Exploration and "Buying" system data

[Timpraetor]

I've started a new Commander and am paying attention to all of the "tips" that Frontier provides. Following the link to the Exploration introduction, I see this quote:

Wise explorers will buy the latest data before leaving, to be certain not to duplicate the efforts of others.

I have over 2200 hours in-game with my primary commander and I have no idea what this means unless it's the icon in the system mini-menu next to the "Show system map" icon. Is that what they are referring to?

 

[Nick Sticks]

In the Galaxy map there is sometimes a buy System Data icon when you mouse over the system to get the other information.

 

[Timpraetor]

That's what I was talking about - It is shown next to the System Map icon when the System Map icon is disabled - IF the data is available. That's what I was wondering, so I guess I got it without pointers.

Welcome to ED Flight School - Here's your ship. You've graduated!

 

[Para Handy]

That's what I was talking about - It is shown next to the System Map icon when the System Map icon is disabled - IF the data is available. That's what I was wondering, so I guess I got it without pointers.

Welcome to ED Flight School - Here's your ship. You've graduated!

I presume that this changes when 3.3 goes live but for now even if you bought the data (or scanned the in-system nav beacon) you don't get the composition information on the bodies. So you can do a DSS of them and sell that data. Daft innit?

 

[Timpraetor]

... you don't get the composition information on the bodies. So you can do a DSS of them and sell that data. Daft innit?

Exactly what had me curious. I'd bought system data quite a few times and still found that the planets had no composition data associated and my surface scanner would light off.

In that case, I'll save my credits and do it the "Explorer" way

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Land at any station with UC, possibly without... But definitely with the service.

You will now be able to buy the data of any system within 20ly of that station.

 

[Para Handy]

........ surface scanner would light off.

..........

I don't know what that means. The DSS will scan the body, you just don't see the animation for a land-able body if you are in supercruise - you can hear it though and there is the completion message.

 

[Frankymole]

In the Galaxy map there is sometimes a buy System Data icon when you mouse over the system to get the other information.

So, on my Fleet Carrier in the Black, I can purchase System Data on the Galaxy Map for systems no-one has visited yet. How does that work?

Subsequently flying in to the system in your own ship (not the FC) and detailed surface-scanning one of the worlds gives the "first discovered by" tag (along with "first mapped by") for that world and the star, with the credits reward for mapping. However, you won't get any cash for "first discovered" (even though you'll get the tags) from the Full System Scanner. Makes sense, I guess.

It's just weird that the FC can somehow detect planets in a system no-one has been to yet. If that's the case why can't I get First Discovery without going there in my little ship?

 

[GroG79]

It's just weird that the FC can somehow detect planets in a system no-one has been to yet. If that's the case why can't I get First Discovery without going there in my little ship?

NPCs were there before... They just do not get first tags. For instance Cmdr Jameson has no first discovered tags

 

[Factabulous]

It's just weird that the FC can somehow detect planets in a system no-one has been to yet. If that's the case why can't I get First Discovery without going there in my little ship?

Because FC aren't ships - they act like mobile stations. And you can buy explo info in stations. If it bothers you raise an issue - point out how people are buying info on permit locked systems like Polaris & maybe it will get prioritised.

Edit: Though usually people prefer to keep quiet about bugs that are helpful

 

[Frankymole]

Because FC aren't ships - they act like mobile stations. And you can buy explo info in stations. If it bothers you raise an issue - point out how people are buying info on permit locked systems like Polaris & maybe it will get prioritised.

Edit: Though usually people prefer to keep quiet about bugs that are helpful

That probably doesn't matter since there are already some permit-locked worlds within systems that are in plain sight, like Lave 2... though I remember before they locked it, driving round the Lave 2 ground settlement on my first SRV trip! Does buying system data show bases, settlements, even FCs in those systems, or just the natural bodies like planets and moons?

 

[Factabulous]

That probably doesn't matter since there are already some permit-locked worlds within systems that are in plain sight, like Lave 2... though I remember before they locked it, driving round the Lave 2 ground settlement on my first SRV trip! Does buying system data show bases, settlements, even FCs in those systems, or just the natural bodies like planets and moons?

Most aren't populated - but you can see the megaship in HIP 22460 if you park nearby, so I would guess so.