Difference between Inline Reaction Wheel and Inline Advanced Stabilizer...?

[darkstrike]

Hi all,

I'm not sure what to call this post, and my writing may be a bit stream-of-consciousness as even I'm not sure what I'm saying, lol, but hear me out!

So, I'm a bit confused by the new control systems...the old SAS parts, the SAS Module and the ASAS Module.....they're now the Inline Reaction Wheel and the Inline Advanced Stabilizer, respectively. Ok, that's fine. I often used to have one of each on my ships pre 0.21 because they each had a slightly different function.

Are the functions of those two parts exactly the same now? According to their stats descriptions in game in the VAB/SPH, they are both EXACTLY the same EXCEPT in terms of dry weight, where the Inline Advanced Stabilizer is 0.2 tonnes heavier than the Inline Reaction Wheel......but if they both do the exact same thing now, why do we need BOTH of them in the game still....?

I could understand them both staying because they each use a different part model and it provides players with choice on the looks for their ships, but as they are both 1.25m parts that seemingly provide the exact same function now, shouldn't they have the same weight then?

I COULD also understand the Advanced SAS Module - Large weighing more as it's a larger part...however...why the heck does it weigh 0.2 tonnes when the smaller 1.25m Inline Reaction Wheel and Inline Advanced Stabilizer weigh 0.3 tonnes and 0.5 tonnes respectively...? I notice the Advanced SAS Module - Large description and name hasn't changed at all with this update even though "SAS" parts don't control "SAS" anymore, so basically isn't it just an "Inline Advanced Stabilizer - Large" now...? And if that is the case, why do its stats in the VAB/SPH say it has the exact same amount of torque/electricity requirements as the 1.25m parts when it's larger...? Shouldn't it have more torque/require more electricity...?

I hope at least some of you were able to understand my confusion above!

Edited July 28, 2013 by darkstrike

[stupid_chris]

Moved this in the gameplay questions forum

Now to address your question, yes, both parts serve exactly the same purporse, the only difference, is that the old SAS module is now only a reaction wheel, while the old ASAS modules are both reaction wheels and also give your craft the ability to use the new SAS module. That last feature is a tad bit redundant since all command pods and probe cores already have that system included, but in the case you would use a seat, those don't and you can add it with those parts.

[darkstrike]

Well, thanks stupid_chris! That addresses some of my questions! Still don't know the answer to the "Advanced SAS Module - Large" comments I posted though...

The descriptions should be changed in the game to reflect how they work, as you explained, though...

[stupid_chris]

No idea, devs decided it was so I guess.

[huin]

Thanks! I had wondered this as well!

[rkman]

the old SAS module is now only a reaction wheel, while the old ASAS modules are both reaction wheels and also give your craft the ability to use the new SAS module.

All SAS- and ASAS-like parts parts including "Inline Advanced Stabilizer", "Advanced S.A.S Module, Large" and "Inline Reaction Wheel" have in their cfg "ModuleReactionWheel" and "ModuleSAS".

So it seems there is no distinction any more between what used to be SAS and ASAS. In effect they are all new ASAS and new SAS rolled into one.

Edited August 18, 2013 by rkman

[Johnno]

Still don't know the answer to the "Advanced SAS Module - Large" comments I posted though...

The descriptions should be changed in the game to reflect how they work, as you explained, though...

It's simply an oversight, the functionality portion of the config was changed but the description was missed, it's not exactly gamebreaking. You can change it yourself if you feel that it bothers you, otherwise it'll likely be updated in the next patch.

[Spyritdragon]

Because the large variant is larger, there's more space therefore they could make everything out of plastic rather than metal and still keep it structurally semi-sound.