The high cost of a Python

[Comrade Napoleon]

Please dont compare a Python to that Eyesore Clipper. The Python is made for Men. It smells testosterone.
The Clipper is mad of Imperial wannabee, affable, degenerated, Imperial Meh's , that just are a nuisance.
The Pyrhon is made for for guys and gal's made of the right stuff.
The clipper ia as stupid as it is wide

Ps. guess what I fly

Cheers Cmdr's

 

[Flavourless]

You've done so many things wrong.

Finding a good trading route is essential of course. Sure you need to find a trading route that provides you a profit of 1000Cr per ton bi-directional between systems at the distance of 1-2 jumps between each other. This should allow you to perform 3 bi-directional trading runs and results in about 120k Cr refuelling costs. Given that Python in cargo configuration with shields can carry up to 284t of cargo this results in 1.7M Cr profit before you need to refuel. So taking into account refuelling your profit is around 1.6M Cr. 1 bi-directional trading route usually requires 10-15 minutes, which means the profit of around 2M Cr per hour even if you buy fuel (at a very moderate pace).

If you do not want to buy fuel (or if you are not using a Python for trading) you equip it with a fuel scoop and this removes completely the necessity to refuel. When I was using a Python for trading I did not bother with a fuel scoop as it requires time to scoop fuel at a loss of cargo space.

If you know what to do then you will easily make enough Cr using a Python so no other ships are required. Python provides you the access to the outposts 50t larger cargo hold than a T7, faster velocity, better protection. Moreover, the chances that a Python is going to be interdicted are much lower than for a T7.

And what sense is to use a Python for trading if you cannot afford to trade carrying 272-284t of cargo?

If you are planning to buy another ship for trading it only makes sense to do it when your balance allows you to buy a new ship and trading more cargo than your current ship can carry.

That analysis fits squarely with my own experience.

I traded my T7 in for a python when I had around 74MCr in assets. (I am defensive trader in open BTW)
This got me a fully working ship with A4 shields, A5 FSD, class 6 reactor (all you need even with 3 C3 beams and a couple of multicannons) and 276 tons cargo capability (15LY jump at full load), with cash for cargo and re-buy.
I soon swapped out some cargo for an A3 fuel scoop, which at 176Kg/s refuels what I need in the time that I am lining up the next destination on my intermediate jump. For me it is more economic than 8T cargo.

With this ship, I could make 2.5MCr/h enabling fast upgrades.
It is now worth 105MCr, and can 'only' carry 252T cargo as I have gone to class 5 shields to avoid hull damage in combat (which is expensive to repair), plus some other upgrades.

I don't seem to need class 6 shields, and although I now trade in a ship where I don't worry about interdictions, I still make close to 2MCr/h. Plus it is a treat to fly - even post-nerf.
No shield cells! They seem like a cheat to me.

 

[Aleksej]

That analysis fits squarely with my own experience.

I traded my T7 in for a python when I had around 74MCr in assets. (I am defensive trader in open BTW)
This got me a fully working ship with A4 shields, A5 FSD, class 6 reactor (all you need even with 3 C3 beams and a couple of multicannons) and 276 tons cargo capability (15LY jump at full load), with cash for cargo and re-buy.
I soon swapped out some cargo for an A3 fuel scoop, which at 176Kg/s refuels what I need in the time that I am lining up the next destination on my intermediate jump. For me it is more economic than 8T cargo.

With this ship, I could make 2.5MCr/h enabling fast upgrades.
It is now worth 105MCr, and can 'only' carry 252T cargo as I have gone to class 5 shields to avoid hull damage in combat (which is expensive to repair), plus some other upgrades.

I don't seem to need class 6 shields, and although I now trade in a ship where I don't worry about interdictions, I still make close to 2MCr/h. Plus it is a treat to fly - even post-nerf.
No shield cells! They seem like a cheat to me.

If you are not using a Python for combat you do not need shield cells, otherwise they are essential.

 

[Flavourless]

If you are not using a Python for combat you do not need shield cells, otherwise they are essential.

Only because they are in the game and others refuse to boycott them
My python is fine in combat when required, but I do not go looking for it. (Still accumulated 200 kills though, it is hard to avoid)

All that a bit off-topic sorry. The point is that with around 75MCr you can get reasonably going with a python. If you go bust it is because you had no working capital.

 

[Aleksej]

Only because they are in the game and others refuse to boycott them
My python is fine in combat when required, but I do not go looking for it. (Still accumulated 200 kills though, it is hard to avoid)

All that a bit off-topic sorry. The point is that with around 75MCr you can get reasonably going with a python. If you go bust it is because you had no working capital.

I would not advise you going to the conflict zone without SCBs.

Yep, 80-85M Cr is what you need to get a Python and prepare it for the trading operations. That's exactly the value of assets that I had switching to a Python. First upgrades were A7 power distributer of course, which is expensive but allows constant boost and A5 FSD.

 

[Halo Moon]

I'm also debating the benefits of the A3 fuel scoop over more cargo space. Per run the scoop has better returns, but flying round a sun for 5 minutes makes each run longer.

Do this, ensures you never run out of fuel & then the only cost to you is the repairs. 3 mins at a sun every third or fourth trip will save ya 100+k in fuel =win.

Fly safe 07

 

[iain666]

Ps. guess what I fly Cheers Cmdr's

I'm gonna say Imperial Clipper?

 

[Cmdr Rhott Roe]

My Python has A class (maxed) internals, A6 scb, A4 fuel scoop (may upgrade to A5) and 5 empty internal slots. Done with trading. Too freakin boring. Now I spend my time in conflict zones and am loving it. 1 C3 beam laser and 4 multi cannons. Rarely need to use the cannons in a fight unless it starts to go bad for me and I need to finish it quick. Only the anacondas force me to pop my scb and when I've used that all up then I head for the hills to reload. Have yet to have to make any repairs due to combat hull damage. Oh, have not spent a single cr on fuel, ever. I'm not going to get rich in combat but it sure beats the hell out of trading for countless mind-numbing hours. The Python looks as mean as it sounds. Would be very difficult to go to any other ship though I have been toying with the idea of building an explorer for a diversion to combat.

 

[RedWizzard]

Lo' and behold, after purchasing the Python, the upgrades were very expensive (as expected and calculated prior to buying it), but the cost to refuel and repair the ship eventually led to bankrupcy and now I'm forced to use my last money I have to buy a hauler and start over from the beginning. I still have a Python parked in a space port somewhere, but I am not going to be able to use it or fly it because the insane refuel cost that I just can't uphold in it.

So you noticed fuel was expensive and your plan was to keep paying that cost until you had no money left? Didn't occur to you to buy a fuel scoop?

Also, why would you then buy a hauler? Are you deliberately trying to make things hard for yourself? Sell one of those expensive modules from the Python and bu a Type 6.

 

[Deleted member 58533]

It's worth getting the A3 fuel scoop. However, I just upgraded from A3 to A4 on my Python and it is even better (as you might expect). It's totally worth it, as I can refuel completely on each jump before getting any heat warnings. Python damages costly!