Big question here is: How crippling is a sub-30 LY jump range? Looking to get back to exploring, but don't want to buy another ship. Currently sitting on a Python, and it looks like from EDShipyard that I can strip it down and get the jump range to a good 28. Only time I've been out exploring though was in an asp with a definite jump range advantage. Is it merely a case of it taking a bit longer to get somewhere or what?
Exploration Help
- Thread starter Trenchfoot321
- Start date
The longer the jump range just helps you get into unexplored space quicker, otherwise you'll spend ages going through the explored zones already (so far seems like anything up to about 1000LY out is totally explored already ... or is that just along the "planned" routes that I guess is fairly deterministic? i.e. will there be threads of common routes going through the galaxy that are heavily explored, with lots of gaps in between the common pathways?).
Once you are in unexplored space, its all about coverage so long jump range then is not needed as you are hopping system-to-system getting as many scans as possible.
P.S. guide here http://lavewiki.com/exploration
Once you are in unexplored space, its all about coverage so long jump range then is not needed as you are hopping system-to-system getting as many scans as possible.
P.S. guide here http://lavewiki.com/exploration
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I've been out before. Got some nice desktops for it. I'm guessing it wouldn't be too terrible to get a DB explorer for the jump range increase though.
Depends what you want to do, and where you want to go. In general, not crippling in the slightest. It may well slow you down (more jumps), but that is a bout it.
Unless, that is, you plan to go where the stars thin out. At the edge or top or bottom of the galaxy, every LY counts. Otherwise there will be places you simply cannot get to.
Unless, that is, you plan to go where the stars thin out. At the edge or top or bottom of the galaxy, every LY counts. Otherwise there will be places you simply cannot get to.
If you can afford to fly a python, then get the Asp not the DB explorer.
I can afford to fly the python, but I'm not sure I have the funds left over to fly an asp in addition (been awhile since I played, not sure how much money I'm sitting on).
If you are going to the rim you may be unable to make certain jumps. Going to the core you should be fine.
As for it slowing you down lets go with a Saggitarius A trip as an example:
25,000Ly divided into 25 x 1000LY chunks.
Assuming perfect jumping at 28LY it takes ~36 jumps per 1000Ly so ~893 jumps total.
With a 34Ly Asp it takes ~29.5 jumps per 1000LY so ~735 jumps total.
No real big difference but remember thats the best case scenario, a real trip in an ASP is probably closer to 850/900 jumps since you can't jump a perfect 34ly each time.
Tl:dr You can do it. or get a cheap Hauler/Cobra/T6 for exploration, or diamondback. They're all capable.
As for it slowing you down lets go with a Saggitarius A trip as an example:
25,000Ly divided into 25 x 1000LY chunks.
Assuming perfect jumping at 28LY it takes ~36 jumps per 1000Ly so ~893 jumps total.
With a 34Ly Asp it takes ~29.5 jumps per 1000LY so ~735 jumps total.
No real big difference but remember thats the best case scenario, a real trip in an ASP is probably closer to 850/900 jumps since you can't jump a perfect 34ly each time.
Tl:dr You can do it. or get a cheap Hauler/Cobra/T6 for exploration, or diamondback. They're all capable.
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There are a few nebula you won't be able to reach (mostly procedurally generated ones a long way from Sol) and you can't get quite as far out in the rims but other than that it's just a matter of the time it takes. I made it to 65,000 LY from Sol in a 25.8 LY Cobra which is pretty much the furthest you can go - a fully stripped down Asp can go about 200 LY further, a fully stripped down Anaconda another 100 or 200.
It is only a problem if you are aiming for a place with few stars.
If you are going into the core it only means some extra travel time.
If you are going local, (like only a few kLYs), it won't matter at all.
If you are going for a "Tagging Trip", it will only slow down your travel slightly.
If you are going for the monies, like Neutron Field and Earthlike hunts.. it won't really matter...
If you are going into the core it only means some extra travel time.
If you are going local, (like only a few kLYs), it won't matter at all.
If you are going for a "Tagging Trip", it will only slow down your travel slightly.
If you are going for the monies, like Neutron Field and Earthlike hunts.. it won't really matter...
OP - Where do you want to go? That's the key question.
For bopping around Sgr A* and the galactic core sub-30 is fine. Someone did it in a Sidey.
To get to the galactic edge then you'll want something >30 LY. You can get 90% of the way there with sub-30LY, but any farther the stars get wider apart.
For bopping around Sgr A* and the galactic core sub-30 is fine. Someone did it in a Sidey.
To get to the galactic edge then you'll want something >30 LY. You can get 90% of the way there with sub-30LY, but any farther the stars get wider apart.
Longer max jump range however also reduces your fuel consumption. A jump closer your maximum jump range costs exponentially more fuel, so it's a very good thing to increase the jump range not just to cross empty expanses.
InMemoriamSirocco
Banned
I did my first trip in a Vulture with 16ly jump range. My second one in a Hauler that was not very optimised, and my third and current voyage in a Clipper. I have never had more than ~24ly jump range. It's more than enough if you don't need to go too far above or below the galactic plane or want to get to the absolute edge of the Milky Way.
I usually just look for a cluster of blue stars and head in that direction to start out and then break off from there. I'm really aimless in exploration, but I'm usually doing surface scans in the habitable zone and then taking off to continue the trip. Really enjoy finding weird star systems, like once I was out there was a binary system that was being orbited by 2 neutron stars. Not going to the core though. Gonna pick a direction and go get lost XD
Worst case... sell modules on your Python until you can afford to outfit a smaller, more effective explorer, plus the insurance
. There are two key benefits... 1) you'll get a much better explorer vessel
2) should you manage to die whilst exploring you've only got the lower insurance pay out.
When you return you should have enough cash to significantly upgrade the Python.
In answer to the original question.. you don't need big jump range unless you want to go to the fringes, or go somewhere specific quickly.
As someone who has flown a Python ~9k LY out to the Eta Carina nebula complex and back, with a 21.2LY jump range, I have a couple of observations that I hope may help you. Firstly, it's not a problem to go long distances with this kind of jump range but you may have to pick your route very carefully if you want to cross the spiral arms or go where the star density gets low. You take longer to get somewhere if you're using fastest route planning but the Python can take a class 6 fuel scoop which fills your tank up quickly. It is expensive, however: I brought mine back to dock undamaged but with the integrity (wear and tear) down to 40%. I think it cost me about 1.6 million to repair that. As for the handling, the Python is slower to turn than the Asp in supercruise but not painfully so and the view is reasonable, similar in some respects to the Cobra. I also felt very safe coming home with my valuable exploration data, which for me was a big plus: I had previously been interdicted by an Elite NPC Viper two jumps away from Tsu for the community goal there when in my Asp and lost my shield and nearly 20% of my hull before I could hyperspace away. Exploration is a test of risk management, so find a good balance that works for you - fly safe!
Awesome, thanks for the thoughts. I actually checked my bank today and looks like after all that, I have more than enough to buy an Asp and spec it up. Still some interesting ideas I may take to heart in the future. Now to find me some galactic oddities.