EVE New Citizens Q&A

I feel like I'm doing something terribly wrong. I went through the advanced training for exploration, which I'm stoked about, that seems like a very fun way to spend my time in this game.

However, during the tutorial and afterwards, I found that I was banging my head against a wall to try to actually pinpoint locations.

I have now 5 probes i can launch, and I usually put them in a pyramid type formation, with 4 on one plane in a square, and one in the center raised about the rest at an apex.

When I scan usually I'll get either a red sphere or a red circle, and when I try to narrow the range on those it just goes to heck.
I'll bring the scanners closer together and reduce the scanner range to 2-4 AUs, and then when I scan, many times the more pinpointed locations disappear (Even if I'm right on it) .

I might have to take screenshots if this doesn't make sense, I know it doesn't to me right now :(

HELP!

First question is:
Have you cleared the filters? By default, iirc, everything is filtered out. So you'll get closer and closer, till around 25-50% you'd find out what type the signature is, and it would be filtered away.


Other than that, sounds like you're pretty much doing it right.
Something that might help is:

Shift key and move a probe = move the entire current probe pattern.
Shift key and resize a probe = resize all of them.
Alt key and move a probe = resize the pattern (not scan range) around the central point.

They make it a /lot/ faster to scan.

Other than that, are you moving your view point around, to make sure the dot is still within the overlap after a resize, and not just below it?


Red sphere = One probe sees the signature. The signature is somewhere on the surface of the sphere.
Red circle = Two probes see it. The signature exists somewhere on that circle.
two red dots = Three probes see it. It's in one of those locations. (sometimes it's very easy to eliminate on of them)
one red dot = at least 4 probes see it. This is where reducing the range starts making more sense.


Pretty much, you want to arrange your probes so, if it's a red sphere or circle, it exists entirely within the overlap. Or you make a guess about where it's likely to be. Most signatures are within 4 au of a celestial. So look for a planet near the edge of the sphere.

I tend to start with a single probe at 32AU, to get an idea where they all are. Then localize them with more probes. You /will/ find sigs you can't lock down completely. Skills/the right ship/better probes reduce how many of those you'll run into.

You're thinking of Astrometric Pinpointing. One I don't have yet.


Racial Frigate to 5
Covert Ops to at least 3. 5 is better, but time consuming.
Astrometric Rangefinding. +10% to strength per level is seriously worth it.3 or so. 4 and 5 come later.
Astrometrics is handy for more probes. 6 is a pretty good number to be using. More doesn't hurt.
Hacking, Salvaging and Archeology. Maybe gas mining.
Cloaking if you're outside high-sec.


Use a Covert Ops ship for scanning. (not a stealth bomber). Get Sisters Core Probes. They're +10% on scan strength. Sisters Launcher is also good, but pricy, with again a +10%.

If you're still having trouble some pictures might help. I made this to help a corp mate scan down his first few signatures. Since then scanning has changed a little bit (as noted) and the guide hasn't been completely updated to reflect this, but the visuals might give you a better idea.

http://www.orderofatlas.com/eve/static/scanning/index.html