Elite / Frontier FFE HUD Improvements - possible?

[Kipper]

Does anyone know if the HUD can be improved on FFE?

Specifically -

On the autopilot screen where you select your target - it would be nice if it listed the distances to each and perhaps the type (ship/orbital station/ground base).

When doing planetary landings some sort of VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator) would be useful as well as knowing what the acceptable parameters for movement in the directions are. (Also maybe an inset camera so you can see under your ship while also looking forward - though i know this can't be done in FFE its more of an E4 wish ).

The front view displays messages and the date/time over the internal fuel tank and laser cooling guages. Can it, or they be moved?

What is the purpose of auto-targetter? I have one, assuming it would lock onto incoming ships... it doesn't.

What is the purpose of combat computer? Its just a silly display that is harder to do anything with than using the forward view and the scanner (or pausing and using external view, er)

(edit) Also, what does the tractor beam cargo scoop do (or how do you turn it on) - seems to offer nothing over and above a normal fuel scoop with cargo conversion?

 

[Vikinger]

What is the purpose of auto-targetter? I have one, assuming it would lock onto incoming ships... it doesn't.

Copy and past this info from Jades site:

As the name suggests, the auto targetter will automatically lock on to objects that pass through your crosshairs. In combat mode (red targeting square), the system targets ships. In navigation mode (green square) the system targets planetary bodies etc. Probably not the most essential bit of equipment there is, but the low cost and the fact it doesn't take up any space make it good value.

What is the purpose of combat computer? Its just a silly display that is harder to do anything with than using the forward view and the scanner (or pausing and using external view, er)

Agree. I never use it. Its just annoying.
But i copy and paste some information from Jades site about it:

The combat computer is something of a mixed bag. It is supposed to be an improved scanner, and gives you more info about the ships around you. This information is overlaid on your viewscreen, includes the distance the ships are, their shield and hull strength and what class they are. It is most useful when the enemy ships are still some distance away, especially if they are still outside of normal scanner range, as it shows you the information about all incoming ships rather than just the one you have selected as a combat target. Unfortunately, the combat computer can be a bit of a liability once your opponents get into laser range as the display zooms in and gets in the way. Therefore, once you're in close range of the opponents, you're better off switching to normal view and using the scanner.

(edit) Also, what does the tractor beam cargo scoop do (or how do you turn it on) - seems to offer nothing over and above a normal fuel scoop with cargo conversion?

If you have one fitted on your ship you can "scoop" up cargo or metal alloys from ships you have blown apart.

All you do when you have shoot down a ship that dropped some metal alloys or other stuff. Just target the item, then use auto pilot, Then your ship will fly towards the item and fly over it, and when it does, it automaticly scoop the item into your cargo bay. So you dont need to activate anything.
You can check this by using page up or page down button to se the text that you have collected the item.

And a link to Jades site if you want to check for more information

http://www.jades.org/ffe.htm

Vikinger.

 

[Kipper]

If you have one fitted on your ship you can "scoop" up cargo or metal alloys from ships you have blown apart.

So how is that different from the Cargo Scoop Conversion?

 

[Steve]

So how is that different from the Cargo Scoop Conversion?

It is rumoured that some ships of Military (and NRS Specialised) design have a Tractor Beam fitted which locks onto objects floating in the immediate vicinity and drags them into the Cargo Scoop. This innovation, should it become commonplace, will dramatically improve the scope for small object retrieval.

Allegedly.

 

[Vikinger]

Well its not a difference but to use a cargo scoop conversion you must also have a fuel scoop installed on your ship.
Some ships, the smaller ones for exampel cant use fuel scoop and therefor cant install a cargo scoop conversion.

So the alternative is to use a tractor beam and the tractor beam is also more accurate. Whit this means that an object you try to collect can be a little offset in relation to your ship when u scoop it up. But whit cargo scoop conversion requier that the object goes stright under your ship to be collected.

If you have a ship whit fuel scoop and cargo scoop conversion you really dont need the tractor beam. It is just little harder to scoop things up. And it can result that the object is destroyed against your ships hull.

Another note also. If you only use tractor beam and you want to scoop up fuel canister, you must have a fuel scoop installed or els you wont be able to scoop up the fuel. It will simply be destroyed when you fly over it. But you are able to scoop up any other kind of objects whit it.

Hope you understod my explaination

Vikinger.

 

[Kipper]

Sort of.

So what you're saying is that it makes no visible difference whatsoever to what you see on the screen, or hear. But it allows you to be a little less accurate when scooping up objects?

Since the only way I can scoop up an object anyway is by locking the autopilot....

I really do think the solution to combat and manoevres is to allow the player to define (or make the game better at selecting) the object which the players speed is relative to. Then you could have a proper dogfight as well as being able to do minute manoevres around cargo barrels.

Anyway, while we're on the subject of fuel scooping - is is possible to scoop up military grade fuel from a gas giant or star, if so, what type of stellar object will produce it? I only ever get hydrogen...

 

[Steve]

Anyway, while we're on the subject of fuel scooping - is is possible to scoop up military grade fuel from a gas giant or star, if so, what type of stellar object will produce it? I only ever get hydrogen...

As far as I know, the only fuel you can scoop is hydrogen fuel, which makes sense as stars are chock full of the stuff. Military fuel seems to be an complicated artificial brew, created by scientists...