Seeing that we're talking about the Hyperspeed addition, let me put in my two cents.
I overall like the addition, it's cool, innovative and adds challenge (and advantage if properly used) to the game. That said, I agree there should be a vanilla sector add-on, similar to the Vanilla CE ship layouts for those who don't want to scrounge for fuel for the first 5 sectors.
Not all sectors (quarantine sectors, I'm looking at you) have ample access to shops and since the addition of Hyperspeed those sectors look less and less attractive to traverse. Sure, you get a two jump headstart on the fleet but if you're going to burn all that fuel anyway fighting through and not be able to refuel before leaving, what's the point? I can just breeze through an Engi sector instead and have enough fuel bought and stockpiled for the next sector as well. Quarantine sectors and the like become and unnecessary risk for too little a reward.
However, most of the games I've played, ease up by sector 5 where I have more than enough fuel to not worry it.
Maybe a few changes here and there might help loosen the fuel noose around the players' necks for the first few sectors.
--Dropping the amount of fuel for basic speed (no fleet change) from 2 to 1 might help, therefore instead of burning 3 fuel (1 to leave sector and 2 in hyper speed) to go between sectors, it lowers to 2.
--Alternatively, changing the fleet advance from 2 jumps to 1 might allow the player more leeway in a decision of traveling slow through hyperspace and looking for a store than traveling fast and throwing up out-of-fuel distress beacons halfway in every sector (It's happened to me once or twice, I'm ashamed to admit).
While on the topic of changes, I'm not a big fan of taking 8 (!) hull damage when going max speed. I feel that is
way too steep a price to pay, especially with little warning. I almost died the first time because I wasn't sure how much damage I was going to take. I suggest dropping it down to 4 damage and changing the option before that to 1-2 hull damage. Even though, the lure of having 4 extra jumps in the sector and having absolutely no worry about the rebel fleet, 8 hull damage (almost a third of your max health) is a ludicrous price to pay.
I'm sorry, I ended up typing so much, I've been writing notes as I've played and meant to post it but kept procrastinating, I guess it got out of hand!
I actually truly do like the Hyperspace addition, it's a rougher start but it allows you to explore more beacons in the late game and the new events that Captain's Edition prides itself on. But I do sometimes like a more relaxed game time to time without having to worry about every little thing. I hope you consider my tweaks and forgive me for dragging on!
Cheers!
Gyr
) 
