What is your favorite ship, or favorite ships, for exobiology?

Aaron T

Aaron T
I started exobiology only recently, but I am enjoying it and I started out in my DBX but hate the slow fuel scooping, but I will always have a DBX and use it here and there. So I switched to the AspX for the larger fuel scoop, and it is nice, but it has a larger footprint and takes a little more work to land on some planets near the specimens you want to scan, and the rate of yaw is horrible, I usually have to yank and bank it.

I realize I can take an SRV or the new one (Scorpion?) but as for now I only want to fly, soon I will try the SRV for exobiology. I have a lot of miles in the SRV from back before we had material traders, I have scooped up many materials on planets over many hours lol.

Then I read that someone loved the Dolphin for its small size for exploration and I looked back in the filing cabinets in my mind (it is not yet computerized, but everything is done manually still) and I remembered that the Dolphin had excellent yaw in my early passenger runs so I built one for exobiology and love it.

That lead me to think that with the peppy performance and smaller footprint being so nice I may as well try my Imperial Eagle, and what a pure joy it is swooping down from orbit, spotting some specimens and landing in very tight places, and boosting back into space so quickly... But then again there is the small fuel scoop and slower scooping.

I have a Cobra MKIII that is set up perfectly for this also and want to try it, it might be the perfect middle ground being fast, nimble, and having a small footprint. I will try it a bit tonight perhaps.

But, of course, I also saw that some folks love the Phantom for general exploration, so I bought and built one specifically for exobiology and I love it, I removed all of the engineered parts out of my Python and put them in the Phantom and it is quite a ship. But it has a pretty big footprint on some planets with very rocky terrain.

I think the perfect thing would be if we could hover above the surface and hop in our snub and go land by a specimen anywhere and scan it. Those specimens on the mountains that I do not have the patience to take an SRV to would be no issue lol.

But I must relax and slow down and enjoy the process of getting to the specimens by ship, SRV, or on foot, as much as I enjoy selling it to Vista Genomics lol.

How far/long can you go on foot safely?

So I guess my favorite ship is the Phantom even though it is not perfect as it sometimes has to land a little farther away from a specimen than I'd like, but they are all ships that I love and will keep using here and there as they call out to me.

I need to try an Imperial Courier perhaps, depending on the biggest fuel scoop I can use in one, they are very fast and nimble.

Thank you.
 
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Northpin

Northpin
Out there in the black, alone, DBX - due to a combination of jump range*, size and being able to fit size 4 srv hangar
The best combination of size, internals and, most important, cockpit view - Type 6 - a beautiful ship for exobio, but not that much jump range compared with the DBX

If i were to do exobiology from the comfort of a carrier - well... it doesnt matter much what ship as long it's a small - but i think i would still pick the Type 6
And yes, while Type-6 is classed as a Medium ship, it's foot print is like a small ship. It's classed as medium only because it is a bit too tall to fit in a small hangar.

*(there is this concept that jump range does not matter in exploration since, somehow, if you do longer jumps you miss content to explore, which is not exactly wrong.
However, long jumpers can do small, medium and long jumps - if the need arise, as in getting back home fast. A medium jumper cannot do long jumps)
 
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Aaron T

Aaron T
I am tempted to replace the size 3 Guardian FSD booster in my Imperial Eagle with a size 3 fuel scoop and remove the size 2 scoop and add a size 2 Guardian FSD booster and see how that goes.
 

Aaron T

Aaron T
Northpin said:
Out there in the black, DBX - due to a combination of jump range, size and being able to fit size 4 srv hangar
The best combination of size, internals and, most important, cockpit view - Type 6 - a beautiful ship for exobio, but not that much jump range compared with the DBX

If i were to do exobiology from the comfort of a carrier - well... it doesnt matter much any small ship will do - but i think i would still pick the Type 6
Click to expand...
I have a carrier and it is sure nice out away from the bubble. I went out about 3500 LYs away for a week to test it and made about 4 billion so it was nice. I only had my DBX and AspX with me, I have been making runs in the others I mentioned in the bubble to try and get just right before I head back out.

I am not into exploration, but the exobiliogy is fun for me. Scanning planets and such drives me crazy pretty quickly.

Thank you.
 

tachyonstar

T
For exobiology i like my Anaconda.

For repairs outside in deep space have 2 AFU and some Repair drones whit me.

Also i have 2 Scarabs and 2 Scorpions whit me.

On planets whit flat terrain like to use the Scarab. For mountains or rocky terrain i like the Scorpion because it can climb steeber terrain.

Also i use an external tool called "SRV Survey".

In case for plants which grows only in mountains (in example Fungoida or Frutexa) i mark the position whit the tool. Then i land some kilometers away and go there whit my Scorpion. I know thats not the fastes way, but so i can enjoy the ride and the scenery.
 

Cmdr. Numa

Cmdr. Numa
Sidewinder. Smallest landing footprint and can keep the nose so low above ground that I can even spot grass from the cockpit. And the only thing the Sidey is really good at, being no worse than anything else.
1715067012230.png
 
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Felix DiCestria

Felix DiCestria
I tend to flip between the Phantom and Dolphin.
I find the Asp is less stable when hovering with thrusters. I've built exploration DBX a couple of times and always went back to the Dolphin or Phantom, something about it doesn't sit right with me.
 

pFVD

P
DBX. Footprint + cockpit view for VR is great for me. I've never been bothered by the fuel scooping and don't find it that slow? I use a 4A, 4H booster and 3C shield. I have an SRV but because of the DBX small footprint it's just as easy to fly from patch to patch, quicker too. And the cockpit view with VR means I can fly sideways to spot vegatables if I need to.

I've also tried a phantom, anaconda and a dolphin, and while the dolphin is great for scooping efficiency/temperature the DBX cockpit view has it beat. My DBX is fully engineered and in the bubble at least is often followed by security who can't scan me because my heat signature is too low, and while not dolphin low its good enough while scooping.
 

aRJay

aRJay
Aaron T said:
I started exobiology only recently, but I am enjoying it and I started out in my DBX but hate the slow fuel scooping, but I will always have a DBX and use it here and there. So I switched to the AspX for the larger fuel scoop, and it is nice, but it has a larger footprint and takes a little more work to land on some planets near the specimens you want to scan, and the rate of yaw is horrible, I usually have to yank and bank it.
Click to expand...
The DBX is a splendid ship for all sorts of exploration/sampling/distance travel but the scoping speed is an issue for many and it is not a ship I like using. I find the AspX engine sound starts to annoy me quite soon so not one I use much now and it isn’t really suited for landing on mountain peaks.
To be fair yaw is designed to be bad on all the ships so roll and pull is the quicker way to turn.

Aaron T said:
I realize I can take an SRV or the new one (Scorpion?) but as for now I only want to fly, soon I will try the SRV for exobiology. I have a lot of miles in the SRV from back before we had material traders, I have scooped up many materials on planets over many hours lol.
Click to expand...
The Scarab would be better as it can spot meteorites etc for bonus mats while you are out sampling, but I stopped using an SRV for exobiology before I reached Genetisist.

Aaron T said:
Then I read that someone loved the Dolphin for its small size for exploration and I looked back in the filing cabinets in my mind (it is not yet computerized, but everything is done manually still) and I remembered that the Dolphin had excellent yaw in my early passenger runs so I built one for exobiology and love it.
Click to expand...
The Dolphin is a good ship for this due to size, range and high heat resistance. A possibility for sacrificing range for speed between planets with an SCO drive.

Aaron T said:
That lead me to think that with the peppy performance and smaller footprint being so nice I may as well try my Imperial Eagle, and what a pure joy it is swooping down from orbit, spotting some specimens and landing in very tight places, and boosting back into space so quickly... But then again there is the small fuel scoop and slower scooping.

I have a Cobra MKIII that is set up perfectly for this also and want to try it, it might be the perfect middle ground being fast, nimble, and having a small footprint. I will try it a bit tonight perhaps.

But, of course, I also saw that some folks love the Phantom for general exploration, so I bought and built one specifically for exobiology and I love it, I removed all of the engineered parts out of my Python and put them in the Phantom and it is quite a ship. But it has a pretty big footprint on some planets with very rocky terrain.
Click to expand...
The Phantom is probably my favourite general purpose explorer but it can be tricky to land near the exobiology.

Aaron T said:
I think the perfect thing would be if we could hover above the surface and hop in our snub and go land by a specimen anywhere and scan it. Those specimens on the mountains that I do not have the patience to take an SRV to would be no issue lol.

But I must relax and slow down and enjoy the process of getting to the specimens by ship, SRV, or on foot, as much as I enjoy selling it to Vista Genomics lol.

How far/long can you go on foot safely?
Click to expand...
Depends on what options you have on your suite, how hot or cold it is and how much power you use, the torch has a big effect and samples also eat power.

Aaron T said:
So I guess my favorite ship is the Phantom even though it is not perfect as it sometimes has to land a little farther away from a specimen than I'd like, but they are all ships that I love and will keep using here and there as they call out to me.

I need to try an Imperial Courier perhaps, depending on the biggest fuel scoop I can use in one, they are very fast and nimble.

Thank you.
Click to expand...
I am using a Hauler it has the second smallest footprint and can have great jump range however the view out isn’t great and the small tank size is something to be aware of it can eat a lot of fuel while you fly around the system, I have had to scoop in a large system to get everything.
Scooping speed is about 0:34 even with the extra tank and in economical plotting I don’t need to scoop that often.
 

HRDiagram

HRDiagram
I use a Hauler, as it has better performance and module space than a Sidey, and I love it.
I carry an SRV in it, but most of the times it's not needed, because the ship is already small enough to land anywhere, and so fast that it takes me less to jump from one specimen to another than driving the SRV.

I've come to a point where anything bigger than a Hauler makes me shudder (even the DBX and the Dolphin - ships that I absolutely love - can be troublesome, at times, when trying to scan those Fungoida Setisis).
 

jackwall

jackwall
Another vote for the Viper MkIV ( and mine is Red for going faster n' all. LOL)
I am out in the void for a long while now and taken a few bumps (72% hull integrity) but otherwise she's perfect for me. Small enough to land most anywhere, SRV room and suitable to gear up with 4A fuel scoop and lightweight 'D' modules.

S!
 

K Olley

K Olley
Northpin said:
if so, you may find that the Sidewinder is really good, the smallest ship ever - just perfect to land in the mountains and find some of the elusive herbs that thrive only there.
Click to expand...
I do most of my exploration in an Asp and use it for the regular Bio's, But my carrier is almost always nearby with a Sidewinder on standby for those hard to get samples.

A rated, but now fitted with a SCO drive, DSS, Scoop, extra tank and SRV. Additional spare modules are also stocked on carrier for use as needed.
 

Aris Tarkus

Aris Tarkus
...varies depending on whether I have the carrier out with me.
I used a Dolphin to explore Bernards Loop while looking for Raxxla and beginning bio exploration.

After returning, I spent my hard earned credits on a Phantom, which was used to cross the Formidine Rift and further explore some of the southern regions of the Milky Way.
I then took it to Beagle Point and ahlfway around the northeastern regions of the galaxy, but had my carrier with me for that as it was part of an expedition.

More recently, I have been using an Imperial Courier and an Orca for exobio. I am outfitting a Sidewinder just for fun, and will be picking up a pre-built Type 6 and Python MkII top play around with...

I have had other ships, but find I don't care much for the DBX or the Asp. I am going to pick up a Hauler as well, throw a couple of mining lasers on it and use it for doing boxel surveys as I can then use it to mine some of those asteroid belts and such.
 

Jinx Chrome

Jinx Chrome
I am using my trusty Asp Explorer which has a great balance in terms of jump distance and modules (SRV hangar, fuel scoop, repair limpet controller and AFMU being most important for my style) whereas my friend loved a Krait Phantom but it proved to be trickier with finding a good landing spot in mountainous areas. Then he switched to a Dolphin which he loved much better because of its small size. With the repair limpet controller in the larger Asp, I could fix his ship after bumpy landings or other mishaps ;)
Exploring in a team is big fun and pretty efficient, too. Only the tethering of the FSD isn't working since Odyssey. Whenever he jumps, my ship is pulled out of FSD.
 
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