Prepping for the trip to Sag A*

[buksida]

So I've been bounty hunting and trading so far and have amassed about 10 mil and a Vulture. The novelty is starting to wear off so I thought I'd get an Asp and go exploring.

A couple of questions though before I trade in my trusty Star Shark ...

1) What is the best load-out on an Asp for exploring? I know you want the max jump range but is it really a good idea to lose all of the weapons and shields? Advanced scanner I presume is essential. Also what is the expected cost (want to have a bit of change).

2) Scooping fuel will also be essential but are there any stations way out there in deep space?

3) Brings me on to the third question of what to do when you want to dock/save/quit for the day if you're in the middle of nowhere?

4) What are the money opportunities like on the long trip? Or do you need to bring enough for a return?

Sorry if these q's are have been answered but I am a noob at space exploration! Any and all hints and tips for a journey to the center of the galaxy welcome!

[TorTorden]

Just open coriolis select your ship of choice, click the slider icon above the internals section and hit "explorer".

Skjermbilde 2015-11-19 15.27.22.png (161.52 KiB) Viewed 3360 times

Adjust result as needed.

For example large high class fuel scoops cost's a butt load the best a class scoop you can fit on the asp costs 28 mil, the c rated of the same class only a bit over 1 mil.

Something like this http://coriolis.io/outfit/asp/02A4D5A4D ... =.Aw18WQ== at about 20.7 mil.
You can get it cheaper by traveling to Diaguandri and getting everything at 15% discount bringing the total down to about 17.6 mil.

Remember you are going to want to have at least enough for a rebuy (about a million)

[Mouse]

I'd go with this if you can afford it, Asp Explorer and if not tweak it to see what you can afford.

I suggest a Advanced scanner and a Detailed scanner as essential as a Fuel Scoop. Shields, scanners, power Dist, cargo hatch, all can be disabled once you are out in the black ( about 2k LY from the bubble) and the chance of interdiction is 0. This will save you on Heat and make scooping a LOT easier.. even if you use a smaller scoop.

There are no stations as of yet outside the bubble, when you are done for the day/night.. find a clear patch of black and logout (make sure you are not next to the star), and no need for money.. you will make some by exploring and scanning planets, stars, (dont' scan asteroids they are not working.)

[IronDuke]

I'm on my second trip out to Sag A* at the moment. I'm currently just over half way there.

If you have limited funds (and you don't have your heart set on an Asp Explorer), then you could also go with a Hauler. It's one of the best "cheap" ships to go out in to the black with. It has good jump range and this ship is geared toward this kind of thing. The wear and tear costs will be significantly lower than other ships.

Here is a build that will cost around 2 Mil. Tweak as necessary (for instance, you could add x2 AFMU's).

Edit: The fuel scoop was missing on this build (my apologies, I was in a rush when putting it together), but you the the drift..
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70V,mpT0W ... ,mpU2UI2jw

New build with fuel scoop..
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=70V,mpT0W ... MmpT2UI2jw

If you are just starting out, my advice is to start with a smaller trip first. Perhaps the Witch Head Nebula and back (that's what I did).
After that, make any required changes to your ships setup (if any) then head out to Sag A*. There are no stations on the way so it would be wise to get comfortable with your setup before heading out.

Anyway, good luck with your journey

[buksida]

Thanks for the responses CMDRs, looks like I'm way short of creds for the exploring Asp then as I only have 10m in cash. Seems I'll need to take the Hauler or DBX option for a shorter trip first (and keep the Vulture).

Wanted to explore some of the planets Kepler has found (only a 3k ly range) since I'm currently doing a Uni course on it so that maybe an idea for a shorter trip before returning to the bubble to notch up some more coin and save for the Asp and some bigger trips.

Any other suggestions welcome!

[Sidenti Taalo]

Thanks for the responses CMDRs, looks like I'm way short of creds for the exploring Asp then as I only have 10m in cash. Seems I'll need to take the Hauler or DBX option for a shorter trip first (and keep the Vulture).

Wanted to explore some of the planets Kepler has found (only a 3k ly range) since I'm currently doing a Uni course on it so that maybe an idea for a shorter trip before returning to the bubble to notch up some more coin and save for the Asp and some bigger trips.

Any other suggestions welcome!

A Type 6 makes for an excellent poor-man's Asp Explorer.

[Mouse]

As long as you have fun. I didn't fully kit out my Asp and now limping back I understand why I was told to take certain items ^,^.

[Loriath]

Thanks for the responses CMDRs, looks like I'm way short of creds for the exploring Asp then as I only have 10m in cash. Seems I'll need to take the Hauler or DBX option for a shorter trip first (and keep the Vulture).

The Hauler is great, and cheap, and the DBX is fantastic. I used it on my second trip out. Either way, or if you go with a T6 or something else, you can do it in anything. Best bang for the buck is the Hauler. Doesn't really matter. People have used every ship in the game to explore, so grab something you can afford, like (cause its gonna be a long time in the ship), and bring some entertainment and food/drinks

[Falcon_D]

Hello,
Also, please note that there are only certain stars at which you can scoop fuel. They are of star types: O B A F G K M.
Always look at your galaxy map when plotting a route and don't blindly follow the route given to you by the comp. Use the Galaxy map's star type filter. Adjust your route as necessary to accommodate scoopable stars.
Have fun, fly safe.

P.S.: My first exploration trip only about 3k out of the bubble was in Lady Jayne (my Python) she only had about 18ly range at that time.

[buksida]

Well thanks for all the tips - I went for the Hauler at about 2 mil and practiced scooping and managing modules etc while crossing the bubble.

I'm now right off the edge of it at the last star I could find with a station, docked up for the night for the final time before I head into the big black.

I presume from here it is just a case of pick a direction and go, or is there more of a science to finding the good stuff and naming a few stars?