It's a long time since I've used one, and I can't fit one to my Python, so I'm thinking about a T8. The question is how many collectors does it manage when you're using it for prospectors too. If you have 8 collectors out and you fire a prospector, what happens? Does a collector expire? Likewise, what happens when you fire a second prospector? What happens if you have a repair limpet out as well? In other words, how does all that work?
7A Multi-limpet Controller
- Thread starter Hugh Jardon
- Start date
If you have the full capacity of limpets deployed one must be destroyed before you can deploy another.
IMO multi-limpet controllers are best used for builds where you are not sure what you will want so carry everything, or (for the smaller ones) as collector controllers with 4 limpets instead of a 5A's 3 limpets.
All my mining ships have a small multi-limpet controller to get that extra collector deployed. Those ships also have a dedicated prospector controller even though the multi-limper controller offers one too (that I don't use).
IMO multi-limpet controllers are best used for builds where you are not sure what you will want so carry everything, or (for the smaller ones) as collector controllers with 4 limpets instead of a 5A's 3 limpets.
All my mining ships have a small multi-limpet controller to get that extra collector deployed. Those ships also have a dedicated prospector controller even though the multi-limper controller offers one too (that I don't use).
IIRC collectors can replace Prospectors but not the other way around. So if you've got 8 collectors out, you need to ECM the existing ones to fire off any prospectors.
It does work, but it can be a pretty hefty sacrifice on cargo space. For contrast, a 5A collector controller gives you 1 limpet per 10.6 cargo, while the 7A universal gives you 1 limpet per 16 cargo, and a 3B Mining Controller gives you 1 limpet per 2 cargo.
It does work, but it can be a pretty hefty sacrifice on cargo space. For contrast, a 5A collector controller gives you 1 limpet per 10.6 cargo, while the 7A universal gives you 1 limpet per 16 cargo, and a 3B Mining Controller gives you 1 limpet per 2 cargo.
That's good, because the size 3 mining multi limpet controllers are not A-rated. Using an A-rated prospector literally gets you more fragments out of the rock.
Do collectors from the mining controller enjoy that whopping 5km range listed by the module specs, or is that only for the prospectors?
If so it's another reason to get the multi module
If so it's another reason to get the multi module
The 5 km range is only for the prospectors. Collectors have a shorter range similar to the regular collector controllers, but the multi-limpet controller module does unfortunately not specify this IIRC.
This. The size 7 Collectors only have 4 limpets, while the size 7 Multis have 8.
I then have a 3a Prospector limpet fitted for the prospecting, and actually another 5B Collector to hit the right pace.
The number of limpets using the 7a Multi can't be beat for a mining build that values speed over maximum cargo volume. Where it falls down compared to the dedicated size 7 Collectors is range, which could be a better fit for collecting things at Thargoid Graveyards. Coriolis says the 7b goes out to 2.38km.
Yes but if spotted - attacked its boost, heatsink then its repair / decontaminate and carry on collecting all on the one controller.
The problem with longer range limpets is that they will leave your ship earlier and if you are flying faster than the limpet they take longer to get to the target than you do, slow enough for you to scoop before they get there
Good discussion, but it hasn't solved my lack of understanding. Maybe the answer is there, but my lack of comprehension is preventing me from getting it.
1. Let's make it simple. I have only the 7a multi-limpet controller. I start my mining session and fire off two prospectors. The second rock is mineable, so I start mining. How many collectors will come out? Is it 6 or 8? Can anybody answer that simple question?
2. I'm thinking that sometimes I have to send out 8 prospectors before I find a suitable rock. If the 7A multi-limpet controller can control 8 limpets, I'm guessing that all 8 prospectors are still sitting on rocks. When I start mining, do I still get collectors? Logically, the answer must be yes, otherwise it would be useless as a multi-limpet controller. I'm just looking for confirmation from somebody who uses it. If it can handle 8 prospectors and 8 collectors and a repair limpet simultaneously, it's going to be quite useful.
1. Let's make it simple. I have only the 7a multi-limpet controller. I start my mining session and fire off two prospectors. The second rock is mineable, so I start mining. How many collectors will come out? Is it 6 or 8? Can anybody answer that simple question?
2. I'm thinking that sometimes I have to send out 8 prospectors before I find a suitable rock. If the 7A multi-limpet controller can control 8 limpets, I'm guessing that all 8 prospectors are still sitting on rocks. When I start mining, do I still get collectors? Logically, the answer must be yes, otherwise it would be useless as a multi-limpet controller. I'm just looking for confirmation from somebody who uses it. If it can handle 8 prospectors and 8 collectors and a repair limpet simultaneously, it's going to be quite useful.
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6. Best to use a separate prospector if possible. Or you can use an ECM to kill the prospectors freeing up a slot, then fire another prospector, then fire 7 collectors.
Yes, thanks, but that doesn't answer either question.
You asked how many collectors will come out and the answer is still 6. If you want to free up limpet slots you have to turn the module off and on again, or kill the limpets with ECM.
You can test this in the game really easily & quickly find out.
The module controls a maximum number of limpets of any kind so what happens is you fire a prospector & can use 7 collectors, then you finish that rock & can't fire another prospector until one of your collector limpets has expired. You eventually end up with 8 prospectors & no collectors.
So for mining by all means take advantage of the extra collectors per module but use of a separate prospector controller is recommended.
Just try it & see if it works well enough for whatever you want to to do.
Thanks. That's what I was looking for. It's not so useful then for mining except on a ship with the right slots, which is only the T9.
The screams started in Dec 2021 when they found out that you could not expire a prospector limpet by firing another prospector as you could with a dedicated prospector controller, techniques were tried such as moving beyond the prospector range to destroy a prospector limpet and deliberately hitting asteroids in a manner that would destroy a collector or two so that it was possible to fire another prospector, the specs on the mining and multi controllers have not been changed since then.
The easiest way around this problem was to fit a prospector controller and say thank you for the extra collectors that these controllers gave us
The easiest way around this problem was to fit a prospector controller and say thank you for the extra collectors that these controllers gave us
Stick with a dedicated A rated prospector for the increase in yield from the rock. There is no reason to mess about with ECM or any other method of killing a prospector from the universal controller.
Thanks. That's made it clear. It's what I suspected. I've never used one, except a long time ago when I didn't know what I was doing. I always use either a Cutter or Python for mining, and it was never suitable for either, so it left a gap in my knowledge.The screams started in Dec 2021 when they found out that you could not expire a prospector limpet by firing another prospector as you could with a dedicated prospector controller, techniques were tried such as moving beyond the prospector range to destroy a prospector limpet and deliberately hitting asteroids in a manner that would destroy a collector or two so that it was possible to fire another prospector, the specs on the mining and multi controllers have not been changed since then.
The easiest way around this problem was to fit a prospector controller and say thank you for the extra collectors that these controllers gave us
I was trying to figure out whether a T8 would be better with or without one. It comes down to 4 extra bins in the refinery with it or one extra collector without it. Personally, I'd go for the extra collector. There is the option to go shieldless with the 7A, but it's a lot of messing about to get a repair limpet out because you'd need to get away from all the other limpets first. Anyway, it's academic because the Python trounces both of them.