Ecliptic Projector?

Chaq_huan · Post by **Chaq_huan** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 14:46

Never noticed it before, but when i press "G" it brings up a really big grid. I assume this is the ecliptic projector. What is the use of this. I have always installed it on every new ship, assuming it was an important upgrade(like add something to gravidar.) and have never played without it. Now i discover i've never even used this device. Is it used in navigation or something?

Thanks

esd · Post by **esd** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 14:52

It's simply a visual aid to assist you in orientation and gatefinding.

stu25 · Post by **stu25** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 14:53

AFAIK its not used by the ship, its just a handy device to find where the center of the system is, or one of the gates when you're way up or down on the ellipitical plain. If you're miles away you can see the gris in the distance and head towards it, or when youre being cahsed you can use it to fly str8 up or str8 down, to lead the followers away from friendly ships, useful on the 'Xenon are following me' transport missions.

Most of the stations are placed within the grid, so it can help when laying out facts or lasertowers, apart from that its just a visual reference as to where you are, turn it off for major battles as it does help to slow the game down.

Chaq_huan · Post by **Chaq_huan** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 14:57

Cool, thanks....i may start using this now, since i pay for it to be installed on EVERY ship.....

thelebk · Post by **thelebk** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 22:10

I installed one of these and cannot see what it does. How do you use this device? Man there needs to be more in the manual...

Stealth · Post by **Stealth** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 22:20

thelebk wrote:I installed one of these and cannot see what it does. How do you use this device? Man there needs to be more in the manual...

Simply press "G" and a holo-projected grid will appear through the sector's ecliptic plane. As others have mentioned, it's helpful as a visual aide, so you'd have an easier way of locating gates in the sector.

Red Spot · Post by **Red Spot** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 22:22

do turn it off in battle .. it might cause a bit off a slow-down ..

silentWitness · Post by **silentWitness** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 22:25

I expect it's finally being put to use as a visual aid... highlighting stations... etc...

thelebk · Post by **thelebk** » Sun, 26. Jun 05, 22:39

Thanks!

Holywhippet · Post by **Holywhippet** » Mon, 27. Jun 05, 01:15

Chaq_huan wrote:Cool, thanks....i may start using this now, since i pay for it to be installed on EVERY ship.....

EVERY ship? Even the AI controlled ones? That's a waste of time since the AI never uses them.

Warchild · Post by **Warchild** » Mon, 27. Jun 05, 09:09

ACtually, I have all my ships AI controlled and personal fully loaded.
This way, if I ever need to take control of a transport of escort fighter for any reason, I'll have the tools I need to do what I have to do.
In the event, which I will state for the record has NEVER happened, that I have to bail from my ship, I know that I'll have another built just like it to carry on what I was doing or to get me to where I need to go.
In essense, any ship I own can become a rescue ship at a moments notice.
Besides...suppose you need to take control of a transport...you use the transport device to get to the transport....then...you want to get back.

Uh oh...this ship doesn't have a tranporter device installed...time to do a little space walking... BEEEP .... Umm...was that the enemy ship proxcimity alarm?? HOLY SHCNIKEYS....WAS THAT AN ALPHA HEPT BLAST?!?!?!
BOOM....wow...that ship blew up good...looked just like mine...uh oh...it was mine...whats that coming at me...PLasm bolts??!!
BOOM
Game over

Get the idea??
Might be expensive...and it might never get used...but its there if you really need to use them.

Cheers

Charlie Whiskey · Post by **Charlie Whiskey** » Mon, 27. Jun 05, 10:10

I only ever use it to lay satellites.

tphater · Post by **tphater** » Mon, 27. Jun 05, 10:31

It'll aid you when placing facts or satelites.

Holywhippet · Post by **Holywhippet** » Mon, 27. Jun 05, 13:29

Warchild wrote: Besides...suppose you need to take control of a transport...you use the transport device to get to the transport....then...you want to get back.

Uh oh...this ship doesn't have a tranporter device installed...time to do a little space walking... BEEEP .... Umm...was that the enemy ship proxcimity alarm?? HOLY SHCNIKEYS....WAS THAT AN ALPHA HEPT BLAST?!?!?!
BOOM....wow...that ship blew up good...looked just like mine...uh oh...it was mine...whats that coming at me...PLasm bolts??!!
BOOM
Game over

Get the idea??
Might be expensive...and it might never get used...but its there if you really need to use them.

Cheers

Interesting theory. Except that your radar will tell you if there are any enemy ships nearby before you leave one ship and you should have the two extremely close so that you won't be more than about 10 seconds unprotected. I can't imagine why I'd want to jump into a transporter unless I was planning to do some trading. If I did want to switch to a transporter I'd do it within station where you can swap goods and ships without any danger.

Deleted User · Post by **Deleted User** » Tue, 28. Jun 05, 03:34

I use it as it help piloting through a sector. I quite often find myself off the beaten path without it. It just helps with giving perspective to the sector.

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Ecliptic Projector?

Ecliptic Projector?