Manual TDC - Range is a problem

[Reece]

Hi, I have come a long way & now have no problems calculating AOB manually & using the wheel confirms the result. The big problem is the stadimeter, to calculate the course I need the range & preferably from a distace to get 2 or more plots, I was having so much trouble that I changed realism to update map just to check out if calculations are correct, they are way out!! Using zoom & trying to set the height is the problem I think, I'm sure I'm doing everything correctly, I wonder, since I'm using over 80 mods, if the zoom has been changed & not correct, I know there are mods to change this, could this be a problem & if so what files do I look for to remove/fix?
Is there another way to calculate the range just to set the course, I assume I will still have to use the stadimeter to be able to "automate" the TDC, I noted that pressing the manual swith, the TDC is no longer functioning, can I change the range here the press switch back again?
So far after several hours I have only made 1 hit & that is probably a fluke!
I can make the calculations in plenty of time now but the range is always way out!
Many thanks.
Reece.

[Corsair]

Welcome to the club...
I would think for all people using manual TDC the range is the most problematic to estimate. This is why I try never to shoot from more than 1000 m (and preferably less) so that the range error translates in a non precise hit. From longer distances the probabilities of total miss are too much.

[Jazer]

I'm a recently new Manual Shooter myself. When possible I rely on my Watch Officer to give me the ranges. As previously stated I try to as well stay within the 500 meter mark when lining up shots. The closer you are to the target the less chance of a miss. I don't believe there is any way around finding the range without the stadimeter. Hey, that's life. The real skippers had the same problems, that's what makes this so fun!

[Corsair]

If you use the range from watch officer it helps. Problem is that it doesn't work in NYGM or GWX, the guy just give you the bearing and short, medium or long distance......

[Trygvasson]

I use the watch officer to give me 'closest visual contact' range and bearing at 3 min 15 sec intervals, and mark them out on the map. This gives me speed, range and bearing, everything I need to get 500 m and at 90 deg from the projected path of my target. I then manually insert range and AOB, and wait for the target to approach. At a full stop, I can risk raising my scope and take a close-up stadimeter range finding if I feel that my position is not ideal. At +/- 1000m the stadimeter is accurate enough to give you a good range estimate. Remember, you can use the observation scope's 4.5 magnification if you feel that the 10x mag of the attack scope is not the best for the situation.

- but the best target is a non-moving target. I am currently betting the lives of 50 German sailors that Southend is nod properly defended. Fette Beute!

[Reece]

I've never actually tried the Obsevation scope Trygvasson, I'll certainly give it a go, I thought the Stadimeter is not useable here, but will find out!
I have been using the quick 90 method, seems like you do as well, but wanted to try with other angles, I have always had the watch officer reports turned off, I would prefer to use without, to keep realism up, but if all else fails may have to!
Does anyone know the files, or the name of mod that may change the zoom factor to a different magnification that will effect the range making it useless? this may be the problem I have, & if so, nothing will help!
Summing it up:
To try & plot a course, requires atleast 2 range/bearing calculations & placed on the map then draw a line, this would be near impossable if the ship is too close (around 1km) to then get AOB/Speed to set up the TDC, I just get a brain strain!:rotfl:
Any other hints welcome.