On the periscope notepad

joegrundman · 10-25-08, 08:35 AM

I have come to the conclusion that the notepad system in SH4UBM is not only useless, it's an impediment to accurate manual targeting.

Obviously rather than overhaul the system completely the designers decided to resurrect the SH3 notepad system. But it is not exactly the same and the differences between them have a big effect on the versatility of the system.

OK, in SH3 there are default measurements, AOB 0, Range 0, speed 0.

In SH4, the default measurements are AOB 0, Range 3000 (IIRC, but anyway, not 0), speed 0

With both systems you can input all your data using the tools provided and send to TDC, or you can go to the TDC page and manually input

But with SH3 you could manually input speed into the TDC, and if you only send updated AOB and range data from the notepad, then this will not affect your speed input. This is very important, since few manual targeters regularly use the speed measuring equipment available from the notepad.

However with SH4 this is not possible because to send data from the notepad will reset the TDC speed to whatever the default is.. Therefore you cannot set speed using the TDC, and update the range and AOB solution using the notepad and stadimeter, without also going back to the TDC and changing the speed setting, wasting valuable seconds before firing.

Please correct me if i'm wrong here.

MH · 10-25-08, 09:29 AM

I hate that system too and it a reason i dont play u-boats in sh4.Its a mess.
Would be much better to have (somehow)the system of data input copied from fleet boats.Without the automatic PK ,just the dials on right side.

gutted · 10-31-08, 07:26 PM

i too hate how if you hit the X button to clear out the notepad.. it also clears out everything in your TDC dials.

i like to set my speed manually like you. sometimes i use the notepad to input AOB.. sometimes i use the TDC dials.

in any case..after i had the speed and AOB set i would hit the X button to clear out the notepad.. and then start using the notepad to keep JUST my range TDC dial updated. but that feature is gone now.

booooo!

Mattman[CDN] · 11-01-08, 02:01 PM

I agree with all three above , is there a Mod that can make the settings available again in the attack scope?

Frederf · 11-01-08, 03:42 PM

Just a couple days ago I tried 1.5 UB-ATO and found the way they do TDC entry to be completely unusable for the reasons listed above.

I really wish that instead of they hokey "helping hand" automated speed gathering method they force on you, they would instead give a way just to call out timestamped bearing/ranges that are put onto the attack/nav map and let you figure out course and speed from that.

It would be a lot more realistic and flexible.

Hitman · 11-02-08, 04:10 AM

I have never used it, even in SH3. Found long ago that collecting data with external tools and printed tables (For distance) is way faster and more accurate.

IMO we should use the slot in the menu.ini to eliminate the notepad and replace it with something more useful, like a wiz-wheel or such. The big pity is that now that we have a proper double-image stadimeter it becomes unusable

How I wish they had left the same system as with the US interface, where you can input directly your heigth estimate and hence take as reference point mast, funnel, bridge or whatever you prefer. Browsing the recognition manual for a match before you can make a measurement is PITA

10-25-08, 08:35 AM	#1
joegrundman Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,689 Downloads: 34 Uploads: 0	On the periscope notepad I have come to the conclusion that the notepad system in SH4UBM is not only useless, it's an impediment to accurate manual targeting. Obviously rather than overhaul the system completely the designers decided to resurrect the SH3 notepad system. But it is not exactly the same and the differences between them have a big effect on the versatility of the system. OK, in SH3 there are default measurements, AOB 0, Range 0, speed 0. In SH4, the default measurements are AOB 0, Range 3000 (IIRC, but anyway, not 0), speed 0 With both systems you can input all your data using the tools provided and send to TDC, or you can go to the TDC page and manually input But with SH3 you could manually input speed into the TDC, and if you only send updated AOB and range data from the notepad, then this will not affect your speed input. This is very important, since few manual targeters regularly use the speed measuring equipment available from the notepad. However with SH4 this is not possible because to send data from the notepad will reset the TDC speed to whatever the default is.. Therefore you cannot set speed using the TDC, and update the range and AOB solution using the notepad and stadimeter, without also going back to the TDC and changing the speed setting, wasting valuable seconds before firing. Please correct me if i'm wrong here. __________________ "Enemy submarines are to be called U-Boats. The term submarine is to be reserved for Allied under water vessels. U-Boats are those dastardly villains who sink our ships, while submarines are those gallant and noble craft which sink theirs." Winston Churchill

11-01-08, 02:01 PM	#4
Mattman[CDN] Swabbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hamilton ,Ontario, Canada Posts: 12 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	I agree with all three above , is there a Mod that can make the settings available again in the attack scope? __________________ Last edited by Mattman[CDN]; 11-01-08 at 04:39 PM.

11-02-08, 04:10 AM	#6
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,099 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	I have never used it, even in SH3. Found long ago that collecting data with external tools and printed tables (For distance) is way faster and more accurate. IMO we should use the slot in the menu.ini to eliminate the notepad and replace it with something more useful, like a wiz-wheel or such. The big pity is that now that we have a proper double-image stadimeter it becomes unusable How I wish they had left the same system as with the US interface, where you can input directly your heigth estimate and hence take as reference point mast, funnel, bridge or whatever you prefer. Browsing the recognition manual for a match before you can make a measurement is PITA __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

10-25-08, 09:29 AM	#2
MH Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3,184 Downloads: 248 Uploads: 0	I hate that system too and it a reason i dont play u-boats in sh4.Its a mess. Would be much better to have (somehow)the system of data input copied from fleet boats.Without the automatic PK ,just the dials on right side.

10-31-08, 07:26 PM	#3
gutted The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Orleans, LA. Posts: 1,353 Downloads: 470 Uploads: 10	i too hate how if you hit the X button to clear out the notepad.. it also clears out everything in your TDC dials. i like to set my speed manually like you. sometimes i use the notepad to input AOB.. sometimes i use the TDC dials. in any case..after i had the speed and AOB set i would hit the X button to clear out the notepad.. and then start using the notepad to keep JUST my range TDC dial updated. but that feature is gone now. booooo!

11-01-08, 03:42 PM	#5
Frederf Seasoned Skipper Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 665 Downloads: 79 Uploads: 1	Just a couple days ago I tried 1.5 UB-ATO and found the way they do TDC entry to be completely unusable for the reasons listed above. I really wish that instead of they hokey "helping hand" automated speed gathering method they force on you, they would instead give a way just to call out timestamped bearing/ranges that are put onto the attack/nav map and let you figure out course and speed from that. It would be a lot more realistic and flexible.