Ships Top 10 Exploration ships!

[CMDRQuainMarln]

I like both ships too, but i do have a slight bias towards the AspX

Weird enough - i dont really mind the engine sound made by the AspX and i definitely dont mind the Phantom's engine sound.
But i sort of dislike the Phantom's boost sound. And the fact that Phantom can boost a lot, does not help with my dislike

And good point about the shields, i completely forgot to mention that in my previous post - but yes, AspX has pathetic shields which coupled to the incredible weak brakes means a lot of disasters for Explorers

The Phantom boost sound is... quirky to my ear. There are many other ships with a better boost sound, ASP X among them.
Complacency and losing focus, as all Elite explorers know, is when you lose your ship. Exploration is still dangerous. I lost the Phantom once back when it had a 3D shield generator because I landed on 5 low G moons in a row farming grade 5 raw materials on those planets with the crystals, then returning to the bubble decided to land on an interesting planet I found. To speed up the descent, I boosted pointing down at a 40 degree angle like I would on the moons... and then the ship wouldn't stop. It was a high G planet and I was tuned into low G moon landings.
Later I engineered a 5D shield generator with enhanced low power which also reduces weight plus low draw (so 3A grade 1 low emissions power plant is enough), combined with 3 x 0E shield boosters with grade 5 heavy duty plus supercapacitors. 662MJ of shields. This is the ship, at 70.48ly unladen, that also has over a light year jump range advantage over the nearest equivalent ASP X build. Also grade 5 heavy duty deep plate on the armour. If you fly 3/4 thrust 40 degree descent angle at the surface of Achenar 3, a 6G planet, this happens:

I don't think there is any way to get an ASP X to survive and impact like that. It means I will take the Phantom on a canyon run on some far flung planet I find - I wouldn't risk it in an ASP X.

 

[Gordon Freeman IV]

The Phantom boost sound is... quirky to my ear. There are many other ships with a better boost sound, ASP X among them.
Complacency and losing focus, as all Elite explorers know, is when you lose your ship. Exploration is still dangerous. I lost the Phantom once back when it had a 3D shield generator because I landed on 5 low G moons in a row farming grade 5 raw materials on those planets with the crystals, then returning to the bubble decided to land on an interesting planet I found. To speed up the descent, I boosted pointing down at a 40 degree angle like I would on the moons... and then the ship wouldn't stop. It was a high G planet and I was tuned into low G moon landings.
Later I engineered a 5D shield generator with enhanced low power which also reduces weight plus low draw (so 3A grade 1 low emissions power plant is enough), combined with 3 x 0E shield boosters with grade 5 heavy duty plus supercapacitors. 662MJ of shields. This is the ship, at 70.48ly unladen, that also has over a light year jump range advantage over the nearest equivalent ASP X build. Also grade 5 heavy duty deep plate on the armour. If you fly 3/4 thrust 40 degree descent angle at the surface of Achenar 3, a 6G planet, this happens:

I don't think there is any way to get an ASP X to survive and impact like that. It means I will take the Phantom on a canyon run on some far flung planet I find - I wouldn't risk it in an ASP X.

Yeah my point exactlty. I hope they open up planets up to .33 atm soon i wanna fly thru a storm cloud.

 

[Northpin]

I don't think there is any way to get an ASP X to survive and impact like that. It means I will take the Phantom on a canyon run on some far flung planet I find - I wouldn't risk it in an ASP X.

The AspX definitely cannot match that. That's clear.
At least not unless using 6D shields and losing a lot of utility in both Scooping speed and in jump range.

 

[CMDRQuainMarln]

The AspX definitely cannot match that. That's clear.
At least not unless using 6D shields and losing a lot of utility in both Scooping speed and in jump range.

Well I was too hasty. 665MJ from 3A prismatic and a mix of shield boosters is possible on an ASPX, but it looks like you're down to around 64ly jump range - not tweaked it fully.

 

[Maolagin]

If we're debating AspX vs Krait again, it's also worth bringing up landing footprints. In rugged terrain, it's a little bit easier to park an Asp.

Although if you're optimizing for landing on postage stamps on the sides of mountains, might as well go clear down to a DBX and get the full exploration helicopter experience.

 

[CMDRQuainMarln]

If we're debating AspX vs Krait again, it's also worth bringing up landing footprints. In rugged terrain, it's a little bit easier to park an Asp.

Although if you're optimizing for landing on postage stamps on the sides of mountains, might as well go clear down to a DBX and get the full exploration helicopter experience.

Yeah, I mentioned that. A lot of people say "DBX for visiting Guardian sites" due to easier landings, but I've managed to land an ASP X in the exact same spot a DBX can land on the edge of some Guardian sites. Phantom is hard to landin some sites, but there is one precise location on the edge of one site that works and you have to have the point defence mounted on the left side of the ship for it to work for you.
My commander that uses as Phantom, also has a DBX for in and around the bubble materials gathering, exploring and planet landings to make life a bit easier and because the DBX is a fun little explorer cursed with a fuel scoop that's too small for impatient explorers like me.

 

[Onkel Onkelson]

The answer of the AspX vs Phantom debate is very easy: Orca! Why bother with supercruise handling and canopy view when you have a fasten your seatbelt sound

 

[CMDRQuainMarln]

The answer of the AspX vs Phantom debate is very easy: Orca! Why bother with supercruise handling and canopy view when you have a fasten your seatbelt sound

I did Colonia to Explorers Anchorage and back passenger mission in the Orca I keep in Colonia. It's a good option for exploration ship with wonderful thruster and boost sounds. Jump range a bit below the usual suspects, but still very respectable.

 

[Simon Templar]

Hey! I’ve been playing Elite: Dangerous for a while, and I‘ve decided to start writing articles about my favourite aspects of the game! My first path into Elite was exploration. I had no idea what the hell I was doing. I decided to go exploring in a Dolphin of all things. Unengineered. I took it to Sagittarius A* and Colonia on my first trip. No, I don’t know how or why I did it, but I did. After being able to manage that, I consider myself a pretty well seasoned Explorer! I wrote a short article detailing my favourite exploration ships, and I’d love to hear your feedback on them. Are there any ships I left out? Any that are overrated? Let me know your thoughts!

I like the article, but with two area where I differ.

You have the Anaconda at #1, yet for me exploration should be about two things: fun, and a great view. For me, the view out from an Anaconda is among the worst in the game, and especially in a stripped down/D rated explorer build they're far from the most fun ships to fly.

My second difference is that you don't have the Keelback in your list! For me it is a fantastic smaller explorer. With engineering it jumps over 40ly, is very nimble, a hoot to fly, can land almost anywhere (often need to love the SRV if you want to visit Guardian ruins in an Anaconda!), and best of all can carry both an SRV bay AND a fighter hangar. My three favourite exploration ships are a Krait Phantom, an Asp Scout and the Keelback. The Keelback often wins as I can explore planet surfaces in both the SRV and the Trident fighter. Makes a big difference.

Love the article, though, nice work.

 

[Maolagin]

Yeah, I mentioned that. A lot of people say "DBX for visiting Guardian sites" due to easier landings, but I've managed to land an ASP X in the exact same spot a DBX can land on the edge of some Guardian sites. Phantom is hard to landin some sites, but there is one precise location on the edge of one site that works and you have to have the point defence mounted on the left side of the ship for it to work for you.
My commander that uses as Phantom, also has a DBX for in and around the bubble materials gathering, exploring and planet landings to make life a bit easier and because the DBX is a fun little explorer cursed with a fuel scoop that's too small for impatient explorers like me.

Guardian sites is sort of a special case though. They're actually what gives my Diamondback Scout a purpose in life! Mostly because, unlike the DBX, there isn't a central ventral hardpoint to get in the way of the cargo scoop when scraping artifacts off the ground.

 

[CMDRQuainMarln]

Guardian sites is sort of a special case though. They're actually what gives my Diamondback Scout a purpose in life! Mostly because, unlike the DBX, there isn't a central ventral hardpoint to get in the way of the cargo scoop when scraping artifacts off the ground.

Curious as to why you collect guardian artefacts - cannot be for the credits as they don't sell for much. Is it that you like role playing explorer / archaeologist or do they have some other use I have missed?
Edit: I've only just started playing Odysee today if there is an Odysee specific reason for collecting Guardian artefacts.

 

[Maolagin]

Curious as to why you collect guardian artefacts - cannot be for the credits as they don't sell for much. Is it that you like role playing explorer / archaeologist or do they have some other use I have missed?
Edit: I've only just started playing Odysee today if there is an Odysee specific reason for collecting Guardian artefacts.

Mostly role play - although they do a slow but steadily profitable custom when I stock them on my carrier market, so there is some level of demand there.

It's also possible to scoop Guardian materials that way, which is occasionally applicable too.

 

[Greasetrap42]

For deep space long term exploration I have used fully engineered AspX, DBX, and Cutter, ... And I prefer the Orca
- Phantom and Anaconda I didn't bother with. Cockpit view too obstructed, didn't seem appealing for long term travel.

Combination of excellent jump range, reasonable performance, module space, and travel comforts.
(Edit: Cost and engineering not considered factors. Irrelevent considering the time spent travelling)

Downside: The outside looks like a futuristic minivan.

 

[GTB]

ASP Explorer or Anaconda. I have both fully engineered and while Anaconda is better suited if you intend to stay in the black for a long time just exploring. For doing a run to places like Colonia or Beagle Point and back to the bubble - I'd pick the ASP Exp first to get their and back quicker.

I recently enginnered a Type-10 for exploration with 39 jump range Due to it having same more open cockpit view as an ASP X). Stripping weight and maxing thrusters out and still... it's just not a viable option to use if you want to use Neutron stars for jumps because of terrible slow turn rate in supercruise, same can be said for the Cutter really

 

[mikekim]

For me its a choice of three:

for shorter trips > 25kly

Imperial Courier

or

Cobra Mk III

for longer trips

Beluga

Took and Exloraconda to Beagle Point - never flown one since - they handle like a POS

 

[OrdinaryMan]

It's not about being better. It's about being able to fly with what you enjoy.

Hardly better supercruise handling, real space handling (comparatively to krait) and a slightly better view (u take screenshots in 3rd person anyway) does not make up for it still being objectively worse than phantom.

 

[Greasetrap42]

U know the krait phantom literally made the aspx obsolete. It has higher jump, better internals, is significantly faster similar handling. Why people still use aspx evades me.

Why someone would passionately debate this evades me.

Obviously the phantom did not "literally" make the AspX obsolete.

 

[Darrack]

So i have a problem

Im sitting out in OOCHORRS GY-D C14-0 waiting for Bob to fly past to get a picky and im thinking 'its been a few months since ive been away from the bubble'.
Ive been re-reading Premonition and ive never seen the Zurara sooooo i suddenly get itchy on the old Gal Map and see its only 11.5k LY away.
Normally its a no brainer, grab the Annie or my beloved Luga but instead i decide to take a smaller craft for a laugh.

Sitting dusty in one of the carrier hangers is what i can only describe as an ex girlfriend, she helped me when i first started by mining Painite to buy a Python (my stepping stone to the Annie) she helped me fend off those pesky sentinels whilst i gathered guardian stufz (©BottomHat) for all those exploration module goodies.
After that my head was turned by a more streamlined, sleeker looking, posher model and shes sat neglected with only the occasional one night stand ever since.

I lobbed in an AFMU and set off in what is still essentially just an armed materials gatherer.
Why Why Why did i dump her?
She has been a joy to fly out here and will get a full upgrade when im back at the carrier, i was going to take the Luga out to SPHIESI next month, ive changed my mind.

Spoiler: Baby Come Back

O7

 

[Northpin]

Im sitting out in OOCHORRS GY-D C14-0 waiting for Bob to fly past to get a picky

Dont do that.
Bob was never heading to GY-D C14, it went to HD 38291, it passed it last night, and now it's like 25% towards Oochorrs JE-C c15-0

 

[Darrack]

Dont do that.
Bob was never heading to GY-D C14, it went to HD 38291, it passed it last night, and now it's like 25% towards Oochorrs JE-C c15-0

Yeah i parked the carrier there as it had a few nice rings to mine, watched Bob go by in C13-0, then got bored, hence the trek out here

O7