Mastering Scanners and Probes in EVE Online A Comprehensive Guide

Exploring the vast universe of EVE Online requires more than just a powerful ship and combat skills. To uncover hidden sites, track down valuable resources, or locate enemy ships, you need to master the use of scanners and probes. These tools are essential for gathering information in space, giving you the edge whether you are mining, exploring, or engaging in PvP. This guide breaks down how to effectively use scanners and probes to enhance your gameplay and make your ventures more successful.

Spaceship deploying scanning probes in EVE Online, showing probe formation and scanning interface

Understanding Scanners and Probes

Scanners and probes are two related but distinct tools in EVE Online. Scanners refer to the ship modules and onboard systems that detect signals and anomalies in space. Probes are small devices launched from your ship to scan specific areas, pinpointing locations of interest such as cosmic signatures, wrecks, or enemy ships.

• Core Scanner Probes: These are the most common probes used for scanning cosmic signatures like wormholes, data sites, and relic sites.

• Combat Scanner Probes: These probes help locate ships, including hostile targets, within a system.

• Survey Scanner Probes: Used primarily for mining, these probes identify asteroid belts and resource-rich locations.

  
  

Each type of probe has its own strengths and is suited for different tasks. Understanding when and how to use each will improve your efficiency.

Setting Up Your Ship for Scanning

Before launching probes, ensure your ship is equipped properly:

• Probe Launcher: This module is mandatory to launch probes. Fit one that matches your ship size and skills.

• Scanning Implants and Skills: Skills like Astrometrics and Astrometric Rangefinding improve probe strength and scanning range. Implants can further boost these stats.

• Scanner Modules: Modules like the Core Probe Launcher or Combat Scanner Probe Launcher should be fitted depending on your scanning goals.

  
  

Investing time in training scanning skills pays off quickly. Even a small improvement in probe strength can reduce scan times and increase accuracy.

How to Launch and Use Probes

1. Open the Probe Scanner Window: This interface shows your probes and scanning results.

2. Launch Probes: Deploy up to eight probes in a formation. The default is a sphere, but you can adjust their positions.

3. Adjust Probe Positions: Use the 3D interface to move probes closer or farther apart to narrow down scan results.

4. Start Scanning: Select the type of scan (cosmic signatures, ships, or survey) and click scan.

5. Analyze Results: The scan results will show circles representing possible locations. Adjust probe positions to shrink these circles and pinpoint the exact location.

   
   

Tips for Effective Scanning

• Use overlapping probe ranges to increase scan accuracy.

• Start with a wide formation to cover more space, then tighten the formation to narrow down results.

• Save common probe formations for quick deployment.

• Use directional scanning alongside probes to get a rough idea of target direction.

  
  

Practical Examples of Scanning in Action

• Exploration: When hunting for relic or data sites, launch core scanner probes and scan down cosmic signatures. Once a site is pinpointed, warp to it for hacking or salvaging.

• Combat: Use combat scanner probes to locate enemy ships hiding in asteroid belts or stations. This is useful for ambushes or avoiding threats.

• Mining: Survey scanner probes help find the richest asteroid belts, allowing miners to maximize yield.

  
  

Close-up of probe scanner interface with probe positions and scan circles in EVE Online

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Skills: Many players underestimate the importance of training scanning skills. Without them, scans take longer and are less accurate.

• Poor Probe Placement: Randomly placing probes wastes time. Use systematic adjustments to narrow down targets efficiently.

• Not Using Bookmarks: Save locations of interesting sites or resources. This saves time on future trips.

• Overusing Probes: Probes consume CPU and can clutter space. Use only what you need and recall probes when done.

  
  

Advanced Scanning Techniques

• Multi-Tasking: Experienced players scan while traveling or during downtime to maximize efficiency.

• Using Directional Scanners: Combine probes with directional scanners to get a better sense of where targets are located.

• Probe Formation Customization: Create custom formations for specific tasks, such as narrow scans for combat or wide scans for exploration.

  
  

Final Thoughts on Using Scanners and Probes

Mastering scanners and probes in EVE Online opens up many opportunities. Whether you want to find hidden treasures, avoid danger, or hunt enemies, these tools give you critical information. Start by fitting your ship correctly, training essential skills, and practicing probe placement. Over time, scanning will become second nature and a powerful part of your gameplay strategy.