I'll agree with that. I wish we had more choices for good exploration ships other than the Asp Explorer and the Anaconda. If I could just put the guts of my Asp into the body of a Diamondback Explorer I'd be super happy.
Anaconda vs Asp Explorer for Exploration
- Thread starter nanite2000
- Start date
I'll agree with that. I wish we had more choices for good exploration ships other than the Asp Explorer and the Anaconda. If I could just put the guts of my Asp into the body of a Diamondback Explorer I'd be super happy.
The DBX is my baby, and since I rerolled my CMDR I've been flying nothing else, but the internals do hurt. I did read, somewhere, rumours that she'll be getting and extra 2-slot internal which, if true, would be amazing. I'm hoping for that more than I'm hoping for Thargoids. :L
Red nailed it on this one.
I am proud to have completed 50KLY+ in my shieldless AspX (pre 2.0) at around 30KLY per jump, and I never thought it looked bland in any of my screenshots--but of course that might have been the gold paint job blinding me to the fact : ) The view out front was what really mattered and the speed at which my thoughts in the cockpits become actions by my craft.
That said, she is now the survey craft where my Anaconda has become the expeditionary base of operations for more detailed exploration. Having a mining laser, shield, SRV, SLF, prospector, collector, refinery, and all the scanners with cargo to boot and 50+ LYR jump-range means I am my own floating Island in my mind out here in the black : )
Does Annie handle like the AspX--no way--but given the size of the craft from my cockpit I expect her to handle like a barge and I enjoy the drift I suppose. Plus the SLF on board means I can do some canyon runs to get my speed on...once I find a suitable planet around Beagle Point. ; )
I am proud to have completed 50KLY+ in my shieldless AspX (pre 2.0) at around 30KLY per jump, and I never thought it looked bland in any of my screenshots--but of course that might have been the gold paint job blinding me to the fact : ) The view out front was what really mattered and the speed at which my thoughts in the cockpits become actions by my craft.
That said, she is now the survey craft where my Anaconda has become the expeditionary base of operations for more detailed exploration. Having a mining laser, shield, SRV, SLF, prospector, collector, refinery, and all the scanners with cargo to boot and 50+ LYR jump-range means I am my own floating Island in my mind out here in the black : )
Does Annie handle like the AspX--no way--but given the size of the craft from my cockpit I expect her to handle like a barge and I enjoy the drift I suppose. Plus the SLF on board means I can do some canyon runs to get my speed on...once I find a suitable planet around Beagle Point. ; )
I've flown an Asp Explorer for 90% of the past two years, taking her all over the galaxy. Then, I bought my first Anaconda a month ago and I've been putting her through the exploration paces ever since, getting a feel for the ship in various situations. And my conclusion is this:
I love the Anaconda's extra jump range and quicker fuel scoop, and it's ability to carry a fighter, but I HATE flying this frackin ship!!!!!! [mad]
I mean, I literally hate flying it. Even after a month I still scrape paint off the hull flying through the slot. I can't see below that huge nose out front, so planetary exploration and landings feel uncomfortable. The beast turns like a slug in molasses in the cold wintertime in supercruise. I often have a hard time finding a spot to land the ship on any kind of terrain that isn't perfectly flat.
By comparison, in my Asp I can see everywhere, situational awareness is superb. The Asp turns like a nimble sprite, it can land on practically any kind of terrain. Sure it can't carry a fighter but who needs one, the Asp itself is nimble enough. It boosts faster across planet surfaces, it handles heavy gravity better, she can land on outposts, I can zip out of the slot like an Eagle.
For myself, part of why I play Elite is for fun, and I just don't have fun flying the Anaconda. I have a blast flying my Asp. I've pretty much decided that my Anaconda will be relegated to long range passenger missions and bubble trading. For me it's just not worth flying into deep space for exploration. I frown when I fly the Anaconda, I smile when I fly the Asp.
So IMHO no the Anaconda's not worth it over the Asp. I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but they are allowed to, this is my opinion!
Excellent summaries of pros and cons.
It's strange but because the Asp is so utterly hideous I can't bring myself to fly it. Yes the Anaconda is a bit ponderous in SC but I just love the sense of occasion I get from flying it.
Oh and the jump range, module capacity etc.
Oh and the jump range, module capacity etc.
I've flown an Asp Explorer for 90% of the past two years, taking her all over the galaxy. Then, I bought my first Anaconda a month ago and I've been putting her through the exploration paces ever since, getting a feel for the ship in various situations. And my conclusion is this:
I love the Anaconda's extra jump range and quicker fuel scoop, and it's ability to carry a fighter, but I HATE flying this frackin ship!!!!!! [mad]
I mean, I literally hate flying it. Even after a month I still scrape paint off the hull flying through the slot. I can't see below that huge nose out front, so planetary exploration and landings feel uncomfortable. The beast turns like a slug in molasses in the cold wintertime in supercruise. I often have a hard time finding a spot to land the ship on any kind of terrain that isn't perfectly flat.
By comparison, in my Asp I can see everywhere, situational awareness is superb. The Asp turns like a nimble sprite, it can land on practically any kind of terrain. Sure it can't carry a fighter but who needs one, the Asp itself is nimble enough. It boosts faster across planet surfaces, it handles heavy gravity better, she can land on outposts, I can zip out of the slot like an Eagle.
For myself, part of why I play Elite is for fun, and I just don't have fun flying the Anaconda. I have a blast flying my Asp. I've pretty much decided that my Anaconda will be relegated to long range passenger missions and bubble trading. For me it's just not worth flying into deep space for exploration. I frown when I fly the Anaconda, I smile when I fly the Asp.
So IMHO no the Anaconda's not worth it over the Asp. I know a lot of people will disagree with me, but they are allowed to, this is my opinion!
This!
Been all over the Galaxy in an Asp and recently bought an Anaconda. I have been using it for a while and am even heading back to the core in it. I hate it and wish I had bought the Asp instead. It is ugly to fly.
The one thing I will give the Annie though is it can have a fighter which is fun to fly around.
While this is true, the Anaconda also has to refuel far more often, as its fuel tank last for less jumps than the AspX. I think it ends up balancing themselves up.
I think what really makes the difference in the end is that the AspX has much better view and is much more pleasurable to fly in supercruise, while the Anaconda can take a fighter bay. Whatever is most important to each player between these things is what really makes the difference. And, of course, personal preference.
IRL Asp Vs Anaconda (with SLF) exploring.
I've done a lot of exploring in both.
Good thing about the conda is the extra compartments, fighter bay, +10% jump range and smaller effect on jump range of carrying extra gear.
But the SC handling is what makes me choose the asp unless one of the above becomes significant e.g. hauling stuff to Jaques.
Regarding the fighter bay, I'm not sure how much I would trust an NPC with the mothership loaded up with loads of exploration data anywhere near a planet surface. The one time I experimented with this my NPC pilot kept clipping the ground...
If jump range is not a big thing to you there are lots of other ships to consider e.g. clipper, cobra mk4, vulture all ships I've explored in and enjoyed.
Good thing about the conda is the extra compartments, fighter bay, +10% jump range and smaller effect on jump range of carrying extra gear.
But the SC handling is what makes me choose the asp unless one of the above becomes significant e.g. hauling stuff to Jaques.
Regarding the fighter bay, I'm not sure how much I would trust an NPC with the mothership loaded up with loads of exploration data anywhere near a planet surface. The one time I experimented with this my NPC pilot kept clipping the ground...
If jump range is not a big thing to you there are lots of other ships to consider e.g. clipper, cobra mk4, vulture all ships I've explored in and enjoyed.
I gone through the stages of both ships as a dedicated Explorer and the Anaconda was what i used for over a year. The ship i have converted to an Explorer now is the Corvette and i have been out exploring in it nearly 2 months and stand at 41,462ly away from SOL, Possibly the first commander to go the furthest in a corvette from SOL and i am still heading out.
After weeks of engineering it to the best lvl FSD Jumps and doing the same to most the other mods, i get 20ly jumps with the set up below. Obviously looking at the list, if i wanted, i can get far bigger jumps if i stripped the corvette down to light travel, but time and jump distance is irrelevant to me, as i explore.
I dip below the plain every few days around -1100 ly, were i meet Neutron star fields 80% of the time on the outer edge of Galaxy, which gets me 79+Ly jumps every refuel.
My Explorer Corvette setup
Majority of mods are Engineered to lvl 5 and were tweaked for weeks to get the best setup.
x8 Shield Boosters [0A]
Power plant [8A]
Thrusters [7A]
Frame shift drive [6A]
Power distributor [8A]
Prismatic Shield Generator [7A]
Fuel Scoop [7A]
Military Grade Composite
Fighter Hangar
x2 SRVS
After weeks of engineering it to the best lvl FSD Jumps and doing the same to most the other mods, i get 20ly jumps with the set up below. Obviously looking at the list, if i wanted, i can get far bigger jumps if i stripped the corvette down to light travel, but time and jump distance is irrelevant to me, as i explore.
I dip below the plain every few days around -1100 ly, were i meet Neutron star fields 80% of the time on the outer edge of Galaxy, which gets me 79+Ly jumps every refuel.
My Explorer Corvette setup
Majority of mods are Engineered to lvl 5 and were tweaked for weeks to get the best setup.
x8 Shield Boosters [0A]
Power plant [8A]
Thrusters [7A]
Frame shift drive [6A]
Power distributor [8A]
Prismatic Shield Generator [7A]
Fuel Scoop [7A]
Military Grade Composite
Fighter Hangar
x2 SRVS
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I've explored with both the annie and the asp. I would say I prefer the Asp, simply because of the view from the cockpit, and a little bit because of the better handling in supercruise. The big nose of the anaconda will always block a large part of your view, and the views are what makes an exploration trip. I've never had the need to fly in a fighter when out there in the black. An srv is nice to have though, to get some screenshots from a nice view on a planet. An asp is more nimble than the anaconda when it comes to planetary flight, so you might not have much need for a fighter anyways. And the fighter was not designed for planetary exploration, even though many people use it for that purpose. The fighter in my opinion is made for one thing: to have a disposable weapon platform that adds to the weaponry on your ship already, making it more effective in a fight.
After exploring in both, I'm kind of torn. I actually like the Asp, but without fighter hangar for some fast scouting and with engineers available, I'd prefer the Anaconda for some long-range exploration. What I'd really like would be a medium step inbetween, of course: A real explorer like the Asp (high jump range, lots of internals to cram exploration equipment in), but a little more nimble than the fat ships.
Having only two ships to choose between made me take the Imperial Cutter for exploration, just out of spite. (Well, the ship looks fine, too. ) Of course this was only possible thanks to engineers: I could not only make the Cutter's FSD jump range 31+ ly, I also engineered my drives to make the ship handle better.
Having only two ships to choose between made me take the Imperial Cutter for exploration, just out of spite. (Well, the ship looks fine, too.
) Of course this was only possible thanks to engineers: I could not only make the Cutter's FSD jump range 31+ ly, I also engineered my drives to make the ship handle better.SRVS Are essential for collecting materials to fix mods on ships, if you are unfortunate to get to near suns on refuelling, fixing Neutron fuelling damage, or come into hard on high gravity planets. Materials are needed for FSD Jumps when explorers explore below -1500ly to reach systems they couldn't reach using normal ship FSD jumps. SRVs are essential for explorers who are out in deep space for months.
Fighters are for fast surface exploring, you have to remember some of us are not out there just on day trips to admire the amazing views, the true explorer is looking to find what FD have already stated, there are many things out there to be discovered and without SRVs and fighters for quick surveys then you possibly are not out exploring for them, but just flying around on a few days/weeks jolly trip, flying in and out of systems only admiring the views of a few planets. That isn't exploring that's called sightseeing.
Cameras i use them all the time, i never take images from inside the ship of outside views, so big nose on ships is irrelevant and the majority of the great images that commanders take, are never taken from inside the ship, we all use cameras to take the best images from outside the ships.
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I took the Anaconda to Sag A*, and the Asp to other distant places. Keep in mind I don't do gimped exploration builds. I keep boostability, and strong thrusters and weapons and shields. Plus I equip the kitchen sink too. So the 'conda doesn't end up with much more range than the Asp, but it can hold more stuff, including big fuel tanks and a class 7 fuel scoop.
That was before RNGNRs. Now, a nicely equipped Asp can go much much further than a nicely equipped Anaconda. And the real space speed is also much better for the Asp - mine goes 460m/s. So I now use the Asp for exploring and running surface missions, and the Anaconda was mothballed - I have Corvette and Cutter for all Anaconda would do before.
That was before RNGNRs. Now, a nicely equipped Asp can go much much further than a nicely equipped Anaconda. And the real space speed is also much better for the Asp - mine goes 460m/s. So I now use the Asp for exploring and running surface missions, and the Anaconda was mothballed - I have Corvette and Cutter for all Anaconda would do before.
IMO it is largely a matter of personal preference.
Both are good, personally i prefer anaconda because for some reason i really like how big ships handle on planets.
Also, my next exploration trip will be, most likely, in beluga. Surprisingly good handling (in supercruise you can easily compare it to asp), still big ship feel, nice cockpit, around 35Ly jump range with 128T of fuel... the only downside is that it can only use 2 out of 3: usable fuel scoop, shield, fighters.
Both are good, personally i prefer anaconda because for some reason i really like how big ships handle on planets.
Also, my next exploration trip will be, most likely, in beluga. Surprisingly good handling (in supercruise you can easily compare it to asp), still big ship feel, nice cockpit, around 35Ly jump range with 128T of fuel... the only downside is that it can only use 2 out of 3: usable fuel scoop, shield, fighters.
Anaconda is definitely worth it for the jump range alone. But for me a fighter bay is essential for fast planetary scouting now. The conda is a pig in gravity, cutting loose in the fighter makes things more fun.
You build is ok, but you could probably reduce the power distributor if you don't mind losing boost.
You build is ok, but you could probably reduce the power distributor if you don't mind losing boost.
For 'cons' of the Anaconda, you missed 'handles like a cow in supercruise, which is where -as an explorer - one spends the vast majority of time' and 'can't see the ground'.
Pretty massive drawbacks, to my mind at least. I prefer the Asp.
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as others have said, it really depends what your aims are. both ships are great and have pros and cons.
If you have a destination and you want to get the fast - Annie
If you want to do lots of planetary landings - Asp
If you want to do other stuff; SLFs, mining, SRV base jumping - Annie
If you enjoy looking out of the windows - Asp
I notice both of your builds have, what I’d class as, a large fuel tank. in these times of map filtering they really aren't required. As you have sensibly fitted the best available fuel scoop I'd go with the smallest tank.
It's probably worth spending a little time getting those FSDs engineered as well. Both my Asp & Annie are pushing an extra 50% range. worth having a look at this FSD engineering guide from the illustrious CMDR dr. kaii here
which ever you go for i'd suggest a quick jaunt/test drive to get a feel for it before plunging off into the deep. I'm sure you'll enjoy you're final choice.
fly fast
CMDR <-lightspeed->
If you have a destination and you want to get the fast - Annie
If you want to do lots of planetary landings - Asp
If you want to do other stuff; SLFs, mining, SRV base jumping - Annie
If you enjoy looking out of the windows - Asp
I notice both of your builds have, what I’d class as, a large fuel tank. in these times of map filtering they really aren't required. As you have sensibly fitted the best available fuel scoop I'd go with the smallest tank.
It's probably worth spending a little time getting those FSDs engineered as well. Both my Asp & Annie are pushing an extra 50% range. worth having a look at this FSD engineering guide from the illustrious CMDR dr. kaii here
which ever you go for i'd suggest a quick jaunt/test drive to get a feel for it before plunging off into the deep. I'm sure you'll enjoy you're final choice.
fly fast
CMDR <-lightspeed->