Ships & Modules

relics are far better than data

not really sure on implants, don't think any sets are that influential in non-combat scanning.

There are scanning hardwires that can boost your skills a little, most likely not enough to matter.

I'd guess snakes would be the best bet for a little extra speed getting out of bubbles, but honestly with a mwd and cloak it's almost inconsequential.

The most useful hardwire in my opinion is the Poteque "prospector" environmental analysis EY-1005 and it's relatively cheap to boot.

You can alternatively throw on a cargo scanner to check the contents of the cans your about to hack. Not to cherry pick mind you but to be extra careful hacking the cans with decent loot inside them.

Carry a mobile depot with you and change out accordingly

A little while ago CCP graciously changed most loot in Relic/Data sites from 1.0 to 0.1 to help with explorers who stay out in the field for long periods of time. So with the reduced loot capacity you can definately fit a depot in your hold and stay out for quite a while.

Here is proof it can be done in an Astero. I tried to catch a pilgrim off guard but turns out he was baiting me the whole time, was worth a shot imo . At any rate I changed out mods in a deep safe whenever I need to and as long as you keep an eye on D-scan and use pings for bubbles you lower the risk of exploring in null exponentially.

Relic sites are far more profitable than data so I would focus on those primarily. From what I can see you have the necessary gear/implants to handle most of the sites in null although might I suggest throwing on a few Emission Scope Sharpener rigs to help with obtaining the loot. Nothing is worse than see something shiny in a can and then failing the hack...:gutted:

The most important piece of equipment for null Exploration is D-Scan

If you're going to run an Astero, fit some form of local repair, preferably an armor tank, as that allows you to still fit for exploration. I just tried my first Sleeper Data site this evening in my Anathema, and was unable to finish it due to the lack of a tank/local repair.

Yes, Relic sites are more profitable, but that also means that those are what everyone wants. For every a Relic site I find, I estimate that I find four or five Data sites, so, it pretty much balances out. Plus, people will let you run data sites, usually without any objection - relic sites get fought over.

Important safety tips:

1. D-scan is your most important tool. Always have that window open.
2. If you mis-click and shut off your hacking module, do not close the window. Your hack is still active, keep going.
3. If you get to the core and find you need more strength (or a 'helper'), keep clicking, JUST DONT CLICK NEXT TO THE CORE! You don't want a defense module popping up and covering up the core. If you get one of the round modules that increases defensive strength, don't worry - they have ZERO effect upon the core.
4. DO ALL OF THE CANS! Even if some are worthless, just open and close the window twice - boom, and gone. You never know - it might re spawn next door.
5. Grab everything in the can! Sort your loot and jettison the garbage at a safe spot - never sort while grabbing.
6. Chat in local. I've made friends that way, especially by offering bookmarks to combat sites my frigate has zero chance of running. People who view you as a source of lucrative information are very happy to see you, and will offer help if needed. Just leave the bookmark in a can at a planet (I said to be nice, not foolish).
7. Don't be afraid to explore wormholes - not for sites, you'll just explode. Use them to travel to hisec when you need to, if you're deep into nullsec.
8. NPC nullsec is probably the best place to start. I've run in Outer Rin and Syndicate with decent success. Hisec isn't too far away, the local markets are mostly competitive, and there are NPC stations for you to dock up in when needed.
9. DOTLAN IS YOUR FRIEND! Use the map website when planning your route, look for pod kills - that's a good gate camp identifier.

[Astero, Astero]
Small Ancillary Armor Repairer, Nanite Repair Paste
Damage Control II
Energized Adaptive Nano Membrane II
200mm Reinforced Rolled Tungsten Plates I

1MN Microwarpdrive II
Data Analyzer II
Relic Analyzer II
Scan Rangefinding Array I

Covert Ops Cloaking Device II
Core Probe Launcher II, Sisters Core Scanner Probe

Small Emission Scope Sharpener I
Small Anti-Explosive Pump I
Small Auxiliary Nano Pump I

Hobgoblin II x5

Honestly, implants aren't really necessary- you're bound to lose a few ships & pods initially, so don't have anything expensive in your head. A pair of implants to complement your current skill queue will be fine.

OK, I have just finished my first exploration trip into deep null-sec! Having returned safely I earned 21 mil. ISK through grabbing two relic sites and one data site. I wasn't capable of hacking all cans but majority of them were hacked indeed. Anyway most loot was garbage and lion's share of my earnings constituted two item groups: Logic and Power Circuits. I think my astrometric scanning in null-sec is fast enough with above setup. I couldn't pinpoint Limited Sleeper Cache only but I would not have run it anyway. I did not meet any gate-camps, at least with bubbles, and most of the time swing by star systems were empty. In sum null-sec exploration is great diversification of my EVE experience apart form running level 4 missions and trading goods.