[John Pancoast]

Some test results. All with stock GWX sensor files and GWX 16k environment. No other mods other than H.sie patch as below. *Sh3 Commander was not used in any tests.
GWX SC7 single mission.

1. No H.sie night vision applied. Stock GWX sensors.cfg file.
- I was able to graphically see ships immediately on mission start.
- AI crew first spotted them/announced same at 13k.

2. H.sie night vision patch applied. No change to GWX sensors.cfg file.
- same as #1 above.

3. H.sie night vision patch applied. GWX sensors.cfg file modified per his default instructions.
- Same as #1 above for my vision.
- AI crew ranges increased to 14 -15k. The slightly increased AI range would be due to the changes to the sensors.cfg file per H.sie's.instructions.

*Since no tests involved SH3 Commander, that rules out it's malfunctions/sabotage option being the cause of the long distance night vision in this mission.

15k meters = 9.3 miles.

There are examples in Blair's books of escorts seeing a sub (!) at around these distances at night so I guess it's not unreasonable for the opposite to happen.
That of course is assuming the escort skipper's report info. was correct; didn't have range wrong, not exaggerating, etc.

Anyway, it may be just a case of "it is what it is" regardless of whether it's "realistic" or not. I also believe I would get similar results in NYGM with a similar test scenario.
In other words, I don't believe this is solely a GWX specific item. More of an Sh3 one.

Hope this helps.