I need help outfitting my sidewinder

[Apollo Jenkins]

I'm totally new to ED and I am really overwhelmed by this game(?). Before I bought the game I did extensive research as I had read this game has a steep learning curve. But still I seemed not prepared. Been trying this game for about 12 hours now and thought I was on my way to really start of my career as a commander.

As I seem to suck at combat I thought to earn money quick I would do some passenger flights. But I also suck at docking so the plan was to get myself a docking computer. first Now I'm at a hangar that has a docking computer but I don't understand a thing about the outfitting. I've been searching for more info on that but nothing useful for a beginner with a plan. So what I need is a docking computer and a passenger cabin.

When I look at the outfitting menu it looks like there is no free space to outfit the parts I want. I could replace my 1E cargo rack with a docking computer but I'm not sure what my cargo rack does?

I also looked on installing a passenger cabin but didn't even get that far as I'm getting even more confused.

Can someone help me explain all this or is there a video online that explains to newbies how outfitting works. Preferably one that explains how to turn my sidewinder into a space taxi

 

[GreyAreaUK]

I'm totally new to ED and I am really overwhelmed by this game(?). Before I bought the game I did extensive research as I had read this game has a steep learning curve. But still I seemed not prepared. Been trying this game for about 12 hours now and thought I was on my way to really start of my career as a commander.

As I seem to suck at combat I thought to earn money quick I would do some passenger flights. But I also suck at docking so the plan was to get myself a docking computer. first Now I'm at a hangar that has a docking computer but I don't understand a thing about the outfitting. I've been searching for more info on that but nothing useful for a beginner with a plan. So what I need is a docking computer and a passenger cabin.

When I look at the outfitting menu it looks like there is no free space to outfit the parts I want. I could replace my 1E cargo rack with a docking computer but I'm not sure what my cargo rack does?

I also looked on installing a passenger cabin but didn't even get that far as I'm getting even more confused.

Can someone help me explain all this or is there a video online that explains to newbies how outfitting works. Preferably one that explains how to turn my sidewinder into a space taxi

Cargo racks allow you to carry physical cargo. The other type of cargo - data - doesn't require a cargo rack.

So, for instance, a mission may say 'Transport 2 tons of tea to Irukama'. For this you will have to have at least a 2 ton cargo rack installed (which the Sidey does). Cargo racks capacity are measured in tons, but think of it as 'units'. If you have a four ton cargo rack you can carry 4 'units' of something (or 2 units of one thing and two units of something else).


The Sidewinder is a fine ship but it's really not a passenger ship. How much money do you have?

My advice to begin with is just take lots and lots and lots and lots of delivery missions - especially data delivery, as they don't rely on you having cargo space.


Elite does have a bit of a steep learning curve, but it's worth sticking with it. At some point it all just 'clicks' and you have a sort of "ah ha!" moment

Oh - this site here allows you to experiment with ships and loadouts. It's well worth playing with:

https://coriolis.edcd.io/

 

[=TK=]

EDIT - Ninja'd but will leave info for ref anyway [smile]

To start with, the only passenger cabin you can fir in to a Sidewinder is a 2E, which means it goes into a Class 2 module slot and its the lowest grade, A rated being the best but most expensive.

Personally i would ditch the docking computer and just practice docking until it becomes second nature.

How many credits do you have to spend?

D rated modules are the lightest, and will help increase your jump range if you are wanting to be a space taxi.

Here is a quick Sidewinder build i did using the Coriolis tool, which allows for some cargo and passengers, and has D rated modules at a cost of 55,000 credits

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/sid...1/EA==.Aw1/EA==..EweloBjEoUwQwOYBtYhARgtoA===

You might be better saving for a Hauler to be honest, and then work from there

 

[Cmdr Smeggers]

You can only fit a 2E economy class cabin in the Sidewinder and a 1E docking computer. The number denotes the class and size of the module. The letter is the rating. A being the best and most expensive.
Each ship has different size modules you can fit but you cant fit a larger one into a smaller slot obviously but you can a smaller one. The bigger the ship the bigger the slot sizes available.

 

[chrisw99]

I'm just starting out too, so I've probably done this wrong, but I found another Sidewinder which had better stats and 4 cargo spaces so I bought that one, but kept my old one as well.

On the new one, it had the planetary landing suite but doesn't have the vehicle bay, so I ditched the planetary stuff and got a docking computer.

I now have 2 sidewinders, one that can go down to planets, and one with more hold space and a docking computer. It seems to cost about 1000 credits when docked to switch to your other ship, so I can switch back to the planetary one if I have a mission that requires it.

 

[GreyAreaUK]

You might be better saving for a Hauler to be honest, and then work from there

Seconded. I've recently become a huge fan of the Hauler (even though I've now sold mine) as it's affordable (52,000 Cr) and is a significant upgrade from the Sidey in almost every way, except combat capabilities.

Haulers make superb cheap taxis, and passenger missions can be very lucrative in a surprisingly short time. Just take the time to make one station your 'home' station and always go back there to get more missions. That way you gain reputation with the locals and, as that grows, you'll be paid more and more for essentially the same stuff. Takes a bit of time but it's worth it. For passenger missions then Carter Port in Rhea used to be quite good (it's a tourist industry there) and the station itself is lovely. Always a bonus.

Edit: some additional advice, one bit general and one bit specific to passenger missions:

1 - Fit a fuel scoop and learn how to use it. Doesn't matter how big it is, anything is better than nothing. Bigger the better though, obviously.
2 - With passenger missions, read the mission description carefully. Some passengers will be Wanted (which means you may be attacked) and some will be wanting to go on really long trips. Ideally you're after sightseeing tours of less than, say, 300Ly (these always end with you going back to the station where you got the mission in the first place), or straight 'Take passenger from here to here' taxi missions (in which case you'll probably have to fly empy back to your 'home' station).

 

[GreyAreaUK]

I'm just starting out too, so I've probably done this wrong, but I found another Sidewinder which had better stats and 4 cargo spaces so I bought that one, but kept my old one as well.

On the new one, it had the planetary landing suite but doesn't have the vehicle bay, so I ditched the planetary stuff and got a docking computer.

I now have 2 sidewinders, one that can go down to planets, and one with more hold space and a docking computer. It seems to cost about 1000 credits when docked to switch to your other ship, so I can switch back to the planetary one if I have a mission that requires it.

Er...swapping stored ships shouldn't cost you money.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Don't bother with passengers in a Sidewinder. Cargo is way more lucrative at this stage.

Also bear in mind that the Sidewinder has limited total range owing to a small fuel tank. Be wary of this, as some of those bigger payouts require you to travel a little beyond the total range. You can do those missions, but you will have to stop at stations to refuel, or lose a module slot to a fuel scoop, which is also relatively expensive.

 

[chrisw99]

Er...swapping stored ships shouldn't cost you money.

I had to pay to get it transferred from the system where it was stored, is that not normal?

 

[GreyAreaUK]

I had to pay to get it transferred from the system where it was stored, is that not normal?

Ah, that's different. Yes, getting it moved from one station to another will cost.

 

[GreyAreaUK]

Don't bother with passengers in a Sidewinder. Cargo is way more lucrative at this stage.

Also bear in mind that the Sidewinder has limited total range owing to a small fuel tank. Be wary of this, as some of those bigger payouts require you to travel a little beyond the total range. You can do those missions, but you will have to stop at stations to refuel, or lose a module slot to a fuel scoop, which is also relatively expensive.

Not so! A 1E scoop will only set you back a few hundred credits (about 350-ish). Ok a 1E scoop is going to be painful but it beats docking up every two-to-three jumps

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Not so! A 1E scoop will only set you back a few hundred credits (about 350-ish). Ok a 1E scoop is going to be painful but it beats docking up every two-to-three jumps

It does still eat a module slot. And with the limited cargo that Sidewinder offers, that could drastically restrict what missions become available. Personally, I'd take the docking option and buy fuel.

 

[Apollo Jenkins]

I have 10,537 CR at the moment A docking computer will cost me 4500 CR.

I know I should learn to dock manually but it's way too hard. I'm gonna loose more money on fines than I will earn eventually.

I wanna make some money fast to get a bigger ship. Passenger jobs seemed to be the quickest way if you are not that good at combat. Data delivery is also an option. So it's not my intention to keep this ship. But without a docking computer I wont be making any money by either ppassenger or data delivery. It takes me so much time to dock at the moment it has been the only thing I have been doing so far. To get missions you need to dock somewhere and to deliver as well.


I will have a look at all your answers now and see if I can outfit my ship already with a docking computer and do some data delivery jobs

 

[GreyAreaUK]

It does still eat a module slot. And with the limited cargo that Sidewinder offers, that could drastically restrict what missions become available. Personally, I'd take the docking option and buy fuel.

I kinda went the other way, but admittedly I got lucky. My first mission was for 188,000 Cr, 20-odd jumps. I got bored of refuelling after the fifth of sixth time and realised I'd made enough just from cartographic data to afford a basic scoop. Things went a lot quicker from that point.

Then, when I finally turned the mission in, I bought a Hauler.

 

[Apollo Jenkins]

Ok I think I start to understand the outfitting a bit now. So I replaced the cargo rack with a Docking module. I'm gonna do data delivery jobs to earn some money and will wait with my space Uber business till I have a better ship.

 

[GreyAreaUK]

Ok I think I start to understand the outfitting a bit now. So I replaced the cargo rack with a Docking module. I'm gonna do data delivery jobs to earn some money and will wait with my space Uber business till I have a better ship.

If you're ok with not having a fuel scoop then you can have a docking computer and cargo racks:

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/sid...1/EA==.Aw1/EA==..EweloBjEBYQUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=

Cargo can pay more than data but, in fairness, it won't be long until you're in Hauler territory even if you only do Data missions.

And don't let anyone give you crap for using a Docking Computer either...they're a convenience. Manual docking is​ a vital skill you should learn, but it gets tedious after a while.

(Oh - and I'd be inclined to lose the Pulse Lasers unless you really do intend combat - the reduced weight increases your jump range a bit)

 

[Wyaston Hypatia]

I'm just starting out too, so I've probably done this wrong, but I found another Sidewinder which had better stats and 4 cargo spaces so I bought that one, but kept my old one as well.

On the new one, it had the planetary landing suite but doesn't have the vehicle bay, so I ditched the planetary stuff and got a docking computer.

I now have 2 sidewinders, one that can go down to planets, and one with more hold space and a docking computer. It seems to cost about 1000 credits when docked to switch to your other ship, so I can switch back to the planetary one if I have a mission that requires it.

It's best to keep the planetary landing suite. Nothing else can go in the slot. It will allow you to descend to the planetary bases, which is useful, without having to swap ships.
Another way to do things is to have modules in storage and swap them around depending upon the task. You can have modules shipped to the station you are at.

 

[Apollo Jenkins]

If you're ok with not having a fuel scoop then you can have a docking computer and cargo racks:

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/sid...1/EA==.Aw1/EA==..EweloBjEBYQUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=

Cargo can pay more than data but, in fairness, it won't be long until you're in Hauler territory even if you only do Data missions.

And don't let anyone give you crap for using a Docking Computer either...they're a convenience. Manual docking is​ a vital skill you should learn, but it gets tedious after a while.

(Oh - and I'd be inclined to lose the Pulse Lasers unless you really do intend combat - the reduces weight increases your jump range a bit)

Too late I already ditched my cargo rack.



Now the next move will be finding some delivery jobs as in the station that I'm now they only have assassination and massacre jobs. Doesn't sound like my cup of tea at the moment

 

[phong]

When docking with a rotating station ,i find it best to line up with the slot at the outer limit of the flight path.gently ease forward on the throttle when the STAR at the back of the station is visible.If you have landing gear lowered it will halve the throttle speed.You can use your manouevering thrusters to adjust your approach,just make sure you have visual on the STAR and you will sail through,regardless of angle,at least in a sidewinder.It's worth taking your time.Dont be afraid to zero throttle,and keep your hands away from the boost button.

 

[GreyAreaUK]

When docking with a rotating station ,i find it best to line up with the slot at the outer limit of the flight path.gently ease forward on the throttle when the STAR at the back of the station is visible.If you have landing gear lowered it will halve the throttle speed.You can use your manouevering thrusters to adjust your approach,just make sure you have visual on the STAR and you will sail through,regardless of angle,at least in a sidewinder.It's worth taking your time.Dont be afraid to zero throttle,and keep your hands away from the boost button.

One good tip: if your landing gear are down, you are unable to boost.