Ships DBX vs Conda for exploring

[Vitamin Arrr]

So I have a Conda and I just rebought DBX since it now seems to have a longer max jump range after 2.3.

What's bothering me though is the DBX fuel scoop speed: it seems much slower. Is this a price you would be willing to pay in exchange for the faster turn rate in supercruise?

Seems like if you are going to scan most systems fully, DBX would save you time. But if you are going to jump all the way across the galaxy then the Anaconda would be preferable due to the faster fuel scoop.

I won't hear any talk of ASP because I must have the absolute longest jump range possible... which like I said is why I'm on this discussion.

I guess the only other thing wrong with DBX is that I'll just have only one AFMU, or no shield. :/ Gotta have a shield for landings, so, makes DBX seem even more like a ship that's good for exploration jaunts closer to home, but Conda is still the go-to for > 500 jumps trips.

Thoughts?

 

[Prorokpl]

I have Anaconda and DBX. Now my DBX has 55 ly jump range but! with new upgrades to Sensors (5 grade lightweight) now my Anaconda have 60,22 ly jump range and that's without life support upgrade. Fuel scoop was not changed you just have max of 4A class on DBX. Comperring to 6 or 7 class on Anaconda you can see difference. Still, DBX seems to be a very good option in exploration short-mid range however nothing is better than long range Anaconda imo. In just 3 days i made from Naitis to Sagittarius A* with 2 passanger cabins. With DBX that would be not possible.

Cheers

 

[Vitamin Arrr]

I have Anaconda and DBX. Now my DBX has 55 ly jump range but! with new upgrades to Sensors (5 grade lightweight) now my Anaconda have 60,22 ly jump range and that's without life support upgrade. Fuel scoop was not changed you just have max of 4A class on DBX. Comperring to 6 or 7 class on Anaconda you can see difference. Still, DBX seems to be a very good option in exploration short-mid range however nothing is better than long range Anaconda imo. In just 3 days i made from Naitis to Sagittarius A* with 2 passanger cabins. With DBX that would be not possible.

Cheers

Can you post a Coriolis link for your Conda? https://coriolis.edcd.io seems to have the latest info (the old coriolis.io site is out of date).

Also, have you tried the wide angle surface scanner? How wide is it..? Maybe that could make up for Conda's slow turn.

I'm still curious how the Conda can end up with more range than DBX. If you pit lightweight mods on all the DBX components, don't you end up better?

 

[Jazzy]

Not at my gaming pc atm, but my DBX I pulled out of Drydock and refitted/engineered her for exploring, She is sitting on 60.2(ish)LY jump range (Cant tell exactly atm til I get home and log in) it sure is a nice small explorer now and super cheap to setup.

I don't really need my X-plora Conda anymore, will have to find a new roll for it now....Cargo ship once more.

 

[GammaZ]

So, DBX i've built before now has 52/56 range... beautifull...
It is not minmaxed in terms of range at all, has A-grade thrusters, 4A powerplant, all utilities used, etc... and stays at 16% heat in supercruise and normal space without boosting. Can charge FSD and fuel scoop at the same time, which somewhat improves situation with scooping speed...
The only reason to use conda now is fuel scoop...

 

[Wedgetail]

Yeah kind of agree with you on the scooping. Both have the same internal fuel tank size (32t) but the annie can fit a size 7 scoop, whereas the dbx is limited to size 4

It only really hurts during transit, when i am doing max range jumps to get somewhere in a hurry, but once in survey mode where I am jumping <10ly between systems the problem goes away, and the tank just about refills as soon as you look at a scoopable star.

I am enjoying flying the dbx a heck of a lot more than my annie though

 

[Cdr Voorheez]

Got both. Explored in Conda since early 2016. Took her to BP and back. Good ship.
Explored seriously first in a DBE. Now she's upgraded I have a comparable Ly range to my Conda for 10% of the price.
Going to go for a long explore in my DBE and potentially use m Conda as a trader.

 

[Vitamin Arrr]

Update. The scoop on DBX is faster than it seemed at first. Probably OK for midrange trips.

Another good advantage of DBX is the thing can land pretty hard without popping the shields, and its momentum is a lot easier to arrest should you come in too hot. Conda is a LOT less forgiving for planetary landings... one mistake and you'll be lucky to be alive. With DBX, I would consider high G.

A new advantage of Conda tho is 4-bay SRV allows 3-man surface exploration via multicrew. I bet some Rock Rats will love to help CMDRs gather jumponium on an expedition. Could be pretty awesome especially if some new content for surfaces comes out.

So torn!

 

[CMDR Corlas]

A new advantage of Conda tho is 4-bay SRV allows 3-man surface exploration via multicrew. I bet some Rock Rats will love to help CMDRs gather jumponium on an expedition. Could be pretty awesome especially if some new content for surfaces comes out.

Are SRV's multicrew-able?

 

[SciTrekker]

Are SRV's multicrew-able?

No they're not

 

[JetsonRING]

Can you post a Coriolis link for your Conda? https://coriolis.edcd.io seems to have the latest info (the old coriolis.io site is out of date).

Also, have you tried the wide angle surface scanner? How wide is it..? Maybe that could make up for Conda's slow turn.

I'm still curious how the Conda can end up with more range than DBX. If you pit lightweight mods on all the DBX components, don't you end up better?

Compare hull mass of Anaconda to DBX.

 

[Prorokpl]

No one can use SRV in multicrew. Nor crew member, nor the Capitan. Which is imo couse we can use fighters, so why not SRV's?

 

[Vitamin Arrr]

So here's what I got my DBX to after a day of engineering: https://eddp.co/u/GgibHkkV

57.63 base jump with full fuel tank. That includes 2 heat sinks, 1 chaff, 1 SRV, 3D shields that are decent, max boost 373 m/s. I sacrificed half my fuel capacity to have higher base range so I don't have to mess around to get the faster routes.

If I go 2x SRV I could do 56.94 LY and be able to be a bit more adventurous till one SRV bites it: https://eddp.co/u/lr8ig3Ho

Now, an Anaconda with the exact same rolls on similar stuff (https://eddp.co/u/Kue9GZ1B) will have a appx. 2x the refueling speed (appx. 6 sec. to refuel one jump vs. 11 sec. to refuel the DBX from one jump) and about 1 extra LY per jump range. Considering the cost differential, is it really worth it? Conda will have an extra 1.2 LY or so, and a backup AFM (not that I ever needed one, especially now that you can craft AFM refills).

See comparison here: https://eddp.co/u/Pu2CQFNh

Seems to me the Conda is still the best choice for extreme extended duration runs, between these two. I just wish that ASP also got a similar boost like DBX, or that we got an exploration-specific big ship rather than having to rely on the somewhat multirole Conda. Anyway, maybe next update

For now I think I'll take a short trek to get a feel for this DBX and see if I can live with the extra scoop time. I kinda don't think an extra 5 seconds there is going to kill me, I'm more worried about wrecking my SRV and not having a backup TBH.

 

[Mengy]

The Anaconda is a more capable explorer with greater range, a faster scoop, and more internals. I just can't stand flying the huge beast, it feels crippling to me, and the view out the window makes me cry when exploring. I prefer smaller more nimble ships with better windows. I've spent 90% of my flight time in my Asp X but now I'm loving the new DBX. My Anaconda sits back at Jameson, I use it for trading and mining.

My DBX is fully engineered now and gets 58.78 lys range on a full 16T tank, and all of the mods still have room for improvement too:

The 4A scoop is slow but it actually doesn't impact travel speed all that much as long as you begin charging the FSD while still scooping, taking advantage of the very cool nature of the DBX. See my thread here about it:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/340119-The-DBX-vs-Asp-X-A-tale-of-two-fuel-scoops…

 

[Vitamin Arrr]

The Anaconda is a more capable explorer with greater range, a faster scoop, and more internals. I just can't stand flying the huge beast, it feels crippling to me, and the view out the window makes me cry when exploring. I prefer smaller more nimble ships with better windows. I've spent 90% of my flight time in my Asp X but now I'm loving the new DBX. My Anaconda sits back at Jameson, I use it for trading and mining.

My DBX is fully engineered now and gets 58.78 lys range on a full 16T tank, and all of the mods still have room for improvement too:

http://i.imgur.com/IzUQxYS.jpg


The 4A scoop is slow but it actually doesn't impact travel speed all that much as long as you begin charging the FSD while still scooping, taking advantage of the very cool nature of the DBX. See my thread here about it:

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/340119-The-DBX-vs-Asp-X-A-tale-of-two-fuel-scoops…

Could you post a coriolis link to your DBX build? I'd like to see how you milked another whole LY out of it with the engineers.

As for me, I headed out 2000 LY and it went by in no time at all. My strategy is different than yours. I always check system map in every system. I scoop around till I'm facing the next star, then as soon as the scoop stops, I throttle to zero and begin charging fsd. Then I open system map and see if any planets are in the habitable zone or something looks interesting. If so then I exit the map and cancel fsd, then go scan planets (I put the new faster scanner on, but really I think that long range might be better... need to try it and compare). However if no planets look worthy, when I exit system map the fsd will be fully charged. Then I just hit the 100% throttle button and boom, instant jump.

Now, since DBX scoops slower, I don't quite get a complete refuel after each scooping (depending on the position of the next star, somewhat). So I lose a bit of fuel each time. However, since I tend to find some scan-worthy planets every five or six stars, whenever I do scan a system, I will take the extra time to refuel. So it all works out, because I was already doing that anyway when I had my Conda.

As for the cockpit argument, now that they have the third party camera view where you can still control the ship, I'm not as sure it makes a difference. But I do wish that Anaconda would let you use its forwards observation deck (the windows at the nose that point down kinda) as a secondary "exploration bridge". Or something. I wish there were engineer mods that put the Imperial Eagle cockpit on an Anaconda frankly. Or better yet just graft an Eagle to the top nose of the Conda, then let you launch the Eagle off the Conda and land the Eagle on planets, do canyon runs, etc. That way the Eagle would be like a control module for the Conda, and when you landed you could say, "The Eagle has landed." I was very very sad when I learned the ship-launchable fighters could not land or hold SRVs.

 

[GJ51]

I have both and I like the DBX for hopping around the bubble and short exploration runs 5 - 10KLY out and back; but for extended jaunts. I'm taking my Conda.

I get 61.35LY jump range with G5 Dirty Drive 5D Thrusters that can boost. It's actually rather surprisingly nimble for a Conda and not a drag to fly.

It also has 4D shields, SRV and an extra 4C 16T fuel tank for when you hit the dead zones.

Yes, I know the DBX can scoop and charge and almost keep up, but the Conda's what I'm going to use when I want to cover ground quickly and get out and back on long range runs. I enjoy hitting some of the fringe areas where you can only get to with a good supply of Jumponium.

Nothing does that better than the Conda.

But, heck yeah, the new buffed DBX is a great option, especially for newer players who may not have the credits to get a Conda yet.

 

[Hooplah]

Both ships have very good records with many posts on the Forum (use a Google search...a lot better) for effectively using them to go thousands of light years into the black by crazy people who I don't understand! But they are having a ball! If the Andromeda galaxy is ever introduced into the game with the with requirement of 2.537 million LYs to go there you can bet they will figure out a way to fold space or use wormholes to get there in ED!

 

[Mengy]

Could you post a coriolis link to your DBX build? I'd like to see how you milked another whole LY out of it with the engineers.

Sure:

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/dia...=.EwegLCAMUgjAbDApgQwOYBskjpPQ&bn=STAR BLAZER

My strategy is different than yours. I always check system map in every system. I scoop around till I'm facing the next star, then as soon as the scoop stops, I throttle to zero and begin charging fsd. Then I open system map and see if any planets are in the habitable zone or something looks interesting. If so then I exit the map and cancel fsd, then go scan planets (I put the new faster scanner on, but really I think that long range might be better... need to try it and compare). However if no planets look worthy, when I exit system map the fsd will be fully charged. Then I just hit the 100% throttle button and boom, instant jump.

The routine I settled with is similar to yours: I enter a system and go to full throttle immediately and begin scooping. About two to three seconds after the FSD cools down I start charging it up, by the time my heat gets up to 80% I'm usually almost done refueling, so I angle away from the star tangentially. The heat keeps rising but (normally!) stops just shy of 97% where the ship starts to cool down. While I am pulling away from the star I open the system map to quickly glance at it; if I see anything interesting I'll cancel the jump and explore, if not then I exit the map and point the ship towards the next jump point. By the time I'm reoriented the FSD is charged and I immediately jump! The whole routine lasts about 50 - 52 seconds most of the time.

I do get to see the impressive DBX heat warning lights often like this though, turns the cockpit into a 70's disco inferno! Those lights are great.

 

[Galactic Fork]

Sure:

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/dia...=.EwegLCAMUgjAbDApgQwOYBskjpPQ&bn=STAR BLAZER




The routine I settled with is similar to yours: I enter a system and go to full throttle immediately and begin scooping. About two to three seconds after the FSD cools down I start charging it up, by the time my heat gets up to 80% I'm usually almost done refueling, so I angle away from the star tangentially. The heat keeps rising but (normally!) stops just shy of 97% where the ship starts to cool down. While I am pulling away from the star I open the system map to quickly glance at it; if I see anything interesting I'll cancel the jump and explore, if not then I exit the map and point the ship towards the next jump point. By the time I'm reoriented the FSD is charged and I immediately jump! The whole routine lasts about 50 - 52 seconds most of the time.

I do get to see the impressive DBX heat warning lights often like this though, turns the cockpit into a 70's disco inferno! Those lights are great.

See, I have a different experience with my DBX. Scooping is really stressful for me. It runs too cool and because of this I've dropped out of SC a couple times for being too close and my stupid heat isn't even at 65 yet. So my routine is to go full speed and carefully watch my ship's scoop ammount at just below max so I'm sure I'm not getting to close and circle round the star until full, usually when pointing at the next star. Open the starmap when my ship's cooling, to check the planets, then jump.

 

[Novaseta]

So I have a Conda and I just rebought DBX since it now seems to have a longer max jump range after 2.3.

What's bothering me though is the DBX fuel scoop speed: it seems much slower. Is this a price you would be willing to pay in exchange for the faster turn rate in supercruise?

Seems like if you are going to scan most systems fully, DBX would save you time. But if you are going to jump all the way across the galaxy then the Anaconda would be preferable due to the faster fuel scoop.

I won't hear any talk of ASP because I must have the absolute longest jump range possible... which like I said is why I'm on this discussion.

I guess the only other thing wrong with DBX is that I'll just have only one AFMU, or no shield. :/ Gotta have a shield for landings, so, makes DBX seem even more like a ship that's good for exploration jaunts closer to home, but Conda is still the go-to for > 500 jumps trips.

Thoughts?

So I have a Conda and I just rebought DBX since it now seems to have a longer max jump range after 2.3.

What's bothering me though is the DBX fuel scoop speed: it seems much slower. Is this a price you would be willing to pay in exchange for the faster turn rate in supercruise?

Seems like if you are going to scan most systems fully, DBX would save you time. But if you are going to jump all the way across the galaxy then the Anaconda would be preferable due to the faster fuel scoop.

I won't hear any talk of ASP because I must have the absolute longest jump range possible... which like I said is why I'm on this discussion.

I guess the only other thing wrong with DBX is that I'll just have only one AFMU, or no shield. :/ Gotta have a shield for landings, so, makes DBX seem even more like a ship that's good for exploration jaunts closer to home, but Conda is still the go-to for > 500 jumps trips.

Thoughts?

So I've actually built a spreadsheet to calculate ship FSDrating because I suspected that people get it wrong when they look at jump range alone. I have a stripped down dbx jumper ship with a range of 66.07, 32 ton fuel tank. I have an anaconda fully loaded for science (limpets for all situations, every thing that pokes and prods plus repair and fuel limpets) with 96t of fuel capacity that makes 58 some lys per jump. The math is complicated and I'd be happy to share the sheet so you can go over the calculations, but the bottom line is, the anaconda is a faster traveling ship. On a 1000ly trip assuming in both cases perfect pilot jump efficiency and unlagged jumps, the anaconda will make it in 15 minutes. The DBX will make it in a little over 16. The DBX jump advantage takes a huge hit over the 6 jump limit of the tank because of how slow the fuel scoop is. That dbx is stripped by the way, only carrying dss and no other equipment.