[REQ] A real difference between observation and attack periscopes

[fireship4]

Currently they are identical. I have read that the observation had a wider field of view and lower magnification, and the attack had the opposite.

It would be cool to remove the current ability to "zoom in" and make you have to switch between them when appropriate.

I dont know but the observation periscope may not have had any tageting lines either, to make it easier to spot things.

[LukeFF]

Both periscopes had the same magnification settings: 1.5x and 6.0x.

[mrbeast]

The observation scope did indeed have a wider field of view, it had a larger head to go with it, hence it was not as stealthy as the attack scope. It could be tilted to look strait up if needs be to allow for better observations of air activity. Its larger apperture gave it better night vision than the attack scope so it was sometimes also refered to as the 'night scope'. would be cool if this could be added to game, the obs scope was better for submerged attacks at night. The only draw back to using the obs scope was that it was not connected to the TDC and any bearings etc had to be called out and entered manually into the computer. Both had the same zoom settings of 1.5x and 6.0x. Both also had targeting lines, though they may not have been the same. I'm not sure but I think the obs scope was also fitted with a radar range finder later in the war.

[panthercules]

Check out this old thread for a detailed discussion of both types of scopes - there's a lot of misunderstanding/misinformation about the relationship of the attack scope to the observation scope (as you can see from the early posts in the thread below, I suffered from some of this confusion myself). I think part of it stems from the differences between the US and German scope mechanics, and the fact that people tend to think about SH3 and import those concepts into SH4:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=115958

The "aha" moment for me during that discussion is detailed in post 11 of that thread, as follows:

Intriguing link - that manual clearly indicates that at least those particular US scopes used the same magnification levels (1.5x and 6x) for both the attack scope and the obs/night scope. I really thought I had seen somewhere that the US used the same approach as the Germans did (reducing magnification) to get more light into their obs/night scope, but from that manual it looks like they didn't. I'll have to see if I can find what I'd found before that made me think that.

Of course, if the magnification levels are the same it would make more sense for the images in the obs scope not to be smaller than the attack scope, like I was thinking they should be. One thing that was weird - from that manual, it looked like it was actually the attack scope that was able to tilt higher and look for planes, and not the obs scope (like it was in the German scopes, apparently) - that would actually seem to make more sense, given that the obs/night scope would be used at night (when planes would be less likely to be up there to spot) and the attack scope (being smaller) would leave less of a wake and be less likely to be spotted by the planes you were trying to spot with it.

Hope that helps - good luck and good hunting!

[mcarlsonus]

...the observation scope DID have a lower magnification than the attack. The whole purpose was to use that scope as a "high observation" piece, or to enhance night vision. Such captains as Fluckey and O'Kane (my hero! - and the reason I'm here today. He and the Tang rescued my Naval Aviator Dad from the drink!) used it constantly as "one more eye."

This 'scope does have a wider field of view and is certainly NOT stealthy! And, by the way, Capt. O'Kane swore by 7x50 binoculars and built additional watch stations onto the Tang's superstructure.

[THE_MASK]

Well i am playing with RFB 1.31 + Run silent run deep mod and the difference is that i can only use the observation scope to take recon photos . So there is a difference there for a start .

[ATR-42]

Originally Posted by mcarlsonus

and the reason I'm here today. He and the Tang rescued my Naval Aviator Dad from the drink!) used it constantly as "one more eye."

That is AWESOME!

what a ride home that must have been for your dad!

[mcarlsonus]

...Capt. O'Kane's policy was to put absolutely everyone to work, whether regular crew, or downed airmen. My father was tasked with some kind of communication with various and sundry air patrols in the area and was consulted on coordinating with the "zoomies" to effect (you know...) the maximum amount of harrassment and damage to the enemy.
He left the Tang when it docked, but remained a great admirer of "Dick" and stated he'd never eaten so well in all his time in the service. Further, he enjoyed the ice cream machine that the good Captain had, literally, pilfered off a cruiser that was in for heavy overhaul.
God bless 'em and keep 'em, that Great Generation (and this one too!)

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by mcarlsonus

...the observation scope DID have a lower magnification than the attack. The whole purpose was to use that scope as a "high observation" piece, or to enhance night vision. Such captains as Fluckey and O'Kane (my hero! - and the reason I'm here today. He and the Tang rescued my Naval Aviator Dad from the drink!) used it constantly as "one more eye."

This 'scope does have a wider field of view and is certainly NOT stealthy! And, by the way, Capt. O'Kane swore by 7x50 binoculars and built additional watch stations onto the Tang's superstructure.

According to the actual manual, both scopes have the same power:
http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/pscope/index.htm
http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/pscope/chap4a.htm#4A
http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/pscope/chap6a.htm#6A
http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/pscope/chap7a.htm#7A

Also note that the maximum elevation of the 91KA4OT / 1.41HA Observation Periscope is 74.5 degrees, not 85 or "straight up" as has been stated on other threads.