Is the EAGLE the best exploration ship?

sb413197

S
I love exploration, probably more than anything else in this game - the beautiful sights, the immersion, relaxation, constant feeling of "progress", isolation...it's just good stuff. It's also a good moneymaker - I've made around 3 of my 8 billion in assets from it.

I started out doing it in an Asp-X, then raced to an Anaconda where I stayed from awhile.

Anaconda: Now, no question it has the longest range, runs cold, carries all kinds of goodies and its huge class 7 fuel scoop is great; but it turns like a whale and has not-so-great visibility (the cockpit looks cool but you feel more like you're on the bridge than "in space" per se - charming in its own way I suppose).

Asp-X: The Asp-X is what I've returned to for now - best possible visibility, turns ok and fills its fuel tank fast - but shorter jump range than a diamondback and turns slower, while running hotter.

Diamondback: The diamondback turns nice and fast and runs ice cold, but fills its fuel tank sloooow. The visibility is ok but not quite as good as an Asp.

Eagle: Which brings me to the....EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The eagle is the fastest turning ship in the game, has pretty good visibility and the "small ship cockpit", and fills its fuel tank almost as fast as an anaconda. With the engineering changes it will jump a good distance too - probably around 35-40 LY I'm guessing?

So when I finally return to civilization, I'm thinking of engineering an explora-eagle. Has anybody else roamed the galaxy in this noble bird?
 

[SI] Bobdelion

[SI] Bobdelion
I really like the Eagle. I did my first real exploration in one pretty much stripped to the metal (no weapons or shields - working out which systems I should stay clear of on the way back was half the challenge).

For me the best ship for exploration has always been the one you are going to enjoy being in for a really long time, and the Eagle's cockpit and manoeuvrability make it an absolute joy to fly hour after hour. My main role in game has always been as an explorer/privateer and for that my current weapon of choice is a Vulture. Not a pure exploration ship by any stretch of the imagination but I can't imagine my journeys being half as much fun in a larger/heavier vessel (I think I've previously described it as a really comfortable armchair strapped to the roof of a Bugatti Veyron :D ).
 

sb413197

S
Bobdelion said:
I really like the Eagle. I did my first real exploration in one pretty much stripped to the metal (no weapons or shields - working out which systems I should stay clear of on the way back was half the challenge).

For me the best ship for exploration has always been the one you are going to enjoy being in for a really long time, and the Eagle's cockpit and manoeuvrability make it an absolute joy to fly hour after hour. My main role in game has always been as an explorer/privateer and for that my current weapon of choice is a Vulture. Not a pure exploration ship by any stretch of the imagination but I can't imagine my journeys being half as much fun in a larger/heavier vessel (I think I've previously described it as a really comfortable armchair strapped to the roof of a Bugatti Veyron :D ).
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That's a good idea, I like it. Second fastest turning ship in the game and fits an extra module over an Eagle - would even have room for a shield generator or AFMU on that one (in addition to "critical 4" of exploration - the vehicle hangar, fuel scoop and surface/discovery scanners). Solid choice.
 

piercehead

piercehead
Tiny fuel tank and fairly tiny fuel scoop are the main cons. Well, and the lack of internals.
 
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NW3

NW3
The Eagle is definitely a fun ship to fly, but for exploration, my favorite is the AspX. I love the view from the cockpit! Mine runs very cool, especially since I turn off a lot of the modules while exploring.
 

Six6VI

Six6VI
Troll, lol, lol, lol, lol!

How about a nice little explora-Vulture instead?
It has handy class 1 slots for the ADS and DSS.

One day I'll find a niche for my Eagle(s)... :p
 

Straha Yeagar

S
NW3 said:
The Eagle is definitely a fun ship to fly, but for exploration, my favorite is the AspX. I love the view from the cockpit! Mine runs very cool, especially since I turn off a lot of the modules while exploring.
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No doubt about the Asp. That is my primary explorer, and I have put over a million light years on mine. I am saving the Eagle for when we actually get some tools for finding geological sites, as I think it could be an excellent ship for planetary surface exploration.
 
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WR3ND

WR3ND
The Eagle can make for a decent exploration related ship in its own way. I have one more dedicated to "aerial" surface reconnaissance type exploration, but it admittedly doesn't see much use, and I generally prefer going exploring in my Vulture.

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/eag...loBhAWEoUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=&bn=The Scout WR3-2E

This is an older picture from back when the ship kit didn't quite match the paint job as well.

xVOlyJS.jpg

In general I'd say the Combra Mk. III makes for a more all around capable basic exploration ship. It also has a quite decent supercruise pitch rate for fuel scooping on the fly and whatnot, but it's yaw rate does leave something to be desired, so it's more of a roll and pitch sort of ship when maneuvering around.

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/cob...oBhBGA2EoFMCGBzANokMK6A=&bn=The Ranger WR3-4C

I was thinking about taking this on Distant Worlds 2 (hence the ship ID), but decided on taking my Vulture instead.

BT98dsx.jpg
 
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WR3ND

WR3ND
sb413197 said:
That's a good idea, I like it. Second fastest turning ship in the game and fits an extra module over an Eagle - would even have room for a shield generator or AFMU on that one (in addition to "critical 4" of exploration - the vehicle hangar, fuel scoop and surface/discovery scanners). Solid choice.
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Yep, love it for those reasons among others. I generally go exploring in a fully combat loaded Vulture, The Ronin.

Wouldn't be able to hold its own really in PVP combat at all, but makes relatively short work of the NPCs in the game, or can at least get away well enough when needed. I generally don't bother with AFMUs, but have them on the stripped down long jump range work-in-progress variant I plan on taking on DW2.

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/vul...loBhAOEoUwIYHMA28QgIwV0A=&bn=The Ronin 03D-DW

https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/vul...IYHMA28QgIwV0A=&bn=The Ronin 03D-DW Long Jump

Here's the full write-up, if you're interested. → https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showt...Continuation?p=6238654&viewfull=1#post6238654

Test drive in 3.0 beta 3...

Have fun trying to park an Anaconda here.

U4UOIAr.jpg
 
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znôrt

znôrt
sb413197 said:
Has anybody else roamed the galaxy in this noble bird?
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cmdrs have been to sag a* and around in eagles and sideys since early in the game, maybe even to beagle point?

and that was before engineers.

it's obviously not efficient for the purpose but who cares? the limitations may even be a plus, and the idea of being in the black in such a tiny bird is very appealing, i've been considering it myself and am not even an explorer! it's my preferred ship and cockpit by far btw.
 

Non Grata

Non Grata
sb413197 said:
Eagle: Which brings me to the....EAGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The eagle is the fastest turning ship in the game, has pretty good visibility and the "small ship cockpit", and fills its fuel tank almost as fast as an anaconda. With the engineering changes it will jump a good distance too - probably around 35-40 LY I'm guessing?
Click to expand...

The scoop's actually a fair bit slower than an Anaconda. I believe the Sidewinder is actually a bit more maneuverable in supercruise. If you're considering the Eagle, it's hard not to be tempted by the Courier with its six slots. Personally I compromise with a Dolphin.
 

Vardaugas

Vardaugas
Almost any ship can be used for exploration. You only really need room for scanners and a fuel scoop. Because exploration isn't necessarily about jumping as far as possible as fast as possible to get away as far as possible. Just get some 1-2k ly out and you will find clusters of hundreds and thousands of unexplored stars.
 
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