[Safe-Keeper]

OK, everyone who's played Silent Hunter III knows how hard it is to set accurate courses, etc. with the gauges. For a long time I wanted to be able to just click on the number below the gauge and type in the number I wanted. But then I had this idea: Ordering accurate headings, speeds and depths by holding a keyboard "hot-key" and then typing the value in. A simple, easy, time-effective way to do it.

For example:
H+150: Set heading to 150°.
S+3: Set speed to 3 knots.
D+90: Set depth to 90 metres (or feet, seeing it's a US-theatres game?).

And while I'm at it, some advanced options, such as:
C+110: Crash-dive to 110 metres.
E+300: Engage target with deck gun at 300 metres.
F+50: Engage aircraft with flak at 50 metres.
Shift+1-9: Set throttle of port propeller(s).
Control+1-9: Set throttle of starboard propeller(s).

In effect (examples):
● Holding "H" while typing "0" sets course to Due North (0°).
● To execute a sharp turn, hit "5", then "Shift+5" to set the engines to flank speed and the starboard engine to full stop.

What do you think (about the idea in general. The choice of buttons might be less than perfect:p)?

Another suggestion: Split the "Blow Ballast" order in two: "Blow Ballast" (which blows and nothing else), and "Emergency Surface", which blows ballast tanks, sets new depth to zero, and sets engines to Ahead Flank.

Or, of course, you could hold the "Blow Ballast" hot key and type in a number to blow ballast and try to go to that depth.

On cornishman's ideas:

Better ship sinking noises with hull compartments booming like AOTD.

Really. That'd be great.

Marine life

Yup, and not just the sounds either, but actual models (for dolphins, whales, etc.) and sprites (for fish, sea-stars and the likes). When I saw those dolphins in Grey wolves, I realized how much this'd add to the atmosphere. And maybe truly inexperienced sonar people could mistake certain marine life for actual contacts?

Better gramophone capabilities, one that doesn't crash to desktop would be nice.

Excellent put!

A realistic navigation mode, shooting stars and sun and stuff. I've wanted this in a naval sim forever and a day.

And a dynamic lighting-aurora borealis, in various strenghts and shape. Picture your boat near Alaska under the green curtains of the Northern Light...

No instant ship sunk message, at least wait for it to have sunk a reasonable way or hit bottom.

Make it realistic and I'm happy.

A good large detailed NAUTICAL printed map of the era would be nice, even if it was for a special edition version. Still have mine from AOTD.

Improving the look of the charts wouldn't hurt the least bit.

A printed ship recognition manual and one of those slide rule wheely things. I know I'm pushing my luck here, but again in a special edition version for the hardcore guys. And no, I don't want a blummin t-shirt.

More documentation would be nice, as would a Commander's edition. A printed recognition manual might be pushing your luck, though. I think it's better to ask for a table with the stats of all the ships or something?