Best VR bridge/canopy?

[StiTch]

See title.

[gratuitous prelude]
CMDR StiTch! has been blitzing ships ad nauseum for some time now. When 2.3 drops, said CMDR is going to eschew the immediate re-engineering required to remain fully competitive and instead try his hand at exploring properly.

My hope is that I'll actually enjoy the sights while not stuck on reaching a particular destination in good time.

I guess one could liken it to me "going outside", and "being some time". I suspect in the same way I'll be committing to an act of self-sacrifice fairly early on, but that's to be seen...
[/gratuitous prelude]

So I was going to take my cutter, for as an explorer it looks fit in screenshots, can bring a SLF and good luck killing it when it gets back to bubble.

But on seeing the T9 bridge/canopy, which is basically sticking you in the surrounding void in a glass bubble, I was interested to know in VR what the most impressive views are. The iCutter brings the very pinnacle of panoramas, but it feels like you're behind a screen.

Minus points for suggesting the Asp, and I'm already in love with the DBX - I would just rather something with ample internals.

 

[DLewth]

If you're not in a rush to get to Sag A or BP, consider a CourierX build. Range is bit naff but the view isn't bad...

 

[StiTch]

If you're not in a rush to get to Sag A or BP, consider a CourierX build. Range is bit naff but the view isn't bad...

Heh, my lovechild. I always consider the iCourier <3

Alas, it's not got the space for what I would prefer to be a fully self-sustaining vessel with bells and whistles. I could be dragged away for a truly exceptional canopy but the iCourier's is beautiful yet narrow.

What drew me to the T9 is the openness of the canopy. You don't get a feel for it until you see it in VR and there's a full expanse of "oooh" either side. Bit like a glorified Asp bridge, but without having to deal with the Asp bit.

 

[DLewth]

Well for best view I think the T9, DBX and AspX have you covered. I chucked in the Courier because it's not a bad view and immense fun to fly: If I ever get around to stuffing an AMFU in mine I might leave the Asp at home and take it for a nice long spin...

FWIW, last year's DW chalked up the following at BP:

Anaconda - 137
Asp Explorer - 261
Cobra Mk III - 3
Cobra Mk IV - 1
Diamondback Explorer - 13
Federal Corvette - 1
Federal Dropship - 1
Hauler - 1
Imperial Clipper - 8
Imperial Courier - 2
Imperial Cutter - 3
Imperial Eagle - 1
Keelback - 1
Python - 8
Sidewinder - 1
Type 6 - 3
Type 7 - 1
Type 9 - 1
Viper Mk IV - 1

Yes, it made my head hurt too. I think the moral is, almost any ship can be a deep spacer if you're mad enough.

 

[Alec Turner]

The T6 makes for a terrific (and cheap) VR explorer actually (just been out to North American nebula in one). It's got an incredibly high glass canopy (possibly the same as T7/9, can't say as I haven't tried) and also has nice angled glass panels in the floor either side of you which are great for gazing down at sights (e.g. stars) while lying on the floor of your play area.

 

[Chaz]

Yeah, the T6 cockpit really puts you "out there". Tis very cool indeed. Probably the best all round view of any cockpit in VR I think. The Keelback cockpit is essentially the same of course.