Silent running and docking computer

[Cmdr Nemo]

I've spent hours and hours trying to find out if:

Does the computer docking work if you are in silent running.

I mean, making sure I'm 7ks from the portal opening, I get permission to dock, if I switch to silent running, can I make it in before over heating. It seems that no matter where you request for docking, the compter docking takes the same amount of time. I relize that heat will build, but shutting non useful systems down can mitigate some of it.

By passing the computer by stepping on the gas does work well, but not always.

 

[TopCat160]

I certainly couldn't make it in from 7km out without overheating in my Conda.

But in reality you don't need to.

The way I do it is (flying manually):

- drop out of supercruise ensuring that I'm facing more or less towards the mailbox
- immediately hit the boost
- switch to comms panel and request docking the instant the distance goes below 7.5 km
- then switch back, fly in fast until the last 2 km or so
- slow down and switch to silent running
- watch the temps.

If the temps look like getting too high, switch back to normal running for a second or two - the temps fall very quickly

Then once I'm in, back to normal running.

Note: shields will be off for docking, so care needed, especially if running a passenger that objects to hull damage.

I've never been scanned while still several km out from the station - only ever in the last few seconds.

 

[dayrth]

The time the docking computer takes does vary, although if you are a ways out it will boost, so it depends more on angle than distance. The DC can screw up the approach completely in which case it may never dock. I take it you are trying to avoid being scanned,in which case wait until you get the scan detected message and then engage silent running. Should be enough to break the scanners lock. Better still carry heat sinks. If you have unnecessary modules turned off you should be running quite cool, so a heat sink will drop you to 0 degrees. Guaranteed to break lock. One launcher carries 3 heat sinks. If you are a bit nippy getting in to the station you should have no problem avoiding a scan.

 

[Factabulous]

You know you could test this by .... switching on Silent Running and .... switching on the Docking Computer - 2 seconds max

(For the record, pretty sure DC switches off Silent Running, just as it adjusts your pips). But seriously - 2 seconds

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

You know you could test this by .... switching on Silent Running and .... switching on the Docking Computer - 2 seconds max

(For the record, pretty sure DC switches off Silent Running, just as it adjusts your pips). But seriously - 2 seconds

That's sounds about right, my new phython (NAUTILUS) and I are gonna take awile to get used to one another. Recon I just continue running legal till I get use to her quirks, wiggles and waggels.

 

[Factabulous]

That's sounds about right, my new phython (NAUTILUS) and I are gonna take awile to get used to one another. Recon I just continue running legal till I get use to her quirks, wiggles and waggels.

You know you can switch on silent running (and the DC) without needing to - stations won't shoot you for switching it on - well, they can't as they can't see you - may favourite thing about Silent Running is when the station asks where you've gone

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

You know you can switch on silent running (and the DC) without needing to - stations won't shoot you for switching it on - well, they can't as they can't see you - may favourite thing about Silent Running is when the station asks where you've gone

In my winder, I've practiced going in illegal thought I really wasn't.
I found by paying attention to the other ships on my screen which in solo are all npc's. While I'm parked 7lm out from the slot. One doesn't get scanned until almost the toast rack. But the weight difference between a winder and a phython is waaaay different, so, I just looking at alternatives. I decline a loooooot of missions due to the client being wanted.

I tried the auto dock and though it was cool, in my smaller ships I could get in and dock realitively faster so I sold it. But now, it's a differnt story, my ship is humongus compared to the dolphin and takes a great deal more to get her to slow down.

 

[4fast5me]

Controversial point of view on this forum I know, but why don't you just get good?

Learn to fly and dock your ship yourself. Docking computer is a crutch, and an incredibly slow one at that.

 

[damajoo]

You could also just pop a heatsink and start very cool at 0° ... What i do most of the time, regardless of silent-running or not is: I fly the fastest approach, through the mail slot, and when i'm in, the i engage the docking computer by throtteling down to zero. Fastest way to stop, and (most of the time), pretty save, especially in the larger ships.

 

[Factabulous]

Controversial point of view on this forum I know, but why don't you just get good?

Learn to fly and dock your ship yourself. Docking computer is a crutch, and an incredibly slow one at that.

Controversial view, but read the thread OP states they don't use DC on small ship - just has to realise that python is small I still use DC on Beluga / Type 9 as it's easier - gives me time to do something else while DC attempts to crush the station flat....

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

Controversial view, but read the thread OP states they don't use DC on small ship - just has to realise that python is small I still use DC on Beluga / Type 9 as it's easier - gives me time to do something else while DC attempts to crush the station flat....

Correct, besides I can use the time to thank my passenger and give them a complmentary Snicker's Bar. Besides upgrading for free, its a great ploy to avoid disgrunted clients.

Ok ok, maybe I'm taking this role play a little bit too serious. But I really do like the way one can get immerced in here.

 

[StephanieABT]

Had my first experience of trying Silent Running today and ended in disaster.

Was on an empire passenger mission from Cubeo to Hip 5700 but did not realize the passenger was illegal until too late.

Went in to 7500 near Space Station, requested docking,dc kicked in, switched on silent running as I was being scanned at the slot entrance, accelerated like crazy so overriding the DC, internal security one shots me and by bye Dolphin, hello rebuy screen plus a 6000 credit dormant bounty on my head.

Lesson learnt, keep away from illegal activities lol

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Had my first experience of trying Silent Running today and ended in disaster.

Was on an empire passenger mission from Cubeo to Hip 5700 but did not realize the passenger was illegal until too late.

Went in to 7500 near Space Station, requested docking,dc kicked in, switched on silent running as I was being scanned at the slot entrance, accelerated like crazy so overriding the DC, internal security one shots me and by bye Dolphin, hello rebuy screen plus a 6000 credit dormant bounty on my head.

Lesson learnt, keep away from illegal activities lol

No need to avoid illegal passengers. If your ship is fast, which I hear the Dolphin is, then quite simply, you just need to pay attention at the mission board when you accept the contract.

If you have a docking computer, and you wish to take an illegal contract, the first thing you should do is go to your power management, and disable the DC for the duration of the contract. With illegal passengers, you need speed, and a docking computer is the polar opposite to fast.

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

No need to avoid illegal passengers. If your ship is fast, which I hear the Dolphin is, then quite simply, you just need to pay attention at the mission board when you accept the contract.

If you have a docking computer, and you wish to take an illegal contract, the first thing you should do is go to your power management, and disable the DC for the duration of the contract. With illegal passengers, you need speed, and a docking computer is the polar opposite to fast.

But, one can by pass the DC by increaseing the throttle, upon entering full stop of throttle engages the DC. I've done it as practice using my winder, and a couple of times in a dolphin just to see if it was the same. I was just wondering if running silent from the point of throttle to the point of DC engagement would avoid station scanning. Starting from about the 7m mark in front of the door.

Tis my plan to install one on "NAUTLIUS" my phython. 85+% of my passengers are planetary and locating, and the transit to which is always or seems like always on the other side of the base. I'd never use it in a space staton except those dam ports where as I haven't figured out their dock system. On planetary I can get down fast but it seems like I'm always on the other side of where they want me to dock.

 

[Deleted member 110222]

But, one can by pass the DC by increaseing the throttle, upon entering full stop of throttle engages the DC. I've done it as practice using my winder, and a couple of times in a dolphin just to see if it was the same. I was just wondering if running silent from the point of throttle to the point of DC engagement would avoid station scanning. Starting from about the 7m mark in front of the door.

I didn't know that. I've never used the docking computer. Actually I've only seen it in use in clips on my Xbox feed.

 

[Cmdr Nemo]

I didn't know that. I've never used the docking computer. Actually I've only seen it in use in clips on my Xbox feed.

Yea, it's a cool feature, I've been scanned using it normaly but never when I practiced the over ride feature. At a space station, obviously one can still get scanned at those little ports and planetary docks, because one can not just zoom in and stop on a dime. It might work on those little ports with some practice. And possibly on planets if your high enough above them as I don't knwo how high the scan.

Something I gotta test when my final approach is just right.

There are those that state only wimps use DC's, call me what you want, but engageing the DC for a planetary landing 4 clicks AGL (above ground level) is a lot easier and safer than landing on a HIGH or non existent gravity planet. My rebuy is getting higher and higher with the better ships.