Newcomer / Intro Is Intermediate Discovery Scanner worthless?

Intermediate Discovery Scanner costs half a million credits and it only doubles the scanner range compared to Basic Discovery Scanner. 1000 Ls range seems quite small, because at that range it is usually easy to detect objects visually anyway. Is there actually any benefit for getting one before saving money (with trading) for Advanced Discovery Scanner?
 
I'd say probably not. It's a stepping stone to the advanced.

Most of the systems I've been exploring recently have had stuff way beyond 1000LS. Especially if there are two suns involved.
 
As you get 100% of the Intermediate money back when you upgrade to Advanced, what better place to "save" your money than investing in an improved component.
 
The intermediate scanner works quite well. It will not find objects that are very far out, but you can usually find the majority of objects if you fly to each unknown object (which you have to do anyway for detailed scan) and scan again when you reach it.

I've done a short exploration tour to see if I like it (about 250ly outward in one direction, then back) and the scanner almost paid for itself in that trip.

For flying in known space, and exploring the surrounding systems, the intermediate scanner is good enough. But if you're absolutely commited on becoming a serious explorer, get the advanced scanner.
 
I'd say probably not. It's a stepping stone to the advanced.

Most of the systems I've been exploring recently have had stuff way beyond 1000LS. Especially if there are two suns involved.
Systems with just two suns are easy even with the basic discovery scanner, because you can usually spot the second sun visually. Three or four sun systems, on the other hand, seem to be harder.... But the intermediate discovery scanner is no help there.

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As you get 100% of the Intermediate money back when you upgrade to Advanced, what better place to "save" your money than investing in an improved component.
I'm actually considering to buy a T6 and grind some money with trading until I have maybe 3 million credits. Then I can afford a cobra AND an advanced discovery scanner. Exploration seems to be a slow way to collect credits for better exploration gear.
 
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Hello guys, let me introduce another point of view. :)

Approach no. 1: Sightseeing/enjoying the day. 1000ls range is enough to scan, whatever you "find". You fly around a system, strain your eyes and have fun doing the "proper exploring".
Time to explore the system: 15m - 1h

Approach no. 2: Speedexploring. You jump into the system, scan, d-scan everything within reasonable range (a.k.a 1000ls) and jump to the next system on your journey. Most of the earth-like worlds are in similar distance the Earth is - 500ls, anyway.
Time to explore the system: 5m

First will give you unforgettable experiences, second will earn you money. :)
Unless you particularly want to look for distant secondary stars, you don't need advanced scanner at all.
 
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