I like playing with map contacts off. It's much more fun for me, dealing with the challenge of taking data off the instruments, watching a group of "X" marks crawl across the map. Trying to fit a course line to a small group of marks, getting speed from it. Trying to figure out where to intercept. Does the observation fit with my projection? Does the TDC match with the observation? Taking a reading that puts him off the projected course, and taking a reading a few minutes later that confirms he zigged, starting the process over again. I like that challenge.
But it's too damn much work. I hate having to take a reading, and then switch to the map and draw it out, plot the marking. It slows down the pace of the game. I find myself pausing the game to plot the target's location, and leaving the game paused while I go check a few websites, or watch "just a little bit more" of whatever movie I've got running.
So turn on map contacts. I still have to determine and enter the data into the game myself. But I just go to the map, mark the position, wait 3 minutes, mark another position. I've got him dead on with range, speed, and course with no errors. There's no challenge, it's simply a matter of moving in front of him, waiting until he's at just the right spot, and firing torpedoes.
I love this game and hate it at the same time. Map contacts off is a chore. Map contacts on is a bore. There should be some middle ground, where I take the readings, and send it to the plotting party. When I look at the map, I should see marks where I sent the bearing and range, so I can play connect the dots. If I muck up the range or the bearing, there should be a mark in the wrong place. Maybe the plotter lacks experience, or misheard me, or hasn't had enough sleep; toss in a bit of an error factor for him, too. I'd love to have the TDC target marker on the Nav map, or be able to draw on the attack map. Either of those options would open up a huge possibility to avoid what is, for me, the most annoying part of the game.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Armistead
I would love a mod that didn't show contact icons, but still show sonar lines.
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http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/down...o=file&id=2789