What´s with the observation periscope?

[JCB]

I suppose in RL it would be bigger, fatter, and have more room for light sensitive optics, making it better for , well..., observation. But is there any point in using it in the game? To me it looks very much the same, but with less magification. Does it help on spotting?
An ongoing noob, I know...

[vedrand]

I believe the only advantage it offers you in the game, is that it covers a higher angle above the coning tower, so you actually can see an airplane if it is directly above you.

In OLC the obs. persicope has a much wider field of view, and I find it a lot easier to do things like spot flags etc

[Grayson02sept1980]

Originally Posted by Wibbs

In OLC the obs. persicope has a much wider field of view, and I find it a lot easier to do things like spot flags etc

and it also is brighter at night than the attack peri imho... but maybe I am wrong 'bout this.

[Brag]

I use it before surfacing and at night in beginning of convoy attack. Easier to spot targets and aircraft.

[bertle]

In stock it seemed that the enemy didn't see it as often as the attack scope. I have no idea if it's the same in GWX, I generally don't risk it anyway.

[Sailor Steve]

Also, it was in the control room for ease of use. If you play hyper-realistic you'll use it a lot, even if not using OLC-GUI. I mean this: like a real kaleun, I'm not going to climb into the conning tower, sit in the saddle, and then look through the attack scope - all different screens if you play that way - when I can just look through the observation scope, which is right there.

[papa_smurf]

I use the obs scope before surfacing/looking for aircraft. And to identify targets at long range (round 5-6km). Then I switch to attack scope for the attack run.

[MarkShot]

When making submerged attacks as you set up with the attack scope for AOB 90 shot, there is always a risk having your sub get run over by some merchant on your flank.

I tend to leave the observation scope just raised so that I can look through the water and set it for 90/270 degrees relative. I play with very clear water. So, it provides a quick safety check if I am in danger of collision. Usually, the first indication is the ability to screw noises directly through the hull itself.

[Fusek]

When you play with very clear water, its also nice for spotting mines and nets. But not very realistic

[Elmer Kosterman]

You'll be glad it's there if your attack periscope gets knocked out.

[Grayson02sept1980]

Originally Posted by Elmer Kosterman

You'll be glad it's there if your attack periscope gets knocked out.

...mhh... not with OLC's Gui

[Kaleu. Jochen Mohr]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Also, it was in the control room for ease of use. If you play hyper-realistic you'll use it a lot, even if not using OLC-GUI. I mean this: like a real kaleun, I'm not going to climb into the conning tower, sit in the saddle, and then look through the attack scope - all different screens if you play that way - when I can just look through the observation scope, which is right there.

not in the IX's, its in the tower to

[JCB]

I see. Good tip about the elevation (for spotting aircraft). Will the view actually appear brighter at nighttime with the observation periscope than attac per. in game or is it just a trick of the eye?

[siber]

I'll tell you what. Using the observation periscope for running attacks really increased my chance of hitting/killing merchants.

Once my attack scope malfunctioned (courtesy of JScones!) and simply presented a blurry image. This forced me to use the observation scope when I ran into a convoy. Because the magnification was only 6x rather than 10x, I found myself getting closer to my target, meaning that my plotted solutions were generally more accurate. I think only one torp missed out of 14 that patrol, and that was a wild, strange AOB angle while the convoy starts weaving, kind of shot.

Try it! You might be surprised!