Newcomer / Intro Guide to Smuggling

[Sidman]

Hi, I wanted to write a guide to smuggling in the guide area but it is restricted to only a few people, this makes the people that occasional post guides to be unable to post in that area. Before I start smuggling illegal items I wanted to test what would trip the scanners of the system security vessels, unfortunately lockdown systems all vessels will be scanned so try to avoid those.

The first rule for evading scans is to drive normally this means obey the speed limit near any station, lockdown systems you need to obey the speed limit for the whole system. Outposts are usually the easiest stations to avoid scans from the system authority ships. I have successfully docked at a outpost without being scanned so far its random with Starports as the system security is also closer and have only one entry point.

Speeding into the entry way of a star port is a good way to get scanned, crashing into the landing pad will also get you scanned. Entering the docking port going normal speed and obeying docking rules will limit your chances of being scanned by system authority vessels. if a starport is under anarchy than there is no black market under anarchy because everything is legal. Well it is there but your not going to get as munch.

how to avoid scans by other players, hide yourself from other players by following another ship underneath them, this will most likely make it harder to detect you. Also this won't protect you from kill scanners when the target is the station as it will scan everyone in the station. This method is good for leaving a high security or lockdown station without being scanned remember to increase speed as soon as your clear of the grade or you will be in violation of docking procedures and surely be scanned by system authority vessels. Note try to stay below the speed limit. When you get good at avoiding scans you can use the follow NPC ship into dock underneath to avoid scans in lockdown systems. It is a violation to scan NPC ships unless your a system authority vessel, it is more likely the system authority vessels will target the NPC ship instead of you, scan evaded.

I have been able to get through outposts without being scanned 3/4 of the time obeying speed limit.

Starports I have not been able to escape being scanned at starports, this is simply because I havn't mastered the docking thing yet. surface ports are well protected and you make easy target landing on surface you will most likely get scanned before your even in sight of the surface port.

 

[Limoncello Lizard]

For surface ports, pay attention to the authority broadcasts. They tell everyone when they are about to go on a break. This is when you can sneak in without being scanned.

Noone scans you in an outpost, unless it's military.

Speed is the easiest way to avoid getting scanned in or out of a station, just don't bounce off the front or get stuck in the toastrack. Also, being allied with the controlling faction makes it much less likely they will scan you.

 

[Sidman]

I docked at a starport and they never scanned me. Also if you lower your elevation in supercruise you make a less inviting target for a interdiction because of the somewhat 2D limit of the NPC, the Authority ships will pull you out of super cruise mode to scan you every now and than.

 

[CMDR Mr. Boombastic]

When you are on a smuggling run it can be helpful to safely disengage from supercruise so you are already facing the Starport entrance -works most of the time :

Spoiler

[video=youtube_share;E1cvw5jPL6I]https://youtu.be/E1cvw5jPL6I[/video]

Then just line up with the entrance and speed your way in.
The entrance can be slightly offset - I think I read from another CMDRs post that it is facing towards one of the poles of the planet.

 

[Sidman]

that only works on stations that don't rotate two different ways the hexagon station the docking area rotates around at an angle so you may be lucky and you may not. However, the best way to make money is smuggerling I seen missions there fore at least 1,000,000 credits. Systems your find smuggle ring missions in is are anarchy systems they spawn the most non fraction systems and agiculture economy and industry economy and at lower rate for refinery and estration economy.

 

[Para Handy]

that only works on stations that don't rotate two different ways ..........

OMG - I think I just wet myself laughing......

 

[through the hole backwards]

And you are qualified to write guides how?

 

[bookmite]

If You're referring to the coriolis stations, not the easiest to jump into facing the slot ..I've never even tried smuggling with that type as I take too long finding the post box as it is .

But bless ya for trying, but there are guys on here who have been smuggling in ED since year dot ...not a lot you or I can teach them ..surprise them maybe , but teach them...I doubt it buddy

 

[d8veh]

I don't want to seem unkind, but it really worries me that people write guides on how to do things without having a clue how to do it themselves. Without (or maybe with) being big-headed, being a veteran of Robigo and having done loads of smuggling since, and more important, sneaking into stations with a bounty on me, where a scan results in death, I can say that I've never been scanned when avoiding them in the last 12 months and I disagree with most of what OP wrote about avoiding scans.

Outposts: Check there's no feds (zero most of the time) and land normally. If there is a fed there, jump out and back again until he's gone.
Stations: Fly in straight down the axis line at a speed of 250 to 300 m/s. Once you're through the slot, you're clear. There were occasional scans through the slot, but I haven't seen or heard that recently, so if you hear "scan detected" inside the station, duck down next to the slot on the inside.
Military outposts: Fly around in supercruise and wait for a pirate to get interested. Let him chase you to the outpost. When you get there, wait outside the no-fire zone until the pirate arrives and starts shooting, then you can go to the pad and land while the feds deal with the pirate. Make sure report crimes is switched on, otherwise the feds won't be interested. If you can't get a pirate, take your chance with speed.
Planetary bases: Very difficult. Your best hope is silent running and heatsinks, and be as quick as you can. The pirates don't seem to follow onto planets, so that won't work.Try prayers, stroke a black cat or help a few old ladies across the road before you attempt the approach.

That's it. Guide written. Just put in in the right place.

 

[Arry]

I don't want to seem unkind, but it really worries me that people write guides on how to do things without having a clue how to do it themselves. Without (or maybe with) being big-headed, and being a veteran of Robigo and having done loads of smuggling since, and more important, sneaking into stations with a bounty on me, where a scan results in death, I can say that I've never been scanned when avoiding them in the last 12 months and I disagree with most of what OP wrote about avoiding scans.

Outposts: Check there's no feds (zero most of the time) and land normally. If there is a fed there, jump out and back again until he's gone.
Stations: Fly in straight down the axis line at a speed of 250 to 300 m/s. Once you're through the slot, you're clear. There were occasional scans through the slot, but I haven't seen or heard that recently, so if you hear "scan detected" inside the station, duck down next to the slot on the inside.
Military outposts: Fly around in supercruise and wait for a pirate to get interested. Let him chase you to the outpost. When you get there, wait outside the no-fire zone until the pirate arrives and starts shooting, then you can go to the pad and land while the feds deal with the pirate. Make sure report crimes is switched on, otherwise the feds won't be interested. If you can't get a pirate, take your chance with speed.
Planetary bases: Very difficult. Your best hope is silent running and heatsinks, and be as quick as you can. The pirates don't seem to follow onto planets, so that won't work.Try prayers, stroke a black cat or help a few old ladies across the road before you attempt the approach.

That's it. Guide written. Just put in in the right place.

There is a lot of sense here and worth reading; unlike the original poster.

I love smuggling and if the missions are there, I will take them; unfortunately they are not as common as they used to be.

Bullet points:

Trust and understand your ship: Cobra III; due to its speed, is the most successful smuggling ship, I would say, but at the same time. You can smuggle in most ships. So if you go up a ship class; make sure you can comfortably fly it as well as you did your last favourite smuggling ship.

Sensors should have the best range: This is required for spacial awareness, being aware of what is going on around and in front of you. Make good use of the Radar, learn to read it at a glance.

Don't panic and be decisive: Hesitation and bad planing; will get you caught. On planets, you may have to run; as this is sometimes the only option if you find yourself being scanned with wanted passengers on-board. I have survived a completed scan and becoming wanted; at a planet base. By understanding that I could not out-run the scan, so raising the landing gear and boosting away; I then left the system and came back in 10 minutes, to complete the mission, pay the fine and learnt by my mistake. (Pointed out above; just watch the comms and listen to what is going on)

Speed is the key: But it doesn't have to be stupid speeds. I run criminal masterminds in a Cobra IV, with a top speed of 301ms boosting. It won't cover 3km in under 10 seconds and that is the point. Those scans take 10 seconds to complete. So if you are heading for the letter box on a station, line it up and go in as fast as you like. Outposts and planet bases, you need to look out for the cops.

Being Allied with local faction helps to lessen the possibility of scans, but don't be complacent. Getting caught will lower that Allied reputation.

 

[Underhook]

Hi Sidman
Its good that you want to help the community by making a guide but your experience in this area seems to be lacking. Have you read the guides that do exist? Have you discovered some information that they are lacking or have you found a better way? I would suggest you try doing what the other guides suggest and if you find errors then base your contribution around that.
Good luck with the smuggling.

 

[through the hole backwards]

Just in addition to that put by d8veh , If you are smuggling to a particular system regularly , then it is worth noting that you will be scanned less frequently the better your reputation with the controlling faction is. This amounts to an almost open door policy when you achieve friendly status , so its sometimes worth putting the leg work in to make smuggling almost as risk free as normal trading. Moderate this with the security status of the system.

Edit NInjad by the Lizard!

- - - Updated - - -

If You're referring to the coriolis stations, not the easiest to jump into facing the slot ..I've never even tried smuggling with that type as I take too long finding the post box as it is .

But bless ya for trying, but there are guys on here who have been smuggling in ED since year dot ...not a lot you or I can teach them ..surprise them maybe , but teach them...I doubt it buddy

When you select a Coriolis as a target it will appear as a hologram on your control panel with little arrows pointing to the slot.

 

[d8veh]

Just in addition to that put by d8veh , If you are smuggling to a particular system regularly , then it is worth noting that you will be scanned less frequently the better your reputation with the controlling faction is. This amounts to an almost open door policy when you achieve friendly status , so its sometimes worth putting the leg work in to make smuggling almost as risk free as normal trading. Moderate this with the security status of the system.

Also, being allied with the controlling faction makes it much less likely they will scan you.

Good point. A couple of weeks ago, I did a combat CG, but managed to get a bounty on me, so I needed to get scanned in the suicide Sidewinder. I had already claimed 40 million in bounties, so I was allied. I positioned myself right in the track that where the feds were circulating. They had to swerve around me, but still they wouldn't scan me. It took about 40 minutes before I eventually got scanned.

 

[bookmite]

Just in addition to that put by d8veh , If you are smuggling to a particular system regularly , then it is worth noting that you will be scanned less frequently the better your reputation with the controlling faction is. This amounts to an almost open door policy when you achieve friendly status , so its sometimes worth putting the leg work in to make smuggling almost as risk free as normal trading. Moderate this with the security status of the system.

Edit NInjad by the Lizard!

- - - Updated - - -

When you select a Coriolis as a target it will appear as a hologram on your control panel with little arrows pointing to the slot.

Aye, it took a lot of attempts to suss them out, I didn't twig they were arrows pointing to the side with slot for ages ...I am still reticent to attempt smuggling into one because having to fly around it means that you have little cover from the fed ships.

Is it only the ships that scan you ? Or does the station also scan you ...I've often wondered

 

[Ism]

You forgot leaving the station.

Scans are harder to avoid. You drop a heatsink when you hear you are being scanned.
boost...boost...gtf outta there. Works wonders.

Entering, follow D8veh advice. If you find yourself on the side of the station, just stay outside 8km perimeter until you get lined up with the mail slot.
Then ask for docking permission and fly right down it's throat.

You will most surely get scanned if you approach the mail slot from the side. But you can thwart the scan by dumping a heatsink.

Don't worry about a scan warning as you enter the mail slot. It takes around 4-5 seconds for a complete scan, once inside the scan looses lock.

 

[CMDR Heisenberg B. Damned]

Just to add silent running also decreases your chance to get scanned in the same way popping a heatsink does by reducing your heat output, know your ship though and understand how likely you are to be bouncing off the rear wall with no shields as silent running turns them off.

And in 2.3 the station alignment in SC is made far easier as the hologram displays the actual stations orientation relative to your ship.

 

[d8veh]

Just to add silent running also decreases your chance to get scanned in the same way popping a heatsink does by reducing your heat output, know your ship though and understand how likely you are to be bouncing off the rear wall with no shields as silent running turns them off.

Have you any test results that show that that's true? It seems logical, but we need test data to show how effective it is.