So i am building a computers focused hacker mechanic with an Exocortex, and when i look at the Datajack augment, it seems useful but at the same time is it worth the cost for a 1st level character? For that matter do I even need it to use my Custom Rig?
Can someone please give some examples of how one can benefit from having a datajack?
Well, it's for accessing computers that don't have an interface. You could also use it to access "digital storage media" which aren't computers, so just jam that USB stick right into your eyeballs and you're good. I don't know how often either of these show up, though.
Also, for a Mechanic, the first use case is made pretty useless once you get Remote Hack or Wireless Hack. If you're hacking a computer at a distance, you're not using its interface in the first place.
So, for a level 1 character, probably not worth it. For a Mechanic, possibly never worth it. The Core Rulebook doesn't even mention any storage media apart from ones already connected to a computer. And if you really need something to read an external harddrive, just either use your custom rig (if it's handheld) or build yourself a cheap, handheld computer. A tier-1 computer with negligible bulk costs just 60 spacebucks.
Edit: I completely forgot, not even the higher-level datajacks are really worth it for an ExMech. Because they just give circumstance bonuses, the same type of bonus that Coordinated Assault gives you, meaning they don't stack. Sure, that only comes online at level 11, but it works at range and the higher-tier datajacks are really expensive. Instead of buying an accelerated datajack, you could buy the first two tiers of Personal Upgrades and still have 625 spacebucks left over.
At level 1, no.
At higher levels, a datajack is worth it; even for an exocortex hacker mechanic. Not for hacking itself, but to directly interface with a computer (or your Expert Rig) that has a Control Module and Range III to send commands to a computer after successfully hacking it (without needing to stay within Remote Hack range).
A datajack is even more important to a mystic or technomancer, though. Access spell chips directly on a computer hooked into the datajack (leaving the hands free); a Control Module for a digital Harrow deck might be useful, as well.
Beyond the basic datajack, however, I doubt it's worth spending the extra credits.
At higher levels, a datajack is worth it; even for an exocortex hacker mechanic. Not for hacking itself, but to directly interface with a computer (or your Expert Rig) that has a Control Module and Range III to send commands to a computer after successfully hacking it (without needing to stay within Remote Hack range).
So, the use case you're proposing is that you're sitting right next to some input device or a computer A which has access to another, previously hacked computer B which has a high Range upgrade, so that you can operate device A to give commands to computer B without having to be in range of B?
That's... a super limited application. And even then, what would a Datajack do for me in that case? I have to be directly connected to device A, so it has to be nearby. But if I'm nearby, why couldn't I just use it normally? Sure, I don't have to be in range of B, but I do have to be in extremely close range of A.Also, why couldn't I operate that device through Remote Hack? 'cause that ability is not actually just for hacking, it's for any Computers check. Same with Wireless Hack. That includes hacking, getting root access, the computer's basic functions and even manipulating its other modules. What is there that you want to do with device A that doesn't fall under "Computers check"?
Also, if device A is my custom rig embedded in my brain, I wouldn't even need to connect to it at all 'cause I'm already connected. Although you lose out on being able to use it as a toolkit, it's way safer and doesn't require hands. Although your idea would imply that using a handheld custom rig with a datajack would allow you to use it without having to hold it which would be kinda neat, I suppose.
At higher levels, a datajack is worth it; even for an exocortex hacker mechanic. Not for hacking itself, but to directly interface with a computer (or your Expert Rig) that has a Control Module and Range III to send commands to a computer after successfully hacking it (without needing to stay within Remote Hack range).So, the use case you're proposing is that you're sitting right next to some input device or a computer A which has access to another, previously hacked computer B which has a high Range upgrade, so that you can operate device A to give commands to computer B without having to be in range of B?
That's... a super limited application. And even then, what would a Datajack do for me in that case? I have to be directly connected to device A, so it has to be nearby. But if I'm nearby, why couldn't I just use it normally? Sure, I don't have to be in range of B, but I do have to be in extremely close range of A.
Computer A should also have Miniaturization to the point where it's "Tier 0" bulk (or even "Tier -1" bulk, but the difference between light and negligible bulk isn't likely to come up very often). In other words, Computer A is clipped to your belt/strapped to your forearm (or directly inserted into the datajack) where it doesn't interfere with your mobility.
Computer A should also have Miniaturization to the point where it's "Tier 0" bulk (or even "Tier -1" bulk, but the difference between light and negligible bulk isn't likely to come up very often). In other words, Computer A is clipped to your belt/strapped to your forearm (or directly inserted into the datajack) where it doesn't interfere with your mobility.
Ah, so it's for interacting with a computer, but still having your hands free? I agree, that's kinda neat, but if computer A is your custom rig, you could just have it as an augmentation and you wouldn't need a datajack. And even if A isn't your custom rig, your exocortex can use Wireless Hack to operate it, again obviating the need for a datajack.
Fair cop, but in all of those, a hacking kit would be sufficient as well. And a Mechanic's custom rig functions as a hacking kit. Sure, if your custom rig got stolen, you'd be out of luck, but if it's installed as an augmentation, you're pretty much set. And even if it was a handheld one, building a new one is easy, fairly quick and cheap.
Also, I'm pretty sure a comm unit technically does not count as a Computer, so that's not really relevant in this case. Although I would allow it as a GM.