Lost Auto Docking

[ianscott1957]

I have just recently started playing. Was really liking Auto docking. But after getting stuck at the wrong side of a star on a mission. I jumped to a space station but it wont allow me to auto dock. On the right hand panel it says it is switched on.
BTW please do not tell me I need to learn how to do it manually. I will. however for now I need auto dock.
Cheers

[Sir Laffsalot]

Remember, you have to be at a full stop for it to engage. Also, you have to be @ 7500 km to get permission to dock. Make sure that you're at a full stop when requesting permission to dock.

[s0laris]

Stupid questions: Did you ask for docking permission? Are you at zero throttle after docking permission is granted?

Docking is not a game of acrobatics up until the big boys, Annie and especially Beluga. Make sure you check your settings for your 6direction movement controls and you should be good. Also, repeating the corresponding training should make you familiar with it. You may really want to learn manual docking sooner or later because some ships wont have enough room to have room for the docking computer.

[ianscott1957]

Being new to the game I have just found that my Auto docking was damaged. I tried manual docking. Got into all sorts of trouble. Fines etc. Wish I could revert back to before I damaged ship. It was a grind to make the money do not really want to do it again.

[s0laris]

Originally posted by ianscott1957:

Being new to the game I have just found that my Auto docking was damaged. I tried manual docking. Got into all sorts of trouble. Fines etc. Wish I could revert back to before I damaged ship. It was a grind to make the money do not really want to do it again.

Credz will come easy. For future reference, if you have trouble with the mail slot of larger space stations, look for outposts instead, i doubt you have a ship requiring a large pad, docking on those is significantly easier.

Good luck Cmdr. o7

[ShelLuser]

Originally posted by ianscott1957:

Being new to the game I have just found that my Auto docking was damaged. I tried manual docking. Got into all sorts of trouble. Fines etc. Wish I could revert back to before I damaged ship. It was a grind to make the money do not really want to do it again.

Definitely get used to manual docking... if you're going to do planetary landings this becomes an essential trait.

As for your damaged module... worst case setup: reboot your ship. You'll find the option on the right panel, the "ship" tab. This will halt your ship after which all damaged modules (those which no longer function) get repaired. At the cost of other modules health, so it's gonna cost you one way or the other. But you might just get some life back into your docking computer.

But... I know you don't want to hear this but seriously... don't postpone but get familiar with docking. It helps! No joke: every 'major' ship you buy will be delivered without a docking computer (I noticed this for my Type6, Dolphin, Krait MkII & Krait Phantom) and because of that I've made a habit out of flying a vanilla ship back home "as is". So... yah: manual docking.

Practice makes perfect and don't forget: you got 10 minutes! Should be more than enough...

Maybe this can help (it's what I do):

• Fly towards your destined station and get in front of it (nothing more!).
  
• Point your nose towards the station and try to follow their rotation.
  
• Assuming you can clearly see the docking bay (assuming this is a large station) and you're in decent reach (< 7,5km) hail them and request docking.
  
• Fly slowly and move towards the gap.
  
• Remember: r & f, which can help you go up & down. Also: q & e to move sidewise.
  
• Once in pay attention to your targeting: it points you to your landing pad (the crosshair on the upper left side of your radar).
  
• Hover above the pad and check your changed radar mode, also listen to the beeps.

That's what I tend to do: most of all: take your time! (within 10 minutes).

[Andi]

I'd also suggest not to postpone learning to dock manually. It really isn't hard, once you figure out how, and not having to rely on a docking computer means you get one size 1 slot to put something more useful in.
(The only thing I miss without docking computer is the music. Donauwalzer for the win.)

[malorob]

i never manual dock for the first 600 plus hours unless i am in open.
and loosing one slot for something that will stop you from getting frustrated is a plus in my books

tips on how to land in any ship
----------------------------------------
when you ask for landing permission and granted you will have your bay lit up.
fly to it, and take your time, just fly towards the number of your bay.

as soon as the number disappears in front of you, drop down you should be almost in the right spot.
but doing this i have always been in the right spot.
works for every ship.

[ianscott1957]

Thank you everybody for your good sagely advice. I shall start to learn manual docking. I do not want to do it in game. So is there a game scenario for docking at various types of stations where I could learn and practice?

[funkynutz]

Originally posted by ianscott1957:

Thank you everybody for your good sagely advice. I shall start to learn manual docking. I do not want to do it in game. So is there a game scenario for docking at various types of stations where I could learn and practice?

I'm pretty sure one of the tutorials covers docking... It's been years since I did them though, so I might be imagining it.

[ianscott1957]

Yes there is but you have to travel (hyper drive) every time you want to restart it.

[Qrazy]

Use a sidewinder for practice. The rebuy can't be more than 13 cents when you crash it up.

[SpawN]

I used auto dock once and never again, way to slow and a waste of a slot.

[Petrus Magnus]

Originally posted by SpawN:

I used auto dock once and never again, way to slow and a waste of a slot.

Docking computers go the speed limit if you want to go faster that's fine but its not something you should encourage newbies to do.

After all its not your ship the station will attempt to vaporize after they accidentally road kill some poor sidewinder while speeding.

[Dolphin Bottlenose]

Originally posted by SpawN:

I used auto dock once and never again, way to slow and a waste of a slot.

It works just fine here in a "hybrid" mode. I enter a mailslot manually at a higher speed, then just let the docking computer to finish the landing.

[SpawN]

The take off is the slower part as it activates on launch. Everyone stuffs up landings the first few times but eventually you get the hang of it - controlled landings are a good way to get to know your ships abilities.

I recommend having the super cruise assist instead as you can shave off around 40 seconds or so when approaching a station in super cruise. For newer players or those who haven't heard about the super cruise assist trick, check this out --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPZnnd1t9c0 <-- Can be tricky to get used to but once you master it, it will save a ton of time considering how much you dock each session :) 07