Anaconda exploration loadout

Cmdr Wullfen · Oct 16, 2015

I don't own one yet but this is my concept

http://coriolis.io/outfit/anaconda/...202023hf6f6f6f5044df4F12i2f.Iw18ZlA=.Aw18ZlA=

No not that, that's a fuel tanker

Can't seem to insert this other link...

Over 1000 ly of fuel at full weight. Proper star traveller

Iain L · Oct 16, 2015

I notice nobody's filling the odd bit of space with a small cargo bay. Any reason why not? They take up nothing while they're empty, and since 1.4 dropped I noticed a surprising number of small signals out there with scan data crates to avail yourself of. At around 100k each, they're better value than a lot of scans you could be spending the same amount of time on, so you might as well. Of course, it then means you're carrying illicit cargo, which could slightly complicate your docking in an Anaconda that can't cash in at the first outpost on the way back; does that make a difference? I'm not flying anything that big.

goemon · Oct 16, 2015

Iain L said:
I notice nobody's filling the odd bit of space with a small cargo bay. Any reason why not? They take up nothing while they're empty, and since 1.4 dropped I noticed a surprising number of small signals out there with scan data crates to avail yourself of. At around 100k each, they're better value than a lot of scans you could be spending the same amount of time on, so you might as well. Of course, it then means you're carrying illicit cargo, which could slightly complicate your docking in an Anaconda that can't cash in at the first outpost on the way back; does that make a difference? I'm not flying anything that big.

i run cargo racks on all my exploration ships (because - imagine you run over an unknown artifact and you have no cargo rack. happened to someone!). the only "regular" salvage which would be worth taking with you might be an "large data survey" (sells for 140 k), which i happily take when i'm short range exploring (in my dbs, dbe, Asp). but an anaconda with "exploration thrusters" - no change to get it through the slot fast enough. but yes, fit cargo racks! at least one! i even have a 1D collector limpet controller on my anaconda (0,5 T). you never know, if you find something out there.

Iain L · Oct 16, 2015

"Large data survey" - that's the phrase I was looking for; thanks. I found a bunch of them on the survey jaunt I went on last week; netted a fair proportion of my earnings that way, as I only barely made it out of the range of stuff people had scanned before, then turned round and headed back to claim dibs before someone else did.

Maxulic · Dec 2, 2015

I just returned from my first exploration trip last week to be ready for the beta of Horizons. I did this trip with an Asp.

Since I didn't get to use my Anaconda that I bought not long ago before leaving civilization, I was thinking in using it for my next exploration trip once Horizon drops. So I am using the current beta to check out its performance and I am not so sure anymore about leaving with my Anaconda. It has the same jump range than my Asp, about 35 LY, but a single ~30LY jump easily drains 1/4 of the fuel tank... that wasn't an issue because I was using it for trade runs so it's not like I really needed to go over 100LY, it was just reducing a trip to 2 jumps for any distance >35 LY.

What I like with my Asp is that not only it has a nice jump range but I can safely make several jumps before worrying about refilling. It really puts you to rest when navigating areas with lots of unscoopable stars since you only have to make sure you can scoop every 6 stops or so just to feel safe. I would go nuts if I had to check that every couple of stops I am be able to scoop fuel. Someone said on Page 1 to add a second fuel tank, is that even possible?? Where does it go?

Alex Brentnall · Dec 2, 2015

Maxulic said:
I just returned from my first exploration trip last week to be ready for the beta of Horizons. I did this trip with an Asp.

Since I didn't get to use my Anaconda that I bought not long ago before leaving civilization, I was thinking in using it for my next exploration trip once Horizon drops. So I am using the current beta to check out its performance and I am not so sure anymore about leaving with my Anaconda. It has the same jump range than my Asp, about 35 LY, but a single ~30LY jump easily drains 1/4 of the fuel tank... that wasn't an issue because I was using it for trade runs so it's not like I really needed to go over 100LY, it was just reducing a trip to 2 jumps for any distance >35 LY.

What I like with my Asp is that not only it has a nice jump range but I can safely make several jumps before worrying about refilling. It really puts you to rest when navigating areas with lots of unscoopable stars since you only have to make sure you can scoop every 6 stops or so just to feel safe. I would go nuts if I had to check that every couple of stops I am be able to scoop fuel. Someone said on Page 1 to add a second fuel tank, is that even possible?? Where does it go?

Stick a fuel tank in it?
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=706,mpa0Wg0Wg,2-7_B69Y8SBaD88I,53cmpU7UI0Nm0Nm5GQ0725fa2jw2UI

This is my Horizons build for long term exploring (hence 2 heat sinks).
Capable of landing on high G worlds with 6A shields and 7A thrusters, still need to be careful on anything over 3-4G but it should handle anything less fine.
Those 2x empty class 6 slots are for SRV's (8 in total).
Cargo and limpets for refuelling and/or SRV salvage but I doubt I'll be doing much of that, mostly SRV's for the pictures and fun on interesting worlds/systems.

Obviously jump range does drop to 28.86Ly but with 64T of fuel you can go for 8 jumps without a top-up. Lowering distributor to 1D will push you into the 30Ly range but to get above you need to lower the shield or thrusters and that will add risk for landing on high G worlds. Ok for short-mid range trips but if you are planning to be out exploring for months like I am then it's not something you want...

Hope this helps

Maxulic · Dec 3, 2015

Alex Brentnall said:
Stick a fuel tank in it?...

Well I had no idea you could use the internal compartment for extra fuel tanks, thanks... So I did add a second 32 tank and while I lost between 1.5-2 LY, once I upgraded the fuel scoop that made the experience close enough to the Asp.

But I guess I'll stick to my Asp for that long exploration trip. It was still a nice chance to experiment at a low cost.

shadragon · Dec 3, 2015

Are you exploring or mining? If exploration is your thing, you need to ditch as much weight as possible.

Try this out:

http://coriolis.io/outfit/anaconda/...5UO5ds5SkA==.CwBjIZgJhK6gjAsTzmfGCqiA?bn=Anna

Removed weapons, cargo bay, refinery, etc. Changed a few internals and dropped the extra fuel to save weight (And give you an additional 3LY jump range).

Cargo weighs you down. The more cargo you have, the heavier you are and the shorter your jumps. Alien artifacts are corrosive and will burn through your cargo hatch well before you get them back to core space.

Ian Skippy · Dec 3, 2015

IMHO an explorer should be prepared for any situation, as you're going into the unknown. Thats why my explorer conda has a full weapon loadout, a SCB and some boosters. You only need one AFMU though, as you can replenish the ammo using the SRV. Id go for a A-rated powerplant (7A would work here) as they are better at keeping heat down, your number one threat in deep-space. As you are unlikely to find that much cargo I'd replace one of the racks with an aux fuel tank. Your ship is quite light, so you can drop your thrusters a full level (at 6D you are still below optimal weight!).

Archimedes Crew · Dec 3, 2015

Like the OP I am currently exploring in an Anaconda while waiting for Horizons. I have something close to Shadragon's loadout (a few posts above) but I have an A4 powerplant so I can turn on and run AFM units without too much power management.

You really don't want extra fuel tanks in normal starfields. The lighter you are the faster you can travel through uninteresting regions of space (or to zip back home when you get tired of the loneliness). With an A7 fuel scoop say, you can top up fuel in a few seconds.

We will probably want an armoured build once aliens start appearing but not right now. I even heard that it was best to have shields off for cooler running which is what I do. With Horizons I would probably get C4 bi-waeve shields so they come on quicker in an emergeny, but, apart from a hangar for an SRV, this is the optimum build for exploration in Horizons too imho (until aliens come along).