FSS + Supercruise Assist = scan on the go

[Michael Whatever]

When exploring a lot of uneventful time is spent travelling between signal sources or stellar bodies, yet the FSS mode can only be used when effectively stationary in supercruise. We are obliged therefore, to remain stationary and scan the system, then stop scanning and travel to our selected point of interest. If we could combine the supercruise assist function with the FSS operation we could at least make some progress towards one point of interest whilst scanning for our next, all the while the ship is on Assist “autopilot”.

As an option this would make exploration more efficient and give commanders some active gameplay to engage in whilst on those long supercruise journeys.

 

[DiabolusUrsus]

The FSS shows scan targets relative to your ship's position; if your ship is moving the targets will also move and make scanning potentially difficult to complete, especially when the targets are invisible until you pinpoint them at the right frequency.

IMO a better approach would be shortening the time needed to complete FSS scans and/or making SC accelerate/decelerate faster to cut down on idle travel times.

 

[Teh Smoo]

I also want my crew to do something useful. Other than the ONE THING she will do, which is fly a fighter.

Even a PLAYER can help run the FSS, why does the crew member (who gets their % of every discovery!) just sit there, playing on her phone?

 

[FrogsFriend]

The FSS viewpoint is from your current position, so moving while scanning would probably work ok for objects that are reasonably distant from you, with little relative motion. Closer objects however would be scooting across the screen while you're trying to zoom in on them. Imagine trying to zoom-in three or four levels to target one of a binary pair of gas giant moons while the whole thing is moving across your screen at several cm per second, potentially occluding each other even while you're clicking to zoom on them. Lots of potential for frustration.

I don't think that the decision to have your ship stationary while scanning was just an arbitrary one from the designers. I would imagine that it stems from the difficulties created by trying to use what amounts to a high-power telescope from a vehicle moving at variable speed through the field of objects you're trying to target.

 

[Factabulous]

I'm starting to agree with the OP's POV - give us the option and (as others say) it won't work for near objects, but would allow me to scan the far objects and then slow down to scan the near ones if I choose. Should probably be another ship option 'Allow FSS during travel', default OFF so we don't get the forums flooded with 'FSS Impossible!' threads.

 

[Brrokk]

The FSS shows scan targets relative to your ship's position; if your ship is moving the targets will also move and make scanning potentially difficult to complete, especially when the targets are invisible until you pinpoint them at the right frequency.

IMO a better approach would be shortening the time needed to complete FSS scans and/or making SC accelerate/decelerate faster to cut down on idle travel times.

The FSS already copes with movement. Try going really fast, then throttling down and entering FSS quickly. You can see signal sources moving around you.

To implement the suggestion, FD would merely have to remove the check that throttle is set to zero when entering FSS mode.

 

[MadDogMurdock]

Near objects auto-resolve anyway.

And if they were too fast to scan, you’d have the option to slow down.

 

[Speedcuffs]

I also want my crew to do something useful. Other than the ONE THING she will do, which is fly a fighter.

Even a PLAYER can help run the FSS, why does the crew member (who gets their % of every discovery!) just sit there, playing on her phone?

I wouldn't mind but I can't even see her playing on her phone.

Ability to scan while moving would be nice, make it hard, add gameplay.

 

[CMDR Big Mike]

Hell yes to the OP. I would add that they should add a slider for panning sensitivity as well so we can “look” around faster in the FSS.