you know how much the loot takes up in cargo space? Iirc it is minuscule and 900m3 is usually overkill for exploration.

would rather just stick some cargo extenders in the lows of an imicus than run around in a gnosis still

Coverts Ops ship is cheaper and far better in every way if you fit a cargo scanner.

EDIT: Or is stealth bring your kitchen-sink-fitted Gnosis to low/null for me to shoot at thread? In which case, carry on.

Imicus has 4 mids, helios has 5

I think Gnosis is good ship for traveling in High sec. With this fit:

[Gnosis, Gnosis Solo Exploration Missile]
...
Purloined Sansha Data Analyzer
...

I don't have specific numbers. Some of it is big and worthless and I eject that but even the small stuff adds up. I'm talking about never docking and going long distances and hitting every site though, and then bringing it all home. I definitely hit my max space at some point on the Gnosis.

Not doing combat sites in it, that would be suicidal. Radar/archeology sites only. I understand the alternative is cov ops or scanning frigate, but a probe can hold 320 m3, a cheetah can only hold 200 m3. A Gnosis can hold 900 m3.

And a Gnosis with 900m3 full of Radar / Archeology stuff inside will be a very juicy target ;) Even if you just do HiSec sites.

Fair enough. Just one thing: 900 m3 allow wandering Gnosis user to bring a packed shuttle with him. And shuttle can be used as scout or delivery boy. Not to mention, that Gnosis is a very juicy target itself, so losing reproducable stuff is not the biggest pain. 6 medium slots give Gnosis possibility to utilise one or two more of new scanning toys, than a probing frigate can do. Big enough cargo space and advanced (though not perfect) combat capabilities allows to travel through high sec, bringing combat and explorer gear with you. Together with shuttle and loot from data and combat sites. Without need to go to the local trade hub too often. If you lose Gnosis in high sec - price of lost cargo and gear will not be the main reason to cry. As Gnosises will become more and more hard to get. For high sec tourist / explorer this ship provides unique combination of travel freedom since you do not have to come back to swap ships for all you want to do. As long as you stay out of PvP, of cause.

Con:

- Smaller scanning bonus

- Takes longer to align

...all the crap you get...

With 6 medium slots you can put one or 2 more Scan Rangefinding Array II, than in covertops. So you can have bigger scan strength then amarr or minmatar cover ops. Or almost the same scaner strength as caldary or gallentian ones...

If I am right, then alignment time depends on the inertia modifier * mass of the vessel. Cover ops has it from 5 mio to 5,5 mio. Gnosis little over 3 mio. So it aligns almost twice as quick. Not speaking about 6 low slots, that can be filled with nanos to make it even better.

But with the rest you are absolutely right and this is more than enough reasons for me to stay in high sec, if I use Gnosis. And I use it, cause no other explorers ship can offer such combat capabilities, if I get bored by signatures.