I run typically at 128 submerged, going out to target area, 64 on surface when enroute to targer area. On return trip I do 256-512 submerged and 128 on the surface as I near friendly territory.

Once in the "Zone" I keep things betwee 8-64, depending on situation.

I spend my time reviewing tactics, and reading the printed articles that I have printed up from this forum and others.

I enjoy the slow pace of the subsim - - It approaches the old addage about real combat being days and hours of total boredom interspaced with hours or sheer terror.

Generally x256 (submerged) and x128 surfaced in operational areas.
If I'm submerged sometimes I checked sea around my boat by hydro because I noticed that I can hear more than my hydro officer.
When transfer to/from patrol area usually I switch x512.
I think there should be an option in the game, by which you can achieve selected point (home base/patrol area) automaticly without any possible contacts.

This is exactly why I asked. It can take forever at 128 or even 256, and to date, I haven't seen much of a 'contact detection' advantage at 128 that makes it worth not increasing time compression. I'm sure it's there, I just haven't seen it yet for the time.

In the past I used Commander to set my max TC to x4096. When I can play again I'm planning on going the x128 route and doing a lot of sound checks and enjoying the views.

256 surfaced, 4096 submerged

2048 surfaced 4096 submerged

I run at 128, 256 on return if out of torps.

x1024 unless its after 43 or I am in an air patrol zone in which case I use x256 max.

Over x256 when there are planes about and your fate is in the hands of the gods.

i used 1024 but since i havent spotted any planes my new carreer is max 256 tc.So one patrol is rather long but i read a book or something like that.

1024, set as maximum via SH3Commander. Higher than that and my fps isn't smooth anymore. As soon als it shows a slight "stutter", I drop back to 1 to do a hydrophone check of my surroundings. I know, it's kinda cheating, but sailing to NYC with my spanking new IXC at TC set at 256 just takes too long.

I use 512 for traversing long distances. When I have a contact on the map and want to intercept, I use between 32 and 128 depending on the distance. When a ship or convoy is spotted by me or the watch crew I play out the battle in real time.

This routine has consistently worked well for me. I should also mention that during the day I go submerged (60 meters) to avoid aircraft and conserve fuel.;)

Mine really varies anywhere between 1 and 1024. If I'm traveling long distances then I go for 1024. If I'm in a potentially rich/semi-rich target area then I drop back to 256 or 128. If I'm traveling at high TC and I see the computer's performance starting to get choppy then I drop it back 32 max and do a hydrophone check. Honestly though, the way I play sometimes is pretty reckless and aggressive. I usually go by the saying "Audentes Fortunas Juvat" (Fortune Favors the Bold) :D. I've been known to do 128, 256, or even 512 in enemy harbours, but that's when I'm either getting into them or getting out, not when I'm actually in battle or avoiding patrols if they spotted me. If they haven't then I keep the TC up.

128.....it takes about 11 minutes to cover 24 hour period...sooo there are some boring times. I usually read a book, clean the house or watch TV will waiting for the next Radio message or contact report....once in the area...every 3 hours I do a sound check surface max conserve and repeat until I completed a search through most of the square...usually about a day and a half. After that proceed to an area of high volume traffic and more search patterns until I'm out of fuel or out of Torpedos...what ever comes first.