Newcomer / Intro Noob question from old player....

[Ism]

So I have been out exploring through 2 updates. When I get back I start doing some missions for ranking up in the federation to get a corvette.
Well I get this gift. Its some info about a crash landed ship with all kinds of goodies to pick up.

Problem is that I don't have Horizons.
Is this a normal offer to encourage upgrading, or do the dev's have a bug to fix?

I have also gotten a pop-up screen on my hud that looks like landing instrumentation when I was near a landable planet.
I only got it once, so I'm thinking there might be a leak between the horizon haves and the have nots.......Comments?

 

[Ashnak]

Horizons missions: yes, you'll get them offered. Also while in Horizons, you'll get offered surface misions that will require a SRV, even if you don't have one fitted. So I'd say neither. Maybe a small encouragement.

Landing instrumentation: yep. Not a leak, though. Basically, the distinction between Horizons and plain ED is that, with Horizons, you proceed into 'Glide' when you hit the yellow body exclusion zone on a landable planet.

If you can afford it, I'd recommend to get it.
2.1: enhanced FSDs and modified armour, other core components and weapons. With one of the later 2.x releases, those are rumored to become a necessity. If you followed the discussions - a 'conda can now reach 50 ly jump range, and 100 ly with boost (only available from harvesting planet surface materials), or you can build up a former combat-only ship to basic exploration specs (currently flying a 23 ly FAS on my way to the core)
2.2: planet view in the system map will show an actual image of the planet instead of the grid'ed ball; you will be able to boost from scooping on neutron stars and white dwarfs;

 

[Ism]

I plan on getting Horizons very soon.
Was just curious why I was experiencing some of the aspects of the game when I have yet to subscribe.
Thanks for the reply.