> Type 7 and above is where conventional trading becomes the leader again (in cr/hr) <
Here's my observations:
A maxed out Asp with 80 cargo trading rare commodities makes ~1.6 million credits/hr.
Commodities cost are fairly low with a minimum of risk.
It is a fast, manuverable well armed ship.
This route includes the occassional 10 minute wait for rares to resupply allowing time
to check out the ED Forum, eat, whatever.
A maxed out Lykon Type 7 with 208 cargo trading standard commodities makes ~1.6 million credits/hr.
Commodities cost are very expensive with a high risk typically a 5:1 ratio between cost versus profit.
It is a slow, poor manuvering with less weaponry one will probably never get on target.
It requires constant flying.
Well my point was more that above an Asp you are generally better off with regular commodities, the higher up you go the truer it becomes, although I concede the Type 7 could be a border case, it's definitely the case in the Type 9.
Though I have to admit, your experience of the 7 seems diametrically opposed to mine:
-I'm currently making 2.5m/h trading a 30LY run between two ports at an average of 1000 Cr/t each way
-The value of my rebuy plus hold is approx 2.5m, a reasonably upgraded Asp could easily reach that in hull alone.
-I've been interdicted four times, evaded three and boosted away from the other (a Python)
-I've never fired a shot in anger from it and I'm now a few hours trading from my Type 9 (I could already buy a Python)
-The only Type 7 I've lost was to a boost button accident