detailed survey scanner

irtuk · Feb 11, 2015

So, umm, not to come across all noobish or nuffink but how exactly does this here bit of kit work? it does not appear in firegroups, does it just kick in when you scan something?

I have removed it from my ship for now ( needed the space

) but I would appreciate some insights into what i am supposed to do with it!

-Ed

iain666 · Feb 11, 2015

irtuk said:
does it just kick in when you scan something?
-Ed

Yep.

Andovar · Feb 11, 2015

it works automatically once equipped. Think of it as an add-on to your discovery scanner.

Valethar · Feb 11, 2015

Point your nose at what you want to scan, then fly close enough for it to engage.

Dr Roly · Feb 11, 2015

It's an add-on money generator. Equip it, forget about it, enjoy the extra credits from exploration. Someone here should be able to tell you exactly how much more you earn from scanning.

Skip Intro · Feb 11, 2015

It's a useful bit of kit if you want to do as bit of stellar exploration, as you get more cash for a detailed scan and if you are the first to scan a particular star or planet, you get a "Discovered By: <yourname>" added, which everyone can see on their maps.

CmdrKull · Feb 11, 2015

Sure wish it sped up the scanning process and increased the distance, instead of just more money per scan. I'm going to spend a LOT of time scanning this month.

Pizz001 · Feb 11, 2015

irtuk said:
So, umm, not to come across all noobish or nuffink but how exactly does this here bit of kit work? it does not appear in firegroups, does it just kick in when you scan something?

I have removed it from my ship for now ( needed the space ) but I would appreciate some insights into what i am supposed to do with it!

-Ed

you need both a scanner (any type) and detailed survey unit to make it work , the detailed survey unit tells you what the planet your scanning is made from ie ice / gas / water etc , so when you sell the data that now includes that info so you get extra money over the basic scan , i was shocked yesterday as i took my asp out with both units fitted and made 70k from one system alone as i had extra info re the planet types in the system ,

Shayde · Feb 11, 2015

CmdrKull said:
Sure wish it sped up the scanning process and increased the distance, instead of just more money per scan. I'm going to spend a LOT of time scanning this month.

You need the Advanced Discovery Scanner....that does all objects in the system, regardless of distance. So one use of the advanced discovery scanner per system does the job. Then you just go to each object you found, when you used the discovery scanner, and the Detailed Surface Scanner earns you extra credits by just pointing your ship at each object.

Planets and stars earn you credits with the surface scanner. There have been extremely good guides posted in the forums to all the detail you'll ever need....I think those posts were by Nutter.

CmdrKull · Feb 11, 2015

Yes, I have the advanced scanner. I meant I'd like to scan the planets from a bit further out. Sometimes it feels like I'm putting my nose in the spine in order to read the page of a book.

Maybe not THAT bad, but I guess I like the idea better than "now your scans are worth more". For others though, maybe that extra money is important.

Shayde · Feb 11, 2015

CmdrKull said:
Yes, I have the advanced scanner. I meant I'd like to scan the planets from a bit further out. Sometimes it feels like I'm putting my nose in the spine in order to read the page of a book.

Maybe not THAT bad, but I guess I like the idea better than "now your scans are worth more". For others though, maybe that extra money is important.

Ah right, gotcha ! Yes, I agree, the rewards for doing detailed surface scans don't seem massive for the time involved. I think the rewards for most other occupation choices need to be upped a bit to match trading. I would love it if exploring brought in as many credits per hour as trading does. I do really enjoy exploring, but at the moment it's just kind of a hobby for me, and I make the money by trading to support it

So yes, having to get in close to a planet, for instance, is a little tedious at times, but it's only so if we are in a rush to make lots of credits....which everyone seems to be. I get pulled into that trap myself most times I play, but then I think 'why am I dashing around like this, slow down and enjoy the view' !!

FaolGlas · Feb 11, 2015

For money, the trick is to pick what you scan - regular ol rocky and icy worlds, asteroid clusters etc, are all pretty worthless. Metal rich and high metal content worlds, things with life, terraformables etc are worth significantly more with the detailed scan. You can get a good indication before scanning by looking at the system map, the colours and textures of the planets will let you know.