Newcomer / Intro Over 15 minutes to reach a spaceport??

cassog

C
Can somebody please explain why it takes much longer to reach some spaceports than others when super cruising to a system.
Please note - I do not need the obvious answer "Because some are farther away!"
I am talking about the rate at which the ETA counter counts down to the 0:07 optimum.
Sometimes it fairly flies down the scale, while at others it is like molasses in winter.
Tonight it took me over FIFTEEN minutes to reach a spaceport from first targeting it. The countdown was taking over a second a digit to creep down.
I realise that there may well be some very logical and scientific dependant answer to this - but frankly I am at a loss to see what this might be. And even if there is - we should not lose track of the fact that this is a game - i.e. a form of entertainment. I am all for realism to a certain degree, but I cannot believe that there is anybody out there who is sitting in front of their monitor watching that incredibly slow countdown and thinking 'Boy I am really enjoying this!'
On the other hand of course, it could well be that I am doing something incredibly stupid (certainly wouldn't be the first time) and if this is so, I apologise in advance.
Any thoughts on this?
 

Zeeman

Zeeman
Gravity wells.

The more bodies on your path, the greater the affect of gravity on your SC speeds - this will also depend on the mass of the planet/star/moon etc. You can try dipping under or over the "plane" in which the stellar bodies have spread out, it works well.

Z...
 

Pete

Pete
cassog said:
Tonight it took me over FIFTEEN minutes to reach a spaceport from first targeting it.
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There's a solution to this - fly to Hutton Orbital at Alpha Centauri, then you'll find what you need so that you won't need to come to the forums complaining about 15 minute trips any more!

-- Pete.
 

krysohmyz

K
The ETA timer lies.
It tells you how much time it WOULD take, if you were moving at constant speed.

So it's basically pointless. :D
 

cassog

C
I
Evyl Minkey said:
DO NOT go to Hutton Orbital despite what Pete says :) If you are unhappy at 15 minutes you definitely won't like Alpha Centauri.
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I can assure me my kind friend that I had not the slightest intention of travelling to Hutton Orbital. I have not survived for as long as I have by not being able to spot an evil-minded set-up when one pops up.
Besides - we went there on our Honeyoon and it is a craphole!
 

cassog

C
woodstok said:
@Pete, please keep in mind this is the newcomers forum.
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Woodstok - thank you for your reminder to Pete, but please do not be too hard on the guy, I am willing to bet that Pete was only doing that which he excels at - i.e. being Pete. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it.
I have to confess that I don't personally know Pete, but I have been unlucky enough to come across thousands like him.
Thankfully, for every Pete that one may encounter in life, I have found that there are usually a hundred Zeeman's, Evyl Minkey's or Woodstok's to balance things out. My thanks to you guys.
Many years ago, my dear departed Grandad gave me the following piece of wise advice -- If you can't find it within you to reach down and haul someone up the ladder with you - at least don't stomp on their fingers as they try to climb up.
 

Evyl Minkey

E
To be fair I'm sure he only meant it in jest and didn't expect anyone to go running off to find a faster drive. I think its just the limitations you find with posting on the internet or sending SMS or email. Sometimes you lose the subtleties. I've had to edit enough posts in the past to avoid misunderstanding.

For any new players reading this - Hutton Orbital is light years from the star. Normally stations are light seconds away. If you go there expect an hour in supercruise.

Edit: Masta Squidge - Thank you for the correction. It must have just felt like years :D
 
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Finn_Mac_Cool

F
As stated if you have a long haul through a system with a lot of large bodies it is best to get above the orbital plane. When you get in system put the sun at your back and then 90 degrees straight up until you hit about 50 c. Or more if it is really far. Select your location and go. While you will be traveling two sides of a right triangle the additional velocity makes it the right choice.
 

Masta Squidge

M
Finn_Mac_Cool said:
As stated if you have a long haul through a system with a lot of large bodies it is best to get above the orbital plane. When you get in system put the sun at your back and then 90 degrees straight up until you hit about 50 c. Or more if it is really far. Select your location and go. While you will be traveling two sides of a right triangle the additional velocity makes it the right choice.
Click to expand...
The correct method would be to turn your flight path into a large arc, instead of just flying straight up first.
 

cassog

C
Masta Squidge said:
The correct method would be to turn your flight path into a large arc, instead of just flying straight up first.
Click to expand...

Thanks for trying to assist. (Thanks too to Finn_Mac_Cool).
I can understand the concept of doing this - i.e. flying above the orbital plane in a great arc, but how would one navigate and find the correct flight path?
 
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