Tips/guides for finding good trade routes?

dannyboy

dannyboy
I've been playing since just before the end of the original beta, and am currently flying a trade-fitted Python (292t capacity).

I've tended to use Slopeys/Thrudds which have both been helpful, but I'm finding increasingly that the price data in these tools is out of date almost as soon as it's been imported. I'm guessing part of this is due to an ever-expanding player base, and the markets thus being hammered as soon as a good route is discovered.

So I'd like to start finding my own trade routes using just the galaxy map, old school like. I've looked for high-population, high-tech systems within a single hyperjump of each other, and found some reasonable routes (~ 700k profit per round trip), but I'm sure there are better routes than that if one knows how to find them.

I'm not asking for anyone to share their route with me (obviously) - just for any tips, or existing guides, on locating a good route using the tools in the galaxy map.

Alternatively, could I make cash faster by bounty hunting? I have done some BH in RES sites and did enjoy it, but always end up going back to trading. I think it's because I always seem to get the 'slow' RES sites full of Sideys and Eagles.

Cheers :)

Danny
 

Goorax

Goorax
I tried, like you, to find my own routes for a while. Try googling it, but you've summed up the main stuff. High pop, high tech, industrial etc...

My impressions are that it requires a lot of time, and doesn't give as good results as third party tools.
I usually managed to find routes between 1k8 and 2k per ton profit for a round trip (like 1k2 one way, 700 other way). But it took time to find them.

With the online tools you get a route for over 2k3 everytime and in seconds. It also depends how you want to play :)

About bounty hunting, you might be able to make more cash depending how quick you are at trading.
In my experience, python will make more money trading than bounty hunting.
 

ste

S
I never use the tools, I hunt my own routes. Its more satisfying when you find one.

Then I discovered bounty hunting and quickly realised I could make money a whole lot faster.

But then I thought maybe combine the 2. So what I do now which is more fun but a bit more risky but more exciting is..

I have my trade route where I make 1.5k per ton there and 1.5k a ton back, and there and back I stop off at the local RES site with plenty of 100k+ bountys floating about and rack up as many kills as I dare before jumping out to sell the cargo. Taking a cargo hold of gold to a res site doesnt half bring the scum out of the woodwork.

So generally in my asp I buy a cargo hold full of gold,
go to res site rack up about 500k of bounties
fly to destination, sell cargo, buy prog cells,
back to res site,
more bounties,
dock
profit.

Wouldnt do it anyother way now.
 
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Jon Jaymes

Jon Jaymes
My trading run is 4 systems, Extraction to Refinery to Industrial to Agricultural and then back to Extraction. Making about c3000 per ton in my 180t cargo Clipper. Add in missions which offer higher profits for a <10t cargo, and I am making about 1M credits per hour. Apart from when I get sidetracked reading the forums ;)
 

Colonel North

Colonel North
dannyboy said:
I've been playing since just before the end of the original beta, and am currently flying a trade-fitted Python (292t capacity).

I've tended to use Slopeys/Thrudds which have both been helpful, but I'm finding increasingly that the price data in these tools is out of date almost as soon as it's been imported. I'm guessing part of this is due to an ever-expanding player base, and the markets thus being hammered as soon as a good route is discovered.

So I'd like to start finding my own trade routes using just the galaxy map, old school like. I've looked for high-population, high-tech systems within a single hyperjump of each other, and found some reasonable routes (~ 700k profit per round trip), but I'm sure there are better routes than that if one knows how to find them.

I'm not asking for anyone to share their route with me (obviously) - just for any tips, or existing guides, on locating a good route using the tools in the galaxy map.

Alternatively, could I make cash faster by bounty hunting? I have done some BH in RES sites and did enjoy it, but always end up going back to trading. I think it's because I always seem to get the 'slow' RES sites full of Sideys and Eagles.

Cheers :)

Danny
Click to expand...


I've yet to find a better trade runs than between a Hi-Tech and an Extraction economy. (Typically: Resonating Separators >>> Superconductors)

So look for Orange blobs close by light blue blobs on the galaxy map!

I've been milking one route for ages now (up to 500t each way) and it has not affected prices and it's a direct jump with ports reasonably close from jump in. I can comfortably hit 4 round trip in an hour (after that I get bored and go shoot stuff). The round trip nets just over Cr2,500 p/t.

Some claim earning of up to Cr9M an hour (I'm dubious of this) but I've tried lots of routes and can't beat the 2.5k p/t deal.

Thrudds info can be dated but its a good guide. Do a search for the cheapest product near you (gold, palladium) and then where best to sell it. Use that to find your own sweet little deal :)

Good luck commander!
 

deathmagnet

deathmagnet
Being in a trade Python you will find the best profits (usually) if you do a Large/Small station combination (ie Refinery/Extraction Star Port - High Tech Outpost) . Good trade runs that are within reasonable jump ranges for the big, low jump range trade ship (exception Conda) or hard to find and get hammered once discovered. There are by far more outposts in the galaxy than there are large star ports. You will have more trade options if you utilize the low traffic outposts on at least 1 leg of your trip. The profit margins are typically a lot better too (Edit: I know there are exceptions. Don't need it pointed out to me.).
 
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Metalstardust

M
It took me 4 months to find but I now have a 9,159 CR per Ton per hour route. I am making 4.5 Million per hour.

Another good route is Industrial - Extraction. Mineral Extractors and Palladium. Again sort the Gal map by dot colour and look for two close together. I have one of these that makes 7,424 CR per Ton per Hour.

I have a 528 T Type 9.
 

Comrade Napoleon

Comrade Napoleon
Cmdr Ste has it right , dont use trade tools.

Ingredients:
Patience
1 high tech , high pop system
1 System with Palladium in abundance, now this is difficult , could be any place really ( I found mine in agricultural) also high pop
1 System with Industries, high pop
Mix
Hope that they are max 15 Ly apart, got many outposts (keep fat ugly L9 and 'Condas away)
Trade in servings according to cargo hold.

Cheers Cmdr's
 

deathmagnet

deathmagnet
Metalstardust said:
It took me 4 months to find but I now have a 9,159 CR per Ton per hour route. I am making 4.5 Million per hour.

Another good route is Industrial - Extraction. Mineral Extractors and Palladium.
Click to expand...

Great tip. I may have to start searching these out.

Another tip for the OP is I believe there are galactic trade distance thresholds. Very rarely have I found good routes between systems that are under 10LY apart. I deduce that the game mechanic behind this is that the background sim has the NPC's simulating a low supply/demand economy for nearby resources because of ease of access and exhausting local resources. The resources further away are not only harder to come by but less used, therefore simulating a high supply/demand economy. If you push this to 15ly+ then you start to notice real good buy/sell prices. 1 jump routes are great but don't be afraid to do a 2 jumper or even 3 if the profits are high enough.
 

dannyboy

dannyboy
Thanks so much guys, tons of useful info to chew on there. Rep to you all.

Off to grab a cheeky hour of trading before bedtime now :)
 
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