Compare quantum drives: Atlas or Beacon?

Choose a repeatable out-and-back leg

Use a familiar pair of reachable locations with known services. Record the starting drive, route, fuel indication and the stages you want to observe: preparing, ready, travel, arrival and readiness for another leg.

Expected result: Both attempts have the same stated route and a return/refuel plan.

If it did not work: If the starting fuel or route differs, record that difference. Do not attribute the entire trip-time difference to drive speed or buy a drive solely from its class label.

Make a baseline before launch

SC Nomads comparison drill

Record your ship variant, fitted weapons, visible power allocations and healthy status. Keep the same view available for the next practice step.

Expected result: You have a reference to compare with a failure.

If it did not work: Do this while parked. If the screen is unfamiliar, ask the owner to identify one known component before changing anything.

Customize the local stored ship

mobiGlas > Vehicle Manager

At the location holding the ship and parts, open Vehicle Manager, select the stored ship and its intended slot, then inspect the offered compatible items. Apply the intended customization and recheck the slot.

Expected result: The intended component is fitted to the intended ship.

If it did not work: Check location, slot size and available item before replacing anything else. Do not assume a more expensive part fits.

Find the intended destination

mobiGlas > Map > search

Search its name and select the correct result. Compare the body and location names. Wheel zooms; left-drag rotates; right-drag pans.

Expected result: The selected place matches your written destination.

Selecting a place identifies it; the next action commits the route.

If it did not work: Similar names are not interchangeable. Recheck the result before plotting.

Read the route before accepting the trip

Map > Route to this Location

Choose Route to this Location. Read the right panel for Quantum Fuel and the number of legs.

Expected result: A plotted route and its requirements are visible.

Several legs mean several travel stages, not one uninterrupted journey.

If it did not work: No route? Check the selection and your ship context. Keep this separate from a drive that will not engage.

Enter the travel master mode

Flight - Movement > Cycle Master Mode (Long Press)

Read the current master mode. If it is SCM, hold B once and let the transition finish. If it already reads NAV, leave it there.

Expected result: The master-mode label reads NAV and the transition completes.

NAV prepares the ship for travel. Spooling is the drive preparing itself, not proof of a calibrated destination.

If it did not work: This input cycles modes. Holding it again can undo your choice. Inspect the current label before another input.

Choose the quantum interface

Vehicles - Seats and Operator Modes > Next Operator Mode

Click the wheel, rather than scrolling it, until the operator label reads QT. Read the label after each click.

Expected result: NAV and QT are selected.

QT exposes quantum-travel information. Changing the interface does not select your destination for you.

If it did not work: FLT is a different operator. If the quantum display is absent, inspect this label before trying the engage input.

Give the drive a stable destination

QT interface > selected next-leg marker

Point the ship at the next leg and hold alignment while its calibration/readiness indication completes.

Expected result: The intended marker is aligned and the displayed travel conditions are ready.

Calibration concerns this destination. A spooled drive still needs a usable target.

If it did not work: Not ready? Read the displayed problem. Check alignment, fuel and drive state one at a time; repeated mode changes do not fix every cause.

Start the confirmed leg

Flight - Quantum Travel > Engage Quantum Drive (Hold)

With the intended target and ready state confirmed, hold left mouse. Watch for travel starting before assuming the command worked.

Expected result: The ship begins quantum travel toward the chosen leg.

The input requests departure. It cannot override a missing target, obstruction or fuel requirement.

If it did not work: No travel? Release the input and recheck readiness. If the binding differs, inspect Engage Quantum Drive (Hold), not a weapon-fire action.

Prepare the return fuel

Landed pilot seat > Landing Services

Check both fuels again and compare the return route with what remains. Use available services before committing to the return.

Expected result: You have an identified route and enough usable fuel for it.

Arriving successfully does not prove you can make the return on the remaining fuel.

If it did not work: If services or time prevent the return, finish safely at the current port. Use the session/logout guide rather than treating force quit as a travel fix.

Repeat the route in reverse

Map > recorded starting port

Select your starting port and repeat route, modes, readiness, departure and landing. Record the actual result and build alongside your notes.

Expected result: You can repeat the journey without guessing which stage comes next.

This small drill becomes a route you can use later for cargo, salvage, mining or meeting a friend.

If it did not work: If the return differs, record that difference rather than assuming the outward settings still apply.

Choose the configuration to finish with

Return to a safe service location. If reverting, use the same Vehicle Manager customization step to fit the recorded original part, then inspect the slot again. Keep test notes separate from a claim that the part is universally better.

Expected result: The installed component matches your deliberate final choice.

If it did not work: If the expected item is missing, check the ship’s storage location and inventory. Do not overwrite the insurance snapshot merely to troubleshoot a missing part.

Save the retrieved configuration

ASOP > retrieved ship > save icon

After retrieving and checking the configured ship, use the ASOP save icon. Inspect its confirmation. A new snapshot replaces the previous one.

Expected result: The intended configuration is the saved snapshot.

If it did not work: A later insured claim excludes ammunition and missiles. Plan a separate rearm; do not treat an insured ship as automatically stocked.