SUBSIM Radio Room Forums - View Single Post

Harmsway! · 05-30-10, 02:09 PM

I'm trying to find that balance between being all alone on the sub having to do everything and letting the computer play the part of the crew and doing all too little. For instance it's nice to set way points and supposedly the "crew" handles navigation. Certainly as Captain I shouldn't be doing all this stuff. Right?

Some how though using way points doesn't give me that feeling of my crew doing the navigation as it should. Rather I feel like my computer is doing it bumping me completely out of immersion.

So for me a little more hands on with the navigation helps a little. I'm not trying to take over the navigation job as much as getting a little more in tune with it. No longer am I Captain Dunsel.

Here is what I do now. I use the drawing tools to chart out my course determining my current location and destination for the day. Using this "Dead Reckoning" technique I can draw lines on the map and mark where I will be at any time of day based on course and speed. When its time for a course change I give the rudder commands real time and watch the compass as it rolls over to the new course. Then set out in the new direction for the allotted time.

What this does for me is make me much more aware of time; hour, day, season and year. Way points still have there place but in the end I feel much more in command.

05-30-10, 02:09 PM	#1
Harmsway! XO Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 400 Downloads: 126 Uploads: 0	Dead Reckoning I'm trying to find that balance between being all alone on the sub having to do everything and letting the computer play the part of the crew and doing all too little. For instance it's nice to set way points and supposedly the "crew" handles navigation. Certainly as Captain I shouldn't be doing all this stuff. Right? Some how though using way points doesn't give me that feeling of my crew doing the navigation as it should. Rather I feel like my computer is doing it bumping me completely out of immersion. So for me a little more hands on with the navigation helps a little. I'm not trying to take over the navigation job as much as getting a little more in tune with it. No longer am I Captain Dunsel. Here is what I do now. I use the drawing tools to chart out my course determining my current location and destination for the day. Using this "Dead Reckoning" technique I can draw lines on the map and mark where I will be at any time of day based on course and speed. When its time for a course change I give the rudder commands real time and watch the compass as it rolls over to the new course. Then set out in the new direction for the allotted time. What this does for me is make me much more aware of time; hour, day, season and year. Way points still have there place but in the end I feel much more in command.