After a round trip to re-pin blueprints (annoying) and fitting an A scoop to my AspX (she now sucks like an Electrolux - 0.88t/s and she fills up just while aligning to the next jump. Very comfy), I'm of the opinion she's a better explorer than my Phantom. Which I may now need to repurpose. Hmm. Food for thought as I have everything I need now (except a pure trading ship).
I love the Phantom and the Asp for exploring....like my growing combat fleet, I also have a few ships for exploration for the spice of life
I have my DBX...I love to use this for mat gathering trips, long trips around the bubble to get stuff. It lands anywhere easily, great range, cargo scooping is super easy. However, not quite as keen to use her on deep exploration due to the slow scooping on that big tank, and I feel a little couped up in that little cockpit after a few weeks.
Asp and and Phantom are almost interchangeable, but the Phantom has more slots for things and a cool style. The Asp I just love that cockpit and view, as well as its engine sound (sublight). Jump range is nearly a wash but the Asp has the slight edge. Both are great for deep exploration and scooping is fine with both.
I still have my 'conda for exploration as well, and is truly the 'kitchen sink' explorer, very durable, and longest jump range. Scooping is very fast with the 7A scoop, and I don't mind the freighter-like view of the front of the ship. The supercruise handling is less of an issue these days using the FSS so it's as viable as ever for LOOOOOONG trips.
Just my take anyway.
PS: Of all of them, my Asp has by far the most mileage, as that's the ship I used for the Colonia/Sag A trip.
Last edited: