I'm an EXPLORER - Which Should I Fly? | Elite Dangerous Exploration 2024

[@DiturisElite]

What’s YOUR chosen Exploration ship? And should this series return? Why/why not? Lemme know! Also, if you're getting started with exploration you want to check out next week’s video - how to get the BEST FSD in the whole game (it’s not just grade 5 engineered). Stay tuned CMDRs! 🫡

[@creucreusator56]

I'm fitting my hauler for exploration! I must say i enjoy it very much ^^ And it's got a good 46.93ly jump range! Which is quite nice for such a tiny ship with fuel scoop, shield, srv and AFMU :D I really liked the video, keep it up! o7

[@OmnisEtNihil]

Krait MKII - 45ly jump, fuel scoop, boost, dual srvs, repair limpets, scanner, fuel and cargo and still some room for weaponry.. just in case 👾

[@cmdrasumoto9658]

Beluga is my favorite but i am finally ready to go with my fleet carrier with all the ships in the game fitted for exploration 😅

[@tdot8280]

honest critique to this video. The "best/most careless" explorer got discussed enough. And the 1000th picture from an Anaconda at Sag A* isnt that thrilling anymore. Fugg that meta crap 😄 I would rather like to see something like "the most interesting explorers"

[@Techpower888]

I'm currently fitting out a Krait Phantom as a returning player. I love the number of internal slots. Mine has some creature comforts - A-grade power plant and distributor, bigger shields, SRV bay, AFMU, repair limpets, scanner, supercruise, insane fuel scooping. Thanks to Dituri's video guide on obtaining the V1 double-engineered FSD, it should get about 69ly with all the bells and whistles. And off we go.

[@CMDRaudaxius]

Somewhere out there, some jaded, long burned out former CMDR hasn't logged in in years, logged out somewhere far out on the edge of the galaxy. They roll their eyes, "stupid game, can't believe I sunk 4,000 hours in that crap". But then KZbin sends this video to their feed. They click on it, almost unthinkingly. The bitterness and cynicism return, but then they head Dituri's enthusiasm, the optimistic and informative presentation. A faint memory appears, a glimmer, a small rememberance of how much they loved their Diamondback Explorer. How it was seeing the Great Annialator for the first time. Their cursor wanders over to the Elite Launcher....it hesitates for a second. No, they couldn't possibly, the game is dead, and stupid. But the cursor clicks. And now they're logged in. They stare out into the black for the first time in a long time. And they remember the sense of wonder, of thing unseen and unknown. Their hands hesitate...then slowly reach over to the HOTAS gathering dust. And suddenly, the adventure is alive once more.

[@schmolzz]

this is exactly what just happened to me 1 hour ago ,downloading as we speak. iam probably gonna be overwhelmed with how much things have changed ,iam dusting off my old x52 pro rn :^)

[@foop87]

Same. I swear there was about 4 mm of dust on mine

[@CMDRaudaxius]

🥰​@@schmolzz

[@golferchin76]

@@schmolzz I re-started a few days ago, the horizon version. I don't even remember how I still have a Cobra MK3 in the hangar with 0.5 million creds. Back then it was not in Steam. I re-buy it from Steam due to my some technical issues. So many years passed and now the internet is full of useful tools. So I used the Cobra to laser mine. Now I have a type 7, and 2 trips to the Omicron Capricorni B net me about 90 mil. Now considering upgrading to Python because of it's speed, agility and ok cargo space. The Type 7 is a chore to operate, and I can't imagine going for Type 9 spending hours in an asteroid belt trying to fill up the cargo. Or maybe it is just me a total newbie coming back to the game.

[@golferchin76]

The game has changed a lot. Just restarted a few days ago. Also there are so many useful tools online now.

[@Utahraptor.6284]

I have a DBX design that sacrificed shields for the ability to repair everything except the power plant, with the goal of being able to stay out away from civilisation for as long as possible. It feels like a barely cobbled together hunk of junk, and I love it.

[@enrogae]

Dolphin all the way baby. Mine has 60ly range, handles great, is nice and small for exobiology landings, and I can jump out of star coronas while still scooping and barely get warm. I even managed an SRV, AFMU, and repair limpets. Took it to Ishum's and back not long ago. It's now my favorite for exploration! Fly what you enjoy!

[@Pflanzenturio]

This!

[@ruifo]

Same here, I've been using a Dolphin Explorer for years... Never gets old.

[@miquelcristino]

Plus, great looks!

[@stew-03]

The Dolphins bigger brother, the Orca, is also a good explorer when outfitted!

[@camenecius4922]

I've jumped *while* fuel scooping in mine, and I've never jumped into a tight trinary and been incinerated. And I have all the modules. ALL. THE. MODULES.

[@MadDogMikeyM]

Krait Phantom FTW! Its not just my favourite exploration ship, it's become my go to ship for anything that requires me to cross the bubble quickly

[@BrianRussell]

Krait gang!

[@MadDogMikeyM]

@@BrianRussell yay!

[@valorin5762]

I'm mainly an explorer and spent years in the Asp. Great ship with the best view you could ask for and an excellent jump range. I never used an Anaconda for exploration because I don't like big ships for going out that, for their sluggishness and difficulty finding a landing spot. A few years ago, when the Krait Phantom was released I got that one and outfitted and fully engineered it for the Distant Worlds 2 Expedition. That ship served me so well I never changed it. It's my home ship and the best thing ever. That said, I don't taylor my exploration ships for maximum jump range, but for self-sustaining ability and robustness while keeping a good jumprange. The Krait Phantom is perfect for that. Mine has a Class 3 shield, self-maintenance unit and even a repair limpet controller. Thanks to the Guardian range booster I'm still at about 60ly jumprange, which is by far enough for me. That's the thing with exploration: For some reason many people believe exploration is about getting out there fast. But it isn't. That's racing. If you ask me, exploration is investigating things, look at things thoroughly, and stay out there as long as possible without your ship exploding or rotting away from under you.

[@valorin5762]

@@shama-llamading-dong5370 Exactly. There are a few places you only get with a paper light Anaconda, like that Anaconda graveyard (because you don't get back...) apart from that it's not that important. A good fuel scoops though is the most underrated piece of equipment. 😀

[@happyroggerhappy]

@@shama-llamading-dong5370 And when you need to move through space faster. A larger jump - less time for the overall flight.

[@adamleblanc5294]

A big jump range is only important for a taxi ship. I use my Krait Phantom for exploration and have stripped down Annaconda for when I want to get somewhere really far (like if I need to go to colonia for something, or if I want to meet up with some friends somewhere in the black), and a stripped down DBX for inside the bubble so I can land wherever. For actual exploration, Krait all the way.

[@ChadWinters]

@@adamleblanc5294I have the same DBX, I named it the “Bubble Bus”

[@r4dios1lence92]

While the titles says it's about only the ships themselves, I missed the "why to explore". The laser mining guide talks about the quietness and lull pace of it, and the core mining opens with an explosion. Even if ED's activities can be seen as just the end result (credits or materials), you perfectly encapsulated mining's other features. Zooming out to show the size of the galaxy and then zooming back in a random place to show both the scale of ED and how you CAN go anywhere, along with some views that can't be seen in the bubble, could show the explorer drive: "I climbed the mountain because it was there". Realizing how Colonia's starscape is so different from the bubble, with brighter stars all around you, was a great eye opening experience for me, for example. Still didn't drive me to explore, since staying out of the bubble for too long isn't my cup of tea (I want to be able to choose to participate in a CG, or do something different at will), but that's me, not the game's fault. Great video still nonetheless.

[@DiturisElite]

I’ll take it on board. To be honest I’m banking on any who watch this long-term having already decided to explore, so I made it a ‘what should I fly’ rather than ‘a beginner’s guide to exploring’, which I might do one day 😅 thanks for the advice 🫡

[@Sighman]

I forgot to add, I also have a Vulture explorer with a 40-45 ly range. I just wish it had one more size 2 slot, as it's hard to fit everything in.

[@Jaedi3100]

I'm a big fan of the Krait Phantom for the massive jump range and internal space! p.s. The (hopefully) new group of players coming to Elite with the new ships being teased will really benefit from your content. Keep up the good work! Your editing and video pacing really gets the information in front of you in an easy-to-understand way and you don't waste your viewer's time.

[@Run4TheHills321]

When I first started ED, I spent too much time listening to people tell me the best ways to do things... so I with my 87 hours of gameplay already have an python. I DEEPLY regret this, as the second I sat in it I thought to myself "... now what?" Slowly upgrading through the ships, learning each as you go, getting a feel for agile vs heavy and appreciating each upgrade as you unlock it.... that is core to ED. I wish I had a channel like yours when I started, I probably wouldn't have quit for nearly a year. You've inspired me, and after work today I'm getting on ED, selling my python, and running some missions in a sidewinder.

[@TempoTrack]

No reason to sell your python. Keep it hanger until you feel the urge to do some mining, trade/hauling or combat. There's nothing wrong with sidewinder other than limited utilities. But there's also no reason to handicap yourself. Just find a ship you like the feel and look of and gear it to do what you enjoy.

[@ChadWinters]

You could start a new character

[@nicolasstag]

I went from 20mil to 1.9bil credits in my dbx. It'll probably always be my primary ship. I worship it. I have been tempted to pull the trigger on a conda but... ugh. I know it sounds silly, but it just wouldn't be the same.

[@MinistryOfMagic_DoM]

I personally find every ship you described here yo be a travel ship. Exploring is best done around the 45LY range. Just enough to get between stars but leaves you some room to hit intermediates between your targeted destinations. For that I enjoy things like the Mamba and the Chieftain. Big enough to bring what you need, fun to fly, and still small enough to land almost anywhere for Exobiology. Nothing wrong with the long range traveling ships that can make super long jumps, but there is something fun about flying in a ship no one expected to see in tge black. If you want to go big, you can't beat the Type 10 as an explorer. You get the great views, the near indestructible hull, and you can take nearly anything with you. It also has a shockingly small footprint for landing compared to most other large ships.

[@indigotyrian]

My Diamondback Explorer Rouncey has served me incredibly well. Like you said, it's small and hard to work with, but its got an enormous jump-range and honestly, is in my opinion the best-looking out of the four ships you mentioned. My DBX isn't ideal for exploration since it doesn't get max jump range (it gets around 50ly, a properly-engineered and stripped DBX can do ~80) but it's also built as a hybrid exploration and bounty-hunting ship, with dual railguns and a decent shield all precariously balancing weight and utility. Pilots always give me shit for picking the two roles that are diametrically opposed build-wise but I love taking it out to fly around on planets, do exobio, then swinging back into a backwater system and plink away at pirates in hazres. The ultimate frontier-flying space-cowboy ship IMO. Every so often I'll clamber into a Krait Mk II or an Alliance Crusader or something else but then I get my itch to jump back into Rouncey. I don't think I could part with her for too long. Took her to Colonia and I'm thinking of taking her to Sag A* too, and elsewhere.

[@unholyxeras8182]

Dolphins and Orcas can also be extremely good exploration ships. They can both be set up to run very cold too, to the extent that you can charge your fsb whilst scooping from a star without risk of overheating, which can improve their travel time above what their jump range might suggest (and the jump ranges are very good)

[@Cohen.the.Worrier]

When starting out, the Hauler. Then the DBX, later the AspX. Eventually the Phantom. Then when you have an FC, anything you want. I like to switch between the Dolphin and the Eagle.

[@caelumincola]

Nice overview of the 'classic 4' exploration ships. As you mention in the opening part of the video though, if you have a fuel scoop, basically any ship can be an explorer. One of my recent favourites (I have all 4 of the ones you mention too) has been an Imperial Courier. Heavily engineered, but an absolute hoot to fly in normal space as well as supercruise. It'll do over 800m/s and 45ly, with an SRV, AFMU, and a small shield. Makes life a little more interesting when the safety net of repair limpets are left at home too. The Dolphin is also a great little explorer once engineered. Excellent videos CMDR, keep them coming!

[@pindo5189]

73lyears of krait noises while still being able to boost and have an srv make me do the happy noises

[@Scrub_Ghost]

Hi CMDR. I did enjoy this. I only wanted a picture from the cockpit when you mentioned it. Nice job.

[@alexzk3]

Anaconda is my love. Tried everything from this list before carriers. Still use it with carrier now. 80ly with a fighter to do faster search of the flowers. This is the only ship which can do round galaxy trips without docking for the years. Also "agility" is a plus for me. Small ships are too much shaken into NS beam.

[@hardbasshammond]

DBX will forever be in my heart. It's good looking, flies and jumps like a dream AND it's extremely cheap. It's taken me to pathfinder so far and all of the, currently, 75 systems i've been the first to discover and map has been done in it. It'll forever have a home in my fleet. It's simply the best and i absolutely love it.

[@arha-z1v]

A couple things to consider: 1. krait has the module space for self-repairer and self-repairers'-repairer so it can enjoy jet-cone highway for long distances 2. a second fuel tank might seem like a bad idea at first due to jump range nerf, but it will let you continue on through pockets of red-dwarfs without detours 3. in ED, ships are like cars. it takes a lot of investment to travel in luxury, but if all you want it to travel far - the cheaper models can travel just as far

[@meoka2368]

I would normally use a Phantom, but since exo-bio came out, it doesn't have a small enough footprint to get to the harder stuff, so I'm using a DBX for that now. But the absolute best exploration ship is the carrier :p

[@danielsegewitz6956]

My favorite Explorer is the Imperial Courrier. I first build it as a racing ship, as fast and light as i could. It went up to 875m/s and turned on a dime, but wasnt good at enything else. Later i tourned its purpose into an exploration ship, with all the scanners i needed, added a pulse laser and missle rack and a SRV hangar. Now itr only goes 650m/s but jumps 35ly - wich is enough for me, because in exploration, the journey is the goal.

[@martintownley5803]

I like to champion the underdog and like to make a ship that isn’t great for a task as good as it can be. Even though I’m at end game, have a fleet carrier, multiple cutters and corvettes, there is still something satisfying about exploring in a Cobra mk3. Got mine up to 50ly with all internal spaces filled with srv, scanners etc

[@Rykaas]

Phantom is my go to everytime I move inside the bubble and exploring. It's perfect. All the modules you can possibly need, great speed and breaks (for planet landing), good looking, great engine sound, lands and handles well being medium size. *Wonderful! Perfection!* The most important thing to consider when choosing what ship to use to explore is: do you like that ship? Because you're gonna be sitting in that ship for quite some time

[@brandonjustus9954]

I like the beefy boy Anaconda. I like the sluggishness of it and heavy feel. And its fun sneaking that big bastard into canyons it has no business landing in. Its a fun self imposed challenge. It also has a fighter inside for if I want to canyon race. Good fun.

[@rastarn]

If, like me, you've done things like a solo anticlockwise circumnavigation of the entire galaxy, along the way visiting the farthest reachable systems at the compass points, the Anaconda is the only way to fly.

[@who3965]

I spent a lot of time exploring in the AspX, very nice in so many ways, but the engine sound finally got to me... Then I outfitted an Exploraconda... that didn't last long... yes, I could take everything and the kitchen sink, but the supercruise handling and planet landings were too irritating... When I got my Phantom outfitted... SO nice, (huge sigh of relief) it is my go-to ship for any "serious" deep space exploration

[@georgecurious5940]

I used the Asp, the Krait and the Conda extensively for exploring. But now I prefer the Dolphin. It "only" has 65 Ly of jump range fully equiped, but compensates for it with running incredibly cool. Meaning, you can charge the FSD while still fuel scooping. You never waste time with refueling. The Krait has been a very good explorer, until exobiology became a thing. Since then, it is vital to have a ship that can land practically everywhere. The Conda is a no go in that area, the Krait is also lacking. Only the Diamondback and the Dolphin are small enough. But the Dolphin runs cooler, is quite fast, nimble, sturdy, has all the room for necessary modules - and is a joy to fly low over planetary surfaces.

[@clockwork6966]

in my opinion the dolphin is interchangeable with the diamondback if you want a small ship for exploration. the diamondback will give you slightly better jump range but the dolphin with offer you a class 5 fuel scoop, which you can use at max effectiveness WHILE charging your fsd all without overheating, it also has more internal space should you want a few other bits and pieces. in some cases the dolphin will get you places faster than the diamondback due to the faster fuel scoop and that ability to charge fsd while scooping where the dbx would have to sit around for a bit. If you wanted to decide between the two then i think the main consideration points are these: diamondback gives you better range dolphin scoops faster and cooler diamondback has a more open cockpit view dolphin has less support beams in the cockpit glass and has a more spacious interior look/feel you cant go wrong with either, but for me i prefer the experience of flying the dolphin.

[@mtmacy8000]

I played the game on console years ago and my first exploration ship was the DBX, took the FSD that I painstakingly engineered (back when engineering was rng, old times lol) out of my krait slapped it in the DBX. Threw in the most FSD efficient modules, engineered and stripped them down. Managed to squeeze out about i wanna say just over 60ly but I haven't played in so long I can't remember and had and absolute blast

[@57thorns]

For me it was the Cobra Mk III. Just large enough to have decent fuel scoping and an SRV. I you are not going to the edge of the galaxy, jump range is not that important. You just get to scan more systems between your way points. Then there was a community goal where you would pick up rare goods, and I had no fitting ship. The Asp Explorer was very good for that, good jump range and enough cargo space. I then turned it into an explorer when I wanted to go further, I went to Colonia and Sag A* which took me several months with all that exobio.

[@SankarshanGhosh]

I don't know how you're coming up with these content ideas, but every single one of your videos have been very much so relevant to me. This is stuff I was thinking at the back of my head that I am getting answers to watching your videos. Please keep it up, and don't stop making videos! The numbers will eventually reflect the effort you're putting in!

[@oldskoolhero]

Good video, my fave is the ASP EX, love that ship

[@FowlManor]

My explorer is the Sterna Paradisae, named for the bird with the worlds longest migratory route; the Arctic tern, a Krait Phantom fitted with a top engineered FSD and a Guardian FSD booster. ATM of writing this I'm on route back to the nearest civilized system to turn in my exploration data, a journey of approximately 250 jumps of an average length of 55+ Ly. I've been in the dark for about two months, so I'm looking forward to seeing other people again. I share your notion about not buying an Anaconda because the Phantom is my home now, my safe place in the dark of space, and I'm not giving her up.

[@rxdcrxwn]

While being locked behind Imperial rank grind, the Imperial Clipper is one of my favorite exploration ship. It has a class 5 FSD, which if correctly engineered, along with the other modules, can easily reach 50 ly jump range. It also flies nimbly, albeit being a large ship. Just be ready to scoop every three full range jumps, which won't take too long if you fit the fuel scoop in the largest module size, which is class 7.

[@mattoverminder]

I've been playing on and off for a few years. I'm on my way back from Sag A* in my Phantom, which I also agree is a really good long-term explorer. I also have and AspX and DBX, which are great. The DBX is my bubble-to-5kly ship, and I love it, but that fuel scoop made it a no-go for being out there long-term. The AspX kinda got abandoned. It was a wonderful early-mid ship that I also did quite a bit of mining, but it's too small to beat the Phantom and too clunky to beat the DBX.

[@JollyRover]

Well... Mandalay of course! ;-)

[@ToriYamazaki]

I have owned all 4 of these ships and they are just as you describe. I would emphasise the downside of the Anaconda -- sure it's got the best jump range and the best internals, but the cockpit view is poor and worst of all, it turns like a fridge in supercruise which is where you spend most of your time exploring. I ultimately benched the Anaconda because of it's garbage turn rate, I turned my DBX into a bubble taxi and now only consider the Asp or the Phantom if I want to go out into the black. Still, the Phantom always wins.

[@BasdeBakker]

The one thing that keeps me from exchanging my AspX for a Phantom is those cockpit lights shining in my face.

[@garynevills5562]

Try some of the less conventional ships...the Dolphin, the Type 6, Type 7, Type 10 (yes, the T-10 - 64 ton fuel tank, class 8 fuel scoop), the Orca (I have one with a 64 ly jump range)

[@DiturisElite]

I have done with most of those. They’re great! As I said at the start, you can go anywhere in anything. For this video I just wanted to give a new-player friendly synopsis of the best choices, but it’s often the most fun to explore in the crazy choices! 🫡

[@redkiwi5980]

DBX baby! She got me to Beagle and back. I've now upgraded to an Jumpaconda but ooof my DBX. I still have her and always will.

[@Stevenzao]

This was a cool reminder on something most already knew, but many don't yet. While both the DBX and Asp have "explorer" right in the name, one might question the exploring potential of the beautiful Phantom and the expensive Anaconda if they didn't know any better. These quick reminders are also great for people like myself - who have over a thousand hours playing Elite, but have been away from the game for a year or two. We're happy with the videos as long as you are too, and all of them are welcome considering other creators have mostly moved on to Starfield or other space games. Thanks for helping keep Elite alive, CMDR. o7

[@nolgroth]

A little late to the comment party, but I engineered the hell out of a good ol' Sidewinder and turned it into a long-range explorer. It doesn't even hold a candle to these ships, but I had a lot of fun with it. I need to start playing again. I think that I left off in said Sidewinder, way out away from the "Bubble."

[@signpainterthe]

Same here. If you're new, DBX will be your first ticket to exploration, which will bring you a hell lot of money to buy other ships. I bought both ASP-X and Anaconda after my first big trip on DBX. And I'll always be grateful to this little ship. Now I've started my new journey on a brand new half-engineered Phantom and I love it already. As for Anaconda, I think it's simple: if you have Odyssey and you're planning to do exobiology a lot (which is paid most), the ship's size will be slowly killing all the fun. And you need to stay in the mood through those long trips. So even do I own an Anaconda, I would probably never go explore in it - it will fit for some other tasks.

[@cmdrprinshugo9604]

I fully agree on the choice. I also love my Krait Phantom.

[@morebagels]

i appreciate elite for letting you make any ship into an exploration. even though i usually use a phantom or an orca, going out in something stupid like an i-eagle is incredibly fun

[@darkseraph2009]

Krait gang! I love my 70ly jump range. I love the view from the cockpit. And most of all, I love the shape.

[@crazylegscrane3345]

My shout would be conda... Set up right.. With maxed out full kit.. A few guardian accessories... 78ish light years.... Double that if you want to use premium fuel.. 07

[@cmdrteremun]

I started with ASP, switched to Andaconda and now have the Phantom since it is the perfect in-between everything ship

[@AdrianHilder]

Phantom - strong shields, great jump range, room for all the toys and it looks cool. Plus I'm attached to it after some 700,000ly in it!

[@mikehawk5492]

I got my dbx up to 79ly with the fsdv1 it still has all the bells and whistles and can still boost well over 500m/s. It's nimble agility for hovering over the planet surface for biology to scan and quickly land anywhere is what won me over in the end. Oh and the fuel scoop isn't so bad when you replace the 32t tank with a 16t tank, it fills up twice as fast when you've only got half the tank lol

[@tdot8280]

My main explorer when going serious is the DBX. Otherswise i totaly like to fly unconventional ships like the Vulture or Chieftain. Since i always have my carrier behind me, i can switch the ships if needed.

[@williamvorkosigan5151]

Going to Guardian Sites. Phantom for the win. If you don't want to go into the deep black in an Anaconda. It does make a great trader. Not as much cargo as a Type 9 or Cutter, but just way more relaxing to fly. It is great as a tramp steamer.

[@AlgoFodder]

For me, the Dolphin. Exobiology is less painful with smaller ships; even the phantom, more landable than aspX or conda, can really struggle in mountain fungoida country. Over the DBX, the dolphin has the best heat management in the game, allowing FSD jumps while still scooping, making it a fast traveler (~45s per jump if care is taken). But the winning feature is the clean unobstructed cockpit view. Nose down, using low-to-no throttle and vertical and forward thrusters, with ctrl-alt-g to remove HUD distractions gives an amazing view of the terrain without needing any external camera faff.

[@cmdrdr.digital865]

When considering all the variables, the Phantom is the best for me. The DBX is nice to land in tighter spaces but the Phantom isn't all that much larger, and with such a large fuel scoop, you can just wing from star to star like Tarzan. I understand the opinion that jumping farther means fewer systems to pass through as you travel, but then just take shorter jumps. With a large jump range, you have the option. I like videos like this. Nothing wrong with some variety. o7

[@ToCoSo]

I started pre engineering in an asp explorer, then used a diamond back explorer and now use a krait phantom, I have a maxed out anaconda for super fast travel, but hardly need it. I also like using an Orca if I am out in my carrier, it doesn't jump far but it is amazing in supercritical.

[@dieseljester]

The Diamondback Scouts/Explorers were great to start off with. I just got my Asp Explorer last night and I'm looking forward to getting it kitted out so that I can really get out there into the black to explore.

[@tempest8573]

I got a phantom with a 50 ly jump range and a hangar that holds 2 srvs in the event if I run out of fuel or destroy one... So far it serves my needs and I love it

[@Kattbirb]

For me there was nothing like cruising in my 'Conda. It wasn't specced for exploration, but she carried plenty of creature comfort in what modules can fit.

[@bumblegoot1139]

Krait Phantom is a fantastic ship for exploration and exobiology in my experience. Looks beautiful, flies like a dream, looks the part it plays, has a ton of room for extra modules and luxuries (like a large SRV hangar for both types of SRVs) and it’s just generally a really strong option. It’s big landing footprint might make it seem sort of “eh” for XBio, but the cockpit is actually located on the bottom half of the ship, which means you have a lot more breathing room when flying close to the ground and get a better view of potential organisms. I just take an SRV for anything in the mountains that’s hard to reach.

[@DiturisElite]

Yep, bang on. I don’t think anything else can compete for what I (and many others) need

[@Sighman]

When the game first launched I flew everywhere in the AspX. (The Python was just way too expensive.) I still have ten times more miles on that thing than any other ship in the game. But eventually the DBX won me over, as it's great for landing in tight spots for exobiology. Mine is designed for comfort and not min-maxed. I think the jump range is about 65 ly, but I have both types of SRV on board, A-rated thrusters, etc.

[@EliteCuttlefish]

My Krait Phantom is hanging out about 3000 ly outside the bubble while I get a new controller in the mail. Deceleration button broke and had a moment of panic before I figured out the right keyboard button. Anyway, still have a DBX which I have some plans for and I do want an Anaconda, but for now, Krait all the way. Also hoping one of the promised four is exploration competitive. Don't think I'd change just because it's new, but options are always nice.

[@Sighman]

If anyone's thinking of starting an Alt account just for exploration: Get the DBX. Get the pre-engineered v1 FSD. Get the pre-engineered surface scanner. Fit srv, fuel scoop, etc. Done. No engineering at all, and you can make enough to pay for everything with two High ground conflict zones.

[@TalpaDK]

Diamondback Explorer because its what I have, being a very casual non grinding on/off player.

[@richvandervecken3954]

My favorite exploration ship is my Diamondback Explorer mainly for the small landing zone it has, which makes it easier to land your ship in the mountains when looking for Frutexa or Fungodia Setisis the two main biologicals that grow in mountainous regions.

[@Rhec22]

My setup Mining cutter Exploration anaconda Combat corvette Only got 3 ships for now saving up for fleet carrier

[@alexlovel]

With the phantom, I always take 6a dirty drags thrusters and don't lose too much range. Really fun to have a fast ship out in the dark for just messing around

[@Cmdr_Amethyst]

To be honest, I enjoy *all* your content, and this was a welcome addition to your library. Your content is extremely *relatable*, and I find that heart-warming, so it's a BIG thumbs up from me =D

[@kalekold]

I have a fully min/maxed engineered Krait Phantom and it rocks! There is nothing better for exploration.

[@dantesinferno7350]

great content! 1 DBX for Guardian runs (top nose anti missile), 2 Krait Phantom for everything under 1500ltyr - it is the best, 3 Asp no, I'm so sorry but its biplane sound means I sold mine and never repurchased, 4 Jumpaconda at 83ltyr it makes the tricky bits at Arms end and the Abyss easy to navigate, conda for all trips over 1500ltyr, just back from 8 months out in the black down to Amundsen's Star then Arms end then to Sag* and Beagle point and then back to the Bubble via the Viod Hearts. In terms of ranking Asp Nope, DBX (that 4 fuel scoop means its a nope except for Bubble bus or Guardian collection), the Anaconda, and the winner is the Phantom

[@PeterCadier]

O7 Commander, your videos are really appreciated. Keep it up!

[@maj.kingkong3004]

Loved the vid. I love the Diamondback but the fuel scoop drives me nuts. Been thinking about both Phantom and Anaconda someday.

[@WhoTheLoL]

Jumprange (maximum FSD + FSD Booster; everything lightweight except thrusters for some nimbleness) : Anaconda (around 80LY) > Diamondback > Phantom > AspX (around 72LY). -- in my mind, 72LY is plenty enough. It suffices to traverse sparsely starred regions, is definitely sufficient to follow neutron highways and if you want to REALLY maximize jump range... just get a fleet carrier. Back in the day before Fleet Carriers there were systems that you could only reach in an Anaconda so there was reason to maximize jumprange. Now, however, there are Fleet Carriers and no matter how high your jumprange, you ain't getting to HIP 58832 without a carrier anyway. As such, I think you should treat jumprange as a thing to get "high enough to traverse space quickly and not get stuck in sparse regions, but no reason to get crazy about it". Maneuverability: > Assuming max jumprange : Diamondback > AspX > Phantom > Anaconda > Assuming D-grade drives with Dirty5 and Stripped Down to balance mass and agility: AspX > Diamondback > Phantom > Anaconda -- Anaconda is obviously a brick and you can't do anything about it. Diamondback is a brick UNLESS you engineer thrusters to be reasonable, but then you lose badly on jumprange. As for Phantom, In order to match AspX in terms of jumprange, it needs to have at least 25% worse pitch control. I find it painful to fly. Internals capacity (i.e. can you get a half-decent shield AND a good scoop AND an FSD booster AND an AFMU AND a hangar for an SCV AND repair limpet controller for hairy situations?) Anaconda > Phantom > AspX > Diamondback -- I believe AspX is just right. Diamondback suffers from lack of room, a shitty scoop and you're forced to give up something that could be convenient (e.g. repair limpets or AFMU). Phantom allows me to also take fuel limpets so I could be a Fuel Rat (rescue limpet controller too heavy), which is cool. Anaconda has way more room than is necessary imho. My favorite is the AspX, particularly for its maneuverability with Dirty 5 + Stripped Down Thrusters while also sporting 72LY jumprange. The other ships can be outfitted to have a larger jumprange, but that will make them flying bricks (including the Diamondback and Phantom) and if they are engineered to match my AspX in maneuverability, they lose jumprange advantage. Also, even though other ships may sport a jumprange advantage over my AspX, thanks to amazing maneuverability and great scoop I am confident I can race any of the other ships at 2000LY+ distances easily, because whatever I lose on shorter jumps I will win back by saving 10+ seconds on quick scooping maneuvers (i.e. thanks to good pitch control I can plunge into the star to maximize scooping rate ASAP, quickly level up to scoop at max rate, then quickly pitch up and leave the red zone when done to start next jump ASAP). The only problem my AspX has is that I can't fit everything I need for comfortable exploration and a fuel transfer limpet controller (which could allow me to join Fuel Rats while exploring). And it's ugly, of course, but I don't care, I always view the game from the cockpit and AspX wins in that regard :P .

[@sammorrow8420]

I've used all but the Phantom in deep space. Thanks to your great video, I will build up mine soon.😊

[@mikewilson3169]

Excluding the 'Conda, which is just too big, the advantage I really appreciate about the Krait Phantom is adding the two slot SRV hangar without having to give up something else. I like going planetside, but you do enough of those trips and you wear out a single SRV. I love having the spare.

[@smokinggnu6584]

Loved my Phantom and exploring in it.

[@mropie81]

Your channel and videos got me to patch up and log in. Been years. Great content !

[@rayskinner1957]

for me, the dolphin, i can activate the hyperdrive jump while still scooping at full capacity and it barely gets warm, this can take 10-20 seconds off each jump time. tried all the others and still come back to dolphin.

[@OmegaPaladin144]

My favorite cheap option is the hauler. Good jump range, and a decent fuel scoop, along with some room for an SRV. IThey also make great taxis. As others have mentioned, the Dolphin is a great explorer. Like the DBX, it is good for exobio work where you have to take off and land a lot, My favorite later-game fun option is the Imperial Courier. This is FAST, especially with Enhanced Performance Thrusters You can zoom around planets with ease. One of the unusual benefits of the 'Conda is that you can carry a fighter bay, and explore areas with a fighter. I've been wanting to try this in a LaGrange cloud.

[@Wyvernaut]

AspX for me! About 65 ly, with a big ol' fuel scoop, it lets me zip around the bubble and get out into the black pretty quickly. I know I could get more with the 'Conda or the Phantom, but it seems to take a lot more min-maxing and engineering to do it. But the Asp was pretty simple: just dropped in a pre-enged FSD and a 5H Guardian FSD booster... and everything else but sensors is left max size and A rated. Meanwhile I've spent a lot of time puzzling over EDSY loadouts for a Phantom build, trying to get the same range without dropping down to a lawnmower engine for a powerplant and having to get creative over what's actually switched on! I am building one for Neutron Highway exploring, since its got the extra internals over the AspX, for once all the Thargoid excitement is done. But yeah, seems finicky!

[@Spideryote]

It takes immense levels of engineering, but my Courier jumps 50LY and boosts to 830m/s, while carrying everything I need out in the black. And that cabin view is to die for; believe me, I have :p

[@EiriUesugiKun]

Expl'Orca is the only way! :D Traveled from bubble to SagA* to Colonia and back to the bubble with her.

[@bozo6049]

These are without a doubt the big 4 of Elite Dangerous exploration. But I like bringing my Dolphin. It has a competitive jump range, and stays cool so easy, you can charge your FSD while scooping!

[@harag9]

Great video.. .will need an updated version soon with the new Mandi coming out :) I have asp explorer, but was thinking of saving up for a krait, though now I might skip that and get the new mandi. Loving the look of that one!

[@LinksSpaceProgram]

I've been running my Anaconda (68ly) as my primary exploration and jumping ship and a DBX (73ly) for exobiology. Since I check the FSS on every jump anyway I've found that the increased fuel scooping time in the DBX doesn't matter too much to me. Love both ships, been to over 10k systems and circumnavigated the galaxy in the Conda. It's quite a brick to fly but I still prefer it (maybe just nostalgia though😅).

[@kelson2516]

Really interesting story and insight into these beautiful ships, now i just have to buy the crait phantom and try it for myself as a beginner, much love and please keep posting stuff like this!

[@dolomitearterius5036]

The phantom is my favorite. I've discovered so many things with that ship. However, asp explorer is close behind. That is the ship that got me to colonia. I give them different roles today. The phantom is my pure explorer focused on range and survival in the black. The asp is my exobiology and srv specialist.

[@DogmaFaucet]

As a VR player, the view is non-negotiable. I only use the 'Conda if I have to fetch some kind of cargo over long distances. For exploring, I prefer the Asp's views. No cargo space in it though. Next time I get the itch to explore, i'll try the Krait Phantom. The views are only 2nd best, but still good. I could've used some repair limpets in the Asp (got silly on a moon), and there just isn't room. I never tried the DBX, because money is too easy to come by if you have a T9. (All grade 5, 790 tons, 99.9% FA off and a touch of the speedrunner in me. I like it. Sue me.)

[@larkshadow5317]

I actually loved the very short overview of the plusses and minuses of each, Good video. Though my personal favorite explorer is my Viper mk4. I get 35 LY jump range (it isn't even engineered all the way) while being ready for a fight too.

[@michelvaleferreira6686]

Nice video. I used all four ships. Started with an Adder. I believed the vendor text, but it's a lie. My second exploration ship was an ASP X, which is the ship I spent most time in the game, then I got a Conda to unlock all Colonia engineers in one go. In Colonia I got a DBX to fly around as the Conda can't land everywhere. and in Colonia you don't need a fuel scoop, neutralizing DBX's weak point. Now, back in the bubble I retired the Asp X for a Krait Phantom and I'm loving it.

[@cmdr.shurimal8980]

DBX: the small sailing yacht that can travel all over the world, but can be a bit precarious and not for the faint of heart. Still many people swear by sailing and living in one and wouldn't trade it for anything else. Anaconda: the big research ship that is comfortable and safe, carrying everything a team of marine scientists could ever need, but it needs to choose its ports carefully and can't go up the river or enter the lagoon. Asp X: the old dependable RV Calypso. It can do the job, and do it well, but you have to work around some of its quirks. Its never the most comfortable or the most modern vessel but it has its soul. Phantom: the modern high-tech research vessel built for the task and equipped with the cutting edge navigation and science equipment, sized to be able to enter littoral waters and maneuver in the coral reefs, yet seaworthy enough to sail in the Roaring Forties. My personal ship of choice is Phantom, and not only for exploration. It's speed, maneuverability, core modules and optional slots make for a very capable ship for all tasks--evacs from Thargoid war systems, BGS and missions, visiting player hotspots in open, AX combat, non-AX combat, surface ops, SAR and more.

[@steventhompson771]

Just got back to the bubble, been out so long I didn't have an sco on my fsd😂 just re-enginering it now then back out in my Asp Explorer again 💪

[@JonBowe]

I have been using the Asp, for my current Exploring, but actually started in a Krait Phantom. Think I will be turning around and pick up the Krait and get the FSD and materials (Grind) you have in the latter video, for maximum jump range.

[@nidaren]

Great video! Myself, I enjoyed most Imperial Clipper and even had Imperial Cutter made explorer for some time. Sure, you cannot reach the jump ranges of the smaller ships, but for eye-factor - they are amazing!

[@Kilonovae]

Honestly I use the Krait MK2 instead of the Phantom. Not as much jump range, but I like the addition of the fighter bay for canyon racing. In fact I sold my Anaconda to dump some credits and resources into my Mk2

[@Loy_Otterton]

Slow refueling isn't a bad, I use the time to scan for anything worth doing a fss and detailed surface scan.

[@Ippokratis-Raus]

Cant go wrong having one of each, and having a hyperconda is my way to go, stripped down, engineered to the max with synth and the neutron highway you fly "pun intended" across the galaxy.

[@kelalatir]

I like all your videos, including this one. Please keep them coming!

[@svendtang5432]

Krait mk 2.. Good jump engineered Lots of hard points Great view Nimble to enjoy the surface cruising .. did the conda but its sluggishness put me off and the amount of space y need to land 😢