When comparing ScanSat vs Distant Objects, the Slant community recommends ScanSat for most people. In the question“What are the best Kerbal Space Program mods?” ScanSat is ranked 6th while Distant Objects is ranked 7th. The most important reason people chose ScanSat is:
You can create detailed maps of every planet.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Create maps
You can create detailed maps of every planet.
Pro Helps with landing the spacecraft
You can use ScanSat to determine the slope of the surface you're landing on and avoid hills and other obstacles.
Pro Much better than the stock scanning system.
The stock resource scanning feature finishes instantly, while ScanSat functions over a long period of time and the orbits you're in, like scanning satellites do IRL.
Pro Science boost
Provides a little extra science to help you in your career and science mode games- but you'll have to work for it!
Pro Polishes the flight environment by displaying distant ships and planets in space/the sky
Cons
Con Some users experience performance losses
This is only true when the window is open, it shouldn't affect the rest of the game.