NOOB Question-estimating range

[Dave Hansen]

I am playing GWX 1.03 at 100% realism with God mode off.

I struggle with getting good "long" range estimates using the Stadimeter.

At what distance should I expect to be getting good estimates of range...10km, 7km...etc?

When I use the stadimeter (yes, I pause the game) do I just touch the very top of the tallest mast with the very bottom of the stadimeter line...or do I try to put the middle of the stadimeter line at the top of the tallest mast? Or does it even matter to be that precise?

What other advice can you give me as I try and plot my target's position on the nav map to ascertain target's course, speed, etc.

Right now I plot say 4 target positions on the nav map and I find that one or two just don't make sense...unless the target is doing some crazy zig zags... which is NOT the case...has to be my inability to accurately make range estimates.

The SH3 manual also talks about using the marked reticles on the periscope and UZO to estimate range via a sin calculation. I've seen no postings on the board about this method. Is this a viable method and if so can it be explained to a noobie like myself.

I've read enough postings on the board about the immense satisfaction in sinking a ship with 100% realism. I am sure there is a steep learning curve I need to go through to gain experience...and I'm certainly willing to put in the time, but some friendly advice, tips from more experienced captains would be appreciated.

I am fairly competent in other aspects of setting up for a good shot...the long/medium range estimates are what is giving me trouble.

Thanks for any help.

[GoldenRivet]

plase the cross hairs on the ship, the horizontal line should be on the water line of the target. Then activate the stadimeter, raise the stadimeter line until it rests right on top of the tallest mast. click again and the range is revealed. This range will not be exact, but will be pretty accurate. Long range and medium range shots are very difficult usint the stadimeter.

as far as how distant the range will start to become accurate, i think anything under about 5,000 meters should start yielding some results. obviously you want to go for shots under 2,000 meters range whenever you can.

perhaps somone here who knows the precise sin calculation could post?

edit: i should add, that you can still play on 100% realism with the "gods eye" turned on. As the captain you would be sitting in the conning tower at the attack scope calling down ranges and bearings etc. Your weapons officer would be marking these contacts on a map based on what you said. IMHO with some of these options checked you just increase the work load on yourself and make a difficult firing solution harder still.

[Keelbuster]

For long long range estimates, you can cheat by locking on the target in the uzo and asking the WO for range to nearest visual contact. He gives you a precise estimate up to 30km. If you're going for realism, you can't get range at that distance. Just try to estimate AOB from the diretion of the smoke trail on the smokestack. Maneuver around and charge into position. Get within 5km and start taking stad readings using the 3.15 minute rule. This latter method works just fine for me.

[CaptainAsh]

For me the stadimeter is accurate (more or less 200m) under 3000 metters... over 3000 metters it s of no use :dead:

[Canovaro]

If rough seas you can use CTRL+arrow up and CTRL+arrow down to move the two lines up and down slowly.

Anyway I agree that farther than 3000 meters the ranges are very difficult to estimate. Use the watch officer button, he is trained at it ;)

[Heibges]

I agree. It is very hard to get range at anything over 3000m. Probably more like 2600 or 2400.