Fog & Periscope
 

I'm running v1.4 with only the NSM mod (sinking mod - but y'all know that) and I just had a mission where I was practically blind. It was raining, and I had a large composite tanker 15 degrees off my starboard bow at around 930yds. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but on this occasion not only could I not view it through the periscope (both normal and zoomed), but my periscope also didn't update the location on the navigation map. When I rose to radar depth (~34ft) they popped on the map in exactly the place I expected them to be. What really amused me was that I could see the reflection of the bridge from the tanker in the water - just couldnt see the tanker. When I crept into 700 yds it came into visual.

Now, I have no problem with fog / rain being modelled, and I can overlook the reflection showing even if the ship itself doesnt, but can somebody explain why the periscope didnt update the map? I didn't realize the periscope map marking was weather dependant.

It was also at this point that I kicked myself for being on easy mode. If I had manual targeting I could have taken that sucker out even without visual, because I knew where his nasty lil smoke stack was in the water. Without being able to get a visual and "lock" the TDC I had no solution and it wouldnt let me crank out a manual one. Oh well .. so is the life of a bilge rat :)

I had exactly the same situation tonight but I was in manual targetting mode and also on the surface (it was night time and raining cats and dogs) I got within about 500 yds of the target and simply pointed the sub at it and hit the enter key..........result, a 'one torp' sinking......and boy did it look cool when it blew up....the only fly in the ointment was, he got one hit with his stern deck gun and caused 5% hull damage......right at the start of a patrol to the south china sea.........no deep diving to evade escorts for me, I'm thinking........

You have to remember that visual contact is what's at play here and maybe sonar. I can't recall but sounds are affected by heavy fog. I had that problem some time ago and it was in a harbor. I had to move real close like 100 yards or so before my Deck Gun crew got a good sighting.

I had one of those little light bulb moments after I posted this. As I lay awake in bed thinking about all things submarine, it suddenly dawned on me that I didnt have some form of magical radar in my periscope. It seems obvious now, but I realized it was connected to visual range - like duh <smacks head>. It actually all made sense at that point - if I couldnt see it by looking through it, then of course it wouldnt update the map.

I think this is one situation where being new to sub sims in general, and playing on easy mode can lead to assumptions and "dangerous" / "bad" play habits. Due to the fact that the periscope had been plotting on the map I had assumed that it was a mini radar (after all, it acted like one). Net result is that I have been relying on it way too much, and running with it up more than I should be - hence developing a bad habit for when I increase difficulty.

Still, on the up side I'm learning more and more each day :) I'm about at the point where I'm going to up the difficulty - maybe even start playing with manual targeting and join the big boys.

Man, after we tell him THEN he get's the idea in his head. Boy, Bilge Rats, you gotta love them!:rotfl:

Anyway, good luck and keep getting the experience.:up:

Yeah I know, but hey I gotta claim some credit somewhere - its hard on us lil rats down here :)

Anyhoo, thank for the pointer - even if it was after I figured it out :lol: :o ;)

We at SubSim aim to please.:yep: