Even if you hate the Docking Computer...

[Jason Lightning]

I accept that the docking computer can save a little time if you use the eternity it takes to land, to do something else, however, I struggle with why anyone would waste an optional slot for it.

If you have a decent gaming computer (doesn't need to be anything crazy), you can do the route plotting during the takeoff sequence, I plot the next step in a route after hitting takeoff and during the time when the pad is turning the ship to launch. By the time I open the galmap, type the destination, and hit plot the ship is just about ready to takeoff.

The perk of fast manual landing and no wasted time course plotting, without the hit to internal module.

 

[MarkAusten]

Lol, exploit? save time? Are you playing the same game?

I hate it for the opposite reasons:

Docking computer is SLOWER and it can potentially DESTROY your ship

The docking computer is not slower for some players, players who can dock perfectly well manually. And you know what? You can destroy your ship accidentally as well, so that part is a non-argument.

 

[MarkAusten]

If you have a decent gaming computer (doesn't need to be anything crazy), you can do the route plotting during the takeoff sequence, I plot the next step in a route after hitting takeoff and during the time when the pad is turning the ship to launch. By the time I open the galmap, type the destination, and hit plot the ship is just about ready to takeoff.

The perk of fast manual landing and no wasted time course plotting, without the hit to internal module.

This has been mentioned several times.

It was also pointed out that some players on landing put their ship into the hanger before entering the station services and they say that when the subsequently launch, as there is no turn around time, they get a faster launch. Plotting your next stop in this instance is only possible if you ave everything booked marked. So I'm told.

I accept that the docking computer can save a little time if you use the eternity it takes to land, to do something else, however, I struggle with why anyone would waste an optional slot for it.

Possibly you also struggle to understand why other commanders do not play the way you do.

 

[Jason Lightning]

This has been mentioned several times.

It was also pointed out that some players on landing put their ship into the hanger before entering the station services and they say that when the subsequently launch, as there is no turn around time, they get a faster launch. Plotting your next stop in this instance is only possible if you ave everything booked marked. So I'm told.

Neither of the two is true, (granted as you say you heard this secondhand so it's not your fault for believing such) launch is about the same from inside the hangar or from default landing position, since if you takeoff without entering the hangar the pad only lowers halfway before turning and raising. I've also plotted my course even when taking off from the hangar bay, though I have my game installed on SSD, which may help. Even then one could always plot during Supercruise to the station, lots of free time then to plot a route, then just dock at station and when you leave hit the 'target route' hotkey.

 

[DHMeyer]

The problem with DC related threads is that using or not using the DC is a matter of preference. Plain and simple. Some people will use it, some people won't. I don't really see the point of arguing about someone's personal preferences.
Some people prefer using multi-cannons, others prefer using plasma accelerators. Some people prefer using cargo limpet controllers, some people would not waste a slot on one and prefer manual cargo scooping - this is very similar to DC issue, yet somehow one never sees comments like "you should learn to scoop" or "manual scooping is faster" or "using cargo limpets is a waste of a slot that could be used for something else otherwise". Or using a shield on a trading ship. After all, it takes valuable cargo space as well and much more than the DC.
But, since we have DC in the game, I would like to see two things happen: 1. People not telling others what they should or shouldn't do with their ships and how to fly them 2. DC module being improved over time to ensure it works properly and perhaps (though this is less important) that it is incorporated in the game in the most logical and sensible way. Apparently FD are adjusting DC in 2.4 though I'm not holding my breath for DC ever getting its own internal slot or being installed by default and such.

 

[Jason Lightning]

The problem with DC related threads is that using or not using the DC is a matter of preference. Plain and simple. Some people will use it, some people won't. I don't really see the point of arguing about someone's personal preferences.
Some people prefer using multi-cannons, others prefer using plasma accelerators. Some people prefer using cargo limpet controllers, some people would not waste a slot on one and prefer manual cargo scooping - this is very similar to DC issue, yet somehow one never sees comments like "you should learn to scoop" or "manual scooping is faster" or "using cargo limpets is a waste of a slot that could be used for something else otherwise". Or using a shield on a trading ship. After all, it takes valuable cargo space as well and much more than the DC.
But, since we have DC in the game, I would like to see two things happen: 1. People not telling others what they should or shouldn't do with their ships and how to fly them 2. DC module being improved over time to ensure it works properly and perhaps (though this is less important) that it is incorporated in the game in the most logical and sensible way. Apparently FD are adjusting DC in 2.4 though I'm not holding my breath for DC ever getting its own internal slot or being installed by default and such.

Cargo limpet comparison isn't quite matching, since it is undoubtedly faster in any scenario that involves bulk cargo. For isloated cargo the cargo scoop may be faster, but when seconds count such as for piracy a good collector limpet controller will work faster than manual for large qtys. In the case of miners and pirates cargo collectors also let you remain facing at the target of interest, so miners can collect while mining and pirates can keep their eye on a trader that might be trying to give a false count or attack during a manual collection.

 

[Aashenfox]

This has been mentioned several times.

It was also pointed out that some players on landing put their ship into the hanger before entering the station services and they say that when the subsequently launch, as there is no turn around time, they get a faster launch. Plotting your next stop in this instance is only possible if you ave everything booked marked. So I'm told.



Possibly you also struggle to understand why other commanders do not play the way you do.

I dunno, do you think I seem like someone who struggles with things a lot? Today so far, it's only been that, why a docking computer is preferable to 2t of cargo space or almost any other module. Yes, I lead a simple life, I struggle rarely.

 

[MarkAusten]

I dunno, do you think I seem like someone who struggles with things a lot? Today so far, it's only been that, why a docking computer is preferable to 2t of cargo space or almost any other module. Yes, I lead a simple life, I struggle rarely.

It's certainly a legitimate question since the answer to your "struggle" is that not everyone plays the way you do. To you 2T of cargo space is preferable to a docking computer. To others the docking computer is preferable to 2T of cargo. If you try to rationalise the use of a docking computer from your point of view then you would struggle to understand why others do it. However, the problem is not the use of the docking computer but your trying to rationalise it from your point of view.

So, as for you leading a simple life, then I presume that you also do not use shields, planetary hanger or anything else that would take up your cargo space? After all, they are not strictly necessary either.

Although in my case, shields are essential.

 

[MarkAusten]

Neither of the two is true, (granted as you say you heard this secondhand so it's not your fault for believing such) launch is about the same from inside the hangar or from default landing position, since if you takeoff without entering the hangar the pad only lowers halfway before turning and raising. I've also plotted my course even when taking off from the hangar bay, though I have my game installed on SSD, which may help. Even then one could always plot during Supercruise to the station, lots of free time then to plot a route, then just dock at station and when you leave hit the 'target route' hotkey.

So, now I have two opinions, both of which espouse opposing views but neither give hard data on the subject. So I choose to believe neither of you. Sorry, it's the engineer training. Neither of you is presumed to be correct until hard data is available.

 

[MarkAusten]

The problem with DC related threads is that using or not using the DC is a matter of preference. Plain and simple. Some people will use it, some people won't. I don't really see the point of arguing about someone's personal preferences.
Some people prefer using multi-cannons, others prefer using plasma accelerators. Some people prefer using cargo limpet controllers, some people would not waste a slot on one and prefer manual cargo scooping - this is very similar to DC issue, yet somehow one never sees comments like "you should learn to scoop" or "manual scooping is faster" or "using cargo limpets is a waste of a slot that could be used for something else otherwise". Or using a shield on a trading ship. After all, it takes valuable cargo space as well and much more than the DC.
But, since we have DC in the game, I would like to see two things happen: 1. People not telling others what they should or shouldn't do with their ships and how to fly them 2. DC module being improved over time to ensure it works properly and perhaps (though this is less important) that it is incorporated in the game in the most logical and sensible way. Apparently FD are adjusting DC in 2.4 though I'm not holding my breath for DC ever getting its own internal slot or being installed by default and such.

I don't think that most contributors to this and other DC related threads would disagree with your statement that it is a matter of preference whether they use a DC or not. What gets us annoyed, in both camps, is the definitive statements that come from a few players who say things like "learn to fly you ship", or "using a DC is always faster than any manual docking".

Besides, discussing things like this does lead to insight into how other commanders do things, such as the hybrid landing strategy.

 

[IndigoWyrd]

This whole "debate", and it's really not a matter for debate - one person does something one way, another does it another way - reminds me of one of my favorite books:

Only it's not "Butter Side Up" or "Butter Side Down", it's "Docking Compuer" vs. "No Docking Computer".
But in both cases, the final outcome is the same.

 

[DHMeyer]

Cargo limpet comparison isn't quite matching, since it is undoubtedly faster in any scenario that involves bulk cargo. For isloated cargo the cargo scoop may be faster, but when seconds count such as for piracy a good collector limpet controller will work faster than manual for large qtys. In the case of miners and pirates cargo collectors also let you remain facing at the target of interest, so miners can collect while mining and pirates can keep their eye on a trader that might be trying to give a false count or attack during a manual collection.

It doesn't matter. You should learn how to scoop and scoop manually instead of dumbing down your game. Why would you like your ship to do things for you when you can do them yourself?
I don't always scoop cargo, but when I do, I do it only by hand. Not only I'm amazingly fast at it, but it is also so much fun that I don't understand why all players don't do it this way. It's such a fantastic way of showing off amazing piloting skills, on top of everything else.

Yes, I was sarcastic

 

[MarkAusten]

Yes, I was sarcastic

Good point, though.

 

[Jason Lightning]

Yes, I was sarcastic

Really? I had no idea!

(It's still not remotely the same thing though)

 

[MarkAusten]

Really? I had no idea!

(It's still not remotely the same thing though)

But it was quite amusing.

 

[Red Martian]

This whole "debate", and it's really not a matter for debate - one person does something one way, another does it another way - reminds me of one of my favorite books:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...er.jpg/220px-The_Butter_Battle_Book_cover.jpg

Only it's not "Butter Side Up" or "Butter Side Down", it's "Docking Compuer" vs. "No Docking Computer".
But in both cases, the final outcome is the same.

This. Everyone plays differently. I love the DC, even though I can land anything anywhere (so far). When I've done a dozen runs one right after the other, it's nice to have the DC take over while I take a drink of water (I am never far from the controls, just in case), or stretch my hands, or even set up my next run. Plus, the music is nice. ♥

 

[yodajedifishmaster]

its like the FA-OFF in combat and playing with your pips every micro second in combat - its all just 'im better than you because-' bull. i use docking computer. apart from anything else, if something rams me when im above 100 using it i dont get a fine. it saves me time looking for the damn number im supposed to be landing on. it removes a stressful job inside the stations, of trying to guess what the npcs are doing when they are leaving or entering before me. it doesnt mean i cant land myself. nor does it mean i cant land faster than it. all it means is, i play a game and dont want to dock myself, and have no inferiority complex meaning i have to denigrate people who dont play how i do, or pretend using FA-OFF or not having a DC makes me feel superior.

this whole 'argument' is pointless bickering. FEAR will keep the local systems in line - fear of this battlestation.

er disregard the last part.

 

[Red Martian]

its like the FA-OFF in combat and playing with your pips every micro second in combat - its all just 'im better than you because-' bull. i use docking computer. apart from anything else, if something rams me when im above 100 using it i dont get a fine. it saves me time looking for the damn number im supposed to be landing on. it removes a stressful job inside the stations, of trying to guess what the npcs are doing when they are leaving or entering before me. it doesnt mean i cant land myself. nor does it mean i cant land faster than it. all it means is, i play a game and dont want to dock myself, and have no inferiority complex meaning i have to denigrate people who dont play how i do, or pretend using FA-OFF or not having a DC makes me feel superior.

this whole 'argument' is pointless bickering. FEAR will keep the local systems in line - fear of this battlestation.

er disregard the last part.

Sir, your rant intrigues me, and I wish to subscribe to your pogrom of evil.

 

[Spacecat]

I don't have anything against using one, but I can manually dock way faster than that.

 

[IndigoWyrd]

I don't have anything against using one, but I can manually dock way faster than that.

Yep, me too, but I can manually dock from an inherently bad approach, plot a return course, and maneuver all at the same time. This way, I don't have to.

And while yes, I do realize I could spend an extra 2-3 minutes maneuvering in supercruise for a better approach, it takes less time to make a bad approach, let the computer take over, do other tasks and save myself some time. That's the whole point.