Ion cannons...what do they do?

[Devest]

I bought an Ion cannon thinking from the description that it destros the shields, and disables turrets/weapons.

Well it doesn't. it zaps the shields good, but they are still there so they recharge. To make it worse the weapons and turrets still work.

Is the only thing they do is zap shield strength? or maybe I need more than one to damage systems on ships. Its too expensive to toy with buying more just to find out, so any help would be great.

[The Great Stonk]

they do no more damage to systems then normal weapons, they just make it easier to damage systems by draining ht eshields faster.

[mrbadger]

It keeps the sheilds down so you can then switch to another gun and hit their hull until they surrender.

Mass Drivers also ignore sheilds. I captured a pirate falcon today with full sheilds using them

[steel chicken]

they also fry missles, and hit any friendly or neutral parties near by so they get mad at you.