Should I bother with hypertubes?

[Hakkonen]

I've got the zipline tool, and it works well enough that I'm struggling to see why I should spend time and resources building out a hypertube network rather than go straight for the train.

[Fenix]

I just build cannons, not full networks
However because of the way you can increase you speed with a Cannon into a tube line you can make it a very fast way of transport, faster than any train.

[Hakkonen]

Can hypertubes transport materiel? I was under the impression they only transport the player; trains may be slower, but are more practical.

[Fenix]

Yeah the Hypertube is just for player characters
Train are the way to go for long distance/large quantity item transport

WIth a Small Launch you can use the jetpack and/or parachute to control yourself and land before the train gets there, with the mats, though.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3103407442

[Raven]

Hypertubes don't transport material, (but that could be fun!). At first I didn't bother with hypertubes, and went straight to trains. However, I changed my mind. For example, tubes get you places the train doesn't go, and if you use factories with different floor levels they make a great 'lift'. So I suppose it depends on your build/play style.

[Rymorea]

Just for your play style, I used them at factories between levels cause I have some time 5-6 levels more then 150+ meters towers :)

[Planned Economy]

I use hypertubes as elevators for tall factories.
I also have a blueprint of an Hypertube cannon and build them in every factories.
Hypertube cannons are great way to travel across the map once you have parachutes/jetpacks to land safely.

[kLuns]

I'm in the endgame and still ziplining everywhere.

[ritman2000]

Hypertube cannons and the jetpack are the fastest way to jump across the map. I blueprint an 8 hypertube entrance cannon and use that, and I can get across the entire map in 2 jumps in less than 1 minute. I just make a 2-way jump pad somewhere in between my destination on the other side of the map and aim my end point cannons towards that middle jump pad. It's a bit time-consuming to lay the initial power lines across the map to power the hypertube cannons, but well worth the investment.

[Ryzilynt]

I also enjoy using hyper tubes as "elevators" between floors in factories. That said I have also used them as long distance travel to connect distant bases on the map. With boosters of course.

[Lawn-Mower]

Cannons increase the speed massively over ziplines and trains. If you're dedicated you can set up a cannon tube network (where strategically placed cannons running off batteries hugely boost your speed) with remotely controlled priority switches to a) choose the route and b) briefly charge the batteries attached to the cannons required for the route (to reduce power consumption of the 15 odd different cannons - they need not be on unless you plan to use them, only takes about 10 seconds to get enough charge, depending on how far along the route they are). A 7-split junction is possible, likely also 8-split, but I haven't experimented with 8-ways yet. Each split has it's own priority switch - only have 1 on at a time to ensure the correct route is taken. No jetpack or parachute required, just a lot of time to build ;)

And yes - blueprint those cannons and junctions.

Generally though, you wouldn't bother with something like this until your train supports are in place to also hold your tubes and maybe belts/pipes etc that are also being run on the same path as the train, unless you like messy lines running around everywhere.

[olegghgf]

norm

[LazerRay]

I use hypertubes between floors of larger buildings, and to link the more developed areas plus all four start zones, I still use the zipline on the power towers for remote locations and the less developed areas.

Basically, hypertubes are the express routes, and the zipline is the local route.