I've been looking through the mods and I don't want to go with too many off the bat to avoid unknowingly creating conflicts since I don't really know what all is compatible with what so I'm thinking I'll probably keep it simple with RFB and RSRD for now and maybe look at TMO and other mods later.

Edit: NVM, figured it out. :)

Do that!. Try them out.
They are very nice.
Very shalow and generally speaking: RFB makes the boat more "realistic", TMO makes the overall sim more difficult. What adds up to this is that with both mods you'll have to play more realistic. Think more strategically, pay attention to every detail in order not to make mistakes. Both of them forces you to account for lack of boat maneuverability, more realistic scorts and enemy behavior among other things.

Regarding your last post, if your trying to get measurements out of the stadimeter...hmmm...I got say that's really difficult to accomplish. First because the japanese destroyer models variety is very big and it is very hard to tell one from another. As I use TMO, in there is this nice tool ("cheat") that is the Identify Target button. That surely helps me a lot.

And more importantly than that, is NOT using the stadimeter. It's, in the game, is very imprecise. Controling it with the mouse, in a small picture, in the sim is very cumbersome. As you watched in the videos, taking measurements with it is not necessary at all to get a shot at.

However I'm not saying that you should'nt try doing it if you are playing with map updates off. I think if you are up to the challenge go for it. Just remember the limitations of the tools that the game gives us. And after you get the hang out of it, good hunting!

Learn all methods. I spent months setting up OKanes, Vectors, ect, but seldom do now. The problem I have with those attacks is they fix you to a course often leaving a flank exposed. A 45 attack is better, but still fixes you to a course.

I play with cams off now all the time, contacts about 50%, with both off you'll need that stad.

I use the stad all the time now where I once frowned on it, you can get precise measurements within 3000 yards. You can also load maxoptics and SCAF, gives you more mag and better aiming points. Easy AOB is another great mod allowing you full range and rotation of the PK. Two good stad measures ask for speed, you'll get speed and course, set the AOB on the PK to the course and you have a near perfect AOB.

The main thing is to learn them all as they all have a place.

I disagree there. I've been using the Stadimeter since i was a newby and it's accurate when your at a reasonable range (Under say 4000). Obviously it's sketchy beyond that, but as a tool i don't think it should be dismissed that easily, especially since it's a very fast tool to use once you have the hang of it.

Thanks again guys. :) I haven't had much time to mess around the last few days but firing it back up tonight to experiment some more. I started a campaign using the pre-pearl harbor mod that's supposed to be compatible with the other two major mods I'm using (RFB and RSRD). Starting in a Tambor class so I can benefit from 6 forward torps. Off the coast of Japan now which is where my patrol was but not finding any shipping at all yet and under 70% fuel (to be safe I'll be turning back once fuel drops below 35%) so I'm contemplating trying to sneak into a harbor or rather heading south towards the China Sea. Hopefully I'll manage to find something so I can continue to get practice in. :)