Docking computer crashed my ship

Benaron

Benaron
Galafrey said:
Upgradeable docking computer eh, I like the sound of that. The ability to add modules to the ZX81 would be great!
Click to expand...

You could add a RAM module to the ZX81 to give you a whopping 16K of RAM!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX81#mediaviewer/File:ZX81_-_rampack_-_ZX_Printer.jpg

Galafrey said:
Be good to get a list of ships the DC works well with.
Click to expand...

Some landings are better than others, even with the same ship. I imagine that using it with a Type-9 would be less bumpy =p
 

Mr. Woof

Mr. Woof
I haven't flown anything larger than a Cobra yet, but so far I think docking manually is very quick and quite enjoyable most of the times (at least as long as I don't forget the docking request :rolleyes:). I haven't tried the docking computer yet because I have never felt the need for it.

Just for comparison
In original Elite docking the Cobra was a lot of precision flying: fly by the station at the correct angle until you had the "dot" in the compass showing the station right behind you. Stop and turn around. Correct the approach angle until the station entrance was dead centre, start rotating the ship at same speed as the station and pray you don't overcompensate while you accelerate. As soon as you made even a small mistake near the letterbox: Boom! Here the docking computer really was a very useful tool that worked miracles.

In Elite Dangerous docking a Cobra is quite easy. I still use a similar approach as before, but don't follow it as precisely because it's not necessary. Finding the entrace is easy and correcting the approach is easily done with the lateral and vertical thrusters. The opening to the station is much larger, and even if I'm not careful the worst thing is a little shield damage while I scrape along the entrance as long as I keep the speed reasonable. Nevertheless I especially like going in at higher speeds and trying to set down in one fluid motion. Don't get it right all the time of course :) In my opinion the only reason I would use a docking computer would be for instant docking to save me time. But what I've seen from videos docking manually is much faster than by computer. Anyway: IMHO docking manually is one of THE major improvements toward the previous version and it adds a tremedous lot to the atmosphere of the game.

The only thing I really don't get is why most pads on the outpost are oriented in a way so that I always have to fly past, close to or around structures from the station, instead of flying in directly from open space. That's a bit like putting a large apartment building right in front of the runway which the pilot has to fly around in order to land. (Or a bit like the old Hong Kong Kai Tak airport).
 

Slacker

Slacker
Yes, I use one almost constantly. Particularly in big ships when trading it's very useful. Gives me time to roll cigs and play my turn in online yahtzee and one more thing I don't have to worry about. It also stops me from forgetting to request docking and getting shot up by the station - one of those things that is very useful with increasing old age.

They've been fine in big stations since before gamma but are still reasonably rubbish on platforms. As another commander has said for the latter you need to find the correct position to fly into the station from to be more effective but it's still slow.

The 'leetist lads who turn their noses up at we computer dockers are yet another thing about this forum which give me great amusement and I thank them for it.
 

Captain Willard

Captain Willard
Used it extensively on a type 6, asp, and clipper. I always approach a star port letter box like I'm going to manually land and at 3-5 klicks out I engage the AD. always perfect, and ya, the landing is a little slippery at times. :)
 
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Valethar

Valethar
The problem with the Derping Computer is that it thinks this is a perfectly valid example of a three point landing. :D

13774a.jpg
 

Dystopiana

Dystopiana
I had it once on my adder...then it decided to stop somewhere it shouldn't have and got me shot by a station...so I quickly booted it out of the airlock of the new adder.
 

ElGuappo

ElGuappo
I love that a part of the game that requires at least a modicum of ability gets automated and the skill-free, tedious, repetitive drivel that is Supercruise doesn't. Even cruise control would be nice, but noooo... apparently a 'time your button push' mini-game is sacred around these parts. And no, I don't mean 'arriving precisely where you want to in a system', I mean that journeys within systems using SC should optionally become 'align with target, sit back and nap until arrival'.

ED - A mile wide, an inch deep.
 

SuperkewL

SuperkewL
I can dock fine, but I use one because I am lazy. I usually get up to get a drink or something while it does its thing.

Seems like many people have issues with it, but I have never had any problems.
 
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Lok Anload

L
I didn't use a docking computer for the longest time, and then one day I tried it. I still use it for docking my Cobra most of the time, unless I am hauling something illegal. :)

The main reason I enjoy it so much, is the hommage to 2001: A Space Odessy I feel when the music comes on! I thought that was brilliant! It will be even better when I am in my Imperial Clipper and I can feel even MORE like the Pan American ship coming into dock.

Lok Anload
 

Kaid

K
Saving on the Repair bills with a Docking Computer

Hi guys just wanted to share a small tip. I like the docking computer because it gets me to the pad but then it does tend to land the ship heavily.

Therefore, what I have started to do is switch off the module just before landing but after aligned with the pad.

Hope this is useful.
 

flint read

flint read
you can also take control back from it just by moving your controller :D i still prefer to manually land though it's faster and safer too.
 

KellyR

KellyR
Bottom line is this. The Docking Computer is like cruise control on a car. It was not designed to work on it's own. It's designed to help the pilot, not pilot for him/her. The DC works just fine so long as the ship doesn't get bumped. If it does get bumped, things can go south in a hurry. Which is why the pilot needs to be at the controls. The computer can't think on the fly like a human can. But if not bumped it will get even an Anaconda through the letterbox without scratching the paint. Due to the nature of the perspective (no external view), that's hard for a human with a 'Conda.
 
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