Mine in a cutter or anaconda?

[David Davidson]

So, I just got back from the black (well more like the light grey) doing some guardian content and I feel like increasing the content of my wallet a little more. I got to Elite trader mining in a Python but I have the Empire rank to own a cutter (and I own one, just to bask in) however I've been considering going mining in one of the big ships, mainly because I can fit a few more prospectors and collectors which will allow me to multitask mine (watch TV or a livestream) while mining.
However I'm not sure whether to use the cutter or the conda. I have the FSD booster unlocked so getting to a mining site from Jameson will be slightly less painful and I have 730m (and a cutter, currently) so I could probably afford to fit one or the other out with that 20% discount, maybe cheaping out on one or two of the modules so a I have 2 or 3 rebuys secured.

If anyone could list the pros and cons of both that would be great. I'm currently leaning towards the cutter because it's a work of art with the ability to shield tank like a motherfukker (although the fact that I've not gone to any engineers yet will gimp this a little, hence the fairly low risk task of shooting rocks and maybe going after the odd pirate in a SLF, if I have the room for a fighter bay) so what do you think; the meta snake or the slave built space dingus?

Thanks in advance. Also I'll be going to sleep now so I probably won't respond for a while.

[DualGlint007]

I don't have a Cutter since my Imperial rank is still way low (Knight atm), but if I recall, the Anaconda is still regarded as the king of jack of all trades for a reason. you can equip all the tier 1 and 2 weapon slots with all the mining tools you need and still have the tier 3 and 4 weapon port free for self defense reason. If need be, you can hire an extra gun and equip a fighter deck for additional self defense protection (for self defense, get the tier 5 hanger deck and not tier 6), and with 8 utility slot, you only need 1 for the pulse wave while the others can be either shield booster, chaff, ecm, or point defense. The only major flaw that the Anaconda has is that its not the best ship in terms of cargo space for mining. If you plan to kit yourself for mining + self defense, at best you'll have probably around the mid 100s ton of free space available, which means having to return back to a station to either reload on limpets or cash out on your full cargo hold. Of course you can go do a risky mining build with the Anaconda and have over 200+ ton of cargo, but when your in an Anaconda and getting yeeted costs you over 50+ million credits......

[Lich Lord]

If you have the money to blow the cutter is great...But if we are talking economical the Conda has a better jump range(for getting there and selling) nice hard point placement and is a heck of a lot cheaper.

Seeing as you already have the cutter i say go for it. I mine in the Corvette and trade in my cutter just because lol.

[ZEFFIE]

Cutter :

Core build focus :

Good Defensive turret position for instancing defense.
512 cargo capacity
12 collector limpets possible.

This build includes Class 6 shield. You can drop the shield if you want another Limpet Controller.

[ZEFFIE]

https://s.orbis.zone/8g1k

[ZEFFIE]

This is for mining Painite in double hotspot only.

[Mio Rin]

I'd say neither of them. Stay in the Python or get a Krait Mk2 for mining.
Especially if you're deep core mining. Cutter is way too big and heavy to be comfortable to mine in.

[Lightning]

The only problem I see with the cutter is its jump range full laden. With fully outfitted it's just a little over 20LY. Although the jump range is very short, 512t cargo space allows you to mine for 2-3 hrs straight before you have to go to the sell point. I guess it's a fair trade off.

This build[edsy.org] is almost the bare minimum for the mining cutter except for 8A power plant and 6A fuel scoop. You can also use default thrusters but your cutter will fly like a truck without a brake. Those three hard points are all at the lower part of the ship and have a good concentration so your limpets have to barely travel at all if you mine at 100-200m distance. Heat and weapon pips recharge are never an issue with 4 pips in WPN.

[rfb]

I use an Anaconda for deep core mining. Tried a Cutter but it felt to big and awkward. I like the Anaconda jump range too.

[LoboFH]

Cutter all the way, way more cargo, about the jump range use a 5H Guardian FSD booster.

[rfb]

I do use a Guardian FSD booster. 55 ly with guns, shields, fighter, etc and full mining loadout. Engineered FSD.

[LoboFH]

Weapons are useless in a mining ship if you know how to do it.

[rfb]

True. But if it can hold weapons why not have them. Get some turrets going and launch a fighter.

[David Davidson]

Thanks for all the replies.
Guess I'll go with the cutter and see how it turns out.
Jump range only really matters to me for getting to and from the site as there's a good painite system which usually has fleet carriers paying a good amount (600k+) per unit so the convenience is worth a little more to me and it sure helps out in avoiding those interdictions too.

[rfb]

Originally posted by Jogga Boo:

Thanks for all the replies.
Guess I'll go with the cutter and see how it turns out.
Jump range only really matters to me for getting to and from the site as there's a good painite system which usually has fleet carriers paying a good amount (600k+) per unit so the convenience is worth a little more to me and it sure helps out in avoiding those interdictions too.

Update us as to how you get on with it and what upgrades you use. I have a Cutter in mothballs at Jamieson I would like to try again.

[Joker]

cutter, its nice having the cockpit up front instead of the long nosed condy.