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Best Probing Formation?
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Torigoma
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#1 - 2013-09-08 21:51:58 UTC
Anyone know what the best current Probe formation for scanning is? I know it use to be the 7 probe, Cubic Bi-Pyramid formation, However with Odyssey changes (and more specifically 1.1) I've switched to a 8 Probe, Hexagonal Bi-Pyramid formation. Is this the most effective? or is there something else out there that works better?
Baggo Hammers
#2 - 2013-09-08 23:30:16 UTC
It really comes down to common sense and what works best for you.

If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.
Torigoma
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#3 - 2013-09-08 23:46:29 UTC
Baggo Hammers wrote:
It really comes down to common sense and what works best for you.


Triangulation only works one way, there is a best formation depending on the number of originating points, a formation where the signal can not get any stronger thanks to positioning. Thats what I am asking for.
Jon Matick
State War Academy
Caldari State
#4 - 2013-09-09 00:49:21 UTC
First of all, any formation with 7 probes was NEVER the best formation.
Second of all, the 'best' formation where best is taken to mean 'gives strongest results' is more than likely not going to be the formation that lets you scan the fastest.

As a note, not 100% sure what 'Hexagonal Bi-Pyramid' but it sounds like the pre made pinpointing formation with the center probe added to the ring instead?
if so, this formation is fine for scanning a single sig, very bad for scanning multiples.

My Blog:  http://sihwm.blogspot.com.au/
Janna Windforce
Deep Core Mining Inc.
Caldari State
#5 - 2013-09-09 08:09:41 UTC
Looks like people are either reluctant to share their "trade secrets" or OP's question was not clear enough. Lemme try then:

1) Best formation for probing single signatures of more or less known position (yellow arrow/ship that's 155km from me)
2) Best formation for probing system from scratch (or 2 unique sigs near each other)
Huttan Funaila
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#6 - 2013-09-09 16:54:51 UTC
The 2 built-in patterns suffice for narrowing down signatures most of the way. If I have to get that last 0.5% for weak signatures (when I'm not in a scanning bonused ship), I usually use the square bipyramid (or d8 for D&D players) with the remaining 2 off to one side.

For folks who don't know, this wikipedia page has pictures of the bipyramids. Basically, it is 2 pyramids stuck together at the base.

Today's patch:
Quote:
Probes that are being recalled no longer overload your cargo.
Spheric locations are now correctly shown in the map.
The “red dot” result is now correctly shown in the map.

http://community.eveonline.com/news/patch-notes/patch-notes-for-odyssey-1.1
Tau Cabalander
Retirement Retreat
Working Stiffs
#7 - 2013-09-09 21:18:31 UTC
Well, a tetrahedron with the target at the center is optimal, and requires 4 probes. With 8 probes you can probe out two signatures per scan.
Jon Matick
State War Academy
Caldari State
#8 - 2013-09-09 22:56:04 UTC
Tau Cabalander wrote:
Well, a tetrahedron with the target at the center is optimal, and requires 4 probes. With 8 probes you can probe out two signatures per scan.

this is very incorrect.
4 probes hasnt been optimal since apocrypha.

My Blog:  http://sihwm.blogspot.com.au/
Rengerel en Distel
#9 - 2013-09-09 23:31:27 UTC
How optimal do you need? It's so easy now, not sure how much easier it has to be to be called 'optimal'.

With the increase in shiptoasting, the Report timer needs to be shortened.
Tau Cabalander
Retirement Retreat
Working Stiffs
#10 - 2013-09-10 00:59:13 UTC
Jon Matick wrote:
Tau Cabalander wrote:
Well, a tetrahedron with the target at the center is optimal, and requires 4 probes. With 8 probes you can probe out two signatures per scan.

this is very incorrect.
4 probes hasnt been optimal since apocrypha.

You must mean the changes in Incarna 1.0:
Patch Notes for Incarna 1.0 wrote:
Scanning
* All probes can now contribute to a scan result, as opposed to the previous limit of four.

In my experience, the benefit of additional probes is minimal when you factor in good skills, equipment, and technique.

In my opinion, speed of scanning signatures far outweighs another 0.1 or whatever in the pursuit of the maximal theoretical signal strength.

But if you are committed to that windmill:

I seem to remember a dev post way back in the Apocrypha days where the signal strength function used was discussed, and the dev described the math and refered to a reference on the subject. It all comes down to the angles. Being an expert on Apocrypha, I trust you can find it without me digging up the link for you. I believe there were also dev posts on the effect of removing the 4 probe limit around Incarna.
Baggo Hammers
#11 - 2013-09-10 01:45:13 UTC
Yes it was Incarna not Apocrypha. And if you are talking profession sites, speed is not needed and the 8 probe presets will do fine. Other than that I have no idea what you trying to glean.

If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there.
Jon Matick
State War Academy
Caldari State
#12 - 2013-09-10 03:38:22 UTC
I guess I wasnt very clear.
What I MEANT to say is that 4 probes have not been optimal since BEFORE Apocrypha. IE: Never.

My Blog:  http://sihwm.blogspot.com.au/