Good advice, thanks!
Cobra III for exploring ?
- Thread starter Kaprylo
- Start date
Good advice, thanks!
Moons are often worth little, usually of the rocky or icy type. But I already had metal rich moons (actually 5 on a single one!) and also rocky but terraformable moons. so I tend to scan the moons of the first planets anyway, or when closing in for the detailed scan brings me so close that I am in range for the planets anyway.
I just done some exploring my self. Best advice i can give you is to get an Eagle instead. It's much cheaper and you have a lot better view with it (i took full screen shots without the cockpit getting in the way).
It will cost you only around 2.6mil total with 3B fuel scoop, and an advanced discovery scanner. Oh and you get around 20ly out of her
See for yourself: http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=30L,5QH4ws4wt0mI,2-3m5K4s2C3m3I3c,4zW7O22UI
To explore well you need to invest almost 2 million credits. Unfortunately it will take a long time, of rather boring scanning before you even come close to breaking even on that investment. At first you try to scan everything, but after spending ages and finding dwarf stars and 12 icy/rock planets and getting maybe 4k credits you start getting more picky. Some systems will pay 40-50k, but those seem rare, at least in a cobra, staying along you normal trade routes.
Perhaps when you start get to the really out edges of space it might get better, but you won't get there in a cobra.
Perhaps when you start get to the really out edges of space it might get better, but you won't get there in a cobra.
Cobra is a great all-rounder, so no worries there. But if you want to explore on the side when you want to mix it up and keep your regular ship. Why not fit out a Hauler?
I run a Hauler as a low cost explorer - I've milked a 30 LY jump range out of the thing, you can get a Class 3 Fuel scoop in there (Fast lazy refuels) and it runs on the smell of Hydrogen vapor.
And if I drive it into a sun I'm only 40k out of pocket.
I run a Hauler as a low cost explorer - I've milked a 30 LY jump range out of the thing, you can get a Class 3 Fuel scoop in there (Fast lazy refuels) and it runs on the smell of Hydrogen vapor.
And if I drive it into a sun I'm only 40k out of pocket.
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That is pretty much how I setup my ship, I was very suprised how well it turned out.
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Exactly, small ships with extremely low cost of fuel and maintance are the best option for a new explorer to try a 1000+ ly trip and back, although i dont personally approve the Hauler since it overheats easily it still makes a fine choise, i would avoid Eagle since it degrades very fast and the Sidewinder for the lack of slots, Hauler and my personal favorite small ship, the Adder, are the best small ships currently in game that can do decent exploration.
I've used a Cobra, a type 6, and currently an Asp.
And I tried an adder...
As all the others have noted, get the best fsd you can, buy the lightest modules otherwise and seriously consider removing shields and weapons.
The Adder is good, has a great range, but it also has a small fuel tank. I've had a couple of 4x20ly jumps in the Asp without finding a suitable refuelling stop -the adder and hauler would by out of fuel at that stage, and the cobra getting a bit desperate!
Buy the biggest fuel scoop you can fit - my Asp has a 6D - empty to full (32t) in about 60 seconds of scooping, that reduces the need to fly too low and end up with heat damage.
Obviously, I like the asp for exploring, but the others are all acceptable. Budget version is the Adder, surprise contender is the type 6.
Colin
And I tried an adder...
As all the others have noted, get the best fsd you can, buy the lightest modules otherwise and seriously consider removing shields and weapons.
The Adder is good, has a great range, but it also has a small fuel tank. I've had a couple of 4x20ly jumps in the Asp without finding a suitable refuelling stop -the adder and hauler would by out of fuel at that stage, and the cobra getting a bit desperate!
Buy the biggest fuel scoop you can fit - my Asp has a 6D - empty to full (32t) in about 60 seconds of scooping, that reduces the need to fly too low and end up with heat damage.
Obviously, I like the asp for exploring, but the others are all acceptable. Budget version is the Adder, surprise contender is the type 6.
Colin
I was exploring in the asp and to be honest it's wasted on 90% of the galaxy! Stick route planning to eco and you'll never need the extra range except at the extremities of space.
Next time I go out I'll be parking the asp and buying a cobra!
The asp may get used if I ever try for the outermost systems, but as I just use exploring for a change of pace; the cobra will do everything I need on that front
i'm not the best explorer, but on paper, i'd say that 18 Ly Jump and 4 max Jump without scooping fuel is good enough for exploration
why 4 max jump without refill fuel ? because that way you can do 2 jumps and if the stars can't be scooped then you can go back and find another way, sound stupid but it can happen
and of course, a Cobra is a very good explorer, you can expect between 19 and 22 jump range, and with 16T fuel tank you can do approximately 8 max range jump before it's empty, very safe
why 4 max jump without refill fuel ? because that way you can do 2 jumps and if the stars can't be scooped then you can go back and find another way, sound stupid but it can happen
and of course, a Cobra is a very good explorer, you can expect between 19 and 22 jump range, and with 16T fuel tank you can do approximately 8 max range jump before it's empty, very safe
I like the Type 6 tbh. Has like a dome on the front so you can see out of your ship alot more than the cobra. Also has a bigger range fitted properly. Obviously the only downside is its useless in a fight but its plenty fast enough to outrun things. Think i spent around 4.5mil on mine.
You can stay out for a long time in an Asp, it can carry two or three self repair systems on top of all the other stuff you'd want, its not it's long jump range people should focus on with this ship, it's the fact it has a long jump range and lots of internal bays so it has the endurance to visit and map a lot of systems before you have to return because of any damage it can also carry a really big fuel scoop which means it doesn't spend more time filling up than travelling.
i had about 25million credits in mine though so it's not cheap to buy or use.
I was thinking about the range thing after I posted, to go any real distance the asp is the better ship without doubt.
But not cheap thats for sure - mines full grade A, and it certainly made a dent in the wallet!
I'm only ever dipping my toe in exploring at the moment though: so taking the cobra means I can park the flying money pit and not risk losing it all while asleep at the wheel
I'm trying to stay away from exploring and mining until they've had some love from FD.
If they ever get round to it I'll definitely be refitting the asp for some deep space exploration though