Why manual targeting???

[Saint19]

Hi all,

Of course being new to sub sims I've got lots to learn. I've been doing the tutorials. The "Torpedos" tutorial is fun. I've been trying to learn by using manual targeting as its described in the manual. You know...

1. Target Recognition
2. Range using the Stadiometer..
3. Angle on Bow - which I kinda understand
4. Speed using the chronometer.

However, I kinda wonder exactly why? I mean I want to learn because I find it very interesting. But in the grand scheme of things I'm not sure why I need to learn it. I've seen many posts with folks having problems with manual targeting. I'm not sure if I'm getting it because I can hit and sink ships. But I also miss quite a bit too.

Yet I see many posts and tutorials using the compass, the protractor, marking on the map....you see where I'm going. Am I not really doing "Manual" if I follow the way its written in the book? Afterall I have manual targeting selected. But in the tutorials all the torps are "straight away"...so why not just maneuver until I get 90 degrees off of the targets heading and wait to fire. I'm not sure why all the "calculations"?

I would love to understand so I can get the most out of the sim and learn things i never knew about before. I feel a since of achievement by learning. But if I was an actual sub captain, would I be doing ALL of those calculations? What is my crew for? I'm not sure I'm explaining myself very well....

1. Is the method I'm using from the book actually manual targeting?
2. ...or is all that "calculating" more about what manual targeting is even though it doesn't seem to be required for what the book is calling manual targeting?
3. Why would I use either if I have a crew?

Thanx for your help.

Saint19