[Michael Chandra]

I've seen people interpret the sensor array rules so that a sensor array rating (3)  has space for three sensors at rating (3).  So usually you have to choose some like:

Rating 3 Camera (thermographic vision, vision enhancement, vision magnification)
Rating 3 microphone
Rating 3 some other specific sensor or a laser microphone

Seems to make for more interesting choices, rather than just everything having cyberware scanners and ultrasound everywhere.  Just my two cents.

That's rather the silly interpretation. A Sensor Array always has 8 Sensors, after all, the rules state that explicitly. As for the stuff in the camera, I'd charge you extra for that as GM. And I'd advice a second camera and a second microphone, or an omni-directional microphone, so that your drone won't as easily get hit in the back.

[gmoney999]

Yeah sometimes when people complain about rules it's because they haven't thought of all the implications.  I was guilty in this case. 

I wouldn't make people pay extra to get cameras though.  I would encourage more than one camera, as those seem like interesting choices to me.  I mean particularly on a combat drone, it might be nice to have three or four cameras.  Maybe one "targeting" camera, with smart link, thermographic vision, and vision magnification. Then night time and day time "spotting cameras" with vision enhancements.

[Michael Chandra]

Here's the thing: That cheap-ass drone, and the expensive one? They both come with cameras. But those cameras don't have their capacity used yet, they're just cameras. If you want to enhance the cameras, well that's gonna cost you. That target-camera of yours won't come out of the factory with any enhancement, not at those costs. SL+TV is already 2500 nuyen worth, that won't come for free. Especially since normal drones don't need it.

[Vidnaut]

With regard to front/back positioning on sensors, I don't think that's much of an issue for Sensor Arrays - there's no rules for directionality there, and given that Rating 8 is for a freaking building I don't think there's any intention for there to be such.

I agree, I don't think it's necessary anymore.  It would be very, very useful to have what comes standard though...  I mean, if every drone now has a radio signal scanner that's a huge deal.  Or every vehicle having ultrasound.  'Cause it's not like it's any harder or more expensive to find a sensor that has a cyberware scanner than it is to find one that's just a microphone.

That said, a cyberware scanner is of pretty limited usefulness on a drone or vehicle.

Maybe not on a rotor-drone high up but a small fly-spy can probably land nearby or scan while passing overhead unobtrusively to see who's got wires and/or other chrome going.

Yeah but there are only thirteen sensors listed, and some of them are not very useful.  I mean would you prefer to have a geiger counter on your airborne drone?  Is there much in game use for a laser range finder?  When people put 8 sensors on drones I always see they have things like MAD scanners and cyberware scanners. 

I imagine things will get more interesting when the rigger book comes out. 

Geiger counters might not be useful for drones but I can certainly see it being useful to integrate into any armor you don't have radiation shielding in.  If you don't have protection against radiation it's rather useful to know where not to go if you don't want to get too irradiated.  It goes along the same lines of an atmosphere sensor, being aware of your surroundings.

Laser range finder is for not having to roll a perception test to eyeball a distance in rough estimates (so you can accurately stand the full 100m away to use that laser microphone) and also not needing to pull your smartgun to use its rangefinder instead which might cause all sorts of problems being caught brandishing a weapon might entail.

[JimmyCrisis]

A Sensor Array always has 8 Sensors, after all, the rules state that explicitly.
[/quote]

Page 445.  Sensor array: This sensor package includes up to eight functions...

I imagine that regular vehicles only have what sensors are required for grid guide; cameras, atmosphere sensor, laser rangefinders, and a microphone for voice commands.  Your average Americar doesn't need anything else.  Clearly, a rigger will want to tweak them out and install their own sensors.

Drones dont need anything else for navigation either.  Certainly, specialized drones will include more sensor functions.


As far as sensor ratings and armor, if you can fit it into a cyberlimb, you can build it into your armor.  I cap armor sensors at rating 5.  I believe Run&Gun suggests your can add sensors to armor under the armor accessories section, but im away from my books. The head wear ultrasound cyber gives you up to rating 6, even, going one step beyond the sensor rules.  Theoretically a cyber arm could hold two full sensor arrays.