Thanks. I think the same about the core mining equipment. I've left it off for now. I just cobbled together a ship out of all the parts I had lying around. I got nearly the same as yours, but the PP is a 4A. I'm using biweave shields plus a couple of boosters.I take around 160 limpets. This is usually overkill and I throw at least 20-30 per run. Perhaps not optimal, but you never know when you will screw up.
The PWA I use occasionally to see if there are any suspiciously yellow and popcorn-like asteroids. If there are I momentarily change my prospecting path to move towards them rather than whatever directional waypoint I have set. I prospect along the path regardless and do not bolt straight for the shiny stuff. If the yellow asteroid it is an LTD core, I mine it. I do not think this is necessary or affects the rate much (positively or negatively). I mainly do it for variation. In fact, in the run I posted above, I did not use it at all as my intent was pure laser mining. It also means I could take the same ship core mining without refitting it if one day I would decide I need some diversification.
TLDR: The PWA and core mining equipment are mainly for diversion purposes, they are not essential for the build or main mining mode. If you prefer to run without you can probably get away with a smaller power plant, but I did not check that.
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