Engineers Light weight armour... worth it on a Python?

[CMDR Redcrest]

I'm looking to build a long(ish) range bounty hunting/trade/explorer type ship.
By trade I mean doing the carry x to wherever missions.
I've increased thrusters to rank 3 dirty drives.
Went with enhanced low power shields rank 4 (this may be, as the scientific community calls it a boo-boo)
What I want to know: is light weight armour worth it in terms of increasing jump range and improving shields? As in is the mass of the armour reduced or is this just a modification for light weight armour as opposed to, say, mil-spec?
Any pointers appreciated.

 

[JuicerPrime]

Lighter armour will increase your jump range, not sure what effect it might have on the shields. I'd recommend against light armour on a Python though - it's a slow, heavy bruiser of a ship in combat. It can't maneuver very well, so you'll be taking a beating more often than not - and when your shields pop (which they probably will, since running is difficult) then you'll really want heavy armour between you and the possible loss of your investment. A Python isn't cheap, to buy or rebuy

 

[CMDR Redcrest]

Running I can do. Anything I've encountered so far that can mass lock me can't catch me (I can fly backwards faster than an NPC FDL can come at me and stay out of range).
I was under the impression that reduced hull mass increased shield strength.
I could be wrong.
Also reduced hull mass should improve thruster efficiency (less effort required to push less mass.
I was just wondering if anyone knew for certain if these assumptions hold true?
Thanks for the reply!

- - - - - Additional Content Posted / Auto Merge - - - - -

The running part is true only after rank 3 dirty drives though. I had to rebuy twice due to NPC's still having high grade weapons even after they weren't supposed to.

 

[Moonax IRL]

I imagine the rank 3 dirty drives will improve the handling of the python a good bit and it will more than make up for the mill spec armour. I haven't modded the drives on my python yet but I am running in the conda/trade spec as I have upgraded the FSD. I used the grade 5 dirty drives on the python in the beta and it's as good as the FDL for combat. The mill spec brings the armour close to the conda with light weight armour, somewhere around 900 odd, so it gives the extra bit of security. Personally I would run with the mill spec on the python for extra security and with FA off and chaff + point defence you should have no problems. As I said I am running the conda with 5A prismatic, some boosters, 2 chaff and 2 point defence and I have been destroying elite gunships,FDL etc. Elite conda`s I would be more mindful without stronger shields.

Edit- this is a trade/range efficient fit on the annie 25-37ly jump, so I only fight if I think I could get some good materials or I get peeved of the same npc interdicting me consecutively. Even with unmodded drives on the python and conda I never had any issues, I could always jump away and never lost a ring of shields.

 

[CMDR Redcrest]

I think one thing that does help is the scrambler mod on my pulse laser (random ship malfunctions) had a good roll with that, went for light weight mount and got 1% better fire rate and 2% more damage on a rank one or two upgrade!
But my original question is does the lighter armour improve my jump range and handling?
I'd just tinker and accept the result but I can't play until Friday (on night shift this week)

 

[Moonax IRL]

I have all unmodded weapons, 3 L pulses top and bottom turreted,2 multi`s turreted on the sides, a 4A huge multi underneath and 2 seeker missile launchers on the small hardpoints. I have been hit with plasma and whatnot but never lost shields. When fighting 4 pips to sys 2 to weapons mostly and FA off at times, also sometimes reverse thrust. Never had any problems, missiles do a lot of damage to npc`s when their shields go down. I can't see how you lost the python while running as I have never came close to losing either.

Edit- the extra mass will have some effect but this will be easily overcome by your modded drives and FA off. You always had to use FA off in the python as it was always sluggish after the nerf. Speed wise the difference is very little, single figures I think.

 

[CMDR Redcrest]

The straight line speed is pretty good at the moment, just trying to improve turn rate. I toggle FA on/off (off for turns and backward flight and on for holding steady while firing). Was hoping reduced hull mass would aid turn rates and shield strength.
Just gona have to wait until Friday afternoon to start collecting and probably get to apply the mods on Monday night with some luck!

 

[testmate]

Best option for ships that rely more on shields than on armour and have to stay light for better handling and jump range (mission runner, trader, explo or light combat):

Standard Lightweight armour and rank 5 heavy duty armour mod. This mod improves your hull (adding "hitpoints") and resistance without the drawback of massive weight increase. Because a % of mass added is still 0 mass added in the case of lightweight armour perhaps add one or two small slot modded Hull reinforcements, too, they don't weight much.
Ranking up with the armour lady, selene jean, is really easy. She accepts explo data and trade goods to advance in rank.