Making the run to Beagle Point for the first time

Syntherios

Syntherios
Let me start off by saying that I've done some long-distance exploring before -- I went to Sgr A* last July. Took me a total of about 25 in-game hours to make the trip in a less-than-ideal Asp build -- I was too paranoid about being interdicted after getting back to the Bubble so I kept a couple of beam lasers and a more-than-adequate shield generator; I also had a really crappy fuel scoop that took eons to fill the tank with. It was tedious, but seeing Sgr A* in all his destructive glory was well worth it (still kinda disappointed that I never saw the event horizon, but still).

I had known about Beagle Point before I started that journey, and I thought making a trip all the way to the opposite rim of the Milky Way required far more patience than I could ever hope to have... but then I thought, you know, I never found bounty hunting or mining or trading as interesting as exploring, and since I made the trip to Sgr A*, why not bite the bullet and travel to the other end of the galaxy? I spent an hour cross-referencing different ship components trying to find that perfect balance between FSD range and long-distance reliability (dropped all hardpoints, got a "good enough" shield generator, a wonderful fuel scoop, etc.) and I think I'm finally ready to set out for the fabled Beagle Point -- my ultimate test of deep space endurance.

Just to be safe though, I'd like some advice from you exploration CMDRs who've made the journey there or have made equally long journeys. First off, are there any other precautions I should take before setting out? I already have the build I think will work, but I'd just like to know if it would be smarter to drop a certain component for the extra jump range or maybe sacrifice the jump range for some extra heat sinks (I have 4 currently), generally speaking. Second, are there any tricky jumps to make it to Beagle Point? I know the star density drops off sharply near the galactic rim and I'd like to know if my 34Ly-range FSD can get the job done. I'd hate to almost get there and then not have that extra light-year to cross the final gap.

And if all goes to plan, I'll set out from Galileo tomorrow evening. I think I'll go out of my way to swing by VY Canis Majoris first (I've wanted to see that monster for a while), then head to Sgr A* to say hi, then finally head to Beagle Point. Who knows, maybe I'll beat Jaques Station there.
IF THE STATION HASN'T ALREADY BEEN TAKEN OVER BY THARGOIDS
DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNN
 
Last edited:

Witzo

Witzo
You sound well prepared and a man of stamina.
Still, consider that you likely come to a point where you have done the jump-honk-jump-honk-scoop so many times, so many days, that you're fed up with it. And then that you will have to do it at least twice as long. People have self-destructed.
Sagittarius A* is not half the way there. Try to imagine that trip, about five times as long.
Space madness happens to most of us. It takes various forms. Even considering going to CEECKIA ZQ-L C24-0 (may its generated name be as venerated as its modern name) is a symptom. Give in to it.
 

dognosh

dognosh
1. Take breaks, and I mean long breaks at times(days)
2. 34LYs will get you there easily, but also take Jumponium in case you forget and run low on fuel(it could be a life saver)
3. If you get so upset or bored or thinking of giving up,Take a break !!!
4. Open will be safe, especially if you don't hang around tourist spots
5. On your way back, once near the bubble, get help and wing up to have a better chance against the NPCs (or dock asap to sell data before going further in)
 

Random Task

Random Task
I highly suggest you do everything you can to get around 30 to 35ly minimum jump range before you make the trek out to BP.

I have an anaconda with a 28.7ly jump range and it was a pain at times.. if I had the extra few ly jump it would have been a pleasure. But if you like a challange don't go with any less then 28 minimum or you'll spend more time farming resources for jumponium then you would probably want to.

Also take more then one srv lol. I already lost one of my 4 and I almost lost one at BP but if you drive carefully then never mind :)

Unless your meeting someone or want to see what ever is out there with us stay in private or solo just for hi-res pics. :)

safe travels cmdr. o7
 
Last edited:

Cdr Voorheez

Cdr Voorheez
Sense of humour: take sacks of it
A few SRVs: driving breaks up the routine
Avoid too much routine: break it up.
Take long breaks.
I found keeping a physical log helped
I also found travelling as a group on DWE vital, going solo will be hard.
Good luck CMDR. I hope you get there AND BACK.
Space madness is real. Embrace it's inevitability.
 

Allitnil

Allitnil
Range: if you can do at least 33.4 LY on fumes then you have enough to get to BP without using jumponium. Crossing the Abyss remains an issue. If you like finding your own routes then by all means try to forge your own way across. If not then look for the pre-explored short cut routes or divert via the Roncevaux Crossing for a guaranteed, but longer, route.

Jumponium: I would recommend gathering enough materials for a couple of premium (level 3) boosts. If for no other reason than if you screw up and mostly run out of fuel then boosts can save you. Sure, the Fuel Rats will always be there to help you if necessary, but it might take a day or two for them to get to you and it's always more satisfying to save yourself. There again, they like to rescue CMDRs and the further out the better, so it might be more community spirited to rely on them ;)

Space madness: not to be underestimated. On my first trip to the far rim, I had only intended to go to Sag A* but just kept going. That was fine because there was always an end in sight even if I kept pushing it back... The trip home was much worse. I mostly managed to cope with that by breaking it up into segments with specific goals. But the final few thousand LYs were really tough as the only goal left was "get home". This may or may not be an issue with you, but just in case it is I would recommend finding goals to set yourself on the return trip. IMO, in this regard tangible goals such as "visit this galactic POI" are preferable to intangible ones such as "scan X neutron stars" or "visit Y systems".

Good luck and, above all, enjoy your journey!
 

Col Frost

Col Frost
I am about 9,000 LY away from Beagle point and am headed towards it. I started my trip before Christmas!! I get very bored at times with the distances involved and have had problems keeping my motivation going at times. I find that if you have 2 screens and you can do something else on the other screen this helps a lot. Maybe watching a sci fi movie, or even just listening to music helps to relieve the boredom. I also love World of Warships for it's instant action, and this provides a good change when I'm getting bored of the monotony of the trip. This is just my personal opinion, :)
 

Chrystoph

Chrystoph
hagz said:
i know thats the case but is their a reason why?
Click to expand...

Just a SWAG on my part, but I am guessing that it is set as a rendering limitation, since Open is theoretically where you would normally have the most potential for large groups of players.

In regards the buckeyballers, slow down a bit and enjoy the trip. There is a lot to see, and with Distant Worlds completed, your incentive for a speed run is less.
 
Last edited:

Syntherios

Syntherios
Thank you for all the advice and encouragement, CMDRs! I left home a few hours ago and am about 3 kylies out (currently taking a small break before continuing). I decided to go as far "up" as I could just to see the galaxy from a high viewpoint, and good lord the Milky Way is bright when you're that high up with a maxed gamma setting.

F00266941AE25096877C8A4CE4D814A4F13D11DD

You can't really tell from this screenshot but believe me, it's bright.

I hope to make it to Sgr A* within the next week or two if I manage to stay focused and not get distracted with other games. Until then, CMDR Syntherios signing out.
 

Iron Duke

Iron Duke
On the way back from BP/DWE and am 15KLY from the bubble. I'm literally going space crazy now! As others have said, take breaks and even factor in some down time as it can get pretty mundane doing the same repetitive thing over and over.

I was driving the other day and heard a horn honk; so I immediately looked to the top right of my windshield to see how many objects I had discovered :eek:
 
Last edited:

Hanekura Shizuka

Hanekura Shizuka
I've never been a fan of heat sinks; never seemed worth the added weight (and, thus, lower jump range). Better to have AFMUs, which are weightless, to both mitigate the damage (more components means the damage gets spread out) and to fix the damage afterwards. As for ship configuration... Maybe it's just my Buckyrunning background, but, to me, jump range is life. Jump range makes the trip go faster; jump range will get you across the Abyss, and further on into the black. My suggestion would be to strip the ship down to bare minimum - either no shield or a token shield, the largest fuel scoop you can get, the best FSD you can find, an ADS and DSS for celestial exploring, a small A-rank power plant to help in bleeding heat, no weapons or hardpoints, and the lightest components you can find besides that, in some cases to the point of absurdity (1D power distributor, anyone?)
 

Cmdr Frawd Digger

Cmdr Frawd Digger
Witzo said:
You sound well prepared and a man of stamina.
Still, consider that you likely come to a point where you have done the jump-honk-jump-honk-scoop so many times, so many days, that you're fed up with it. And then that you will have to do it at least twice as long. People have self-destructed.
Sagittarius A* is not half the way there. Try to imagine that trip, about five times as long.
Space madness happens to most of us. It takes various forms. Even considering going to CEECKIA ZQ-L C24-0 (may its generated name be as venerated as its modern name) is a symptom. Give in to it.
Click to expand...

I have been in my sidey for 205 days now...made it to BP on Day 125 (wow it has been 80 days since I made it to BP!!)...you don't realise how tiring it is when you set out. But there is no way I am going to self-destruct! I'm just going to take breaks if I need them (haven't needed many yet...just plugging away at 20-30 jumps per night).

Good luck.

:)

Frawd
 
Last edited:

newman1702

newman1702
One thing I'll add to all the advice is, use EDDiscovery and Captain's log to keep track of your trip. Make a note of the interesting stuff you find and you should have a pretty good memento once you're all done, plus a list of systems you may want to revisit one day (say, when landing on ELW's comes you may want to revisit that pretty ringed one, as an example).

Only other suggestion would be to use Iridium Wing when coming back - they will keep you and your data safe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom