Newcomer / Intro Explorer help.

[Harrowdown]

I have just started exploring. I keep coming across systems that are one or more stars and nothing else. If I use the discovery scanner it will give me the amount of bodies in the system, but if I then switch to the system map I don't see anything other than the main star(s). Right now I have parked in a system that is just one star, but according to the d-scanner there should be 7 bodies.

Have I gotten something wrong about how this works? I figured that maybe I need to fly out a bit more, but where to? Without anything to target I'm more likely to fly away from something interesting.

 

[Dragsham]

3 scanner
1) discovery scanner (honk)
2) full spectrum scanner
3) detailed surface scanner.
Sorry about original post.

 

[Harrowdown]

So your honking once you arrive which identified some bodies.
So now you switch to the detailed scanner think it's dss scanner or something. And u scan all with that. If there's a nav point go to it fly into the reticule and scan the buoy.
That'll help.

See, between those two steps I get stuck. The honk reveals bodies, but nothing targetable shows up. I see nothing to select other than the star itself. I can't use the Detailed Surface Scanner on nothing.

 

[NorthernDevo]

I have just started exploring. I keep coming across systems that are one or more stars and nothing else. If I use the discovery scanner it will give me the amount of bodies in the system, but if I then switch to the system map I don't see anything other than the main star(s). Right now I have parked in a system that is just one star, but according to the d-scanner there should be 7 bodies.

Have I gotten something wrong about how this works? I figured that maybe I need to fly out a bit more, but where to? Without anything to target I'm more likely to fly away from something interesting.

Tricky, you're bang on course, in terms of exploration and learning.
"Honking" - using the Discovery Scanner - upon arrival is the first step. The reason you don't see other bodies in the map is because they haven't been mapped - you've found a completely new system.
Mapping a system is a 3-step process. By honking, you've completed the first step.

Step 2 is to use the FSS - the Full Spectrum Scanner. You may need to set it up in your controls if you haven't used it before.
It will give you the total number of bodies and signals in that system for you to find. You slew the FSS around the system, identifying bodies, matching their waveforms and zooming in. It takes time, but when you're done you will have precise information regarding the type, makeup and orbit of every body in the system. Taking that back to UC will net you the credits and discovery credit for the system.

Step 3 requires a Detailed Surface Scanner - it is the longest and hardest part. You need to fly to each body in the system and 'probe' - launch probes from the DSS - them, until you've mapped the entire world. Small moons may need as little as 2 probes, some gas giants can require nearly thirty, and Rings require their own.
It's tedious, but fun - and when you find geo and bio sites, you can drop down and explore them for fun and minerals.

Cheers!

 

[Harrowdown]

I have plain not come across the FSS. Thanks. I think I expected to find everything in the action groups.

 

[NorthernDevo]

I have plain not come across the FSS. Thanks. I think I expected to find everything in the action groups.

Here's the 'official' writeup of the FSS:

Full Spectrum System Scanner

The Full Spectrum System Scanner is an integrated module included in all ships. It is activated after switching to Analysis Mode and conducting an initial scan of a star system using the Discovery Scanner to identify all astronomical objects and signal sources. The FSS Scanner is then used to...

elite-dangerous.fandom.com

Pretty much everything is in there; the FSS has a subheading in your Controls menu so you can set it up. Myself, I have it set to my joystick with fire/fire2 for zoom in/back and <> for the frequency analysis bar.

Remember: the honk shows you that something's there. The FSS shows what is there, and where it is. DSS gives you the details of each body. You don't need to map everything - many explorers (myself included) only map WW, ELW and AW's for the credits, as well as any bodies showing interesting signals but you can if you want.

Cheers!

 

[zipline]

You will need to map a few keybinds to launch the FSS, move the frequency selector and zoom in and out of signals. After you honk, you will see the frequencies of all the bodies and other signal sources appear on the frequency selector. If you move the slider to a frequency on the selector then move your reticule across the map you will see blue pulsing areas where things are, and also little arrows will appear pointing you towards signals. If you are at the right frequency and positioned over a body with that frequency e.g. an icy moon, you will see a solid circle, and you can zoom into it to discover what it is. Sometimes zooming in just reveals more blue areas that you have to reveal. It is tricky to use at first, but once you get the hang of it you can reveal all the bodies in a system pretty quickly, and then decide if they are worth visiting to perform a detailed scan.

 

[Para Handy]

So your honking once you arrive which identified some bodies.
So now you switch to the detailed scanner think it's dss scanner or something. And u scan all with that. If there's a nav point go to it fly into the reticule and scan the buoy.
That'll help.
There's 3 scanners
The honk, & the detailed surface scanner where u fly to and fire probes at a moon or planet.
And then there's the system scanner can't recall it's name.
Goto binds screen in controls and you'll see em at the bottom

WOW - that is such a messed-up load of nonsense. You do not know what you are talking about.

 

[Dragsham]

Your right it was..
Sorry Op

 

[[PS4] Lorenzo Waringos]

I'm pretty sure that when you honk, if you look in the top right hand corner of your screen, in fairly small writing, it tells you to now open the FSS and indicates the current keybinding to do so, to analyse the results.

Ignore what shows up in the nav panel on the left after honking, that is only giving you half of the picture (unless COVAS stated system scanned complete after the honk).

I have noticed over time and been impressed with, the prompts you get to operate certain things. It nearly always shows you the keybind to do what it suggests and those prompts change as you change the key binds.

I stopped playing for a month or so earlier in the year and I'd forgotten what key bind I had for Cockpit mode change, simply trying to fire a laser whilst in discovery mode brought up the prompt and jogged my memory. Helpful.

 

[Para Handy]

Your right it was..
Sorry Op

Maybe go back to it and edit it out to save confusing any newcomers?

 

[Harrowdown]

Getting a little better at it now. The surface scanner too. One question, is it totally impossible to steer your ship while firing probes? I find it inconvenient to have to turn it on and off just so I can fire at different angles.

 

[Factabulous]

I find it inconvenient to have to turn it on and off just so I can fire at different angles.

If you have to do that .. you're doing it wrong.

 

[Dragsham]

Dss is bindable in controls settings assign it to joystick

 

[Harrowdown]

Dss is bindable in controls settings assign it to joystick

Thanks, I'll have to look for the setting then (I wish the key binds menu had a search option).

 

[[PS4] Lorenzo Waringos]

Getting a little better at it now. The surface scanner too. One question, is it totally impossible to steer your ship while firing probes? I find it inconvenient to have to turn it on and off just so I can fire at different angles.

Well, it is impossible, I believe, but from the ‘front‘ of the planet it is possible to land the probe on the ‘back’ of the planet. Move the aim right out and you see a small line that indicates the edge of the planet. So overshooting that lands the probe on the flip side. So no need to move at all unless you’re mapping giants. I hope this makes sense.

 

[Harrowdown]

Well, it is impossible, I believe, but from the ‘front‘ of the planet it is possible to land the probe on the ‘back’ of the planet. Move the aim right out and you see a small line that indicates the edge of the planet. So overshooting that lands the probe on the flip side. So no need to move at all unless you’re mapping giants. I hope this makes sense.

I meant steering, not moving. But as Dragsham said firing a probe is a bindable key, so I can work this out probably.

 

[[PS4] Lorenzo Waringos]

I meant steering, not moving. But as Dragsham said firing a probe is a bindable key, so I can work this out probably.

Ok, I’m just saying that 99% of the planets I map, I do so in the stationary position. Throttle off. I’m still able to cover the entire surface without moving/steering at all.

(You might have to cut me some slack here, I’m fantastically tired and even simple communications are passing me by, sorry if I’m missing your point entirely).

 

[Para Handy]

Getting a little better at it now. The surface scanner too. One question, is it totally impossible to steer your ship while firing probes? I find it inconvenient to have to turn it on and off just so I can fire at different angles.

No you can't fly your ship while in the probe launching screen.

However, don't you have a mouse? I use the mouse to target the probes:

There is no need to move, you can hit the whole surface from a stationary position (sit edge-on to rings to avoid them interfering with your probes hitting the far side of the planet).

 

[Phongsalt]

Getting a little better at it now. The surface scanner too. One question, is it totally impossible to steer your ship while firing probes? I find it inconvenient to have to turn it on and off just so I can fire at different angles.

For DSS probe I find it best to come to a dead stop and fire to a set pattern.You can use it whilst travelling at (very) low speed , but as you found, you cant steer.
However you can probe regardless of the orientation of your ship to the planet, provided you are close enough.The probes are ballistic,so for most planets smaller than Gas Giants, you can probe the entire body including the far side,without moving.
In the case of ringed planets, it is more difficult to do, but approaching the rings 'side on' you can sometimes achieve it.