what affects hovercraft hover height?

[DreadLordNaf]

The first one I built was basically the 3x3 control planel blocks with a cockpit stuck on front, power supply, and the thusters, super simple. Problem was that it barely levitated off the ground, was basically a lowrider, and I often would get stuck on the simplest incline or even sink under water because it rode so low to the ground.

Next I build an enourmous blocky rectangle vehicle, which I figured would be even worse from all the weight, but it hovers 3m off the ground. So high that I cant even enter it unless i put on my jetpack and jump real high.

What could be affecting this difference in hover height anyone know?

[Duniac]

Depends on how you constructed it and the placement of the hover block. In the past if you put a hove block at the front and back this was best. But I don't think anyone really uses the hv. Just go straight to the sv is more versitile.

[mordeekaakh]

Originally posted by DreadLordNaf:

The first one I built was basically the 3x3 control planel blocks with a cockpit stuck on front, power supply, and the thusters, super simple. Problem was that it barely levitated off the ground, was basically a lowrider, and I often would get stuck on the simplest incline or even sink under water because it rode so low to the ground.

Next I build an enourmous blocky rectangle vehicle, which I figured would be even worse from all the weight, but it hovers 3m off the ground. So high that I cant even enter it unless i put on my jetpack and jump real high.

What could be affecting this difference in hover height anyone know?

Actually, you decide the hight yourself. In the right hand corner where it says how long the power lasts etc is says the hight, 3m is max, min I don't recall atm. If you hold <space> it raises, and hold <C> I think to lower, just like to do with the SV if you have flown that yet. All of these shold be in the keybindings somewhere, take a look :-)

[BlackSun1784]

Originally posted by mordeekaakh:

Originally posted by DreadLordNaf:

The first one I built was basically the 3x3 control planel blocks with a cockpit stuck on front, power supply, and the thusters, super simple. Problem was that it barely levitated off the ground, was basically a lowrider, and I often would get stuck on the simplest incline or even sink under water because it rode so low to the ground.

Next I build an enourmous blocky rectangle vehicle, which I figured would be even worse from all the weight, but it hovers 3m off the ground. So high that I cant even enter it unless i put on my jetpack and jump real high.

What could be affecting this difference in hover height anyone know?

Actually, you decide the hight yourself. In the right hand corner where it says how long the power lasts etc is says the hight, 3m is max, min I don't recall atm. If you hold <space> it raises, and hold <C> I think to lower, just like to do with the SV if you have flown that yet. All of these shold be in the keybindings somewhere, take a look :-)

You have no idea how long it took me to figure this out, I smashed so many thrusters into cliffsides...

[DreadLordNaf]

Originally posted by Duniac:

Depends on how you constructed it and the placement of the hover block. In the past if you put a hove block at the front and back this was best. But I don't think anyone really uses the hv. Just go straight to the sv is more versitile.

I can barely manage a hover craft without getting it blown up or crashing it into a mountain. The last HV i had i built lop sided and it face planted into some sand and got stuck and I had to dig it out. I would totally wreck an SV at this point... Once I master 2 axis of control, then Ill switch to 3, heh. Thx others for the responses ill try that.

[GlassDeviant]

I always use HVs, for one they can mount a turret which the SV can't do, so they are good for guarding the mouth of your mining cave from hostile critters. Generally I will put hover engines at the 4 corners, as far out from the center of the craft as I can. I also build 4 blocks up in the air from the original Core block, then move the core block and the struts I used to build up from it, giving the HV a lower center of gravity to make it more stable.

When you are flying an HV, it's best to hold the spacebar down until you are 3.0 meters above the terrain, and if you are getting close to a mountain I find it helps to hold space down while moving forwards...or you could shift+space to leap over the mountain, if it's not too high.

[Xyberviri]

HVs suck dont use them.

[crgzero]

Originally posted by Xyberviri:

HVs suck dont use them.

Actually if built right and you use some common sense while driving they can be quite useful and they're only getting better.