Seven Probe Mapping Method

[Grinnygog]

Here is a video I recorded to demonstrate how to map a planet using seven probes and thereby achieve the efficiency bonus. Quite often this method succeeds after only six probes have been fired off. Incidentally, the Earth-like world I mapped in this video was previously undiscovered. Hope you find the video useful.

 

[Para Handy]

Hmm.... If you engineer your DSS to get +30% (I don't know if you have any engineering done) then you should never miss the bonus. I use 4 probes for a "target 6" and 5 for a "target 7" size planet.

Here is a video I made scanning a "target 8" size planet - used 6 probes:

 

[mpfj]

I usually need only 4 (unless it's a particularly large ELW).

I'll record my technique and post it later

 

[Factabulous]

... and so the DSS competition of 3305 was accidentally started

 

[Jethro49]

... and so the DSS competition of 3305 was accidentally started

Hell yeah ! I use 15 probes for 21, without even trying to do better... beat my record !

 

[Grinnygog]

Hmm.... If you engineer your DSS to get +30% (I don't know if you have any engineering done) then you should never miss the bonus. I use 4 probes for a "target 6" and 5 for a "target 7" size planet.

Here is a video I made scanning a "target 8" size planet - used 6 probes:

Great video, thanks. In answer to your question, no, I haven't done any engineering.

 

[Jethro49]

Great video, thanks. In answer to your question, no, I haven't done any engineering.

I think it's worth it, because efficiency bonuses are easier to achieve with an improved scanning radius, and also increase the payout for discoveries. Farseer is able to upgrade up to grade 3 which is quite good (along with other upgrades usually useful for exploration).

 

[Valije]

Absolutely recommended to engineer the surface scanner. I fire the probes and move to the next planet just after firing them.

 

[varonica]

Usually 4 for 6, 5 for 7 or 8 but there's a large range of size where 4 will work fine, engineered of course, I don't think I have ever missed a bonus.

 

[Sapyx]

My max-engineered DSS can do a 7-target planet in only four probes, usually. Firing in what I call "attack pattern delta", a standard tetrahedron pattern (one straight ahead, then three at 120 degrees apart, aimed to hit just over the horizon. If four probes doesn't make it, then it's usually only one or two percentage points below the 90% threshold.

 

[LordFerret]

Absolutely recommended to engineer the surface scanner.

^ This

 

[mpfj]

I'll record my technique and post it later

As promised ... okay it's only a "6 probe" planet, but (for me) this works for "7 probe" ones as well.

Source: https://youtu.be/beuerAbQCGk

 

[Speccy]

My max-engineered DSS can do a 7-target planet in only four probes, usually. Firing in what I call "attack pattern delta", a standard tetrahedron pattern (one straight ahead, then three at 120 degrees apart, aimed to hit just over the horizon. If four probes doesn't make it, then it's usually only one or two percentage points below the 90% threshold.

Exactly how I do it, works great!

 

[Havvk]

GOML I can usually do it with 5

 

[recrudesce]

i use the 4 probe method on 7 prober planet with no issues.

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

I usually need only 4 (unless it's a particularly large ELW).

I'll record my technique and post it later

Same here, the most I've ever utilized is 5.

 

[Gut Rumble]

I just do 1 dead centre , then do three more at ,12...4 and 8 O'clock one more around the back if needed

 

[GroG79]

If the rings are not in the way you can do a gas giant (20+ probes) without moving your ship. Now I don't record my games so I can not show you. One goes in front, a ring of 4 further away. A ring of 6 or more just over the horizon. Then you send another ring of 3-4 to the back of the planet and then fill in the rest.