Requesting Guidance - Pacific ETO Sub Sims

Hi, All!
I'm requesting some advice, from the other Members here ...

Background -- After enjoying "Silent Hunter II" for a while, I decided I wanted to experience the U.S. Silent Service in the Pacific Theater -- and to sorta "upgrade" from Microprose's "Silent Service 2" - lots of fun, but blocky graphics, etc. are sorta "dated," nowadays ...

I purchased "Silent Hunter 4," but was initially disappointed. They changed the interface substantially from "Silent Hunter II," and (IMHO) made it less intuitive, and less fun. I couldn't "carry over" most of what I became accustomed to in SH2. Yeah, the graphics are great, but if ya can't understand what you're doing [I still haven't experienced the "Observation Periscope" -- probably only available on certain sub models, but neither the Manual nor the "online" database tells me which ones, or what to do with it once I find it. And the lack of stats on the equipment modeled in-game is a real letdown], the "learning curve" sorta gets out of hand [and, I can certainly do without the new "Crew Management" function].

Anyway, I'm now looking at --
(1) The "bonus" modpack available here, for SH2, by the Pacific Aces team, that ostensibly offers the Pacific ETO within SH2;
[Yeah, I'm willing to contribute to this site, if that's what it takes]

(2) The "original" Silent Hunter [still available as a "free" download, various places];

I'm inclined [for various reasons, not necessarily associated with the games themselves] to opt for the "Bonus Pack" option for SH2 [and to support SubSims].
But, I'll await your responses -- or any other suggestions you Members might have -- before making any decisions.

Happy Gaming! And, thanks in advance.

DARoot