You have to gut the anaconda to get Asp level jump ranges.

 

Yes, but for exploring that's totally fine. You can basically get about the same jump range as an Asp, but in the Anaconda you can have larger modules.

You can do something like this. It has basically all you need, though you could take the 6C fuel tank instead of the 4C by sacrificing another 2LY jump range and add heat sinks if you want. Compared to that here's a pretty standard ASP build. Not really that much difference in jump range, but the larger modules on the Anaconda simply offer more.

Although there are some really gutted explorer outfits out there, with 1D power distributers (so no boost) and stuff like that. If you're willing to fly one of those, the Anaconda beats the Asp pretty much all the time.

In the end I think it mostly comes down to personal preference and the Credits you have available. I liked exploring in the Asp, but I like it just as much if not more in my Anaconda.

 

Believe me, I've been through all the iterations on ship specs and archetypes.

I just didn't like the design philosophy that dictates 'if you want to explore far, you'll be flying a tin can that's useless if you want to do anything else'.

They've added the boost jump thing since I've stopped playing, but still, the reward for exploring in Elite isn't enough for me to fly around in such a ship for so long.

 

Honestly the having to gut your ship to truly be good at exploring never bothered me. It's not like you can just stop and go bounty hunting out in deep space anyways.

One thing that does annoy me about the Corvette is it's supposed to have more hull than the Anaconda, which should translate to more armor, yet it doesn't.

Also, supposedly someone did get a combat fit Corvette out to Sag A*, if I recall reading a post on Reddit correctly. They apparently tried to proclaim themselves Queen of that area of space.

Unsure if it was a hoax or not, but... even a relatively lightly armed combat fit corvette would be a major threat out there to any explorer's.

 

Cheat Engine

Edit: that's not a joke. Not sure it still works after Horizon and all these updates, but it's seriously fun flying around in what's essentially an invincible Courier.

I'd probably advise against it if you don't have a HOTAS set up (surely you've got one Jon if you're getting VR?!), otherwise things will get pretty dull.

 

I recommend it wholeheartedly

Held out for the Pro, because black is way cooler (and the stick is firmer). Got it from MightyApe. They're hard to find down here...

 

If you can afford an Asp Explorer you might try to do some Robigo smuggling missions. If you're lucky you can get 20-40 million in about 2 hours or so of work.

Not sure if they've patched it or not, but it is/was the most profitable way to earn money I'm aware of.

 

That's the one. Awesome stick. Ended up getting an mdf board and drilled them into my desk, lol.

 

In space, no one can hear you facepalm.

 

Lol, I remember when I first found out not all suns were scoopable. Thought my game was bugged...

 

For the record, in the galaxy map there's a way to set it so it only shows specific types of suns.

The kinds of Suns you can fuel scoop from are KGB FOAM. Easy to remember, and if you start getting low you can do a detour to a specific system.