How crucial is the detail surface scanner when exploring or DSS vs SRV vs Shield

VR andysonofbob · Nov 24, 2016

Hi

About to go exploring in a Sidewinder - long story. From what I can tell, in a sidewinder you can explore but you seem to need to sacrifice one of the following: SRV, Sheild or DSS

I am going purely for enjoyment but I do want to make some money. I think I will be wanting to stretch my legs on planets using the SRV and maybe using it to scavenge for stuff. So shield will also be beneficial.

Do I really REALLY need the DSS? I will be properly exploring each sector I visit though, performing basic scans. Is this enough to make some money?

Thanks!

Faded Glory · Nov 24, 2016

andysonofbob said:
Hi

About to go exploring in a Sidewinder - long story. From what I can tell, in a sidewinder you can explore but you seem to need to sacrifice one of the following: SRV, Sheild or DSS

I am going purely for enjoyment but I do want to make some money. I think I will be wanting to stretch my legs on planets using the SRV and maybe using it to scavenge for stuff. So shield will also be beneficial.

Do I really REALLY need the DSS? I will be properly exploring each sector I visit though, performing basic scans. Is this enough to make some money?

Thanks!

The DSS just means you get more credits for the scan (level 3 as opposed to level 2 I believe), so without it, you will make less credits and your rank progress will be slower. Not sure whether you can still get first discovered status without it, but I'm sure someone will come along and tell you.

If you want to go SRV'ing on planets, then IMO you will need shields, as hard landings will damage your hull, and very hard ones could cause you to go bang.

DeRane · Nov 24, 2016

But you would not know the mineral composition of a planet without DSS, would you? Finding all the components for jumponium without seems rather momentous task and short legs of Sidewinder would make you want to use it a lot, at least on some sections of galaxy.

disorganise · Nov 24, 2016

Sure I read somewhere the difference between a non DSS body scan and a DSS body scan was around 30%. So, yes, you'll still make money.
But.....
From reading captains log thread, it seem not having a DSS means a body scan is not written to the journal....so tools like captains log (and presumably ED Discovery) can't use them. That's a real shame.
If you're too bothered about keeping records (or do it manually anyhow) then ditch the DSS I think. If you want to keeo track of bodies....ditch the shield. It is possible to land without damage....eg, tapping the flight assist off button to descend rather than thrusters

VR andysonofbob · Nov 24, 2016

Cool thanks!

I am not bothered about keeping a journal and hadn't even considered jumponium. I am a bit worried about the DSS being required for tagging systems. I am fairly sure I discovered a bunch when I was just jump dinging my way to Sag A*...

Yanick · Nov 24, 2016

I'd advise not going in a Sidey. If you take an ASP-X, you can have shields, a SRV, and a DSS. No compromise necessary

Jackie Silver · Nov 24, 2016

Scan values are basic ("you see the body") = 1/6, ordinary (no DSS, "you scan the body so its name resolves") = 2/6, DSS ("you also have a DSS when you scan the body") = 3/6. You get twice as much cash* if you carry a DSS. Also, it's necessary to see quite a lot of the data on planets (most importantly, their composition) and stars (temperature) so for most exploration purposes you'll want to carry one.

Faced with a choice between shields and DSS on a small ship I'd keep the DSS and practice my landings.

(For that matter, I fit ADS and DSS on all ships, even combat and racing ships.)

*from a given scan. In practice, if you're jonking and only rarely detail scanning objects, the extra cash will be somewhat lower - impossible to put a precise figure on it as it depends on personal scanning style.

goemon · Nov 24, 2016

exploration does not make you any money, not even CR, but it is the only CR that counts toward elite rank. the boost is massive with a DSS + first discoveries.

even more, if you stay out longer, you'll get interested about the info only a DSS can give you (huh! a really hot waterworld! wait - why is that planet moving so fast) - or you'll get bored out, in which case you'll return or selfdestruct.

a DSS also gives you an idea which materials to find - i would very rarely take out my srv for a fully random drive around...

tl;dr: dss > srv > shield... basically you can do canyon racing in a sidey instead of srv racing ... but that would require a shield ;-)

varonica · Nov 24, 2016

goemon said:
a DSS also gives you an idea which materials to find - i would very rarely take out my srv for a fully random drive around...

tl;dr: dss > srv > shield... basically you can do canyon racing in a sidey instead of srv racing ... but that would require a shield ;-)

DSS will also tell you if a body has vulcanism so that you know whether or not it's worth flying around to find it.

Chrystoph · Nov 24, 2016

andysonofbob said:
Cool thanks!

I am not bothered about keeping a journal and hadn't even considered jumponium. I am a bit worried about the DSS being required for tagging systems. I am fairly sure I discovered a bunch when I was just jump dinging my way to Sag A*...

Jonking doesn't "claim" anything, you have to scan individual astronomic bodies for that (Level 2/3 scans).

Heard your OP, but, if you can afford a bit of money, here is an Adder for about 3.32 MCr.

iain666 · Nov 24, 2016

andysonofbob said:
Cool thanks!

I am not bothered about keeping a journal and hadn't even considered jumponium. I am a bit worried about the DSS being required for tagging systems. I am fairly sure I discovered a bunch when I was just jump dinging my way to Sag A*...

You definitely do not need a DSS to tag a body, although you do need to actually scan it and not just honk it with the ADS.

I wouldn't go out without one, but that's just personal preference really. I also couldn't live without ED Discovery, but then I love being able to see where I've been on the map

and it means if you find you've jumped into a dead end in a sparser region you'll be easily able to retrace your steps to get back out. That is easier in game than it used to be now we have the visited stars filter admittedly.

[VR] optimal_909 · Nov 25, 2016

I have to confess, that I'm not using EDSM.
Somehow didn't begin with it, and it would simply feel odd to use it now, after about 250kly of exploration. Or more.

racer1 · Nov 25, 2016

As well as credits you will miss out on some detailed info on planets.

This is interesting but also you will not know what elements you can prospect for or if rings are pristine.

So it depends.

I'd lose the shields. You can land on planets without doing damage these days, but you have to be very careful.

But I'm doing the Outlander challenge and tagging along with the Christmas Carriers Convoy - heading to Colonia in a Sidewinder. I've dropped the DSS because I expect I'll be meeting up with other CMDRs and it would be easy for someone to bump into my little sidey.

My build https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/sidewinder?code=0p0t3F0l3d3s4f1----2ov62fB6.Iw1%2FEA%3D%3D.Aw1%2FEA%3D%3D.&bn=outlander

An Adder makes a good budget exploration ship, without having to compromise on DSS, Shield or SRV.