Looking for an alternative to AspX for exploration

[airforcedude111]

So for most of my elite career I've known nothing other than the asp x for exploration. I thought this was as good as it gets. However after recently purchasing a FDL and fully engineering the thrusters... I realise just how garbage the Asp actually is at flying, and how much more fun flight can be with better thrusters.

So I'd like your advice on a replacement for my asp, with similar jump range but handling that isn't actually trash. I like it fast, responsive, and agile. Ideally also in the same class.

I know not to expect FDL level agility but anything marginally better than the Asp will be good enough

 

[Rick6549]

Beluuuuuga. Actually handles very well, great jump range with all the toys too.

 

[airforcedude111]

Beluuuuuga. Actually handles very well, great jump range with all the toys too.

I actually have thought about that because I do like the possibility of doing high level passenger missions, but surely you're messing with me if you're telling me it handles better than an asp?

 

[Iron Golem]

Phantom. I love it. 60 LY with 600 boost and 3A Prismatic. It survives ganks.

 

[airforcedude111]

Phantom. I love it. 60 LY with 600 boost and 3A Prismatic. It survives ganks.

That's the krait phantom right? It does look like the best option. Is it fast and fun to fly?

 

[Rick6549]

I actually have thought about that because I do like the possibility of doing high level passenger missions, but surely you're messing with me if you're telling me it handles better than an asp?

Well the beluga actually handles much closer to a medium than a large. Ive only flown the aspx a tiny bit, but id say theyre fairly close

 

[Iron Golem]

That's the krait phantom right? It does look like the best option. Is it fast and fun to fly?

Yeah makes fun noises. Like your tickling an alien when you boost. Its what Han Solo would ditch the Falcon for.

I've read before its hard coded to be scanned less?

Ive had gankers come at me in them loaded with PA's and Frags. It can do anything well. Imagine if they downsized Python and Mk II and made a sport version. That's Phantom.

 

[M00ka]

Well the beluga actually handles much closer to a medium than a large. Ive only flown the aspx a tiny bit, but id say theyre fairly close

Oh Rick and next you will be saying that you said that without smiling …. lol

OP, there are various choices, for small ships look at the DBX and the Dolphin (now that has been nerfed/buffed, I am sure you can fly into a star and it still wouldn't overheat). Medium ships, the Phantom is a good choice. Large, well there is the Anaconda and Orca - oh wait you said fun to fly, forget them lol

 

[wetwire]

This site may help with finding that next exploration ship.

EDExplorationShips

***Complies with April Update Patch 2 May/14/19*** Are you looking for a new ship to explore the galaxy, or perhaps poking around for ideas on how to outfit your current ship for a long travel into the deep? This site provides a suitable exploration build for many ships in Elite Dangerous. As many

sites.google.com

 

[Rick6549]

Oh Rick and next you will be saying that you said that without smiling …. lol

OP, there are various choices, for small ships look at the DBX and the Dolphin (now that has been nerfed/buffed, I am sure you can fly into a star and it still wouldn't overheat). Medium ships, the Phantom is a good choice. Large, well there is the Anaconda and Orca - oh wait you said fun to fly, forget them lol

The dolphin is a good one.


Orca not fun to fly??!??! Its faster than a mamba and can carry more too!

 

[60mm]

My main is a Chieftain and I enjoy my Phantom explorer. I have Clean Drives on it, so it's no dogfighter, but it is certainly no brick. Great Jump range, plenty of Internals and a good Cockpit view. Certainly sounds better than the AspX, imo.

 

[airforcedude111]

Another question.. if I were to fully engineer the Asps thrusters, will it at least be decently more agile without sacrificing too much jump range or anything else ?

 

[60mm]

Swing by Coriolis.io and see for yourself

 

[wetwire]

Engineering drives for speed and maneuverability does not increase weight , only negatively impacts power usage

 

[M00ka]

OP, use https://coriolis.io/, that way you can see the changes without having to make any physical changes to your ship.

 

[60mm]

Engineering drives for speed and maneuverability does not increase weight , only negatively impacts power usage

It als makes your Ship run hotter, and increased Power demands means needing a bigger PP, so it does, by extension, increase weight from am Explorer's perspective.

 

[aRJay]

That's the krait phantom right? Yes
It does look like the best option.
Is it fast and fun to fly? Yes. Mine does 357(599 boost), jumps 47 loaded with 104 tonnes and carries a full kit of exploration and repair stuff.

It runs cold as well, the above is achieved with G4 clean drives and a low emission power plant and I have flown at 16% heat.

 

[wetwire]

@60mm is correct. engineering modules can Indirectly have adverse affects on other modules. Its a balancing and sacrifice game depending on the goal. The engineering modifications for speed and maneuverability do not directly affect mass by themselves assuming you don't need to buy a bigger power plant to cope with the new upgrades, or you engineer the power plant to compensate.

 

[Cervantes01]

The Orca is the best exploration ship by far, a beautiful luxury explorer.

 

[Northpin]

AxpX has better maneuverability than the Phantom. That is in both SuperCruise and in Normal Space.
And it can be quite fast if equipped with proper engines without sacrificing too much jump range

But if you really want to do stunts while exploring - go for a SLF explorer.
Krait Mk2 can do 57 ly with a Fighter hangar. Equip it with the Gu-97 and have fun.