'The Hauler' Most under-rated starter exploration vessel of all time?

Therinfluffs

T
All In can say is, the results don't lie. I gave exploration a shot, spent about 8 or 9 hours out in the black in this brave little winged toaster and it gets RESULTS! Went from aimless to trailblazer in a single trip, all for about under 3 million and very little risk involved. You can see the build I used here:

http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=60V,,2-3c3m3I2C2C2M3c,2jw4zM7Og2UI

As for an explanation for each module:

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 2C Power Plant: Lightest I could find.
TM: 2D Thrusters: Lightest
FH: 2A Frame Shift Drive: Duh
EC: 1D Life Support: Lightest possible
PC: 1D Power Distributor :Lightest
SS: 1E Sensors: Lightest
FS: 2C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 4)


3: 1C Detailed Surface Scanner: Duh
3: 3A Fuel Scoop: Worth it, spend so little time scooping you can just Skim the surface of a star and get an almost full tank from half!
2: 2E Shield Generator: Defending myself from my own boost button on return to civilization.

1: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner: Because it also makes toast.

This little guy just won't stop I swear. So what if you can't fit field maitinence? The fuel tank is so tiny it fills before you get too close to fry up!

So if you have about 3 mil, and want to give exploration a shot? This little ship will do it for you. With over 25 LY Jump range and very low risk in regards to heating issues, you have a pretty decent medium range explorer! Even the insurance is negligible at a paltry 140k or so. I couldn't believe it myself when I first tried it.

Though bare in mind it has a few draw backs..

The Canopy is a bit small, and the cockpit feels kind of lonely, what you'd expect from a flying box van.

If you are rammed in a station, your screwed.

If your assaulted by a psychopath your screwed, but you will be 200+LY from those in 15 minutes or so anyway..

You will confuse alot of pirates..

You will confuse alot of other explorers if you happen to meet someone else out there..

People will make fun of you cuz your tiny.




Either way, Hauler is the bravest little toaster for an explorer on the cheap! Thought I'd put this out there given I never remotely see this ship mentioned anywhere and most talks of it are of how useless it seems to be. (But that adder tho..)
 

DemonicSandwich

D
I agree. This thing has some great jump distance if setup right.
I use it mainly to go large distances that my 13LY range Python cant comfortably. (launch CG missions, turn in bounties far away)
I regret skipping it all together when I first started out.
 

GlyphGryph

G
The major drawback is the small fuel tank. You've got to be a bit more cautious about jumping into unscoopable fields. Other than that it's great.
 

puca

P
Adder turns better in supercruise, and can fit both shields and AFMU (slightly lower jump range). #adderlyfe
 
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GaryII

G
SS: 1E Sensors: Lightest
2: 2E Shield Generator: Defending myself from my own boost button on return to civilization.

Change those to D-rated and you will have even better jump rage, currently I am using Hauler as "Space taxi" to "move" all my 3 ships to new location
 

Greyhawk

Greyhawk
Downside is if you get interdicted on the way back your as good as dead in a Hauler. True story - happened to me on my first long excursion. Was dead before I even had a chance to hit boost. All data lost.
 

777Driver

777Driver
Greyhawk said:
Downside is if you get interdicted on the way back your as good as dead in a Hauler. True story - happened to me on my first long excursion. Was dead before I even had a chance to hit boost. All data lost.
Click to expand...

Wow that sucks, was it a pirate or just some idiot looking to blow stuff up? @Op, Hauler is a great little ship, perfect for fast long range taxi services in populated space. I can imagine it is the perfect cheap explorer option
 

Tarman

Tarman
Yep, no need for rookies to grind their faces off for an Asp if they're burning to hit the black with a fresh PF licence. Hauler is a great entry-level traveler. Good little ship.
 

Aewarin Jameson

Aewarin Jameson
I forget who but a forum user & great explorer produced 2 excellent YouTube guides for exploration - one for Asp (most common ship used) and Hauler (for the cheap)

I tried one out myself and with A rated FSD and the other modules D it has a massive jump range.

Agreed OP - perfect little ship :)
 

Time Streamer

Time Streamer
I'm currently using an Hauler as an exploration vessel. Sure it has three "setbacks": Smaller fuel capacity (but faster scoops), slight smaller jump range and smaller FOV. Still, it does the job quite well. I'm happy with it.
 

Arubeto

Arubeto
I am always happy when I see a thread like this where the smaller ships get the appreciation they deserve! Even more so if it's a post by a commander who presumably can afford much more expensive ships! Have some rep for that!
 

ElectricZ

ElectricZ
Hauler's great in a lot of different roles, even if you have a larger ship. Its best use? A runabout. Let's say you have three or four ships scattered around the galaxy and you want to consolidate them or sell the extras off. (It happens more often than you think, especially as you upgrade.) Instead of taking your big boat from place to place, buy a hauler, max its FSD and strip everything else out and you can jump 35 LY easy. It's an interstellar taxi that gets you to your next destination fast and can be sold at your destination when you pick up your other ship. It's also handy for crossing great distances to turn in bounties or CG's at faraway sites. You have to be careful when using it for bounty runs, as there will be people looking to blow you out of the sky just for kicks.

Still, ZP's got a winner in the humble hauler!
 

Therinfluffs

T
Arubeto said:
I am always happy when I see a thread like this where the smaller ships get the appreciation they deserve! Even more so if it's a post by a commander who presumably can afford much more expensive ships! Have some rep for that!
Click to expand...

My other ships are a Combat Vulture and an Anaconda I run rares in when I get bored. Hauler is a charming little ship really, I just like the idea of exploring space in a box van.
 

Bluebird007

Bluebird007
I agree OP :)
I first kitted one out for mining, very early in the game. Although the mining got boring quickly, the hauler didn't!! :)

On the subject of 'small ships'. I actually quite like getting into them when I'm moving my 'regular' craft around. I had a little joy-ride in an Eagle last night whilst going to pick up my T-6 to move it to another system.
 

Tarman

Tarman
Bluebird007 said:
I agree OP :)
I first kitted one out for mining, very early in the game. Although the mining got boring quickly, the hauler didn't!! :)

On the subject of 'small ships'. I actually quite like getting into them when I'm moving my 'regular' craft around. I had a little joy-ride in an Eagle last night whilst going to pick up my T-6 to move it to another system.
Click to expand...

That's gotta feel like taking out a sports car after driving your gramma's van for a month.
 
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