which is better 100% exploration-oriented ship

[T4RK]

[Rad Dad Redemption]

I did my Colonia/Beagle/SagA* run in a Krait Phantom but that was pre-Odyssey. I've switched to a DBX since and yeah the fuel scooping sucks but it gets like 30 more LYs per jump, and is easier to handle when dealing with high gravity and/or rough terrain planets. It's ultimately a matter of preference but you're going to pick a DBX, AspX, Phantom, or Anaconda unless you want a terrible jump range.

[TheJebblue]

Originally posted by Rad Dad Redemption:

I did my Colonia/Beagle/SagA* run in a Krait Phantom but that was pre-Odyssey. I've switched to a DBX since and yeah the fuel scooping sucks but it gets like 30 more LYs per jump, and is easier to handle when dealing with high gravity and/or rough terrain planets. It's ultimately a matter of preference but you're going to pick a DBX, AspX, Phantom, or Anaconda unless you want a terrible jump range.

Dolphin's range isn't bad, easy to refuel, easy to land: https://edastro.com/exploration/

[Nobody]

I've enjoyed exploring using off-meta ships, for example:

Type 10 Defender (T-10) - Gives decent jump range, can carry everything you would want or need, and never overheats when scooping. I have been able to cram my T-10 into some crazy tight landing places for such a big ship. It also feels more forgiving of hard landings when you're too sleepy to remember you're landing on a High-G world. I once read that T-10's don't fear slamming into the planet, the planet fears the T-10 ;)

Imperial Courier - Most dedicated explorers are going to use a lot of low-mass (lightweight) modules. A stripped down Courier gets respectable jump range and is the fastest exploration ship in space if you put G5 dirty/distributor thrusters on it. The Courier also has enough utility slots to carry everything an explorer would need and, being a small ship, makes exobiology a snap because you can land in really tight places.

While both ships have issues as well: The T-10 turns slowly when in Supercruise, and the Courier overheats easily while scooping (I dip into and out of the stars fuel zone 2-3 times depending on much I need to top of the tanks), both can be a lot of fun if one is patient and can add interesting new experiences to your exploration trips.

[funkynutz]

Originally posted by Nobody:

Courier overheats easily while scooping (I dip into and out of the stars fuel zone 2-3 times depending on much I need to top of the tanks)

Tiny fuel scoop doesn't help. A rated power plant will help a bit (if you've not already got one). Turning off modules you're not using helps too. You could also use thermal spread on the drives instead of distributor (and while we're at it, why the drive distributor mod? Most people usually go for the extra speed of drag drives instead).

[Dolphin Bottlenose]

Originally posted by funkynutz:

why the drive distributor mod?

It allows you to install an undersized power distributor module (less weight and power usage) that wouldn't normally be enough to boost your thrusters, and still be able to boost. For exploration you don't really need weapons or shields, so you don't lose anything by focusing it on engines.

[♥ Beepy ♥]

Depends on your personal tastes.

I have a 76Ly conda with SRV, repair limpit controller and 2x AFMU's for long trips out into the black by myself. If I'm bringing my FC or hopping a ride on a squadronmate's FC, I'll bring my ExoBio Hauler. 40Ly jump and you can land it in the smallest of footprints.

[funkynutz]

Originally posted by Dolphin Bottlenose:

Originally posted by funkynutz:

why the drive distributor mod?

It allows you to install an undersized power distributor module (less weight and power usage) that wouldn't normally be enough to boost your thrusters, and still be able to boost. For exploration you don't really need weapons or shields, so you don't lose anything by focusing it on engines.

Oh! I read it as the drive distributor special effect on G5 dirty thrusters... Not the engine focused power distributor mod. My bad.

[Squirrely Wrath]

id honestly go for a min maxed diamondback explorer, you can fit all you need in it and have some decent range

[Nobody]

Originally posted by funkynutz:

Originally posted by Nobody:

Courier overheats easily while scooping (I dip into and out of the stars fuel zone 2-3 times depending on much I need to top of the tanks)

Tiny fuel scoop doesn't help. A rated power plant will help a bit (if you've not already got one). Turning off modules you're not using helps too. You could also use thermal spread on the drives instead of distributor (and while we're at it, why the drive distributor mod? Most people usually go for the extra speed of drag drives instead).

Thanks for the tips! Part of the heat issues I encounter while scooping is due to fitting an A rated but undersized and overcharged power plant because it shaves off mass. Overcharging a power plant always makes it run hotter. Couriers are very mass sensitive and small changes in mass can make a big dent in speed. If you're running a lightweight Courier with advanced thrusters you actually get more speed with distributor drives. It's the exception to the "drag drives are always faster" rule. My understanding is that the heat modifications from thermal spread on drives (and drag/clean mods) only come into play when not in supercruise because thrusters aren't "active" in supercruise in the same way, but as far as I know all scooping is done in supercruise meaning those mods won't help if overheating while fuel scooping.

Great tip about turning off modules! This also helps with fuel consumption which can come into play when exploring a larger system in the courier as it has a smallish fuel tank and any ships burns fuel per hour even when not jumping. I've actually had to go back and scoop a second time from the star when mapping a really large system (mostly because this was the last fuel star for a couple of jumps and I was at half a tank or less after scanning and DSSing). Incidentally, even though the Courier can only equip a small fuel scoop, the small fuel tank balances it out and it doesn't take very long to fill up when fuel scooping.

Edited because once again I forgot to say "advanced thrusters" (The special super-fast thrusters purchased at certain engineers) and to add a lot more detail to my original reply.

[funkynutz]

I'm a bit weird in that regard... As the power plant is the one module you can't repair at all... I use a 2A G5 armoured one with thermal spread. Gives a bit of extra power, and runs a bit cooler. And it only weighs 1.5T (usually 1.3). Shaves about 0.04LY off the maximum jump range of a stripped down DBX with the pre-engineered FSD.

Haven't actually tried it out on a courier yet.

[Dolphin Bottlenose]

Originally posted by Nobody:

Couriers are very mass sensitive and small changes in mass can make a big dent in speed. If you're running a lightweight Courier with advanced thrusters you actually get more speed with distributor drives.

It's more of Advanced Thrusters being very mass sensitive. And with the iCourier (especially in a military configuration) it's easy to go over the thrusters' optimal mass, to a point where regular thrusters will perform better. My combat iCourier runs regular thrusters for this reason - they outperform Advanced ones because it's heavy.

[Parminio]

Originally posted by Rad Dad Redemption:

I did my Colonia/Beagle/SagA* run in a Krait Phantom but that was pre-Odyssey. I've switched to a DBX since and yeah the fuel scooping sucks but it gets like 30 more LYs per jump

No, you don't. Unless your Phantom sucked.

My Phantom gets 74 LY per jump.
My DBX gets 75.
My Asp X gets 73.

They are all very equally matched with one exception: fuel scooping - where the DBX is simply ridiculously bad.

[funkynutz]

Originally posted by Parminio:

Originally posted by Rad Dad Redemption:

I did my Colonia/Beagle/SagA* run in a Krait Phantom but that was pre-Odyssey. I've switched to a DBX since and yeah the fuel scooping sucks but it gets like 30 more LYs per jump

No, you don't. Unless your Phantom sucked.

My Phantom gets 74 LY per jump.
My DBX gets 75.
My Asp X gets 73.

They are all very equally matched with one exception: fuel scooping - where the DBX is simply ridiculously bad.

Let me guess... 4D thrusters, 1D power distributor, 5H Guardian FSD booster, lightweight mods almost everywhere, no shields?

It could be argued that your Phantom sucked, in every possible way besides jump range.

[Parminio]

Originally posted by funkynutz:

Let me guess... 4D thrusters, 1D power distributor, 5H Guardian FSD booster, lightweight mods almost everywhere, no shields?

4A Power Plant - Low Emissions
4D Thrusters - Stripped Down
Pre-Engineered Grade 5 FSD
4D Life Support - Lightweight
3D Power Distributor - Engine Focused / Stripped Down Mod
6D Sensors - Lightweight
5H Guardian FSD Booster
3D Shield Generator - Enhanced Low Power
6A Fuel Scoop
2G Planetary Vehicle
OA Heat Sink Launcher - Lightweight

Boost Speed: 418 MPS
Jump Range 74.2 LY

Originally posted by funkynutz:

It could be argued that your Phantom sucked, in every possible way besides jump range.

It could also be argued that you have no idea what you're talking about.

[Juklflux]

Pointless discussion. DBX is hands down the best exploration ship. If you want to TRAVEL then yah the fuel scoop is a little small. If you want to EXPLORE DBX is absolutely the best, no contest.