The Docking Computer thread.

Bobbydylan

Bobbydylan
Never used the docking computer. I challenge myself to Boost through the slot, and cut thrust at exactly the right time to put her down without applying more thrust.

I like to dock like so:
[video=youtube;KoJkeovDyIA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KoJkeovDyIA[/video]
 

jrb

jrb
I only use the docking computer for my trading Anaconda (enjoy docking manually) but I use the time to plot my route to the next stop while the computer is docking the ship....saves time from having to do it while docked.
The minute I hear "landing gear deployed", I exit galaxy map - pop into commodities - grab 448 tons of whatever is next - hit launch - and of I go...in station less than 2 minutes
 

Ving

V
Luniticisi said:
I use my Docking computer not to get through the letter box but activate it once I am over/near the pad .. just to be lazy ... I find this method very handy if the pad is right next to the entrance (especially if I have had to enter the station in a hurry) but I use it every time regardless of where the pad is.

Anyone else do this or other odditys ?
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Exactly this. Most of the time I fly through the slot, as it's quicker, and then throttle down and let the SDC do the rest. Gives me time to grab another glass of wine :cool:
 

Kzak

Kzak
Ditto, I use the docking computer solely when I'm doing trade runs in my Anaconda, not for any other ship I own.
 

JessieColt

J
I use one. Got one after I crashed my first ship into the cube station. Got caught between the guide frame and the station wall, outside, and couldn't get loose.

I can land, 1000x faster than the docking computer. But most of the time I let the computer handle it, unless I am running illicit cargo, since it lets me do other stuff while the ship it docking.
 

Monk

Monk
I like to use the DC when smuggling into a station. Boost...boost...boost and as soon as I cross the threshold, mash my key of zero throttle and let the DC keep me from slamming, too hard, into the back.

I don't know why but I lose all sense of self control when trying to land after smuggling. The DC has helped me with that issue.
 

KellyR

KellyR
JessieColt said:
I use one. Got one after I crashed my first ship into the cube station. Got caught between the guide frame and the station wall, outside, and couldn't get loose.

I can land, 1000x faster than the docking computer. But most of the time I let the computer handle it, unless I am running illicit cargo, since it lets me do other stuff while the ship it docking.
Click to expand...

Just don't go away and leave it alone unsupervised. It gets messed up and you'll be in a bad way.
 

Rojo Habe

Rojo Habe
Monk said:
I don't know why but I lose all sense of self control when trying to land after smuggling. The DC has helped me with that issue.
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Ah, so it's not just me! I often manage to make a complete pig's ear of it, especially when I realise I throttled back too late and have to execute a full 180 using vertical thrusters as a brake. tryng to find the pad from the wrong direction souldn't be so disorientating - but it is.

Usually only happens on busy stations where there are lots of witnesses, for some reason:eek:
 

Borgkube

Borgkube
Calebe said:
I had to get one to test it out and of course hear the Blue Danube. Well it does play it, but there is an annoying ticking or maybe suppose to be static like effect while playing. It just isn't needed if it is deliberate to make you think the music is interference from electrical devices on the ship. I get no ticking for other music or effects just on the one song I would like to hear in full fidelity while docking.

The docking computer you need to be almost stopped for it to activate and you need to be facing the entrance or at least have it in sight. It works well enough, in fact I thought I was about to hit a ship in the slot but it took me over the top of it. It isn't fast and it is auto, so unless you take it offline in control panel it activated on landing request accepted. I would like to make it a hot key want it on, hit the key, disengage press it again. Like in the original Elite. A nice novelty and cheap enough that people having docking issues can get one easy enough. I am much faster without it, but will use it for the music. Now make the music an option to play or not when requesting landing permission with a docking computer even if you put it offline would be a nice option as well for us old timers.

Calebe
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As you know, autodocking starts automatically once you throttle down. If you want to cancel it mid way, all you have to do is throttle up again and the autodock cancels and you have control of the process. ;)
 
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Carsten

Carsten
Ok sitting at Lave atm figured I wanted to try a docking computer on my cobra M3 ...... I have been looking for a Support Tech slot but I am cant find it. What am I missing?

TY
 

SNaomiScott

SNaomiScott
Carsten said:
Ok sitting at Lave atm figured I wanted to try a docking computer on my cobra M3 ...... I have been looking for a Support Tech slot but I am cant find it. What am I missing?

TY
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You purchase it through Outfitting > Internals - it's listed as a 'Standard Docking Computer', usually around Cr4,500 or less, and will fit in the smallest internal slot you have available.
 

Pilot Mark

P
Try docking a ship with no shields carrying millions of exploration data after several months in the black, the docking computer comes in really handy (and weighs nothing). I also use it when trading, it saves time.

The only time I don't use it is when I'm trying to smuggle 448 imperial slaves into a station with silent running switched on, although it is nice to switch it on again inside the station, sit back and let the DC sort out the mess you have just got yourself into after boosting an Anaconda into a station back wall.
 
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Monk

Monk
Rojo Habe said:
Ah, so it's not just me! I often manage to make a complete pig's ear of it, especially when I realise I throttled back too late and have to execute a full 180 using vertical thrusters as a brake. tryng to find the pad from the wrong direction souldn't be so disorientating - but it is.

Usually only happens on busy stations where there are lots of witnesses, for some reason:eek:
Click to expand...

Yeah, this happened to me when careening into Saarinen Station. Had a couple clippers and a python meandering their way to the entrance...looked like they were all using DCs. I was all, like "hah, let them watch some ace cobra flying into the station" (Completely stripped cobra, no shields, maximum speed, chrome paint :cool:).

I'd done some pretty sweet flying about a couple dozen times into the station, but this time, I over shoot, get tangled in the toaster cage and drop my hull down to about 5%. Face in my hands, I put it in reverse and skulk into the station. So embarrassing :eek:
 
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Yomamas Fett

Yomamas Fett
Monk said:
I like to use the DC when smuggling into a station. Boost...boost...boost and as soon as I cross the threshold, mash my key of zero throttle and let the DC keep me from slamming, too hard, into the back.

I don't know why but I lose all sense of self control when trying to land after smuggling. The DC has helped me with that issue.
Click to expand...

This. Autodock is a smugglers best friend, nerves can be allowed to steady after hitting the letterbox fast.
 
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