WHERE & HOW TO FARM

Ore Detector Range

Planet or moon terrain and existing asteroid surfaces; fly or approach close enough for the detector’s range to cover the target area.

Before you go

Before scanning, confirm the ship has power and the Ore Detector is active.
Open the detector controls and set the range to maximum for that grid size.
Keep the HUD visible and sweep the terrain or asteroid surface at a pace that lets you follow each signal.
Mark the signal and approach within range rather than circling at a distance.
Use a drill to verify the ore at the site; detector range reveals a signal but does not mine it.
If no signal appears, move closer or scan another section of terrain before deciding the area has no deposit.
Rescan at a lower level when following a deposit that continues beneath the surface.

Small-grid detectors have a 50 m maximum; large-grid detectors have a 150 m maximum.
Adding detectors does not combine their ranges, so choose a grid size suited to the prospecting task.

Detector sweeps are repeatable. Continue across new ground or asteroid surfaces as needed, marking productive locations for future mining.

Leaving the detector at a short setting: set maximum range before beginning the sweep.
Assuming a small-grid detector sees as far as a large-grid one: account for the 50 m limit and close the search distance.
Treating a signal as proof of a mineable route: approach, verify the ore, and inspect depth before committing.

Stop scanning once you have enough confirmed target sites for a mining trip, or reposition closer when the current sweep produces no signals.

Sources & fact checks

Open a guide to find other locations and see what the item is used for.

Research and progression

Correct detector setup improves the chance of finding deposits without mistaking range limits for empty terrain.