PVH on an exploration hauler??

Piratescribe

Piratescribe
I'm still VERY new, been playing a week... planning on focusing on exploration and I finally made enough Cr to get a hauler decked with all the recommendations!
https://s.orbis.zone/c_f0
One thing I have NOT seen recommended for any hauler explorers is an PVH and ground vehicle. Is there no need or benefit to exploring with one? (Aside from just personal story, RP, style?) I mean, I can understand if the focus on exploring is go far, scan the system, maybe surface scan something interesting, move on, sell the charts.
But is there not reason for a vehicle?
Thanks for any feedback!
 

[VR] Merkir

[VR] Merkir
After only a week playing, you've done an excellent job. A Planetary Vehicle Hangar + SRV isn't necessary, but it adds to the exploration experience for most explorers. Roving around on the ground to look at POIs and unusual formations is fun. Having said that, by all means go without for the first trip and just explore for a week or two. Travel a few thousand Ly from the bubble until you hit mostly unexplored systems. After a week or two, come back and you'll be awarded plenty of exploration credits to upgrade to an even better explorer with better range, and add the PVH+SRV then.

I'd also like to make a few suggestions. Now obviously you would have added a PVH and found that your jump range drops from about 30 Ly to 24 Ly. Ouch.
1. Drop the shield booster - not needed for exploration.
2. Drop the heat sink launcher - unless you've already had difficulties with heat, again not needed.

Those changes will take your jump range from 30 Ly to almost 35 Ly. Then you can make the decision whether you want to take the PVH+SRV, which will drop your range down to 27 Ly.

Finally, I see you haven't done engineering yet. Purely optional, but it really is very worthwhile to unlock one of the engineers specialising in FSD. Even a mid-range grade 3 engineered Improved Range FSD + special effect will increase your jump range by 11 Ly! But again, purely optional at this stage, since you need to do a little work unlocking the engineer and collecting materials.

Good luck, commander. I hope to see you out in the black. :)
 

Piratescribe

Piratescribe
Merkir said:
After only a week playing, you've done an excellent job. A Planetary Vehicle Hangar + SRV isn't necessary, but it adds to the exploration experience for most explorers. Roving around on the ground to look at POIs and unusual formations is fun. Having said that, by all means go without for the first trip and just explore for a week or two. Travel a few thousand Ly from the bubble until you hit mostly unexplored systems. After a week or two, come back and you'll be awarded plenty of exploration credits to upgrade to an even better explorer with better range, and add the PVH+SRV then.

I'd also like to make a few suggestions. Now obviously you would have added a PVH and found that your jump range drops from about 30 Ly to 24 Ly. Ouch.
1. Drop the shield booster - not needed for exploration.
2. Drop the heat sink launcher - unless you've already had difficulties with heat, again not needed.

Those changes will take your jump range from 30 Ly to almost 35 Ly. Then you can make the decision whether you want to take the PVH+SRV, which will drop your range down to 27 Ly.

Finally, I see you haven't done engineering yet. Purely optional, but it really is very worthwhile to unlock one of the engineers specialising in FSD. Even a mid-range grade 3 engineered Improved Range FSD + special effect will increase your jump range by 11 Ly! But again, purely optional at this stage, since you need to do a little work unlocking the engineer and collecting materials.

Good luck, commander. I hope to see you out in the black. :)
Click to expand...
That all seems like good advice!
I'm leery though about going without the shield booster... I'm playing in Solo for now, but even so I've been attacked twice by NPCs and fortunately I was able to boost and Jump away... so, maybe I DON'T need the booster. heh.
Also, I HAVE had to use the heat sink once! THAT was a scary moment! I totally miscalculated how quick I was taking on heat :(
I DO want to have the fun of roving around... but yeah, I think I agree I'll explore for a while before I add it.
I'm afraid I have zero clue about engineering! I'mma gonna have to Google what that's all about. But I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks for the help!!
 

Piratescribe

Piratescribe
Merkir said:
Finally, I see you haven't done engineering yet. Purely optional, but it really is very worthwhile to unlock one of the engineers specialising in FSD. Even a mid-range grade 3 engineered Improved Range FSD + special effect will increase your jump range by 11 Ly! But again, purely optional at this stage, since you need to do a little work unlocking the engineer and collecting materials.

Good luck, commander. I hope to see you out in the black. :)
Click to expand...
Oohh! OK, engineering... That's that whole Felicity Farseer invite thing! As a matter of fact I just got to Farseer base (by way of road to riches)... And I'm seeing the engineering workshop option! Unfortunately, it's locked to me... I'm guessing I have to donate meta alloys, if I'm understanding this right...
Something I'll need to work on tomorrow, it's midnight-thirty here and that's all I got heh
But I'm glad to see I was already on the "engineering" path :D
 

[VR] Merkir

[VR] Merkir
To be honest, if I were you I'd take that gritty little explorer hauler you've set up so well, and just go. Get out there a couple thousand Ly and discover lots of systems nobody but you has ever seen. Doing it in an un-engineered hauler will seem so satisfying. And after you do get around to engineering and upgrading to better modules and ships, you'll look back at that first trip with such fondness - a rite of passage. I envy you, commander. :)
 
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Agony_Aunt

Agony_Aunt
Piratescribe said:
That all seems like good advice!
I'm leery though about going without the shield booster... I'm playing in Solo for now, but even so I've been attacked twice by NPCs and fortunately I was able to boost and Jump away... so, maybe I DON'T need the booster. heh.
Also, I HAVE had to use the heat sink once! THAT was a scary moment! I totally miscalculated how quick I was taking on heat :(
I DO want to have the fun of roving around... but yeah, I think I agree I'll explore for a while before I add it.
I'm afraid I have zero clue about engineering! I'mma gonna have to Google what that's all about. But I'll keep that in mind.
Thanks for the help!!
Click to expand...

The shield booster is almost worthless on the hauler. Your shields are so weak anyway. And if you are going exploring, you're generally not going for an A rated or Bi-weave shield. Normally you'll want a D rated one. The shield in this case is mainly to protect against bumps. Not against attacks.

If you are attacked in normal space your best defense is to run and charge your FSD to another system (to avoid mass lock). If you are interdicted then fight it, a hauler should be able to beat any NPC without problem.

Generally speaking, the only time you need to worry about being attacked is when returning with exploration data. Once outside the bubble you don't have to worry about NPCs.
 

[PS4] Lorenzo Waringos

[PS4] Lorenzo Waringos
I used to ride in a Hauler and for sentimental reasons, just recently got another one. I love to explore and some of the advantages of an SRV are:

Driving about is fun.
You make new Codex discoveries driving about.
You get to collect mats when driving about which then help with engineering but done in a way that you were playing the game and got them as a by product, not 'I had to go out and get some mats'.

One issue I have found with the Hauler and SRVs is this. Most planets do not have a snooker table surface, you can get parked as some proper jaunty angles. The Hauler is great, because it is small, you can land on a sixpence but the clearance to get the SRV back under it, to board the ship, that presents some problems. I have had to dive round mine a couple of times and force my way under. It does no harm and I've always managed it but I've never had this with say, my Dolphin.

Bottom line is, get an SRV, they are great fun, great for discovery and great for collecting mats that when done right, isn't the grind you will read about on here.
 

CMDR SleepyDelegate

CMDR SleepyDelegate
I second that... Get the SRV... You will be sorry if you find something that you would love to drive to and get a closer look, but you cant, because you did not equip your ship with PVH and an SRV...

If you ever get to the situation, that you cannot park your SRV back to your ship, just log out and log back in without Horizons, you will emerge in orbit and your SRV will be safely parked in your hangar... Then log back with Horizons and you are good to go again...

Regarding the ship choice: I would take DBX, it is the best beginners exploration ship in all possible ways...

Regarding the heatsink: not sure about the hauler, but in DBX, it is not an issue, also because we tend to keep unneccessary stuff shut down when not needed, thus not generating that much heat... Like shields, PVH, AMFU, cargo scoop, even distributor can be shut down on an exploration trip... My normal temp is around 19%...

Safe travels Commander and as others have already said, good progress in such a short time! (y)
 

CMDR SleepyDelegate

CMDR SleepyDelegate
Lorenzo Waringos said:
I had forgotten about that, however, I'm on PS4 and this is not an option.
Click to expand...

Didn't know it is not an option for PS4 players... Then you can dismiss the ship and re-call it in hopes, that it will land in a better position... I had mine dismissed and recalled in one of the most funniest locations and this happened:

screenshot_0600-jpg.196965


screenshot_0604-jpg.196966
 

Chrystoph

Chrystoph
Just a drive-by comment, my original suggestion for the Hauler was more to do with a Courier/Data mission runner. I suggested it as a cheap distance ship. As a result, I didn't include an SRV because it would reduce the individual jump range.

Certainly, if you wish to use it as an Explorer, I would add an SRV to the mix.
 

Orvidius

Orvidius
Yep, Lots of good general advice here! Personally, I'd take the SRV. But it's also 100% optional. Without it, you just can't collect surface materials for later engineering, or using for jump boosts, etc. With a small ship, it'll still be fairly easy to scan surface life though. The SRV isn't required for that.

The hauler is perfectly fine as a starter exploration ship, but there are much better choices available once you can afford them. So I wouldn't invest any time into engineering the Hauler. The Dolphin and Diamondback Explorer are both excellent small exploration ships, or you might skip straight to an Asp Explorer, Krait Phantom, or Orca, when you can afford them.

You can explore with any ship in the game, it's just that some are a more natural fit than others.

I do agree with others, don't fret too much about the configuration. Shield boosters will add some weight, but also some safety. Technically the only module that's required for exploration is the fuel scoop. ;)
 

Piratescribe

Piratescribe
Merkir said:
To be honest, if I were you I'd take that gritty little explorer hauler you've set up so well, and just go. Get out there a couple thousand Ly and discover lots of systems nobody but you has ever seen. Doing it in an un-engineered hauler will seem so satisfying. And after you do get around to engineering and upgrading to better modules and ships, you'll look back at that first trip with such fondness - a rite of passage. I envy you, commander. :)
Click to expand...
Oh wow, that really sounds exciting! :D I'mma gonna do that!
Question, though... any tip in FINDING completely unexplored systems? Or just head one direction and keep going? :)
 

iain666

iain666
Piratescribe said:
Oh wow, that really sounds exciting! :D I'mma gonna do that!
Question, though... any tip in FINDING completely unexplored systems? Or just head one direction and keep going? :)
Click to expand...

Head in a direction that's not a straight line from the bubble to an obvious destination, also get some height or depth - the number of unexplored systems close to the bubble is a lot higher if you get away from the plane by several hundred ly.
 
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