Stadimeter

Sea Sap · 12-08-09, 02:05 PM

I am right in saying that the game stadimeter is more difficult to use than the real thing was?

After doing some googling I discovered that real stadimeters worked in a similar way to a sextant and that rather than having to line up the waterline and then line up the masthead, the real stadimeter displayed two images of the ship one above the other and the commander merely had to line up the bottom of one image with the top of the other. One line instead of two, making it much easier in rough weather.

If the vets here confirm this as being correct then I'm considering allowing myself to pause the game whilst using the stadimeter in rough weather because I don't think the game should be more difficult than the real thing was.

What do others think about this?

Sailor Steve · 12-08-09, 02:08 PM

That is correct. SH4 actually works that way, and very well.

I just use WO assistance and don't worry about it. I do take a sighting every minute or two just to increase the chance of them spotting me, and decrease my guilty feelings over cheating.

Weiss Pinguin · 12-08-09, 02:24 PM

I used to enable WO assist, but the point blank convoy attacks made possible by it turned SHIII into too much of an FPS for me.

Now I just pause the game after lining up the stadimeter

Sailor Steve · 12-08-09, 02:27 PM

The way I play I don't see too much action anyway, so it feels real enough to me.

Another way to make the stadimeter work without pausing is to turn off No Stabilized view. That way the view through the periscope is always flat. Also not to real, but as good as anything else the game allows.

Weiss Pinguin · 12-08-09, 02:31 PM

Aye... if only we could mod some of SH4's features into SHIII... Maybe when we convince Ubi to release the SDK

Hitman · 12-08-09, 03:14 PM

In any case, the majority of periscopes just had a simple reticle and no stadimeter at all. I removed the whole thing from my own interface mod and use exclusively the reticle and a distance chart based on target's length and amount of lense covered by it. That allows quick estimations of distance when you are close -and is how it was done in real life many times.

Sailor Steve · 12-08-09, 04:17 PM

Aaannd, the guy who's done the most research and actually knows these things weighs in. Thanks, Hitman - it's always good to find out more.

psykopatsak · 12-09-09, 04:17 PM

i find the OLC mod much more sensible than the stock one. though i've got no idea if it is realistic in any way xD

12-08-09, 02:05 PM	#1
Sea Sap Seaman Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 42 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Stadimeter I am right in saying that the game stadimeter is more difficult to use than the real thing was? After doing some googling I discovered that real stadimeters worked in a similar way to a sextant and that rather than having to line up the waterline and then line up the masthead, the real stadimeter displayed two images of the ship one above the other and the commander merely had to line up the bottom of one image with the top of the other. One line instead of two, making it much easier in rough weather. If the vets here confirm this as being correct then I'm considering allowing myself to pause the game whilst using the stadimeter in rough weather because I don't think the game should be more difficult than the real thing was. What do others think about this?

12-08-09, 02:08 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	That is correct. SH4 actually works that way, and very well. I just use WO assistance and don't worry about it. I do take a sighting every minute or two just to increase the chance of them spotting me, and decrease my guilty feelings over cheating. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-08-09, 02:24 PM	#3
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	I used to enable WO assist, but the point blank convoy attacks made possible by it turned SHIII into too much of an FPS for me. Now I just pause the game after lining up the stadimeter __________________

12-08-09, 02:27 PM	#4
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	The way I play I don't see too much action anyway, so it feels real enough to me. Another way to make the stadimeter work without pausing is to turn off No Stabilized view. That way the view through the periscope is always flat. Also not to real, but as good as anything else the game allows. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-08-09, 02:31 PM	#5
Weiss Pinguin Ocean Warrior Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Auburn, Alabama Posts: 3,333 Downloads: 101 Uploads: 0	Aye... if only we could mod some of SH4's features into SHIII... Maybe when we convince Ubi to release the SDK __________________

12-08-09, 03:14 PM	#6
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	In any case, the majority of periscopes just had a simple reticle and no stadimeter at all. I removed the whole thing from my own interface mod and use exclusively the reticle and a distance chart based on target's length and amount of lense covered by it. That allows quick estimations of distance when you are close -and is how it was done in real life many times. __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

12-08-09, 04:17 PM	#7
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Aaannd, the guy who's done the most research and actually knows these things weighs in. Thanks, Hitman - it's always good to find out more. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-09-09, 04:17 PM	#8
psykopatsak Medic Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Grid AO27 Posts: 161 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 0	i find the OLC mod much more sensible than the stock one. though i've got no idea if it is realistic in any way xD