How Do I Move Illegal Cargo Without Getting Scanned Before Docking?

oflow

oflow
Starting out it seems the only real way to make decent money is moving illegal goods like slaves, drugs and guns. I've been doing this and its working out okay. But I mostly have just been eatting the fines that come from getting scanned as I come in for a landing. The profit I make with the fine is still more than taking 'legit' board missions so I've just been dealing with it, its usually like a 20-percent hit on average.

Anyway, I was wondering how to do this without getting scanned and having the contraband detected? I know there has to be a way. I've used silent running and it doesnt seem to do much since I still get scanned, still get the fine plus it makes the ship overheat even using it for a short distance like within docking range.

I know I'm probably doing it wrong btw thats why I'm asking.
 

Stealth Gamer92

S
Easy way is turn off all system's except thruster's life support and scanner's, and go in useing heatsink's to keep heat below the magic 20% and traveling at manuvering speed. This method is without silent running and in a small ship, if you're in an Asp you're s.o.l.
 

Monk

Monk
It can be tricky but here is how you should go about it...

First off, what ship do you have? Size and speed are very important to getting scanned.

If you have a good top speed, like the Cobra, you can usually boost in at top speed and beat any scans before they finish (if they start). I try to watch my scanners and time it when most the security forces are towards the back of the station. If any of them start moving towards the front, I'll engage silent running.

REMEMBER, Silient Running is useless when the fuzz are pointed directly at you. If they can see you with their eyeballs they can scan you no matter what (chaff is supposed to break the sacn but that is bugged, I think). Also, even with Silent Running on, you should pop off a heat sink as you get close...this ensures you are as cold as possible.

In a slower ship, your gonna have to work it out a little more carefully. I like to move out about 10k from the station and line up for the slot. Then I power down unessential systems (remember, you need Sensors on if you want to request docking). Watch the scanner for a clearing in the patrols and start boosting in...at about 8km i engage silent running, then hit the docking request boosting the whole time in...drop a heat sink for good measure and then hit all stop and start turning as soon as I enter the station (shields are down so dont' over speed into the back.

For all the tips and tricks though, the one that matters most is using your scanner. Always try to find the moment where the patrols aren't near the front of a station.
 

Tezcatlipoca

Tezcatlipoca
oflow said:
Starting out it seems the only real way to make decent money is moving illegal goods like slaves, drugs and guns. I've been doing this and its working out okay. But I mostly have just been eatting the fines that come from getting scanned as I come in for a landing. The profit I make with the fine is still more than taking 'legit' board missions so I've just been dealing with it, its usually like a 20-percent hit on average.

Anyway, I was wondering how to do this without getting scanned and having the contraband detected? I know there has to be a way. I've used silent running and it doesnt seem to do much since I still get scanned, still get the fine plus it makes the ship overheat even using it for a short distance like within docking range.

I know I'm probably doing it wrong btw thats why I'm asking.
Click to expand...

If you want a less risky way of making money when starting out, you could try trading rare commodities.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RitrGeA_1jL48AcY1NUx6JUEMrFXZhZI7F05Y4cExrQ/pubhtml

http://eliteraretrader.co.uk/
 

Reina Kaede

Reina Kaede
Snasty said:
Do outposts scan, I don't think I have ever been scanned at an outpost that I can think of?
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The stations aren't what's scanning you, it's the authority ships flying around the entrances scanning you. Most of the time outposts are unguarded, except for military outposts.
 

Ben Ryder

Ben Ryder
You will be mostly safe at out posts. As soon as you land get straight in to the hangar.

For stations always approach in a clean straight line. No awakward flying. An easy way to do this is

In super cruise over shoot the station and aim for the planet and slow down. Do not hit the planet. Turn around and fly back to the station. Station generally face the planet in super cruise.

As you are starting out in smuggling. Speed is your friend when dealing with stations. Come in quick, drop heat sinks. Keep you lights on and get ready to hit the breaks as soon as you enter the station entrance. Do not forget to request docking at 7.5km.

Good luck
 

Mr Cynical

Mr Cynical
oflow said:
Starting out it seems the only real way to make decent money is moving illegal goods like slaves, drugs and guns. I've been doing this and its working out okay. But I mostly have just been eatting the fines that come from getting scanned as I come in for a landing. The profit I make with the fine is still more than taking 'legit' board missions so I've just been dealing with it, its usually like a 20-percent hit on average.

Anyway, I was wondering how to do this without getting scanned and having the contraband detected? I know there has to be a way. I've used silent running and it doesnt seem to do much since I still get scanned, still get the fine plus it makes the ship overheat even using it for a short distance like within docking range.

I know I'm probably doing it wrong btw thats why I'm asking.
Click to expand...

I found quickest and safest way (for big stations) was to line up the slot about 8km out, go to 3/4 thrust, request dock at 7.5km out, then when you get to just over 5km out, hit silent running, and as you slide through the door hit the brakes and the docking computer will take over landing while you switch off the silent running. Very easy once you get the hang of it. You get braver and faster when you get the rotation nailed on as well, but tricky getting it stopped without hitting back wall of the station when you try it at full blast though!

Only times I've been scanned was when I stupidly forgot that what I was carrying was illegal. Once when had a full rack too - the fine wasnt pretty, and neither was my language!
 

oflow

oflow
Ben Ryder said:
You will be mostly safe at out posts. As soon as you land get straight in to the hangar.

For stations always approach in a clean straight line. No awakward flying. An easy way to do this is

In super cruise over shoot the station and aim for the planet and slow down. Do not hit the planet. Turn around and fly back to the station. Station generally face the planet in super cruise.

As you are starting out in smuggling. Speed is your friend when dealing with stations. Come in quick, drop heat sinks. Keep you lights on and get ready to hit the breaks as soon as you enter the station entrance. Do not forget to request docking at 7.5km.

Good luck
Click to expand...

What do the lights actually do?
 

Mr Cynical

Mr Cynical
oflow said:
What do the lights actually do?
Click to expand...

Handy when mining, or just prettier sightseeing when zooming around in asteroid belts.
or maybe useful when manual docking at outposts in deep shadow. And as stealth says for salvage - i havent even tried that yet either!
 
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CMDR Nef

CMDR Nef
Silent running and a docking computer. That's how I handle it. Haven't been scanned once in my entire smuggling career. Currently at Merchant rank for trading. Tried doing rare trading, but it felt like cheating getting 150k per one way 2 minute trip. Made 5 mil in the first night. Kind of want to stretch my play time out.
 

tafkabb

T
I hit silent running as soon as I come out of supercruise. 4 pips to engine, boost towards station, request docking at 7.5km. By the time I slip into the letterbox I'm at a critical heat level. My way isn't the easiest or the safest, but by god it's fun. If you're going to smuggle, smuggle properly
 

FuriousBaku

FuriousBaku
Let me tell you something..I smuggle most of the time and what I do is the most simplest why so far for me. First of all on your approach to the larger station you must come in planet side meaning loop around and face the station with you rear-end towards planet and then disengage warp drive, by doing this you have a better chance of facing the mail slot of the station...line up and drive in till you hit 7.5m then request docking. Now the key thing here and most important is having a CHAFF LAUNCHER, because they scramble scanners simple as that....now don't take your time getting in and don't rush it too much and crash and tangle up, but have your chaff launcher ready if the do scan you....it will buy you time to get in for the landing.

This has been working great for me....If they scan me I scramble it and boogie in, land, and play dumb like I don't know what they are talking about. Buy that time the deal is done.
 
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