Good equipment list an Explorer can't live without

[Jace Faolan]

Anyone have a list of favorite parts/ships that they've found to better than others for exploring? I know that I'm going to need a basic scanner and advanced right? Is there anything else that you've found to be good to have? best ships to use?

[AndyFM]

You'll want to eventually have an advanced discovery scanner, and you'll want a detailed surface scanner. Fuel scoop is a must. And the best FSD you can fit/afford, with the power unit to handle it.

I'm currently using an Asp Explorer, however before earning enough for that was doing my exploring in a Hauler.

[Jace Faolan]

Thanks Andy! That's going to help me out a lot, I was planning on an Asp as well (mostly because there's explorer in the name lol) but it did sound like it was the way to go if I wanted to get into exploring.

[Sapient6]

If you plan on long range exploration it's a good idea to bring an Auto Field-Maintenance Unit. It won't repair your hull or your canopy, but heat damage hits your modules first. Being able to patch things up can buy you some peace of mind when you're way out there limping home.

[clivewil]

Fuel scoop is a must.

and don't skimp on one, either. fit the biggest one you can afford because you'll be using it a lot, and besides making the task more pleasant, you'll be reducing the risk from heat damage. on most of my ships, explorers or other, i fit large scoops that cost around 2.6 million apiece and i don't regret the expense one bit

aside from the FSD of course, you might not always want to just automatically fit A-grade stuff - one of your biggest considerations is jump range which means less weight, and in each upgrade's series there's usually one or two items that have reduced weight. plus they are normally cheaper than the A-grade item, which is a bonus

personally, i'd leave weapons off (but i would fit a shield) - you can't fit anything hard-hitting without a huge weight/power penalty, so if you get intercepted or interdicted, just run

i've done exploring in both a Hauler and an Asp - if you can get hold of an Asp, do so - it's excellent for the job

just my opinion of course

[Jace Faolan]

Thanks clivewil and Sapient6 I appreciate your good advice. That field maintenance unit sounds really useful!

[CMDR DancingLemur]

Greetings fellow explorers,
I will share my two cents with the OP. I'm currently exploring in my Cobra some 2,5k ly from Sol. On my way to Hubble nebula.

Weapons: none.
FSD: A class
Scoop: B class, wanted A but ran out of Cr.
Everything else: D class, D is always the lightest version.
ADS (scans whole system - no range limit), DSS (more Cr to your pocket).

I have fitted shields too, in case I will fail escaping interdiction; and field maintenance unit...well you never know... . but it looks like I will not need the AFMU, hull and all modules at 100%.

And that's all.

Oh, one important thing: Before you jump always check the next system for binaries (stars could be very close to each other sometimes), white dwarf, black hole, or neutron star...these could be a bit tricky...during the jump put throttle to zero (default key - X).

[Jace Faolan]

I'll be sure to do that DancingLemur sounding like my focus for the good stuff should be the FSD and the fuel scoop. Glad everyone is mentioning the maintenance unit otherwise I wouldn't have heard of it for a couple weeks I'm sure

[Andrew Gaspurr]

Don't forget your 4 tons of coffee and/or tobacco
Other tahn that I fly an Asp with pretty much everything onboard the former posters mentioned.

[Zieman]

Heat Sink Launcher can be a life-saver in those rare encounters with close binaries...