Help with target speed estimation.

wrrichard · 05-14-07, 10:51 AM

I must admit I've always played with some ingame targeting help. I am learning full manual targeting now. I have figured out ranging, identification, and AOB. The real hard part for me is target speed estimation. I've read a lot of ways to calculate target speed, but none of them have seemed like a good way for me. I've been using half their max speed for the most part and doing okay, but not great. I'm also getting pretty close before firing.
Do any of you have any thumbrules or quick estimates that you use?

Chock · 05-14-07, 10:58 AM

A quick, but not very scientific one is observing the bow wave.

btaft · 05-14-07, 10:59 AM

I like HItman's approach of measuring the time it takes for the vessel to pass the same spot in the scope. It is much quicker than the 3 minute rule and is not dependent upon getting a good range reading. Getting close is always a good thing because it minimizes the effect of any inaccuracies in your solution. I would recommend keeping "map contacts on" so that you can check your solution on the attack map to see how good you are getting

Good Luck!

Hitman · 05-14-07, 11:08 AM

Thanks for the comment, though I think it would be worth noting that this method has been around for a long time; I did not invent it. My tutorial was just about the methods I use, the only of those I personally "invented" is the aspect ratio determination of the AOB

, but germans in WW2 used something similar (Though I learnt about it later:hmm: )

vindex · 05-14-07, 11:51 AM

With radar, I measure the distance the ship travels in 6 minutes. Then multiply by 10 and you have your knots/hour. Very convenient, if you have the time to observe.

If you have map contacts on, it's fairly easy to see whether the solution is tracking with the target, and adjust the speed accordingly. I also use the speed to adjust the solution so that it is centered on the target.

Bilge_Rat · 05-14-07, 05:15 PM

There are various methods, I use:

1. if the contact was reported by radio, the report includes the speed or speed range;

2. if you have enough time use the 3 minute rule to get an estimated speed;

3. if you are short on time, guestimate a speed, I sually start with 8 kts for merchant/convoys; 15 kts for warships;

4. plug in estimated speed in Position Keeper and refine to final speed;

5. if all else fails, setup for a snapshot as the target crosses you bow.

MaciejK · 05-15-07, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilge_Rat

There are various methods, I use:

1. if the contact was reported by radio, the report includes the speed or speed range;

2. if you have enough time use the 3 minute rule to get an estimated speed;

3. if you are short on time, guestimate a speed, I sually start with 8 kts for merchant/convoys; 15 kts for warships;

4. plug in estimated speed in Position Keeper and refine to final speed;

5. if all else fails, setup for a snapshot as the target crosses you bow.

Could someone explain the 3 minute rule?

zanzo · 05-15-07, 05:21 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong, boys and girls, but am I the only one who has never had the speed calculation done by the Data Tool? No matter how long I wait after clicking on the Chronometer button in the Data Tool then clicking to send to the TDC the speed is always "00". It doesn't work with the standard game, doesn't work with the 1.02 patch and doesn't work with Real Fleet Boat. It's no great drama to do it with various other methods, but wouldn't it be nice if it worked (for once) just as they explained in the manual?

Can anyone help me/clarify this for me, please?

daft · 05-15-07, 06:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zanzo

Correct me if I'm wrong, boys and girls, but am I the only one who has never had the speed calculation done by the Data Tool? No matter how long I wait after clicking on the Chronometer button in the Data Tool then clicking to send to the TDC the speed is always "00". It doesn't work with the standard game, doesn't work with the 1.02 patch and doesn't work with Real Fleet Boat. It's no great drama to do it with various other methods, but wouldn't it be nice if it worked (for once) just as they explained in the manual?

Can anyone help me/clarify this for me, please?

The chronometer is broken unfortunately. It's a known bug, and hopefully it'll be fixed in 1.3.

05-14-07, 10:51 AM	#1
wrrichard Swabbie Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10 Downloads: 29 Uploads: 0	Help with target speed estimation. I must admit I've always played with some ingame targeting help. I am learning full manual targeting now. I have figured out ranging, identification, and AOB. The real hard part for me is target speed estimation. I've read a lot of ways to calculate target speed, but none of them have seemed like a good way for me. I've been using half their max speed for the most part and doing okay, but not great. I'm also getting pretty close before firing. Do any of you have any thumbrules or quick estimates that you use?

05-14-07, 11:08 AM	#4
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Thanks for the comment, though I think it would be worth noting that this method has been around for a long time; I did not invent it. My tutorial was just about the methods I use, the only of those I personally "invented" is the aspect ratio determination of the AOB , but germans in WW2 used something similar (Though I learnt about it later:hmm: ) __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

05-15-07, 05:21 AM	#8
zanzo Nub Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Chronometer and speed calculation Correct me if I'm wrong, boys and girls, but am I the only one who has never had the speed calculation done by the Data Tool? No matter how long I wait after clicking on the Chronometer button in the Data Tool then clicking to send to the TDC the speed is always "00". It doesn't work with the standard game, doesn't work with the 1.02 patch and doesn't work with Real Fleet Boat. It's no great drama to do it with various other methods, but wouldn't it be nice if it worked (for once) just as they explained in the manual? Can anyone help me/clarify this for me, please?

05-14-07, 10:58 AM	#2
Chock Sea Lord Join Date: May 2005 Location: Under a thermal layer in chilly Olde England Posts: 1,842 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	A quick, but not very scientific one is observing the bow wave.

05-14-07, 10:59 AM	#3
btaft Soundman Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 147 Downloads: 18 Uploads: 0	I like HItman's approach of measuring the time it takes for the vessel to pass the same spot in the scope. It is much quicker than the 3 minute rule and is not dependent upon getting a good range reading. Getting close is always a good thing because it minimizes the effect of any inaccuracies in your solution. I would recommend keeping "map contacts on" so that you can check your solution on the attack map to see how good you are getting Good Luck!

05-14-07, 11:51 AM	#5
vindex Planesman Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 192 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	With radar, I measure the distance the ship travels in 6 minutes. Then multiply by 10 and you have your knots/hour. Very convenient, if you have the time to observe. If you have map contacts on, it's fairly easy to see whether the solution is tracking with the target, and adjust the speed accordingly. I also use the speed to adjust the solution so that it is centered on the target.

05-14-07, 05:15 PM	#6
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,855 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	There are various methods, I use: 1. if the contact was reported by radio, the report includes the speed or speed range; 2. if you have enough time use the 3 minute rule to get an estimated speed; 3. if you are short on time, guestimate a speed, I sually start with 8 kts for merchant/convoys; 15 kts for warships; 4. plug in estimated speed in Position Keeper and refine to final speed; 5. if all else fails, setup for a snapshot as the target crosses you bow.