Skills Needed to Probe
1) Science to level 3 which you need for Astrometrics and Astrometeric Rangefinding
2) Astrometrics to level 4 which allows one additional probe in space per level and also needed to learn Acquisition and Pinpointing. You need level 5 to operate Deep Space Probes.
3) Astrometric Acquisition to at least level 3 – 10% reduction in scan probe scan time per level.
4) Astrometric Pinpointing to at least level 3 – Greater accuracy in hunting down targets found through scanning. Reduces maximum scan deviation by 10% per level.
5) Astrometric Rangefinding to at least level 4 – 10% increase to scan probe strength per level. (slowest to raise)
Raising the last 3 to level 5 will help speed up your tracking down of Cosmic Signatures inside the wormhole.
Other Skills to Consider
Jury Rigging 1 to add the optional scan rigs
Hacking
Archeology
Salvaging
Mining
Covert Ops
Gas Cloud Harvesting
Equipment
Core Scanner Probes – Minimum 4 – Max scan range 32 AU
Deepspace Scanner Probes – 1 – Max scan range 256 AU
I would keep more in the cargo hold just in case – Probes will disappear after being in space for an Hour.
Expanded Probe Launcher or Core Probe Launcher – Core Probe Launchers will not launch a Deep Space Probe…so I would use an expanded one.
Optional Equipment
Sisters Core Scan Probe Launcher & Sisters Expanded Scan Probe Launcher give a 5% increase in scan strength
Sisters Core Scanner Probe have a 10% increase to base scan strength
Gravity Capacitor Upgrade I Rig (adds 10% strength to probes)
Gravity Capacitor Upgrade II Rig (adds 15% strength to probes)
Covert Ops Cloaking Device II
Codebreaker
Analyzer
Salvager
Gas Cloud Harvester
There are a few implants that boost strength, scan time, and reduce deviation
Shield booster to refresh your shield when warping thru wormholes. They do a little damage to you sometimes.
Ships
For starters – you can use a simple Frigate. The following give a bonus to scan strength: Heron, Imicus, Magnate, Probe
If you are serious about scanning then you will want to invest in a Covert Ops Frigate which gives a little more bonus to scan strength: Anathema, Buzzard, Cheetah, Helios.
You will need the appropriate skill to fly them. Being able to scan while hidden and warp to the areas to scope them out without revealing yourself is REALLY nice. Remember, most of the time you are in 0.0 space and not able to defend yourself well in a scanning ship all alone.
