Am I an idiot for going straight to an Anaconda for exploring?

[Slashee the Cow]

So I started playing about a week ago, did some stuff in my Sidewinder, bought and outfit an Asp Explorer, started doing missions in it, realised I was doing a lot of trade missions, so once I'd done enough of those I bought a Type-6, did more trade missions (yes the NPC pirates got me a few times), then I read somewhere about eddb.io and found I could make a decent amount of credits just running goods back and forth so I did that until I had enough to buy a Type-9 so I did that, did a bit more trading, realised I might want to do something different, did some reading, figured I might want to try some exploring so I read about that, read that the best ship was probably the Anaconda so I set out to get one, which given the cost meant I was running back and forth trading in about all my free time for a couple of days... then I had to go back and do some more because I didn't realise how expensive fuel scoops were.

Anyway sorry for the wall of text but in a bit of reading more I read that the Asp Explorer or Diamondback Explorer can do a pretty good job at exploration (suppose that makes sense) for a lot less money, so... am I a bit of an idiot for having grinded so much to get an Anaconda when I probably really should have started in something cheaper?

Also from all the Googling I did I based my build on this, although so far it's unengineered ( I really need to go do what they want so I can actually use them sometimes) and I don't even know where to find Guardian technology, anyone have any thoughts on what you do different and why? That nothing is strictly right is one of the advantages (or "advantages") of a game like this.

[TiberiuS]

I say this:
I have around 900 MCr cash on my account now.
I take part in Distant Worlds 2... you know. the great expedition to the other end of the galaxy...

So I could get an Anaconda for exploration no problem.
I still go with the AspExplorer!

(Almost decided for a Krait MkII)

Truth is. The Anaconda can carry loads and loads of exploration equipment and AFMUs and limpets and still has place for cargo.
But it's not fun to fly.
I rather have my AspX, which has Dirty Drives (500+ m/s), can turn on a dime and still a range of about 60 ly without heat issues. It is so much more fun to fly than that big sluggish whale.

[Red River]

you'll have way more fun in a dedicated specialised exploration ship that has explorer in the name..

[Agony_Aunt]

I've done exploration in an Anaconda. Not fun. The view is bad and the supercruise turn rate is slow, and you'll be spending a lot of time in supercruise.

Landing on bumpy planets can be a lot more difficult as well, especially if looking to land on a high plateau.

Also even with good thrusters its not very good for flying over planets or canyon running.

[josh5813]

If you want to outfit and fully engineer your Anaconda solely for exploration than the Anaconda has the highest jump range in the game at around or at 80-ish LYs. Plus you can cram more stuff into it.

Controlling it and landing it can be awkward at first if you aren't use to flying a large ship.

[Guizin]

You're not an idiot. But yes, exploring in an asp explorer is, in my opinion, more fun than doing it in an anaconda. better than the diamondback explorer too. The Asp Explorer has excellent supercruise manoeuverability, better than both the anaconda AND the diamondback explorer. You can A grade an asp explorer and still get good jump range. you don't have to, but having almost infinite boost and that crazy maneuverability is awesome. The aspe is the best exploration ship in my opinion. Not even the krait phantom beats it.

[Tytonium]

If you are going deep into the galaxy as I have done, pick no other ship than an Anaconda to do your bidding. Going from an Asp to an Anaconda is a major change and that's why some people dislike it for exploring. But when it comes down to it, having a higher jump range is the only thing that matters when it comes to exploring, and the Anaconda delivers. My conda has 71.5 ly of range and it makes using the neutron highway insanely effective. If I wanted to I could traverse from one side of the galaxy to the other in a single (albeit the entire) day. Also couple that with the insane 8A fuel scoop and not using the neutron highway is easy as well. With all that said, there is a cost, that being the insane amount of time it takes to get the conda ready for exploring. It took me about a month to make it with all the engineering required. You have to make EVERYTHING lightweight in some capacity and the grind is tedious, but ultimately worth it. Make sure to pack an extra 32 tons of fuel so you don't need to fuel scoop too much. Do this, and you will be able to get to Beagle Point in a heartbeat (a very slow heartbeat as this game is huuuuuge).

[Slashee the Cow]

Thanks for all the input. I guess if I can farm credits easily (albeit slightly boringly) enough... there's no reason I can't have both? Use the Asp Explorer a lot of the time and use the Anaconda when I really need the max range. Any recommended builds for the Asp I should I use this as a learning opportunity?

Having flown my Type-9 back and forth for hours I'm not really noticing the fact that the Anaconda is a whale... except when I get in the Python I bought for running trade missions (biggest cargo capacity that can land on a medium pad AFAIK).

[Witcher]

If you can afford an Anaconda and keep it, I would buy a Krait Phantom instead of Asp X for exploration - more enjoyable and better jump range.

If you are looking for a multipurpose ship that can land at outposts, nothing beats the Python to date.

[Guizin]

Originally posted by Witcher:

If you can afford an Anaconda and keep it, I would buy a Krait Phantom instead of Asp X for exploration - more enjoyable and better jump range.

If you are looking for a multipurpose ship that can land at outposts, nothing beats the Python to date.

more enjoyable?

[Witcher]

Faster and bigger optional slots - e.g., less time fuel scooping. However, I don't own a Phantom but use an Orca for exploring.

[Agony_Aunt]

Originally posted by Tytonium:

having a higher jump range is the only thing that matters when it comes to exploring

Not quite. You don't have to go tens of thousands of LY to explore. You can explore at any distance outside the bubble, although if you want first discoveries you generally have to go a few thousand LY. In an engineered Asp you can get that distance in an couple of hours, very little difference from the Anaconda.

[Guizin]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Faster and bigger optional slots - e.g., less time fuel scooping. However, I don't own a Phantom but use an Orca for exploring.

uhh.... nope.
the phantom and the krait can only fit a class 6 fuel scoop. same for the asp explorer. the anaconda can fit a class 7

[Witcher]

Think I use a 5C fuel scoop in my Orca to get more jump range. Only ship that uses a C6 fuel scoop is Cutter.

Fuel scoop was just an example of why Phantom can hold bigger class internal slots. There are other modules like FSD Booster, AFMU, repair limpet controller, etc. Remember we are talking about deep space exploration > 5,000 ly.

[Guizin]

Originally posted by Witcher:

Think I use a 5C fuel scoop in my Orca to get more jump range. Only ship that uses a C6 fuel scoop is Cutter.

Fuel scoop was just an example of why Phantom can hold bigger class internal slots. There are other modules like FSD Booster, AFMU, repair limpet controller, etc. Remember we are talking about deep space exploration > 5,000 ly.

i'm not sure if fuel scoops weight down the ship
can i see your build?

[Manwith Noname]

12 million credits, engineering and guardian tech can get you a DBX with over 70ly jump range. It's not going to be capable of putting up a fight mind you.