Periscope magnification

[Nopileo]

I've been wondering why the u-boats periscopes didn't allow for larger magnification factors? This time period was not the 'stone ages' after all, and planets, nebulae and distant galaxies had been observed for centuries through telescopes.

Was it because there was no point in better magnification levels (too far away for a kill if you can't see it at 8x), or what?

PS: Sorry if this has been discussed recently. Haven't checked the forum for a few weeks.

Thanks,

Nopileo

[FAdmiral]

You can mod it all the way to 10X if you want. Thats what I use
because my eyesight isn't what it used to be....


JIM

[Sawdust]

I've been wondering why the u-boats periscopes didn't allow for larger magnification factors? ...
I'd be interested to know what real-life U-boat magnification levels were.
Of course, the larger the magnification, the harder it is to keep the image still. That pr'y would've limited the useful magnification level at sea.

(BTW, steady-cam technology in today's digital cameras really is awesome! :P )

[Nopileo]

Thanks guys.

Yes Sawdust, that was what I meant - what they used in real life. And if it was 'only' 8x - why not more?

You have a point in that it would become hard to keep it stable at higher magnification levels, but it should be helpful for identifying the flags at least.

It's been a while since I played 688(i), but if I remember correctly, the periscope on this could zoom to 32x.

[elanaiba]

German subs used mainly 1x/4x or 1.5x/6x scopes.

And maybe 1x/6x.

IIRC...