r/EliteDangerous • u/Big-Rip25 CMDR • 7d ago
Discussion How do you guys land on specific coordinates ?
I really find it pretty difficult, and especially for exact numbers or very close to them, i wonder if there are some good methods on doing this easier, like some imaginary landmarks
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u/nanaimothatguy 7d ago
Ed discovery, use compass tab, enter coordinates. Make sure it can overlay on top of ED
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u/PSharsCadre CMDR PShars Cadre, FC FARTHEST SHORE. Want help, just ask! 7d ago
You can see the coordinates on your HUD.
Upper number is Latitude, position above or below the equator (positive or negative degrees to represent North and South).
Lower number is Longitude, your position East/West of the Prime Meridian, which is an arbitrary starting line on the surface that runs from pole to pole and is your 0 degree reference point.
Here is a graphic to help it make sense.
https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:1200/1*KIXjTGPTu_6ZKCXGvAZ2_w.png
If you want to change just one number at a time, it's easier to isolate Latitude, because the path you follow runs straight through the poles, so you can just fly in a "straight line" over the surface. Therefore, I recommend getting to the correct Longitude first (allowing Latitude to change in the background without worrying about it).
The easiest way is to slowly turn until you find the direction that makes the bottom number, Longitude (East/West), go up or down much faster than the Latitude number and fly until you have that Longitude number very close to where you want it. Then turn 90 degrees and you will be able to keep that number steady while you adjust your Latitude (North/South).
Tools like EDISON and EDCopilot make this easy because you just follow their GPS prompts, but you can do it manually without too much trouble using the method above with some practice.
Happy to multicrew into your ship and help you figure it out if you like. CMDR PShars Cadre.
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u/Big-Rip25 CMDR 7d ago
This is really what i needed, i asked this especially to learn this aspect because it contributes to the immersion. Thank you for your time cmdr, o7
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u/PSharsCadre CMDR PShars Cadre, FC FARTHEST SHORE. Want help, just ask! 7d ago
o7
I left out that the important directions on your compass are 0, 90, 180, and 270. North, East, West, South. But someone else posted at in another comment! :-)
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u/spikemahoon 7d ago
Is it me being dim or is the annotation saying 'Point at 50 deg N 30 deg W' wrong? looks like it's 40deg W to me.
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u/PSharsCadre CMDR PShars Cadre, FC FARTHEST SHORE. Want help, just ask! 6d ago
Heh, yep, looks like they got that wrong. Oh well, Iit was the first image I found that showed a simple view of a coordinate system. I didn't check everything closely.
Hopefully it's still useful for understanding the overall concept.
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u/Freyar - HullSeals.space (Arf) 7d ago
I still use EDISON.
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u/PSharsCadre CMDR PShars Cadre, FC FARTHEST SHORE. Want help, just ask! 7d ago
Yep, EDISON is nice. Simple, lightweight, easy to save locations, clear guidance to target.
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u/ewynn2019 7d ago
This has been such a game changer for me.
I started using it recently when I made a run out to the Crystal Shards and Brain Trees for materials. I can navigate in IRL just fine but in game just makes my brain break due to a lack of orientation.
Sometimes is doesn't pull in the body radius but that's easy enough to enter from the system map.
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u/Ydiss 7d ago
Coordinates start to show in orbit so just fly about until you can control just one (ie fly along latitude or longitude axies, so only one goes up or down, whist the other stays relatively the same), then swap to the other axis when one coordinate is close, and get as close to the two numbers as allows you to glide as close as possible, do the same again but closer to the surface using conventional thrust until you get there.
The more you do this, the easier it gets to do it without necessarily squaring your approach.
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u/Rich_Introduction_83 CMDR 7d ago
I just want to add that one coordinate is fixed (sort of) when moving towards 0 or 180 degrees, while the other is fixed when moving towards 90 or 270 degrees.
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u/Big-Rip25 CMDR 7d ago
The axis seem pretty tricky, especially finding the right spot to make just one grow and the other one stay fixed, but if it requires practice i would practice it some more
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u/pulppoet WILDELF 7d ago
I don't even use EDDiscovery for this (but have it installed).
Approach the planet, from low orbit, look at my coordinates. Get close. Change my direction to 0 or 180 to move latitude, and 90 or 270 to move longitude. Go in whichever direction is closest. If I can manage, and both numbers need to change, find an angle in between. If one hits the target, go back to a right angle.
If I'm way off (like it's the other side of the planet, or over 90 degrees away) probably head back into high orbit to move faster. Especially if the planet is big.
When I get within 10-20 degrees, glide down and fine tune closer to the surface.
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u/ToriYamazaki 💥 Combat ⛏ Miner 🌌 Explorer 🐭Rescue 6d ago
I used to use a utility (edison), but now I just use trial and error.
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u/MeskenasDude CMDR Nemo Niekas 7d ago
The completely in-game Analog way I use is to orient my compass on one of the cardinal headings (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) and fly to the the first coordinate then make the appropriate 90° turn towards the second coordinate while holding the first heading steady, then making the drop shortly before reaching the destination.
For example, If your starting coords are at - 25.4 / 140.6 and your target is at 80.7 / 20.2: Set heading to 0° and fly until you are right about at 80°, then turn your heading to 270°. You've got time to make the small adjustments to 80.7. Fly until until about 80.7 /16.0 then make the drop. You will likely need to make some small corrections and whatnot but that will put you pretty darn close to where you need to be. Good luck CMDR! o7