*Sigh* I will have to delay my plans on the simple fact that I do not have the money at the moment. Deep space exploration is my goal and I will not give up on it but I will delay it until I get enough funds for the proper equipment.
I agree that going with guns and a shield will limit my jump range but I have been interdicted by phantom pirates, that makes one scared to venture out into the unknown unarmed.
I have a shopping list, an expensive one. This also gave me more incite on what is needed for deep space exploration.
As is I will probably go and poke at some of the uncharted areas.
The Hauler is fine. You can get over 20LY jump if you kit it out properly. Its not far behind the Cobra if done right. My first few jaunts were in a Hauler. If you skip the Advanced Discover scanner, just go with basic, you can kit it out for well under a million.
Here you go, a capable cheap explorer for around 500k (add 1.5 million if you really want the advanced scanner), jump range 26LY, should do you nicely.
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=30V,,2-3m3m3I2M2C2C3c,4zg2jw7OW2Uc