Ship Builds & Load Outs Outfitting A Sidewinder for Exploration

ClarinetHero

C
Greetings all,

So here's the deal; I wanna outfit a sidey for some exploration and go screenshot hunting. Just as a nice reprieve from the mining/trade grind. (and with the possibility of a golden sidewinder on the horizon here I feel like it'd be a great opportunity)
This is my planned loadout: http://coriolis.io/outfit/sidewinder/02E2E2A1B1A1A1C----2o2i2g.Iw19A===.Aw19A===?bn=Explorer
Using the intermediate scanner because what's the point of just jump-and-scanning if I'm going to go for some nice screenshots. Who knows, maybe that beautiful planet is the one that's 100,000Ls away? I'd like to find out :)
Any suggestions? Should I upgrade/downgrade anything on the build? Feel free to let me know!

Fly safe commanders.
 

Ceekay

Ceekay
I'm no expert on exploration but you want to maximize jump range by using the lightest components, as you've no shields or weapons power isn't an issue so you can drop down to D grade (lightest) equipment in a lot of the slots and A or C instead of the B grade life support.
The sensors can be D grade as well since they're for normal space detection and you'll spend most of the time in FSD, the changes have increased jump range by almost 3 LY, as you've no spare slots for auto repair equipment just keep an eye on module deterioration.
 

Caramel Clown

Caramel Clown
You will never find out what planet is 100,000LS away because your scanner won't pick it up. Use advanced scanner and save yourself tons of time. If you plan to go on a long trip you will save hours and hours of time, and will be able to pick your screenshot sites instead of simply guessing. Here's my proposed setup. You have to watch out for components damage as there's no space for maintenance unit.
http://coriolis.io/outfit/sidewinder/02D2D2A1D1D1D1C--02022o2i2f.Iw19A===.Aw19A===?bn=Explorer
 

Jesters09

Jesters09
Caramel Clown said:
You will never find out what planet is 100,000LS away because your scanner won't pick it up. Use advanced scanner and save yourself tons of time. If you plan to go on a long trip you will save hours and hours of time, and will be able to pick your screenshot sites instead of simply guessing. Here's my proposed setup. You have to watch out for components damage as there's no space for maintenance unit.
http://coriolis.io/outfit/sidewinder/02D2D2A1D1D1D1C--02022o2i2f.Iw19A===.Aw19A===?bn=Explorer
Click to expand...


Yup, this is about as good as it gets and if you think you are going to be falling asleep at the helm, take the extra HS.
If you are not drinking and flying (tut tut) then don't bother with the HS's at all.
 

Caramel Clown

Caramel Clown
Heat sinks are for little safety just in case of nasty binary system or if you mess up scooping. Remember that we can't have any internal dmg, including heat damage as we can't have maintenance unit.
 

Geraldine

Geraldine
Firstly ClarinetHero, let me compliment you for trying this in a Sidewinder. These are great little ships and I hope you make lots of discoveries. Next, I would also strongly recommend you go with Caramel Clown's suggested loadout. Before I read theirs I selected an identical one. The heat sink launchers are essential if you encounter overheating while say entering a system with a really big star. You don't have the space for an auto repair unit so you really need these heat sinks to keep your modules cool and free as you can from damage. Go for it and good luck out there! :)

EDIT: Totally Ninja'ed :D
 
Last edited:

Ian Skippy

Ian Skippy
Do realise you have no shields and a very weak hull, with zero defensive or offensive abilities. I'd replace one heat sink with a chaff, just in case. You really dont want to be interdicted when you're almost home. You'll lose all discoveries, so the entire trip would have been for nothing.
 

ClarinetHero

C
Well the idea is to actually, do the exploring and fly out to the planet to do the scan, and if the planet looks cool, take a nice screenshot of it. I'm not really going to be in it for any money in exploring, just looking for some cool stuff and to have fun. I will agree on taking the heat-sinks with though. I'm usually pretty careful when fuel-scooping, but accidents happen ;)
 

Geraldine

Geraldine
The Real Secret Of Elite

ClarinetHero said:
I'm not really going to be in it for any money in exploring, just looking for some cool stuff and to have fun.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what Elite is all about and your above comment tells me you really have discovered the game's true secret. It's not only about amassing tons of credits nor is it only about climbing up the Elite rankings or standings with factions, for both you, me and I suspect many others out there, its about trying to find cool and (sometimes) crazy things in interesting and challenging ways and have fun doing it! Yes, that is what Elite has always been about for me. It was true in '84 and it's still true today. :cool:
 
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