Quote:
Originally Posted by Loudspeaker
The sonar only attack is becoming my favourite method, because I think it's easier to determine range by sonar than by stadimeter, once you get the hang of it.
The funny thing is, it shouldn't be like this. The real skippers avoided it, although at the academy they were instructed to attack by sonar only. Raising the periscope endangered your crew and boat each time you did it, just like it does nowadays.
Get to know the sonar-thingy provided to you by the glorious US navy. It's quite addictive  |
The one reason the sonar in-game is better than the stadimeter is it gives
exact data to the TDC/Position Keeper when "sent". In reality, the sonar target data gleaned was only as good as the operator who used it. But, in-game by zero'ing in on a target bearing, you'll get an accurate range down to the exact yard. Reality was never that good.
On the other hand, the in-game stadimeter is dependant on several factors to get an accurate "estimate" of range. The Recognition Manual has to have a fairly accurate "height" figure to produce a found range that's close. I took a look at the TMO 2.5 height figures and I see the Hiryu CV
still has the mast height at 20 meters. This height figure was in the stock 1.0 version for the Hiryu. At 1200 yards true distance the stadimeter is going to report a range of only 600 yards. Good luck in hitting the Hiryu unless you're so close you'll see the whites of their eye's! Another problem is the way the stadimeter "marks" a height figure. When you draw down the second images waterline to the height reference point, if you strike the mouse just one pixel line adjacent to the exact measured point, the found range can be about 10 yards off (depending on how far away you are from the target). 10 yards off if the target is at a true 1000 yards distance, much more at longer distances (up to 30/40 yards off at 2400 yards or so). Move the waterline off the reference points pixel line more, and you'll increase the error more. Just how wide is a pixel line on the scope screen? There are three pixel lines on each stock Telemeter Division marks. Three lines make up the dark hash marks, from the top side, to the bottom side of the line.
Speaking of the Telemeter Division lines, the ability to have the Telemeter Divisions accurately measure a target was not possible before the
Optical Targeting Correction mod. With the scopes providing an accurate field-of-view, and the telemeter divisions scaled to read that FoV, the gamer can use the scope to find range as they did in real life. Just another way to figure manual targeting solutions as the real life Captain's did. Actually I've noticed when using the Telemeter Divisions as a measuring tool and calculating the range through the Omnimeter, the range solution is
more accurate than the stadimeter (even with a fairly reasonable height dimension). Mainly due to the short comings of the stadimeter as the game has it.