from empty to full. Very fast, in other words. And you can put pretty much everything and the kitchen sink on it, its large amount of optional internal slots allows it to be rather self-sufficient while out in the black.

It isn't nearly as agile as the Asp, that's true, but it's still a worthy exploration ship in its own right.



Yeah, I've never been able to drive my "A" scoop to max. Fills up too fast.
 
My favorite explorer for now is my Python. The jump range is lower than some of the other medium ship, but it has 9 slots for internals. My Python has 52 LY jump range, but has everything except for a fighter bay...plus it’s more maneuverable and has better cockpit visibility than an Anaconda. I could get a higher jump range, but my Python explorer is beefy and tough, with a heavier shield and shield boosters, hard points all full, and a nice distributor.

The Beluga lets you add a fighter bay, and has a cockpit that resembles an observation deck. I engineered it on paper and got it about 54LY. It also is surprisingly agile for a ship of its size. It’s rubbish at fuel scooping though, and you need to engineer the power plant with low emissions. Otherwise, you’ll likely go through heat sinks before even leaving the bubble.
 
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Running a 6d myself. I keep everything shut down that I don't need. SC temp is 26. Scoops fast.

Edit; I think some of the trick is to be sure that you are not using most or all of PP capacity. A real expert might answer this. YMMV

Evidence it works here then. To be honest I picked a 5a to see if it worked and I was happy with the jump range (approx 70ly after I'd finished engineering). It worked for me so never tried 6d.

There are pros and cons to both and as Ebel says, I'll leave to the experts for finer details.
 
Frankly, who care how it steers now. We are chasing blue blobs for exploration and on the off chance you want to pew-pew a planet (er...probe) somewhat slower vectoring is not really an issue. Outside view? Thats what the external view camera is for. 'Conda carries everything and has room left over and nicely appointed still jumps in excess of 70ly. That will do. Price isn't too bad either. All in all, do what you want. Don't like it, sell it. It will make you a ton of credits that more than cover the 10% return loss. Quit asking, buy up and head out.

Yer, they could just fill it with first class cabins for transport missions if they don't like exploring in it.
 
Don't overlook the Orca for this purpose now.

Absolutely this....^

AspX was my go to before 3.3. After 3.3 fitted out an Orca for exploration (now that the passenger slots are unrestricted). It has a great cockpit view (except down) and feel like you are traveling in comfort. Nice sounds effects too i.e. don't become grating to the ear over time. As to the fit out, achieved a 56Ly jump range with no problems, which is more than adequate (even though less than some other ships). Also has enough slots for a full exploration fit out PLUS repair limpet controller - at last can repair my hull in the deep if I need to.

TL;DR - Try the Orca.
 
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Overall it's going to depend on what you're looking for. If jump range is top of your shopping list, the Anaconda is your ship. However I got to the centre in a ship with a 40ly range and it just meant I had more systems to look at on the way.

Another thing to consider is, comparatively speaking, that the Anaconda can be a pig to land on planets with rough terrain if srv driving is your thing.
 
To everyone saying a conda handles like , yall just cant handle it.
Anaconda is the best exploration vessel out there. Best jump range, you can take all scanners with you, limpets, all kind of limpet controllers, AMFU, Hull repair, perfect heat capacity AND a docking computer and u still got internals left.
This is luxury.

When it comes down to handling, yes its true that it doesnt turn like a sidewinder but its just a matter of skill. Like with a big plane you cant just correct your flight path, instead you have to fly pro active.
When you overshoot your target turn the ship, so that your target is in the top right or left corner and then circle it until you slow down.
If you get the feel for the flight physics it is not bad at all.

Landing on high G planets can be tricky if you have no g5 dirty drive, but if you have it just point down 90 degrees right to the ground and 10km above the ground flip the ship and boost. One boost will bring it to 0 even with 6g+
Landing on uneven ground is also no problem unless you go to a spiky mountain.
 
Just contemplating...

Should I buy one? I love my Asp, and my Krait... but I hear the Annie steers like an oil tanker. Is it really that bad? Has anyone got one, then regretted it?

Thanks guys.

Yes, works fine for me. Tried the Krait Mk II but found that I can't get outside the bubble due to lack of (1) fuel, (2) refueling in the black, (3) wanting to get outside the bubble due to pirates annoying you call the time trying to haz yr stuffs. I put the Krait back into "anti-thargoid" configuration and purchased a python.
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I had tried using my anaconda for mining but it IS a cow when it comes to close in maneuvering. I saved two hard points for pirate issues but there's plenty of room for just about all the mining equipment, limpet controllers (both of them) AND a fuel scoop if you want to go off the beaten path. The FSD is engineered (because I had the blueprint pinned) but the engines are only class 2 dirty drives (didn't have enough resources for upgrading further so I put them in storage). Seems to work find for this job and it's cabin isn't waaaaaay back near the aft section of the ship so good views up front for aiming. I didn't include the "scraper" in my mix but that would only take one of the "pirate" hard points away for mining.

It seems to work for me. Say hello to the "Grumpy Miner". :)
 
To everyone saying a conda handles like , yall just cant handle it.
Anaconda is the best exploration vessel out there. Best jump range, you can take all scanners with you, limpets, all kind of limpet controllers, AMFU, Hull repair, perfect heat capacity AND a docking computer and u still got internals left.
This is luxury.

When it comes down to handling, yes its true that it doesnt turn like a sidewinder but its just a matter of skill. Like with a big plane you cant just correct your flight path, instead you have to fly pro active.
When you overshoot your target turn the ship, so that your target is in the top right or left corner and then circle it until you slow down.
If you get the feel for the flight physics it is not bad at all.

Landing on high G planets can be tricky if you have no g5 dirty drive, but if you have it just point down 90 degrees right to the ground and 10km above the ground flip the ship and boost. One boost will bring it to 0 even with 6g+
Landing on uneven ground is also no problem unless you go to a spiky mountain.

Docking Computer? SOLD!:D
 
Well I got a 15% discount on one. Cost me pretty much 1 mining trip in my Python. But MAN OH MAN! 4 jumps and im EMPTY! wowzers! Handling is a bit better than a T9 I reckon.
 
Consider the T7 as alternative to a Python.
Better range, SC agility and 9 slots.
What about that heat though? I've heard a lot of complaints of the Type 7 overheating when its FSD is charging, especially if another ship is mass locking it. What about fuel scooping?
 
Just contemplating...

Should I buy one? I love my Asp, and my Krait... but I hear the Annie steers like an oil tanker. Is it really that bad? Has anyone got one, then regretted it?


Thanks guys.

If jump range is very important and carrying lots of toys for mining, afmu, srv, hanger etc then an annie is a great choice but limited in landing space on planets, cockpit view and maneuverability etc. Depends on what you want to do while dotting around.
 
What about that heat though? I've heard a lot of complaints of the Type 7 overheating when its FSD is charging, especially if another ship is mass locking it. What about fuel scooping?

I used an A-rated powerplant with low emissions and thermal spread, I guess efficiency about 0.2 or so. No problems.
 
I love my Anaconda and highly recommend it for deep-galaxy exploration, but as always that's an entirely subjective opinion and there does seem to be a lot of hate for the ship from some, an opinion which I obviously don't share.

Having said that, I have just recently fitted out a Krait Phantom and have embarked on another longish jaunt - aiming about 11K LY from Colonia to some nebula I picked at random for the trip.

Couple of things I've noticed;

1) I miss my Anaconda

2) Smaller ships get thrown around in neutron star jet-cones a LOT more and a LOT worse compared to my Anaconda.

I want my submarine-in-space Anaconda back. :)
 
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