[Exploration Setups] DB Explorer

dognosh · Jun 3, 2015

EDIT : My error, the offensive setup was some A rated and some D rated, not all A rated as I said .

As there have been threads on the Diamondback Explorer showing photos, and some saying how it maneuvers, I decided only 2 items left to do for us explorers : Exploration setups and actual exploring.

I did the former, will do the latter later or let someone else do it

Just to let you know the DBE sits between the type-6 and Imperial Courier in price range, if not changed for the 1.3 release it costs 1.95M Cr .
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Objective : Max Range Exploration setup
Minimum Criteria : 30+ LY jump range
Setup : D rated(for max range)
If you do a standard setup of all D-rated, with A rated FSD, A4 rated scoop,no shields, and not go lower class for stuff like the power management and boosters, you get 33+ LY
(including det scan + adv. scan)
(if you go lower classed for some stuff you can hit 34 LY with reasonable setup, even more if bareboned)
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Objective : Defensive Exploration setup
Minimum Criteria : 30+ LY jump range
Setup : some A rated and some D rated
As above setup but with:
A4 power plant, A4 shield gen and an A3 AFMU(and 4 shield boosters, each A0) and some power management(like make sure AFMU is OFF) you have a defensive ship that can hold its own enough to get away.
I managed 31.24 LY range
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Objective : Offensive Exploration setup
Minimum Criteria : 30+ LY jump range
Setup : some A rated and some D rated
As above but with a beam weapon and 2 cannons and some power management(like make sure AFMU is OFF) you get a ship that bites and can do 30 LY
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You know what ? I like this ship

Now all I need to do is take it out for some exploring

EDIT :

EXPLORING
=======
So I set it up for max range (in brackets are ship's max class if I chose a lower class):
Power plant : D3(4)
Thrusters : D4
FSD : A5
Life Support : D3
Power Dist. : D2(4)
Sensors : D3
Fuel Scoop : A4
AFMU : A3
plus detailed and adv. scanners

I got a max range of 33.81 , but no defenses ! An Asp set up like for like would be at around ~35-36 at a guess.
View : Excellent
Tank Range : same as other setups, around 6 to 6.5 jumps at near max jump range
Boost : N/A in this setup as the Power Distributor is too small
Maneuvering : V. Good

Scooping : I drained fuel tank to about 10% , then I moved quickly close enough to star to get scoop to max and then stopped. scoop was at 343, fuel tank went from 10% to 100% full and temp. went up to 92%, pretty good I say !!!

OK, so I like this ship, and versus the Asp , it is only 2(ish) LY less in range. Looks are nice(I think it looks like a Locust

) .
Hand on heart if I was planning a long term trip of over 3 weeks or more, which would I take ?
I would choose the Asp as it can take more of a beating before being destroyed.

Katejina · Jun 3, 2015

I am fairly confident now that I can kit it to be better or equal to my ASP, which currently has a ~31-31ly jump range, which is nice because I love how the DB looks.

Thanks for the info, doggy!

dognosh · Jun 3, 2015

Katejina said:
I am fairly confident now that I can kit it to be better or equal to my ASP, which currently has a ~31-31ly jump range, which is nice because I love how the DB looks.

Thanks for the info, doggy!

no probs, your setup, which of the 3 types is your Asp(from my 1st post) ?

Varrag · Jun 3, 2015

Looks decent. I am running pretty barebone Asp which should fit somewhere between your "max range" and "defensive exploration" setups: shields and chaff, no shield boosters, AFMUs or heatsinks... ~35 LYs jump range. For as long as exploration is working as it does right now, I am not sure that the looks of DBE alone (which I like, a lot) should make me think about dumping Asp. But we'll see.

Zephyriel · Jun 3, 2015

I really don't like the Asp, the range on this new ship is enough for me to consider getting it next time I want to do some exploring. Thanks for the stats.

Himilco · Jun 3, 2015

I LOVE my ASP....it's configured for max range jumps and high end system scans....but I must admit, this little beauty looks nice too!

I'll have to look in to it after the patch drops...assuming I make it home from my voyage to the galactic precipice.

Thanks for sharing the info!

Ziljan · Jun 3, 2015

It's a beautiful ship. Not as fast as I'd like, but I can't wait to fly it all the same.

For those without beta access, here's a video preview:

[video=youtube;pJXej2JA61Y]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJXej2JA61Y[/video]

dognosh · Jun 3, 2015

Varrag said:
Looks decent. I am running pretty barebone Asp which should fit somewhere between your "max range" and "defensive exploration" setups: shields and chaff, no shield boosters, AFMUs or heatsinks... ~35 LYs jump range. For as long as exploration is working as it does right now, I am not sure that the looks of DBE alone (which I like, a lot) should make me think about dumping Asp. But we'll see.

try setting the DBE as your Asp, then let me know if it comes close to 35 ? I think you can get close

Katejina · Jun 3, 2015

dognosh said:
no probs, your setup, which of the 3 types is your Asp(from my 1st post) ?

Somewhere between 1 and 2, I think. Certainly not offensive. I'm not at home right this moment so I can't look up my equipment.
My max jump range is approximately 32.25ly, but I barely allow it to reach 31. Recently dumped some black boxes I had been holding hoping it would let me jump a bit further to a proto star but alas, it's still out of reach.

Saint242 · Jun 3, 2015

Stats are up on E: D Shipyard too.

I like that for a much lower price you can have a ship with pretty much the same jump range as the Asp. Asp has a lot more internal space, though, so for the really long hauls, you probably still want an Asp with multiple AFMU, maybe an extra fuel tank or two. But it's nice there is another option.

dognosh · Jun 3, 2015

Varrag said:
Looks decent. I am running pretty barebone Asp which should fit somewhere between your "max range" and "defensive exploration" setups: shields and chaff, no shield boosters, AFMUs or heatsinks... ~35 LYs jump range. For as long as exploration is working as it does right now, I am not sure that the looks of DBE alone (which I like, a lot) should make me think about dumping Asp. But we'll see.

I do believe if you set up the DBE and Asp with "like for like" the Asp has about a 2 to 2.5 LY advantage

If you need max range, like go in to the sparse areas of our galaxy, then Asp it is.
If you are happy with 30LY and fully Offensive ship with enough bite to have a chance, then DBE can do it

Feldspar · Jun 3, 2015

I had a play and it doesn't quite meet the jump distances of the Asp when I fit it, but it is very close for a couple of million less. Where it shines, though, is the jump distances of the offensive set ups.

dognosh · Jun 3, 2015

First post updated with a brief look at some exploring results.

Feldspar said:
I had a play and it doesn't quite meet the jump distances of the Asp when I fit it, but it is very close for a couple of million less. Where it shines, though, is the jump distances of the offensive set ups.

Yes quite right

Varrag · Jun 3, 2015

Yep, it's pretty close. Around 33 LYs range with more or less copied Asp setup. Only thing considerably worse is time to fill 32T fuel tank (1:33 secs - almost double); heat she takes on max load remains to be seen (Asp stays rather cool at 70-75%). View from the cockpit is also no match for Asp I suppose: I don't like those thick metal bars and there are no bottom windows.

DBE is very good explorer, but not a replacement for my ship at the moment.

Dommarraa · Jun 3, 2015

Phew, thats more like it. Not sure it has enough small slots for my planned UA Investigator, and might be too big for smuggling, but I will find a place for it in my fleet somewhere it looks so sweet (you can keep your useless Clipper)

Kuroshio · Jun 4, 2015

Interesting. If I copy the former armed scout layout of my Asp (Everything D except FSD and PD, 1 AFMU, 2 medium beams, reinforced alloys), the Diamondbex wins in jump range... by 0.14 light-years. And refuels 30 seconds slower. It's also only 4.3 million credits cheaper, so I'd rather take the Asp in that configuration.

If I copy my full-blown A-setup, however, the little beast gains a slightly bigger edge in jump-range (1.5ish) while being 15 million credits cheaper. The thought that we suddenly have a fully PvE capable ship with legs longer than 28 light-years makes my slightly squeamish.

Can't really make up my mind here, but since I volunteered as a fuel rat and the Diamondbex can't do that job, I'll probably have to put my Asp in the role of an A-rated exploration support vessel and either get a light-weight little one for my own exploration duties or buy a second Asp. I guess I'll have to wait until I made some test flights and fights.

And I'm sure I need more money.

Whiterose · Jun 4, 2015

Next trip out I will take the diamondback, purely for variety. Jump range is never my thing anyway, as in my Asp currently I only have 27.05 Ly, no idea why and not actually bothered. I will arm up the Diamondback, not sure how it fights, the Asp is good, but does have very wide hips so would make a larger target.

Whats the cockpit like, as I do find the Asp cockpit very minimalist and Industrial.

mw_aurora · Jun 4, 2015

Interesting - I have just priced up a comparable build to my T6 in EDShipyard and it is about twice the price (~12m vs ~6m).

T6 - http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70W,,2-5K6u6Q3m5K3m6k,50o0O40MW0MW7Q42jw2UI
DBE - http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70i,,2-5K6u7_5K6u5K8I,0MW4_w7Q42jw2UI

The DBE has a jump range of 33.3 vs 29.5.
The T6 has capacity for a lot more AFMU.

I look forward to seeing how it handles in SC and how hot it runs when I am at the controls

Dommarraa · Jun 4, 2015

Looks like a very nice piece of kit. You can A Grade the hell out of it, and it still has enough power and still jumps 30ly

This is my build for a UA Investigator. No AMFU, but I am going off them as "essential" unless you are going out further than Sag A*

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70i,5TP5Rr5Rr3RO3h00_g0_g,2-6Q6Q7_4s6Q4s8I,7RA4_w05U2jw2UI

If one of those 3s was split into a couple of 1s, there would be room for an Interdicter or AMFU, then it would be just about perfect

Raiko · Jun 4, 2015

I've been comparing the Diamondback Explorer to my Buckyball Run Asp, and thought I'd post here.

The Nomad - Raiko's Buckball Run Asp
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70g,,2-3I6u7_6u2C8S6k,5220Nw0Ko0Ko0Ko2jw2UI

Code:

[Asp]
BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 2A Power Plant
TM: 4D Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 4D Life Support
PC: 1D Power Distributor
SS: 5D Sensors
FS: 4C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 16)
6: 6A Fuel Scoop
5: 5C Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 3C Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 3C Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 3C Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
2: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner
2: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: 155.32 MJ
Power : 6.65 MW retracted (69%)
        6.65 MW deployed (69%)
        9.60 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel  : 16 T
Mass  : 321.1 T empty
        337.1 T full
Range : 36.54 LY unladen
        36.54 LY laden
Price : 43,971,506 CR
Re-Buy: 2,198,575 CR @ 95% insurance

Equivalent Buckyball Spec Diamondback
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70i,,2-3I6u7_5K2C5K6k,4_w0MM0Ko2jw2UI

Code:

[Diamondback Explorer]
BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 2A Power Plant
TM: 4D Thrusters
FH: 5A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 3D Life Support
PC: 1D Power Distributor
SS: 3D Sensors
FS: 4C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 16)
4: 4A Fuel Scoop
4: 4C Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 3C Auto Field-Maintenance Unit
3: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner
2: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner
---
Shield: none
Power : 6.19 MW retracted (64%)
        6.19 MW deployed (64%)
        9.60 MW available
Cargo : 0 T
Fuel  : 16 T
Mass  : 331.1 T empty
        347.1 T full
Range : 35.48 LY unladen
        35.48 LY laden
Price : 12,584,878 CR
Re-Buy: 629,244 CR @ 95% insurance

On the face of it the Diamondback Explorer should have been exactly the ship I'd hoped for when the Diamondback and Courier were first announced - a smaller ship than the Asp, capable of carrying a class 5 FSD, ie potentially a much cheaper Anaconda challenger for long range racing and exploration.

Unfortunately although physically smaller, the Diamondback is 10t heavier than the Asp - I'm guessing that they fitted it with 20t of "game balance units" as ballast. So although it's a worthy ship at a great price I can't see it challenging the Asp & the Conda for getting a long, long way really fast. It's a shame because I really want to explore the galactic fringe and from reading through some of the threads here I think my Asp will struggle to cross onto the outer arms. I can manage a single 37.7ly jump, two 37ly jumps or three 36.5ly jumps. I'd really hoped that the new Diamondback variant would let me exceed that while keeping exploration scanners fitted, sadly it can't quite beat the Asp.

It's a shame, but I still think that it's a great ship for explorers.