Does it make financial sense to explore with a Carrier ?

[Northpin]

To answer OP's question from the title: Yes, as long we do talk about exploration and not trying to race a carrier around the galaxy

 

[K Olley]

They make a difference, particularly now that the PWA is 'working as intended' and highlighting stuff in front of the ship!
I think the best I've had from a single rock is around 32t - but that was 4 SSD & 30% Tritium!
Just laser mining, or dropping into a spot with rare SSD's (which I have seen, then left and dropped back in after a couple of seconds SC to 'normal expected' yields!) can give low yields as it depends on the 'goodness' of the rocks you find.

In an 'average' session I have the Python filled in 45 mins - and am very happy to drop that off and do something else for a couple of days!

Converted my Python, Fitted 2 SSDM's, needed both for ammo, hour and a quarter filled her up 160 + 10, think I shall take only a single laser next time, found 2 VO's and 3 Rhodplumsite Cores that I had to leave, nicked the Tritium off them though.

Should do better next time, got to get up to speed with SSDM's, Glad I had very good shields, that ring is very dense and I am more used to T9 in such rings

Looks like I need another Python for bulk M pad work.

 

[Backelaer]

If you like to grind to play, maybe. If not you're better off just using a normal ship.

Do you, by any chance own a FC?

 

[Red Rocket]

There is plenty of tritium available in the Bubble from Large-pad stations at around 50k/t.

I suspect the problem is that people are still using Inara to look for "Best Exports", and seeing only outposts. Don't do this, use the "Exports" tab instead. Large-pad tritium is too expensive to qualify as a "Best Export", so it doesn't show up there. You only save a few thousand credits per ton buying from outposts, and you triple your loading time. Not worth the hassle.

Thanks for the info on looking in Inara Exports not Inara "Best Exports". I looked in Exports and found lots on large pads, i just went and picked up about 5,000 tons.
720 tons/per trip

 

[Red Rocket]

Although there is a 25% reduction in the sale price of explo date, assuming you are selling to your own FC, the actual 'loss' is 12.5% as that 25% is split equally between FC and UC/PF(?)
If it were me 'out in the black' for an extended tour I'd not be spending money buying Tritium more than was absolutely necessary, there is an unlimited and easy to acquire supply throughout the galaxy.

i didn't know that 1/2 of the 25% reduction for data went into the Carrier pot, Thanks for the info.
I feel a lot better when selling data to my carrier now

 

[monogenetic]

I guess it all depends on what you do to make money. If you only make money from exploration then the FC is not financially viable in my opinion.

Really? I just made a substantial sum on my last exploration trip with my carrier. I'm having no trouble at all paying the upkeep and saving credits. But the real reward is snagging those previously unreachable systems.

 

[Viscera]

Are you having fun?

If so, do it.

If not, do something else.

 

[Rat Catcher]

Are you having fun?

If so, do it.

If not, do something else.

Now there is sound advice!

 

[Zieman]

Do you, by any chance own a FC?

He doesn't even play the game. He just whines about engineers and "grind".

 

[Viscera]

Now there is sound advice!

I thought of it as "funancial advice"

 

[Navigare Necesse Est]

Do you, by any chance own a FC?

Guess.

 

[askavir]

I thought of it as "funancial advice"

The best kind of advice.

 

[Dragsham]

Said it lots of times. Owing a fleet carrier and worrying about costs is daft.
Your going to be clued up on how to easily make a few quid, so 20 or 30 mill a week is peanuts.
The real problem is no bridge!
And the stupid refuelling system.
And finally a grappling hook!
Just pluggin