How the heck do you get range readings at night/ bad weath?

tmdgm · 02-14-08, 12:44 AM

Alright, needless to say I've just about had this manual targeting crap. How the hell are you supposed to get anywhere near accurate range readings at anything beyond 2000m at night or rough seas. I must be missing something because both my sonar and my periscope were telling me they were coming right at me. Maybe he swerved, cuz that's sure what it looked like from my range readings. here's another question, if I have that green/red detection sub indicator active, does it stay green if a merchant sees your scope and changes direction? I swear, he was heading right towards me and he just turned away. Couldn't keep up. WTF?!?!?

Either way, my range readings suck. Without a doubt. Sure, daytime smooth weather, it works. but night/rough seas, moderate visibility. It blows. Might as well f-in go home. Is there any tips I'm missing to getting accurate range readings? If not, I'm back to auto targeting. At least it was fun.

Gezur(Arbeit) · 02-14-08, 02:24 AM

Range isnt as important as the speed and the AOB. Well it makes it a challenge

Sailor Steve · 02-14-08, 02:29 AM

It's the same problem they had in real life. When it's that dark, I try to get close and make a straight shot.

Also, when it's that dark they shouldn't be seeing you at all.

joegrundman · 02-14-08, 03:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmdgm

Maybe he swerved, cuz that's sure what it looked like from my range readings.

He changed course, huh? How very inconsiderate of him.

XLjedi · 02-14-08, 08:57 AM

All you need to know is target speed and heading. You don't even need to make visual contact.

In foul weather you can hit ships at 1500m and then easily follow them by the glowing fire on their decks. Whether or not this is a realistic tactic is another debate...

Puster Bill · 02-14-08, 09:17 AM

Sailor Steve is right, it's the same problem they had back then, so just embrace the suck and get on with sinking ships.

One little hint, though:

On the surface, if you have a rough idea where the target might be, you can lock on to them. When you do that, you can ask the Watch Officer for range and bearing to the closest target. I tend to do that in the dark and/or bad weather.

Laufen zum Ziel · 02-14-08, 01:50 PM

I do the same as Puster Bill. I also go to torpedo control and increase the range setting till the Hydro line touches the target.

Rough Meere und dunkle Nächte saugen

02-14-08, 12:44 AM	#1
tmdgm Engineer Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 219 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	How the heck do you get range readings at night/ bad weath? Alright, needless to say I've just about had this manual targeting crap. How the hell are you supposed to get anywhere near accurate range readings at anything beyond 2000m at night or rough seas. I must be missing something because both my sonar and my periscope were telling me they were coming right at me. Maybe he swerved, cuz that's sure what it looked like from my range readings. here's another question, if I have that green/red detection sub indicator active, does it stay green if a merchant sees your scope and changes direction? I swear, he was heading right towards me and he just turned away. Couldn't keep up. WTF?!?!? Either way, my range readings suck. Without a doubt. Sure, daytime smooth weather, it works. but night/rough seas, moderate visibility. It blows. Might as well f-in go home. Is there any tips I'm missing to getting accurate range readings? If not, I'm back to auto targeting. At least it was fun.

02-14-08, 02:29 AM	#3
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	It's the same problem they had in real life. When it's that dark, I try to get close and make a straight shot. Also, when it's that dark they shouldn't be seeing you at all. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

02-14-08, 08:57 AM	#5
XLjedi Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 1,243 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 8	All you need to know is target speed and heading. You don't even need to make visual contact. In foul weather you can hit ships at 1500m and then easily follow them by the glowing fire on their decks. Whether or not this is a realistic tactic is another debate... __________________

02-14-08, 09:17 AM	#6
Puster Bill Grey Wolf Join Date: May 2006 Location: BA8758, or FN33eh for my fellow hams. Posts: 833 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sailor Steve is right, it's the same problem they had back then, so just embrace the suck and get on with sinking ships. One little hint, though: On the surface, if you have a rough idea where the target might be, you can lock on to them. When you do that, you can ask the Watch Officer for range and bearing to the closest target. I tend to do that in the dark and/or bad weather. __________________ The U-Boat Commander of Love

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02-14-08, 02:24 AM	#2
Gezur(Arbeit) Soundman Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 149 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Range isnt as important as the speed and the AOB. Well it makes it a challenge

02-14-08, 01:50 PM	#7
Laufen zum Ziel Eternal Patrol Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Hiding on the bottom Posts: 1,783 Downloads: 853 Uploads: 457	I do the same as Puster Bill. I also go to torpedo control and increase the range setting till the Hydro line touches the target. Rough Meere und dunkle Nächte saugen