Best mining ship?

[Eviscerador]

Hi! In the last few days I've been trying the mining path in Elite Dangerous, and I have to say that it is more fun that I expected.

Ok, it is just firing at rocks, but finding the best position to place the ship, fighting against the rock rotation so you don't lose your limpets, and shaking off the ocassional pirate is quite fun and relaxing at the same time.

On the other hand, I'm asking the fellow CMDR who are also miners, which will be the best or more efficient ship for mining?

So far I've tested the Cobra MK3, the Cobra Mk4, the ASP, the Clipper and the Type 9.

Surprisingly, the Cobra Mk4 is really efficient at mining, since you have more than enough slots for refinery, limpet controllers, cargo and weapons. And yet it is maneuverable and fast enough to avoid being killed by pirates. Of course, the cargo space is limited, but as a starter mining ship is much better than the cobra Mk3 for just a bit more cost.

The Asp is the usual workhorse here, and she can do everything just fine, but the problem is that the cargo increase is not that much against other ships, like the Type 7, for the cost. It is faster and more maneuverable though, and you can equip medium mining lasers.

The Clipper is for me the best bang for the buck in mining. It is cheaper than the Python, have the same cargo for a mining loadout, and you can squeeze a class 4 refinery and 5 limpets with 192 cargo space and shields. All of this while still having 2 class 3 weapons, and the speed and maneuverability of the clipper inside an asteroid belt.

The Type 9 has been a disappointment. Yes, you can have a ginormous cargo bay, and you can fit more limpets, while still having two medium mining lasers, BUT (and this is a very big but) it is REALLY slow and the maneuverability is poor. If any pirate bigger than an eagle looks onto you, then you can as well pray that you can avoid mass lock fast enough to jump away because you can't fight back. And the cargo space while big, it is not more efficient, since it will only allow you to stay more time in the belt, which in case the base is close enough to the rings, it is not needed, since you can go back and forth pretty fast with a python or a Clipper.

Finally, I haven't tried the Python, since I think it is the same as the Clipper concerning cargo space and equipment, it is slower and the only real advantage is that it can land in outpost, but my mining place has a coriolis station so I don't need that. And the price difference is really important.

So all in all, which one is your preferred mining ship? Is the anaconda worth for mining? should I aim for the cutter as the supreme mining ship?

Thanks in advance.

[Steve]

I've been mining since it was introduced to the game and I love it, however I can only judge the ships I've mined in. such as:-

T6 - nice cargo space but the inability to fit large mining lasers really cripples your mining speed/efficiency

Asp - ideal mining ship, can fit the large mining lasers. I used 4 limpets at once with this (2 collector modules) and the cargo bay is decent.

Python - my current favourite mining ship, I have 3 collector modules installed and use 6 limpets at a time.

T9 - Tried this but went back to the Python, the T9's cargo space is wonderful but it handles like a Zeppelin and not ideal for maneuvering around tight asteroid fields.

Never tried to mine in a Clipper as I don't have the rank to buy one and never will (same for Fed ships)

trdr:- I recommend an Asp/Python for mining ;)

[Agony_Aunt]

Clipper and Python are both good mining ships in my experience. However, the big boys like the Anaconda have more slots, so you can pack in more collectors.

[The Mobian]

Agony_Aunt a écrit :

Clipper and Python are both good mining ships in my experience. However, the big boys like the Anaconda have more slots, so you can pack in more collectors.

+1

[The Big Evil]

personaly i keep a federal drop ship tocked away for when i want to make some credits quick good storage, ample hardpoints (recommend 2 mining lasers medium and the rest offence) its not the greaterst in combat unless you either know what your doing and are hyper agressive with it (i am both) can easily pack prospector and 2 collector limpet drone controllers (totaling you at 3 active collectors) i did the python for mining but it didnt work to well for me. others say its good but its combat prowes when outfited for mining gets cut down to much.
i mine in a very hostile area (pythons interdicting you and trying to kill you for limpets) so the fed drop ship is a great fit.

[The Big Evil]

just remember if your mining alone be able to fight, run, or die.
P.S. DO NOT mine with a type-9 heavy thats how you die. take a buddy or two with you if you want.

[Eviscerador]

Phantom Wank a écrit :

just remember if your mining alone be able to fight, run, or die.
P.S. DO NOT mine with a type-9 heavy thats how you die. take a buddy or two with you if you want.

Yes I noticed that. I escaped a pirate Anaconda with 32% hull, and I started boosting away at the moment I saw him in the radar... After that I sold the Type 9. I'm not interesting in trading with it.

[Steve]

Phantom Wank a écrit :

just remember if your mining alone be able to fight, run, or die.
P.S. DO NOT mine with a type-9 heavy thats how you die. take a buddy or two with you if you want.

Tbh I rarely run into pirates when I mine. I might get them say once in every seven-eight trips. So I just exit the RES and reenter it, then boost 30-40k away from the nav marker and mine in peace again.

[FlugMarine]

i think clipper is the best ship, before anaconda or cutter

[Lianu]

For just in case you change your mind about getting reputation for a Clipper, this was a loadout suggested for me a while back and I love it:
http://coriolis.io/outfit/imperial_clipper/06A6A5A5D6A5D4C1f1f2m2m0404040406Ce1v45C0C000P4.Iw18aQ==.Aw18aQ==?bn=Rec.%20Mining%20Clip

I hope you find the perfect ship for yourself. :)

[SaStandDown]

I have mined in every ship available and have found the cutter to be my favorite - massive storage - handles amazing in rings - combat defensive capability - and sheer speed if in trouble makes this ship a pleasure to mine in Pristine Metallic Haz Res locations - currently in Delkar doing just that...having a great time!

[Imperial Cutter]
M: 2D/F Mining Laser
M: 2D/F Mining Laser
M: 2F/G Multi-cannon
M: 2F/G Multi-cannon
L: 3D/T Beam Laser
L: 3D/T Beam Laser
H: 4B/G Cannon
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0A Shield Booster
U: 0I Point Defence

BH: 1I Lightweight Alloy
RB: 8A Power Plant
TM: 8A Thrusters
FH: 7A Frame Shift Drive
EC: 7D Life Support
PC: 7A Power Distributor
SS: 7D Sensors
FS: 6C Fuel Tank (Capacity: 64)

8: 8E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 256)
8: 8E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 256)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
6: 6E Cargo Rack (Capacity: 64)
6: 6A Shield Generator
5: 5A Collector Limpet Controller
5: 5A Prospector Limpet Controller
4: 4A Refinery
3: 1C Advanced Discovery Scanner

[Eviscerador]

Wouldn't make sense more collector limpets? Like 4 - 5A controllers for a total of 12 limpets.

And 4 mining lasers, you should be able to keep the flow of fragments.

The Cutter is my current (if distant) goal in the game. I loved the courier (still have it) I'm in deep love with the Clipper, and I'm just wetting myself thinking about getting the Cutter.

Glad to see it is the bestest mining ship around.

[FightinWelsh]

I mine in a conda.. love it. Have a second conda for BH.. just not sure what to do with my striped down python...

[SaStandDown]

Last night I did swap the 5A prospector to a 5A Collector for a total of 6 collectors....
Put the prospector in the 3 slot - 3A for a 2 prospector set up.
I am hesitant to add more mining lasers because I mine in High and Haz Res areas....
The current 2 medium lasers empty the asteroid very quickly and keeps 6 collectors busy on a constant rotation. In my experience more than 2 mining lasers has not made a noticeable difference how quickly an asteroid is emptied.
Ever want to do some wing mining....give me a yell....cmdr Bidabug....o7

[The Mobian]

love the conda for mining... top python parked at ZARAGAS for BH... conda parked in my mining ring maxed out for mining only...maxed out FDL for merit farming in Misisture... and one trading conda to get to all my ships if i get bored of one thing lol

[salad]

Federal Dropship by far my favorite.

I don't even care about prospecting, I roll with the biggest refinery and a set of A-Rated Collectors, then I mine everything in sight.