Fog & Periscope

[bcarter3]

I'm running v1.4 with only the NSM mod (sinking mod - but y'all know that) and I just had a mission where I was practically blind. It was raining, and I had a large composite tanker 15 degrees off my starboard bow at around 930yds. Normally this wouldn't be a problem, but on this occasion not only could I not view it through the periscope (both normal and zoomed), but my periscope also didn't update the location on the navigation map. When I rose to radar depth (~34ft) they popped on the map in exactly the place I expected them to be. What really amused me was that I could see the reflection of the bridge from the tanker in the water - just couldnt see the tanker. When I crept into 700 yds it came into visual.

Now, I have no problem with fog / rain being modelled, and I can overlook the reflection showing even if the ship itself doesnt, but can somebody explain why the periscope didnt update the map? I didn't realize the periscope map marking was weather dependant.

It was also at this point that I kicked myself for being on easy mode. If I had manual targeting I could have taken that sucker out even without visual, because I knew where his nasty lil smoke stack was in the water. Without being able to get a visual and "lock" the TDC I had no solution and it wouldnt let me crank out a manual one. Oh well .. so is the life of a bilge rat

[peewee]

I had exactly the same situation tonight but I was in manual targetting mode and also on the surface (it was night time and raining cats and dogs) I got within about 500 yds of the target and simply pointed the sub at it and hit the enter key..........result, a 'one torp' sinking......and boy did it look cool when it blew up....the only fly in the ointment was, he got one hit with his stern deck gun and caused 5% hull damage......right at the start of a patrol to the south china sea.........no deep diving to evade escorts for me, I'm thinking........

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

You have to remember that visual contact is what's at play here and maybe sonar. I can't recall but sounds are affected by heavy fog. I had that problem some time ago and it was in a harbor. I had to move real close like 100 yards or so before my Deck Gun crew got a good sighting.

[bcarter3]

I had one of those little light bulb moments after I posted this. As I lay awake in bed thinking about all things submarine, it suddenly dawned on me that I didnt have some form of magical radar in my periscope. It seems obvious now, but I realized it was connected to visual range - like duh <smacks head>. It actually all made sense at that point - if I couldnt see it by looking through it, then of course it wouldnt update the map.

I think this is one situation where being new to sub sims in general, and playing on easy mode can lead to assumptions and "dangerous" / "bad" play habits. Due to the fact that the periscope had been plotting on the map I had assumed that it was a mini radar (after all, it acted like one). Net result is that I have been relying on it way too much, and running with it up more than I should be - hence developing a bad habit for when I increase difficulty.

Still, on the up side I'm learning more and more each day I'm about at the point where I'm going to up the difficulty - maybe even start playing with manual targeting and join the big boys.

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

Man, after we tell him THEN he get's the idea in his head. Boy, Bilge Rats, you gotta love them!:rotfl:

Anyway, good luck and keep getting the experience.

[bcarter3]

Yeah I know, but hey I gotta claim some credit somewhere - its hard on us lil rats down here

Anyhoo, thank for the pointer - even if it was after I figured it out

[DavyJonesFootlocker]

We at SubSim aim to please.