Waiting in queue when using a Docking Computer...

Cageman · May 9, 2016

I have seen a lot of this lately. Thing is... there is no que at all to wait in, so it doesn't make any sense at all. Is this a bug, or is there an Advanced Docking Computer in the works? I mean... there is only the Standard Docking Computer avaliable in the game so far.

And yes... I have tried waiting 10 minutes in order to see if it solves itself, but it doesn't.

Honestly, I can pay 10 million Credits for a Superior Docking Computer if that would grant me to land properly and avoid the made up que.

Anyone else who use the Autodock in the game seeing this behaviour from the Docking Computer?

o7.

Alex Brentnall · May 9, 2016

I generally fly to the toast rack and then throttle down and let the pc take over the last 30 seconds or so since it's generally faster that way. Unless I really don't care about time in which case I'm getting a drink or making a sandwich so I don't care provided I'm alive when I return

anikaiful · May 9, 2016

Don't wait. Just fly in and apply DC when you're at final approach onto pad. Right now (in 2.0) you might end up sitting in queue until heat death of the universe.

Noddie · May 9, 2016

I don't think it will dock if there is another ship using the slot.

anikaiful · May 9, 2016

Noddie said:
I don't think it will dock if there is another ship using the slot.

Unless you have a clear "docking clearance denied", then yes. But ATM the AI can just sit around in a station, not doing anything... and you just wait in queue... forever. Well, they do get shot eventually, but that takes quite some time.

Steve50 · May 10, 2016

Well, like the amusing traffic controller in 2.1 beta says 'Maybe learn to dock manually?'

Buggs1a · May 10, 2016

I'm on Xbox but it's a bug.

CMDR Derrida · May 10, 2016

Yeah, they need to fix that.

Jagula0901 · May 10, 2016

I've seen this as well. Usually cancelling yout request and the asking for permission to dock tended to clear it for me.

Mechanist · May 10, 2016

You really want an "Advanced Waiting Computer"?

The biggest scam of the universe. [squeeeee]

Fly ... fly ... flyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

MickyG1982 · May 10, 2016

The DC itself is working exactly as intended. There's usually a problem inside the station (stuck NPC) that prevents the DC from landing you. Usually once the problem is cleared (NPC destroyed) it'll land you normally.

Susanna · May 10, 2016

I used to do this (fly in and then let the dc take over the last little bit), but after doing one or two of the CG's, I can't be and just put it down manually now. Print out the pad layout and have that handy so that you know where you are flying to inside the slot. After a few runs or many in the case of a CG you'll soon start to wonder at the point of one... Maybe for outposts?

Red Fox Four · May 10, 2016

anikaiful said:
Don't wait. Just fly in and apply DC when you're at final approach onto pad. Right now (in 2.0) you might end up sitting in queue until heat death of the universe.

Wow, you certainly didn't hold back on the time frame. Made me laugh though. I'm pretty sure the ship would have succumbed to a number of other cosmic events long before you reach that final end point though

When it comes to the docking computer though I think it's very limited in it's usefulness. It would be more useful if the penalties for speeding were more enforced (e.g. speeding for more than 10 seconds = fine, rather than crashing while speeding). Also, crashing should incur even harsher penalties. By adding these types of penalties and restrictions it would make the docking computer more interesting as then things would go "by the book" and you wouldn't have to worry about screwing things up.

Provided, of course, that the docking computer... you know... works.

For my own part I am generally on the landing pad about 20 seconds after I drop from supercruise.

4 pips to engines, 2 to shields.
Boost.
Boost.
Get landing permission.
Full throttle through the letterbox.
Drop gear just after you pass over the landing pad in front of yours.
Nose dive in, flare and stop.

amigacooke · May 10, 2016

Yes, I've seen the behaviour described by the OP. As also noted, if you fly manually inside the slot then the docking computer can do its stuff.

[VR] Marrs · May 10, 2016

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

Kazacy · May 10, 2016

To the OP: the solution it's pretty easy, don't use the docking computer.

Cageman · May 10, 2016

Well... what I usually do when the Docking Computer does its thing, is to go into the galaxy map and plot the next course etc. By the time I am done with that, I have landed.

This, of course, doesn't work when the que thing happens.

What I then usually do, is to fly into the station manually and then slow down so the DC can do what it is supposed to do.

So, again, I wonder if this is an intended thing of the Standard DC and that there will come more advanced DCs in the future, or is it a bug related to stupid NPCs that commits suicide by station? If that is the case (the NPCs causing it), is that intended or is it a bug? Because it is pretty stupid and makes no sense, since there is Self Destruct for those who wants to kill themselves. NPCs should know that.

And no, I will continue using the Docking Computer, because most of the time, it saves time for me as a trader.

EDIT: Thanks for the tips... I will try them (cancel docking and request new) and turning off/on the DC. Oh... and I am in an Anaconda, and I play with a gamepad, and it is a tricky ship to dock with, at least for me.

Bigglesof206 · May 10, 2016

Just in case this is useful info regarding printing out the landing pad layout - you don't need to, 'cos the little circular steering indicator gizmo you use to find out which way to steer to get to the station etc turns into a landing pad direction indicator once you get through the mailslot.
Dave

shadragon · May 10, 2016

Red Fox Four said:
Provided, of course, that the docking computer... you know... works.

It actually does, but it does not mean you can leave it unsupervised.

This is why Google robot cars are a bad idea. You'll have drivers with their feet on the dash, reading a large sheet newspaper while listening to the loudest of thrash rock. After the inevitable accident, they will, of course, blame and sue Google. You can't fix stupid.

twelvebore · May 10, 2016

I've noticed that when I use the d/c it boosts around at well over 100m/s, but I don't get the 'speeding' nag. Is the speed limit really only in force when under manual control?