More Science or More Precision?

[zapman987]

At a crossroads in Career Mode. I can either buy another science item (barometer) or save (Im halfway) and get Unmanned Tech. This, with using MechJeb, will allow me more precision in getting other places, which will result in more science in the long term.

Note this involves using a mod. If you hate mods, I respect your option. But please make it a valid argument.

Also I respect if you think I need to "learn the basics". Not contesting that, just make it a valid argument.

TIA!

[LordQ]

Why get more science in the long term when you could get more in the short term? Unlock the barometer, I reckon.

[Kryxal]

If you can fly about a bit, the Barometer will allow a fair bit of science just biome-hopping on Kerbin, I think. Then again, you can go do the same thing on Minimus better with Mechjeb (though probably only one or two biomes per trip) and you'll get quite a bit of science that way ... all things considered, though, I'd go with the science boost.

Of course, whatever you do, you should add MOAR BOOSTERS!

[Streetwind]

Considering you can easily do everything in the game without needing a crutch like MechJeb - go for the barometer. Not because the barometer is particularly good, but because the next thing it unlocks (the seismograph) is. You really want that on all your off-world landers.

[qromodynmc]

Go for science parts if you ask me. You can even get enough science points on just Kerbin/mun/minmus to unlock everything.

[Superfluous J]

Science first. It not only unlocks something that can get you tons of science around Kerbin (Not to mention Eve, Duna and Laythe) but also gets you closer to other science parts that will give you even more science later.

It's the classic 4X strategy: Get the stuff that will get you the resource (in this case science) first, because the longer you have it the more of that resource you'll have by the end of the game.

[merendel]

The barometer is prety much only useful for flying around kerbin till your ready to go to distant planets with an atmosphere. However unlocking that node alows access to other nodes containing science that will greatly increase your science income speeding up your progression. You dont really need Mecjeb for mun/minmus landing missions as they are easy enough to seat of the pants plan and return from. A few of those with the seismograph and gravity detector along with the basic goo/materials and the surface samples will net you tons of science to unlock the rest of the tree.

Mechjeb for precision landing really only shines for trying to specificly target those last few small biomes on mun/minmus you missed on the initial sweep when paired with a maping mod. It can be helpful for ploting interplanetary manuvers if your not so good at that but most of the easier targets dont need it and you can fill out the tree without ever leaving the local kerbin system. that and in the time it would take to send a mission to another planet you could send dozens to the moons and clean them out for more science than a single biome planet/moon.

[Jank]

Science first. Get the barometer and then spend a day flying around Kerbin. You'll probably make enough right there to open up your other one.

[Aragosnat]

Science is always worth while. Heck one does not need science. Just as long as they can get enough to land on the Mün or Minmus as those places are gold mines for points.