When to use sonar and radar?

[Xsi-Roy]

Why are the buttons to these parts always dark coloured (so unusable) and when to use these features?

Roy

[Pkunzipper]

They become available later in the war (end '42 / '43)

Sonar is almost useless, while radar can be good to find lonely merchant in the fog...
And remeber that if you can detect an enemy at a range of x Km, the enemy can detect the emission at 2x distance! Use them carefully!

[Average Joe]

Simple question(?),

Why doesn't radar pick-up targets when there's no fog? I know U.S. subs could do this, although most likely towards the end of the war (if not shortly after?).

[Floater]

US subs used Radar while surfaced, and used it to great effect. The IJN were pretty slow to use Radar detectors routinely, and unescorted Japanese merchants were often found by Radar from US subs.

German U-boats were mostly too cautious to start broadcasting Radar signals, with good reason: the Allies were usually listening for them.

[Average Joe]

Hi Floater,

Are you saying German subs 'could' use radar to detect ships with in clear weather, yet perhaps Sh3 does not model this for reasons you mentioned?

[Pkunzipper]

You can use radar everytime you want, but it isn't a smart move, since your radar we'll act as a beacon for enemy DD and recon planes!
If the weather is good is much better to stay tuned with the "radar detector", so you'll be noticed of the presence of a DD (or maybe a convoy) before (if you detect the signal soon enough) they detect you.
But nothing prevent you (in SH3) to use radar in a beautiful sunny day!

[MarshalLaw]

I used radar on my first patrol, and it brought planes to me like bees to honey. Radar detector however works GREAT, :up: It has saved my bacon several times in the past.

As for sonar , I have used it to get range info on non escorted merchants in very bad weather.

I'm on my 4th boat now and I did not bother to waste renown on radar. I'm also finding out the anti radar coating for the snorkel does not work that well either. Not for what it cost in renown. :nope:

[Pkunzipper]

I'm also finding out the anti radar coating for the snorkel does not work that well either. Not for what it cost in renown. :nope:

Snorkel is bugged in standard SH3 1.4...
You need to download one of the mod that reduce its visibility... IIRC in standard game the snorkel is considered by game engine big as a ship!

[MarshalLaw]

Which mod will reduce that snorkel sig.? Is it a mod on it's own or is it part of RUB or SH3 commander? Please advise. I'm running standard game right now, have SH3 Commander standing by. Just waiting to die or make it to the end of the war. All my crew are medal up and such, and I have read that commander starts sucking your crew away as soon as it's installed. I'm in March 1944 right now so not too much more time to go.

[Pkunzipper]

Latest version of RuB for sure, don't know about SH3 (I use them both)...

Maybe other forum mamers can be more helpfull here...

[VonHelsching]

Which mod will reduce that snorkel sig.? Is it a mod on it's own or is it part of RUB or SH3 commander? Please advise. I'm running standard game right now, have SH3 Commander standing by. Just waiting to die or make it to the end of the war. All my crew are medal up and such, and I have read that commander starts sucking your crew away as soon as it's installed. I'm in March 1944 right now so not too much more time to go.

It's called Jungman''s sensor pack / snorkel fix.

[Average Joe]

You can use radar everytime you want, but it isn't a smart move, since your radar we'll act as a beacon for enemy DD and recon planes!
If the weather is good is much better to stay tuned with the "radar detector", so you'll be noticed of the presence of a DD (or maybe a convoy) before (if you detect the signal soon enough) they detect you.
But nothing prevent you (in SH3) to use radar in a beautiful sunny day!

Hmm, so maybe I'm confused with using radar in foggy vs. clear weather.

In foggy weather (with God's eye enabled) I can see a grey outline of merchant ships. In clear weather I cannot spot/find ships with grey outlines. Is this how SH3 is supposed to work?

Sorry for asking again; this has been on my mind for a long time.

p.s. Otoh, I -always- turn radar off in clear weather, it's too dangerous then (I think). Maybe I'm just missing it in good weather because I turn it off :sunny:

[Pkunzipper]

I don't know with God'eye (I think it is like cheating), but surely from the bridge visibility decrease as the fog gets more thick... With heavy fog targets are visible only at 350/400 meters... For this reason I stay submerged with heavy fog (finding a DD at 350 could be fatal), then when you hear a single merchant contact on the hydrofone, you can go on surface and track it with radar.