Hi all. Help needed with destroyers

[Gregorias]

Hi all!
I would really like to enjoy the game but there's something i need to know to do it.
My main problem is detection by destroyers or any other ships. What i want to know is:
1.What is safe range(there's only 10-20% of chance to be spoted) when i look through periscope(of course im submerged:D(i had once looked through periscope while being on surface :lol:))?
2.What is range of japan destroyer's sonar or something? How does it works? How can i avoid it or how i have to behave while being in range?
3.What's that ping-ping sound? I think it's ASDIC, but i need answers as above.
Thanks for help and sry for my english.

[orangenee]

In my experience I have been detected from maybe 2000yds, but that was only because I had my engines at standard, and could see them coming across, and the ping is their active sonar picking you up so basically if you hear that, expect DCs shortly.

[popeye]

If you can see him, you should be underwater, and running at 1/3rd. then he won't know you are there till ships start blowing up. the destroyers have a white line thingy around them, i assume that is their optimum sensing range. if you are in it, you should attempt to get out.

the DD's don't seem to see me on the surface past 5km.

[CaptainHaplo]

If your playing with map contacts on - then if you select and enemy escort you will see some rings around him. The largest - a ring - appears to be passive sonar detection range. The farther in you are - the better chance he has of hearing ya. Of course - keeping the noise to a minimum helps - set silent running and go no faster than 2 knots. Do that and you can avoid him unless he gets REALLY close.

The little half circle in front of the DD is his sonar cone - get within it and he will likely be pinging at you. At that point - your pretty much found.

On occasion - I have seen 2 large rings - the very large one then appears to be visual range, the interior one being passive sonar range, and the half ring still being active sonar.

And yes - the Ping sound you hear is active sonar....

As for detection range - there is no "set" number. It all depends on a number of factors. How much scope do you have above the water - higher out of the water is bad. A couple of feet is likely the most you want out. I tend to use the pgup and pgdn keys until I stop getting water on the lens and stop there. The next factor is sea state and air state. In fog, or a storm, your MUCH less likely to be spotted. Next is how fast your going - faster means more noise as I mentioned above - but also makes your scope (or you on the surface) more visible. So slow is good. The last main variable is enemy skill level. An elite crew doesnt have to see you - they can SMELL you even if your downwind. (Dont take this personally - they do it to us all - its NOT just you. :D ). The least skilled crews - man you could pull up, tie alongside em and board them and they wouldn't notice. So this one factors in alot.

Since I use manual targeting - I always go for the really close shots. If you keep the scope down as much as possible, go slow (use silent running!!!) and position yourself where the target comes to you - then you can get within 500 yards/meters on a regular occasion without getting spotted.

[pocatellodave]

I like to get into position far ahead of the escorts.I then take her down to 140-160 meters,depending where I can find a thermal layer.I run silent,and constantly trying to improve my position for the shot.When the targets come closer,I bring the boat to periscope depth,take a quick peek,and line up off what I just seen for my shot.Don't leave scope up very long,as it will give away your position,and ruin the forthcoming treachery!quick hint,if you hear the escort speed up his engine,go to flank speed,and hit hard rudder left or right,as he's about to drop some cans on you.
Pocatellodave