Long Range Scanners
 

How exactly do these work and what do they scan? Is it worth investing research points into?

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

They provide you information regarding other ship designs and their cargo contents up to the distance in sectors specified - provided that the ship does not have scattering armor or scanner jammers.

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

At least for PBW, the ubiquity of scattering armor makes long range scanners less than useful. The defense bonus of the armor is crucial, and the scanner blocking is just icing on the cake.

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

Most of the TDM modpack races research scattering armor early as well. In the standard game, AI races may take a while to research it, but once they have, they start using it.

Still, an enemy ship returning from a battle you didn't take part in may have been stripped of its armor, and you can glean a ship design to see what you'll be up against. Its fun to have, but I wouldn't make it a priority research.

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

They can also be used to give you looks into fighter and sat stacks. Especially of allies. Many freighters and smaller ships and bases do not have use scattering armor. It can let you see cargo carried as well. It tells if those carriers are full of fighters or just running empty, or maybe troop transports in disguise. Colony ships or a CL colony ship making a suprise colony.

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

If they have scattering armor you can send in a cheap sacrificial ship out to attack them to look at their design. Or maybe a cheap drone or something. (I don't use drones much.)

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

Yup, any battle is enough to look at those designs, and it will be much cheaper and faster... but less subtle. The only uses I can see for Long Range Scanners are those situations where you must check on the supply level of an enemy fleet that has already been damaged; Long Range Scanners are also good if you are trading ships and have an exhibit somewhere in your Empire.

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

While we're on the subject, is there a component that lets you view a planets facilities/cargo. I thought it was long range scanners and built one but it didn't let me see the details of the planet. I had to use intel in the end.

Re: Long Range Scanners
 

No, you have to use intel.

Different Scanners
 

What is the difference between Tachyon, Gravitic and Hyper optic scanners? Are they all the same in function?