RE:Hydrophones
 

I noticed an option at the start of my first career patrol to choose between two different hydrophones. The newer type is available for 300. How do I select it?

Don't remember exacly, but I think if you have enough renown just double click on new hydrophone and you should see confirmation screen. Don't foeget to choose option "Yes" :)

While on the subject of hydrophones...at a point a new version gets available put in the description it says something like: "..its disadvantage was the extreme vulnerability to depth charges".
In practical terms, how true is this, will the hyprophones be wrecked after a single "bombing-run"?

If you click the Hydrophones option on left, then double click the KDB in the window that appears to the right of it and then click Yes you should get it successfully. A word of warning though, don't add items from this screen before your first patrol or it may cause problems. :nope:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/...6cd5d22c_b.jpg

It may get damaged, but I don't think it's any more likely than another part of your boot. You may be able to repair it with your damage control crew once surfaced - not 100% sure, but if it's completely destroyed I doubt it.

My advice is to avoid being DC'd :D

Really, really great advice!!:har:

Sadly it appears to be the radio room which receives damage more often than any other area.....stoooopid hard coding of the game engine.

Anything classified as 'destroyed' can only be repaired back at base/milch cow/resupply vessel.

Does the 300 renown hydrophone have any real advantage over the standard one?

I believe it does. Sounds seem to be louder and I can detect prop sounds at greater distance. Combine that with qualified PO's and you can pick up more contacts when running submerged.

I also echo the advice of others: Do not upgrade anything on the boat before the first patrol of a new career. You can add crewmen and change your torpedoes, but don't add anything else, including a sub emblem. The possible result is the loss of credit for all ships sunk during that first patrol. Be patient and wait for the beginning of your second patrol to tweak your boat. It's a long known game bug that can't be worked around.

Considering how GWX starts you off, it's possible to tweak your boat all you want. You won't be shooting at anything on your first patrol anyways.

^ Thanks Herr-Berbunch! Fair winds and following seas.

I thought those were beer kegs. :damn:

Oh sure, that's what they tell you down at the recruiting center. How else are they gonna keep signing up all those eager young volunteers?

When you use the hydrophone manually I've never noticed a difference between the stock and upgrades. With a PO or seaman at his post with the better hydrophones there is a noticeable difference. The overall angle (160 as opposed to 120 (I think is the stock) degrees) is wider with the better ones. The closer you get to a convoy it really doesn't make much difference, once you're in the middle or close enough you'll get contacts on your map the full 360.

Generally speaking, once stars getting destroyed its time to head back to port. Certain things you can still function with: if only 1 engine is destroyed you can still run on a single engine, same with the batteries (though underwater time is greatly decreased). The coup de tat is when your attack periscope gets destroyed; if your UZO is still functional you can attack at night, otherwise even if you use manual aiming (literally shooting from the hip) to make your best estimate/guess on a target your patrol is pretty much done at that point.

Well, in that case, I hope we have better luck catching hedgehogs. :hmmm:
Always wanted one for a pet. We'll give him a name, and we'll feed him every day, and he'll be the ship's mascot. :yep: