4Game

Ups and Downs to exploration ships

Ship 1: The Anaconda

Ups: The anaconda has the most jump range in the game, and is one of the only ships able to scoop one ton of fuel per second. The anaconda has a lot of high level optional slots, so the anaconda is a good choice for a massive mobile base. Since you have a high level of fuel scoop, all you have to do is fly past the star and your fuel is back to fuel. Use this for long range exploration, as at the most, it can have 83 ly(excluding limited 6A double engineered FSD, which can get it to 90 ly).

Downs: Not much maneuverability, sometimes it can be hard to find landing spots. It is very expensive, and it is more for end game players.

Ship 2: The Diamondback Explorer

Ups: Great maneuverability. Can rival the anaconda with a maximum jump range one lightyear less than the anaconda(only with max engineering and double engineered FSD), it is not that hard to find a landing spot with the DBX, as it is quite a small ship. Use this for fast short range exploration, or long range if you don’t have enough for anything else, as it can have a maximum of 82 ly.

Downs: Small amount of low level internal slots, as this is an early game ship, so it takes a long time to fuel scoop.

Ship 3: The Krait Phantom

Ups: It’s a pretty ‘Krait’ ship. Good ship for mid game players, as it is relatively cheap ship with good maneuverability, and has really good internal layouts. You also have a relatively high fuel scoop level, which allows your fuel to go(almost) back to full with each flyby. Use this for long range exploration if you don’t have enough for a better ship.

Downs: Highest jump range you can get(without double engineered FSD) is ~70 ly. It is a larger ship, so it is harder to land.

Ship 4: The Asp Explorer

Ups: Smaller ship, pretty easy to find landing spots, pretty cheap, great maneuverability, and pretty good internal slots(for something that you can get for cheap). Good for new players who have just upgraded from the DBX and want something that’s better for long range expeditions. Use ths if you want longer expeditions than the DBX, but if you have enough credits, upgrade to something like the anaconda or the phantom right away.

Downs: As with the phantom, the most the asp can get without double engineered FSD is ~70 ly. Has only two high level internal slots, so it isn’t that good considering the phantom has a lot more.

REMEMBER: Don’t fly your exploration ships without a rebuy!

Note: This is all from personal experience, and I might have a little bias, so please, share what you think I should correct. This is only about the highest jump range ships and the most popular ships.