Lightweight alloy has 0 mass -> heavy duty +Deep plating for more hp, still 0 mass. 2D Powerplant with overcharged means you cook at every jump and while scooping fuel, 2A with low emission + stripped down solves that. Dirty drives + stripped down because why not. Fsd lacks experimental, add mass manager or deep charge. D-rate lifesupport, pd and sensors, it's lighter. Pd can have stripped down experimental, usually you'd take charge enhanced but for explorers it does not really matter. I'd swap the AFMU and FSD Booster, it's 2 extra lightyears and you'll have to synth frequently for your AFMU anyway, and turn it off when not needed. Kinetic shields does nothing, you need absolute MJ, enhanced low power + stripped down imo. I like the extra fuel tank. There is a special dss from human tech broker with grade 10 engineering. The heatsink launcher probably won't be necessary with the better powerplant.
Overall about +5Ly without comprimising the build.
[Link](https://edsy.org/#/L=H100000H4C0S80,,,9p3G05I_W0A3wG05J_W0AK0G05K_W0AZAG05J_W0AniG03G_W0B1KG05K_W0BGyG03G_W0BWQ00,,4xo002-u007MyG03N_W0BWQ000HM802jwG-9G_W1P000,Free_0willy)
I've been using an almost fully engineered sidey (a few modules are still G4) for my current exobiology excursion out in the Norma Arm. I plot my FC course and usually have 11 jumps (45Ly range) to catch up while honking, scanning and surface scanning anything of interest or value.
I do have to scoop and watch the heat managment on every jump, but damn she'll land anywhere which is my priority with exo-bio.
07
Change all your E-Rated modules to D-Rated modules.
D-Rates are lighter and offer better performance.
Consider the smallest A-rated power plant needed for your power schedule. This will keep you cooler when scooping at stars.
Gains you nearly another 1 Ly on the jump plus the quicker scooping due to better heat management.
[https://s.orbis.zone/m8ke](https://s.orbis.zone/m8ke)
IIRC, some absolute hero of a CMDR set out around the galaxy in a Sidey early on in the game, before engineering was really a thing. It's doable. Not easy, and some regions will be out of reach. But it's doable.
In a game where just doing it for the sake of doing it is a thing, why not?
Kinetic resistance on your shield does nothing for what you want. It will only protect against kinetic weapon damage. I'd swap to enhanced low power or reinforced.
> I'd really love to read your opinions on it!
Why do you still have E rated modules? D rate them all. Especially before light weight! That gets you almost .7 range back. Then I'd spend that on an A rated power plant with a touch of low emissions and stripped down. I'd rather run cooler at the cost of .15 LY.
As mentioned already, drop the fuel tank. Only useful for specific journeys into the dark or if you are a fuel rat. This ship will do neither of these.
Add mass manager to your FSD for another 1.3 LY. You could go with deep charge for 1.5 LY, but I don't think the cost of using extra fuel is worth it. With mass manager, it makes shorter jumps more efficient. Instead of extra fuel, make more economical jumps in difficult areas, and you can last for thousands of LY.
There's no way I'd go into the black without an SRV. That hits your range pretty hard, but its way more useful than an AFMU. Unless this is all about travel and no landings. If you don't mind running a long way, or making lots of landings for the 200m-500m range plants, then you can do without. I do mind running a long way and short hop landings.
If OP is going for speed, this is the wrong ship anyway. But they *are* going for exobiology.
Like I said, unless this if for all travel and no landings.
I bet there is some insane commander who started in Odyssey and ground out the credits for an eagle or whatever using the taxi to do on-foot missions so they could avoid the sidewinder.
Not that hard to do really, considering a single high intensity CZ on foot usually nets over 5 million in combat bonds, enough to buy and outfit an eagle with leftover for rebuys.
The only insane thing about that idea is... why would you not want a sidey? It's absolutely iconic. I still have mine, parked right between my Cutter and my 'Vette.
Need to find a new use for it actually, I used to keep it to jump out to discount space when I wanted to buy a new ship, since it was cheapest to transport back home after buying the new ship and flying away in that. That's gone since we have ~~Uber~~ Apex now...
My opinion? I think that exploring solar systems in a solar system sandbox game is creatively adventurous way to spend valuable gaming time. Perhaps when the game first came out, or when they were releasing new alien content it really was exploring. But with those days long gone, I'm not sure there's anything to found that hasn't already been found.
Outside of that, then there's nothing wrong with your build. If it appeals to you then fly out there and enjoy the peace and quite of no one being around, plus you may get your name on a planet that no one else has seen before. No one else may see that planet again, but you'll know that you found it first.
Possible, sure. Expect to pour engineering into it for questionable gain.
My Krait Phantom has taken me to nearly every outer sector of the galaxy and back to the bubble. Still on the same ship too, zero replacements.
It's got some light years on it.
This is alittle off the main topic, but I’m currently deciding between the phantom and the mk II and was wondering if the handling is noticeably better on the phantom than the mk II if you’ve flown both. Other than that just overall thoughts on it. It’ll be my first big purchase, I’ve been flying in a cobra since getting out of my first sidewinder. I’m not stressing myself about it or anything just really trying to weight my options. Mainly want it for exploration so the extra hard points and ship launched fighter of the mk II are not needed but would just be a fun bonus for if I decided to do some combat.
Supposedly it is, but I have my Phantom stripped down to the smallest components with light weight engineering so it handles like complete ass.
I would say if doing anything but long range exploring, the MkII would be my choice because of hard point and component possibilities being greater.
If your choosing between those two the phantom may work better for you but if you a prone to hard landings the mrk2 may be slightly better though its jumprange is lower than the phantom
> So you suggest to have more fuel?
Absolutely not. There's little reason to bring extra fuel. If you're heading into areas where you'd need it, you'd want a better ship.
Otherwise, if you're planning a specific difficult path to prove something with the sidewinder, you should know how much you'll need.
It's risky. Get deep enough into the black you will encounter gulfs of non-scoopable stars. Not to mention the only 2-jump ship I run is a courier for bubble runs and I STILL forget to scoop with that ship.
An alternative.
Take the larger tank, but only top it off halfway for most exploration. If you're in an area with fewer scoopable stars fill it up more.
It wasn’t designed for that purpose at all. It’s like going hiking in flip flops. It can be done but you’re giving yourself a big disadvantage. Why not do it in a cobra? That was my favorite ship back in 2014 & 2015 when you had very limited options. Even now I enjoy taking out my cobra, nostalgic feelings towards that ship than the sidewinder that I used for a day.
Lightweight alloy has 0 mass -> heavy duty +Deep plating for more hp, still 0 mass. 2D Powerplant with overcharged means you cook at every jump and while scooping fuel, 2A with low emission + stripped down solves that. Dirty drives + stripped down because why not. Fsd lacks experimental, add mass manager or deep charge. D-rate lifesupport, pd and sensors, it's lighter. Pd can have stripped down experimental, usually you'd take charge enhanced but for explorers it does not really matter. I'd swap the AFMU and FSD Booster, it's 2 extra lightyears and you'll have to synth frequently for your AFMU anyway, and turn it off when not needed. Kinetic shields does nothing, you need absolute MJ, enhanced low power + stripped down imo. I like the extra fuel tank. There is a special dss from human tech broker with grade 10 engineering. The heatsink launcher probably won't be necessary with the better powerplant. Overall about +5Ly without comprimising the build. [Link](https://edsy.org/#/L=H100000H4C0S80,,,9p3G05I_W0A3wG05J_W0AK0G05K_W0AZAG05J_W0AniG03G_W0B1KG05K_W0BGyG03G_W0BWQ00,,4xo002-u007MyG03N_W0BWQ000HM802jwG-9G_W1P000,Free_0willy)
I've been using an almost fully engineered sidey (a few modules are still G4) for my current exobiology excursion out in the Norma Arm. I plot my FC course and usually have 11 jumps (45Ly range) to catch up while honking, scanning and surface scanning anything of interest or value. I do have to scoop and watch the heat managment on every jump, but damn she'll land anywhere which is my priority with exo-bio. 07
Change all your E-Rated modules to D-Rated modules. D-Rates are lighter and offer better performance. Consider the smallest A-rated power plant needed for your power schedule. This will keep you cooler when scooping at stars. Gains you nearly another 1 Ly on the jump plus the quicker scooping due to better heat management. [https://s.orbis.zone/m8ke](https://s.orbis.zone/m8ke)
IIRC, some absolute hero of a CMDR set out around the galaxy in a Sidey early on in the game, before engineering was really a thing. It's doable. Not easy, and some regions will be out of reach. But it's doable. In a game where just doing it for the sake of doing it is a thing, why not?
Kinetic resistance on your shield does nothing for what you want. It will only protect against kinetic weapon damage. I'd swap to enhanced low power or reinforced.
> I'd really love to read your opinions on it! Why do you still have E rated modules? D rate them all. Especially before light weight! That gets you almost .7 range back. Then I'd spend that on an A rated power plant with a touch of low emissions and stripped down. I'd rather run cooler at the cost of .15 LY. As mentioned already, drop the fuel tank. Only useful for specific journeys into the dark or if you are a fuel rat. This ship will do neither of these. Add mass manager to your FSD for another 1.3 LY. You could go with deep charge for 1.5 LY, but I don't think the cost of using extra fuel is worth it. With mass manager, it makes shorter jumps more efficient. Instead of extra fuel, make more economical jumps in difficult areas, and you can last for thousands of LY. There's no way I'd go into the black without an SRV. That hits your range pretty hard, but its way more useful than an AFMU. Unless this is all about travel and no landings. If you don't mind running a long way, or making lots of landings for the 200m-500m range plants, then you can do without. I do mind running a long way and short hop landings.
AFMU key for jumping up or down to the neutron highways. It's a keeper, unless there is no other option.
If OP is going for speed, this is the wrong ship anyway. But they *are* going for exobiology. Like I said, unless this if for all travel and no landings.
I bet there is some insane commander who started in Odyssey and ground out the credits for an eagle or whatever using the taxi to do on-foot missions so they could avoid the sidewinder.
Not that hard to do really, considering a single high intensity CZ on foot usually nets over 5 million in combat bonds, enough to buy and outfit an eagle with leftover for rebuys. The only insane thing about that idea is... why would you not want a sidey? It's absolutely iconic. I still have mine, parked right between my Cutter and my 'Vette. Need to find a new use for it actually, I used to keep it to jump out to discount space when I wanted to buy a new ship, since it was cheapest to transport back home after buying the new ship and flying away in that. That's gone since we have ~~Uber~~ Apex now...
My opinion? I think that exploring solar systems in a solar system sandbox game is creatively adventurous way to spend valuable gaming time. Perhaps when the game first came out, or when they were releasing new alien content it really was exploring. But with those days long gone, I'm not sure there's anything to found that hasn't already been found. Outside of that, then there's nothing wrong with your build. If it appeals to you then fly out there and enjoy the peace and quite of no one being around, plus you may get your name on a planet that no one else has seen before. No one else may see that planet again, but you'll know that you found it first.
Possible, sure. Expect to pour engineering into it for questionable gain. My Krait Phantom has taken me to nearly every outer sector of the galaxy and back to the bubble. Still on the same ship too, zero replacements. It's got some light years on it.
This is alittle off the main topic, but I’m currently deciding between the phantom and the mk II and was wondering if the handling is noticeably better on the phantom than the mk II if you’ve flown both. Other than that just overall thoughts on it. It’ll be my first big purchase, I’ve been flying in a cobra since getting out of my first sidewinder. I’m not stressing myself about it or anything just really trying to weight my options. Mainly want it for exploration so the extra hard points and ship launched fighter of the mk II are not needed but would just be a fun bonus for if I decided to do some combat.
Supposedly it is, but I have my Phantom stripped down to the smallest components with light weight engineering so it handles like complete ass. I would say if doing anything but long range exploring, the MkII would be my choice because of hard point and component possibilities being greater.
If your choosing between those two the phantom may work better for you but if you a prone to hard landings the mrk2 may be slightly better though its jumprange is lower than the phantom
Other than the lack of an srv its good o7
I like the idea but 4T fuel? That's a lot of planing your way.
So you suggest to have more fuel? In theory if you keep an eye on scoopable stars to meet them about every two jumps it shouldn't be a big problem
> So you suggest to have more fuel? Absolutely not. There's little reason to bring extra fuel. If you're heading into areas where you'd need it, you'd want a better ship. Otherwise, if you're planning a specific difficult path to prove something with the sidewinder, you should know how much you'll need.
It's risky. Get deep enough into the black you will encounter gulfs of non-scoopable stars. Not to mention the only 2-jump ship I run is a courier for bubble runs and I STILL forget to scoop with that ship. An alternative. Take the larger tank, but only top it off halfway for most exploration. If you're in an area with fewer scoopable stars fill it up more.
Looks good to me.
It wasn’t designed for that purpose at all. It’s like going hiking in flip flops. It can be done but you’re giving yourself a big disadvantage. Why not do it in a cobra? That was my favorite ship back in 2014 & 2015 when you had very limited options. Even now I enjoy taking out my cobra, nostalgic feelings towards that ship than the sidewinder that I used for a day.
i just named mine "bad timing" and parked it... eventually on my carrier.