In conventional starts, I like to do some early geo-surveys by probe before I start building ships. One thing that slows this down and feels weird is besides geosurvey tech, I also need active sensor tech to create a fire control to be able to target a waypoint. In VB, I could use the ICBM fire control (along with the ICBM launcher) components to create a very early PDC capable of launching probes. Now with box-launchers available day 1, I don't really need the old ICBM launcher, but I do need a fire control. (Obviously ground based missile launchers would be nice but that's another thing that's already been suggested).
My thoughts would be to create a conventional level of active sensor tech (even strength 1 would allow targeting waypoints (and I guess the early thermonuclear war between powers on the same planet). Another option would be a pre-designed fire-control like the old ICBM fire control that can be used on day 1. Effectively zero range is fine since I'm targeting waypoints, but I would like it small enough to fit in a fighter-sized launch platform.