Directional scanning: Difference between revisions

The '''directional scanner''' is a device built into all ships (even shuttles and capsules) which can detect most objects in space at long range. It can be configured for a specified range up to about 14.355 AU (2,147,483,647 or 2.15x10⁹ km) and a specified angle, allowing a skilled pilot to remotely check for objects (usually ships, or signs of ships) at celestial locations, such as asteroid belts, [[Cosmic Anomaly|cosmic anomalies]], moons/[[POS|player starbases]], and station undocks. This article describes the practical methods for configuring the d-scan to make it useful.

It is also worth appreciating the directional scanner as an ''extremely powerful intelligence tool'' in PvP, for all areas of Hi/Lo/Null Known- and WH- Space, and for soloists and fleet scouts alike. In fleets, it is common for intel reports to be made by pasting the info into a parser (such as Adashboard). These can give a Fleet Commander intelligence on enemy fleet compositions, that will let him decide whether an engagement is worth pursuing. However, the directional scanner has limitations. Firstly, it requires a good overview setup to be useful. Secondly, it will never give you the warp coordinates for an object - all it can do is tell you whether an object is there. And thirdly, while powerful at gathering intel on conventional combat fleets, it cannot work on cloaked ships, such as Covert Ops (e.g., roaming scouts and cyno ships), Black Ops, or Force Recons. Nor can it tell you about docked players. Local intel is still best for deciding whether an area is safe or not.