Newcomer / Intro Is the D-Scanner automatically performed when entering a system?

[Dreepa]

So when I enter a system and go to the system map o that system I already see all the stuff.
Using the D-scanner right after jumping into a system does not seem to reveal anything new at all. So I was wondering, since there is also a discovery message on the to right when entering the system, does the game automatically use a single D-scan upon entering?

If yes, is there any benefit to using the D-scanner again? Like for selling to cartography? Or can I sell stuff to cartography without using the D-scanner at all, just with the info I got when entering the system?

I heard this whole stuff was changed over the course of the years, so a lot of the info I find on the internet is old or contradicting.

Thanks!

 

[Cohen the Worrior]

No, you still have to honk the system. But when you're in the bubble, most of the systems have been discovered already and all their bodies are known.

 

[Dreepa]

No, you still have to honk the system. But when you're in the bubble, most of the systems have been discovered already and all their bodies are known.

So to get it right, that means the "honk" does not reveal new information but is only relevant for selling to cartography?

 

[Krieger]

So to get it right, that means the "honk" does not reveal new information but is only relevant for selling to cartography?

Yes, that is true for systems in the inhabited bubble that were already fully explored by others that went before you. Outside the bubble when you enter unexplored or partially explored systems the D-scanner reveals new information. And you get even more information by using the FSS and DSS.

 

[d8veh]

Actually, the discovery scanner will scan planets and stars automatically as long as you get close to them. I'm not sure of the auto-scan distance. I think it depends on the size (mass) of the body. The smaller it is, the closer you have to get. The scanner will always auto-scan the star when you jump to it and often any nearby asteroid belts. Occosionally, it auto-scans some nearby planets while you're jumping from star to star on a journey somewhere.

 

[Ashnak]

So when I enter a system and go to the system map o that system I already see all the stuff.

This is only true for systems that are either known in general (larger inhabited systems) or that have been scanned and the scan data sold by another CMDR.

Using the D-scanner right after jumping into a system does not seem to reveal anything new at all.

Not if the system is one of the "generally known" systems, i.e. reasonably well inhabited, true. In other systems, your D-Scan (="honk") will usually find a few asteroid belts and any secondary stars, even though the full system map may already be populated (since someone else already scanned the system and sold the data).

So I was wondering, since there is also a discovery message on the to right when entering the system, does the game automatically use a single D-scan upon entering?

Sort of, partial. The D-Scanner will also auto scan anything that's close enough (as long as the ship is at least roughly pointing at it). "Close enough" depends on the size/mass of that object.

If yes, is there any benefit to using the D-scanner again?

In any system that isn't generally known, yes.

Or can I sell stuff to cartography without using the D-scanner at all, just with the info I got when entering the system?

Again, yes - see auto scan above.
The auto scan will usually give you the main star, which will give you a fraction of the system's value when selling it to cartographics. The D-scan will reveal the remaining objects in that system to you, but won't add anything to the cartographic value. For that, you'll need to do a FSS scan and/or a DSS scan. That will get you some money for all the not generally known systems, even if another CMDR has sold that system's data already. You can use this to your advantage in the "Road To Riches". There are several sites out there that will access the player collected system data and calculate a route for you that will lead you through systems with lucrative scans. DSSing an ELW (earth-like world), even if it's already known, will usually net you ~1 MCr. - not to be sneezed at if you're a new CMDR.

I heard this whole stuff was changed over the course of the years, so a lot of the info I find on the internet is old or contradicting.

Ah - yes. Anything you find about "parallax method" and/or "advanced discovery scanner" (ADS) is thoroughly out of date.

 

[Northpin]

So when I enter a system and go to the system map o that system I already see all the stuff.
Using the D-scanner right after jumping into a system does not seem to reveal anything new at all. So I was wondering, since there is also a discovery message on the to right when entering the system, does the game automatically use a single D-scan upon entering?

If yes, is there any benefit to using the D-scanner again? Like for selling to cartography? Or can I sell stuff to cartography without using the D-scanner at all, just with the info I got when entering the system?

I heard this whole stuff was changed over the course of the years, so a lot of the info I find on the internet is old or contradicting.

Thanks!

The D-scanner automatically discovers (and tags if it's the case) anything within 30ls (or is it 32ls?) distance. You dont need to target "anything", just be in range (the old ADS required each body to be targeted to be scanned)
So when you enter a system, the main star and whatever bodies are within 30ls will be automatically discovered.

When you Honk, you automatically discover any other stars that might be in the system and you also get the total number of bodies in the system
So, in terms of Discoveries, one honk per system should be enough.

But, certain objects within the system are revealed ONLY after a Honk. Even if you previously scanned the system 100%
For example, the Tourist beacons - Sothis A5 beacon is revealed and can be targeted in the system map nav panel only after a honk - for the current session (you dont have to honk everytime you jump in the system during the same game session, only at the first jump)

So yea, dont be affraid to honk - some developed the habit of automatically honking every time they jump in a system

edit
well, sort of ninja'd

 

[aRJay]

….

I heard this whole stuff was changed over the course of the years, so a lot of the info I find on the internet is old or contradicting.

Thanks!

Pretty much everything in the game has been changed over the years the game has been around so you should always check the creation/last edited/updated dates and be wary of older stuff.