looking for The Best Autopilot - handling, performance, hardwarehunger

[MircoMars]

What is the best autopilot mod? I enjoy planning maneuvers and then doing something else while the autopilot executes them. For now all autopilots I used were part of a bigger mod, namely RemoteTech2 and MechJeb. They bring features, that I don't want at all or already have another mod for. Also they slow my pc down quite a bit. now I'm looking for a lightweight alternative.

Instead of just question-answer, we could perhaps compile, test and compare the existing mods with autopilot capability. complete with feature chart and somekind of benchmark. perhaps later a most popular discussion and vote or whatnot.

Edited November 8, 2015 by MircoMars

[hab136]

It's not like there's a lot of options. MechJeb is pretty much the only full-featured autopilot; RemoteTech's Flight Computer is a pale shadow compared to it.

Pilot Assistant is an autopilot for planes, but isn't much use in space.

kOS is a scripting language, where you can write your own autopilot. kRPC lets you write your own autopilot in an external language (Python, Lua, C++, Ruby, etc).

So.. that's pretty much it. Oh, there's Smart Parts, which is automation, but not autopilot.

If you want a stripped-down MechJeb, you'd have to say what functions you actually want and what you don't. Aside from autopilot, the only thing MechJeb does is show info windows.

If you just want to remove functions from MechJeb so they won't load at all, you can: http://wiki.mechjeb.com/index.php?title=Manual/Blacklisting_modules

[space invader]

romfrarer lasor system has a really good auto pilot for planes it even has an auto landing feature

but as hab136 said mechjeb is really the best all round

Edited November 9, 2015 by space invader
typo

[MircoMars]

thanks for the answers. okay I expected some more options...

removing functions in MJ is great, but the link only mentioned disabling the autopilot. I want to disable anything but the autopilot.

kOs could be an option, how much hardware does it eat?

hm, I guess there is no perfect autopilot for me. If anyone wants to make one, here's my wishlist:

-maneuver fine tuning

-maneuver execution of multiple nodes with autowarp

-porkchop interplanetary gizmo

-SmartASS surface mode (the one where you hack in the numbers)

[sarbian]

Come on guys, just do it. MJ is only like 107k lines of code. Piece of cake.

[hab136]

removing functions in MJ is great, but the link only mentioned disabling the autopilot. I want to disable anything but the autopilot.

But MechJeb only does two things - autopilot functions and info windows. If you don't want info windows, close them. There's nothing else to remove besides turning off some of the autopilot functions.

kOs could be an option, how much hardware does it eat?

That's like asking "How long is a book?" It depends.

kOS is a tool to write programs. How complex your program is would determine how much it stresses the CPU.

If you're just trying to rewrite MechJeb in kOS, it will almost certainly require more CPU, since kOS interpreted instead of compiled.

-maneuver fine tuning

-maneuver execution of multiple nodes with autowarp

-porkchop interplanetary gizmo

-SmartASS surface mode (the one where you hack in the numbers)

MechJeb does all that, but there are some alternatives:

PreciseNode will fine tune maneuvers

Transfer Window Planner will make porkchop plots for interplanetary transfers, but won't make a maneuver node for you

KSP Trajectory Optimization Tool is an external program that will make porkchop plots and other maneuver nodes for you (but doesn't execute them)

Pilot Assistant (already mentioned) can hold a surface angle

Kerbal Engineer will tell you exactly when to burn a maneuver node (half before the node, half after), but won't do it for you.

Not on your list, but still autopilots:

Automated Vertical Velocity and Altitude Control is basically the same thing as MechJeb's Translatron (hold a vertical speed; good for hovering or controlled descents)

Throttle Controlled Avionics is basically a VTOL controller.

Basically, there's a reason everyone points at MechJeb; there's no other complete autopilot.