Tips on hunting for targets/things in signal sources in Elite space.

[Quantis Trap]

Hi everyone,

I've pretty good at a lot of things in this game now, but one thing I feel I'm not good at is hunting for targets or items in signal sources. Here's what I do know so far about searching for targets and items in signal sources in Elite space. I'll try to organize it a bit as I write it.

Types of signals sources:
Weak Signal Source (WSS): Usually, if not always, just stuff in space, not ships so if you're looking for ships, don't stop there.
Unidentified Signal Source (USS): Ships and maybe stuff, but a smaller amount than in the Strong Signal Source.
Strong Signal Source (SSS): A lot of ships and maybe stuff.

Finding them:
Visually: You can find them visually when they appear and fly by you (if you don't turn toward them.
Non-Visually: If you watch you INFO panel for new contacts you can then look on you left console navigation tab to see if there in a new WSS/USS/SSS.

Signal Source Behavior:
* Signal Sources usually happen in groups in space from what I've seen. In other words, when I see one I usually see more close by.
* I'd like to understand better how signal sources work.
Here are some things I find weird about signal sources:
* When I see a signal source with other signal sources close and enter one, why can I never seam to find the other near by signal sources (and sometimes not even the one I was just in) once I go back to super-cruise?
* Related to the above, why do signal source seem come and go so wildly.

Id like a discussion aimed at figuring out what we know for sure about signal sources and finding out best practices for dealing with them efficiently. It there are links to other sources of information, add the links. Let's make it more productive than just a complaining session.

Thanks

I'LL TRY TO SUMARIZE THINGS WE COME UP WITH HERE:

Suggestions Summary so far:
* Fly at minimum throttle (30km/s)
* Take it or detroy it, Blow up the stuff you don't want in a Weak Signal Source <- Not sure I like that one, because others may want it.
* Watch for local security movements in and out of signals which may indicate things.

Suggestions for improvement by Frontier:
* Being able to somehow mark and signal source for further exploration. This will improve the the game by not wasting the players time and not making the player feel like they have to destroy everything in a source to get rid of it so they won't see it again.

 

[jgm]

If you are actively hunting them then fly around at minimum throttle (30km/s). If you do this then the signal sources will appear within 1mm of you and so you can immediately lock on and jump back in to normal space.

 

[highpsiturbo]

I have three techniques for these sources
1. scoop up whats there
2. blow up whats there
3. run away from whats there

 

[Arry]

One does have to question the need for multiple USS, as we cannot mark the 2nd or 3rd for later investigation. Or can we?

It kind of makes you question, 'is the 1st one, not the one I need'?

So is there a point to having more of them?

My plan.

WSS, take it or destroy it, good target practice.
SSS, look for the wanted, make sure they are not in my 'wannabe friends list' and then kill as many as I find. But keep an eye on, who is attacking me. Also watch out for local security dropping in and all that entails.
USS, Lots of reasons to drop by these. You missions to kill, also, there are traders at these signals.

Arry.