Identifying nationality at night.

CTaardvark · 03-22-10, 01:58 PM

How do you identify what nationality ships are at night? I had this problem the other night whilst following a Cargo ship. No matter how close I got I could not make out the flag colours. I thought, "I know. I wonder if it'll be easier to make out if I surface". No it wasn't and then it opened fire on me. Doh!

Any tips?

Flopper · 03-22-10, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTaardvark

How do you identify what nationality ships are at night? I had this problem the other night whilst following a Cargo ship. No matter how close I got I could not make out the flag colours. I thought, "I know. I wonder if it'll be easier to make out if I surface". No it wasn't and then it opened fire on me. Doh!

Any tips?

I usually cheat and run the camera up as close as it can get. Sometimes I still can't make it out. I really wish our boats carried a hand held spotlight, cause I'd like to drive right up and shine a million candlepower right at it.

KL-alfman · 03-22-10, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flopper

I usually cheat and run the camera up as close as it can get.

+1

Hitman · 03-22-10, 02:09 PM

Real life Kaleuns had the same problems many times, so when in doubt do not shoot and simply move away or wait till dawn. If you are not interested in playing that realistically, then you can as well cheat with the external camera like already adviced

Pisces · 03-22-10, 02:24 PM

It's allways a guessing game. I know the real periscope had color filters (well, Hitman does

) that could enhance some contrast in the image. Perhaps the real Kaleun could try out different colors on the periscope and see how the flag looks in it. Maybe he could detect certain colored markings better in one and less in another. Then it's a matter of 'colorfull deduction'. But we don't really have that functionality in the game. There is a mod that allows color filterst. But doesn't allow different colors in the same game session.

melnibonian · 03-22-10, 02:24 PM

I say you fire the torpedo and let the red cross find out the outcome afterwards

On a serious note, you can also use the Light Flags Mod from here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...01&postcount=1

Good Luck

Pisces · 03-22-10, 02:36 PM

Oh yeah, another thing that might help. Make everything on the screen and around your playing environment as dark as possible. Your eyes cannot detect faint colors well enough if they are blinded out by bright objects.

Paul Riley · 03-22-10, 02:26 PM

What I normally do is try and get as far ahead (also moving along his observed course direction) of the vessel as possible at high speed then swing my UBoat round 90 degrees towards its course track (facing perpendicular) and then slam the anchors on 500-300m from its course,then submerge.I have found this distance is ideal for making out most flags at night,but colour identification can sometimes be difficult,ie:yellows can be hard to make out properly (I once got confused between a Romanian and French ship because of this).If at this point the vessel is valid I will go ahead with the attack.

IMPORTANT - dont get TOO close to the target,or your torpedo/es won't arm and they will harmlessly bounce off.You need at least 300m between you and your target for the torp to arm properly.

CTaardvark · 03-22-10, 02:39 PM

I learnt the 300m rule during the academy missions. It took me ages to realise why my torps were bouncing off hulls.

I also had a problem with crashing into ships! I'm getting better you know.

Flopper · 03-22-10, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hitman

Real life Kaleuns had the same problems many times, so when in doubt do not shoot and simply move away or wait till dawn. If you are not interested in playing that realistically, then you can as well cheat with the external camera like already adviced

I normally play at 100% minus free cam and stabilize view. I like to have that outside camera for sightseeing, as there's a tremendous amount i've never seen. But I must admit, unless it's checked to be off, it's an almost unbearable temptation to gain an advantage as the going gets tough.

I really wish there was a mode where I could leave it off but then view a replay of the whole mission with the free camera available, for screen shot oportunities, etc.

I do believe my night vision is better than the game gives me credit for... we're not spelunking, for cryin' outloud.

CTaardvark · 03-22-10, 02:08 PM

Crafty. A sort of tube launched camera drone. Definitley authentic.

Reverie · 03-22-10, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTaardvark

How do you identify what nationality ships are at night? I had this problem the other night whilst following a Cargo ship. No matter how close I got I could not make out the flag colours. I thought, "I know. I wonder if it'll be easier to make out if I surface". No it wasn't and then it opened fire on me. Doh!

Any tips?

Your Watch Officer on the bridge will validate a Target for you when asked.

Reverie

klh · 03-22-10, 08:25 PM

Early in the war, or in open water, I try to time my attacks at dawn or dusk in order to make a proper identification. Trying to detect a flag color in the pitch dark of night is nearly impossible.

After the US joins the war, I usually figure that anything without running lights going to or coming from the UK must be hostile. A risk, yes, but what's war without a little risk. (P.S. don't tell BdU)

Capt. Teach · 03-22-10, 09:30 PM

I don't know what The Reich's take is on it .... and I don't know what other Captains do ... I can only tell you what I do ...

I am the Captain of my vessel ... when I park off the Englander's coast ... and they are heading for it ... as far as I am concerned ... they are one of three types ... an enemy, a neutral, or an ally.

If an enemy, then my decision is made. LOS!
If a neutral, then they should know better than to enter a war zone. LOS!
If an ally, then there is only two reasons to be steaming to England ... they are traitors ... LOS!
or .... they are stupid and shouldn't be allowed to represent the Kriegsmarine. LOS!

Seriously though, make your best guess ... I can't see them either.

Paul Riley · 03-23-10, 03:13 AM

Last night heading through the channel I accidentally sank a Romanian merchant,I was convinced it was a bloody French swine.
Be VERY careful if you find yourself in the same situation,yellow is difficult to make out and could be mistaken for white at night.

03-22-10, 01:58 PM	#1
CTaardvark Watch Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Horsham, UK. Posts: 26 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Identifying nationality at night. How do you identify what nationality ships are at night? I had this problem the other night whilst following a Cargo ship. No matter how close I got I could not make out the flag colours. I thought, "I know. I wonder if it'll be easier to make out if I surface". No it wasn't and then it opened fire on me. Doh! Any tips?

03-22-10, 02:09 PM	#4
Hitman Pacific Aces Dev Team Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Spain Posts: 6,109 Downloads: 109 Uploads: 2	Real life Kaleuns had the same problems many times, so when in doubt do not shoot and simply move away or wait till dawn. If you are not interested in playing that realistically, then you can as well cheat with the external camera like already adviced __________________ One day I will return to sea ...

03-22-10, 02:24 PM	#5
Pisces Silent Hunter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: AN9771 Posts: 4,904 Downloads: 304 Uploads: 0	It's allways a guessing game. I know the real periscope had color filters (well, Hitman does ) that could enhance some contrast in the image. Perhaps the real Kaleun could try out different colors on the periscope and see how the flag looks in it. Maybe he could detect certain colored markings better in one and less in another. Then it's a matter of 'colorfull deduction'. But we don't really have that functionality in the game. There is a mod that allows color filterst. But doesn't allow different colors in the same game session. __________________ My site downloads: https://ricojansen.nl/downloads

03-22-10, 02:24 PM	#6
melnibonian Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reading UK Posts: 3,473 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	I say you fire the torpedo and let the red cross find out the outcome afterwards On a serious note, you can also use the Light Flags Mod from here http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...01&postcount=1 Good Luck __________________ http://www.thegreywolves.com/ http://wolvesatwar.com/ Download GWX and other goodies: http://hosted.filefront.com/melnibonian

03-22-10, 02:36 PM	#7
Pisces Silent Hunter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: AN9771 Posts: 4,904 Downloads: 304 Uploads: 0	Oh yeah, another thing that might help. Make everything on the screen and around your playing environment as dark as possible. Your eyes cannot detect faint colors well enough if they are blinded out by bright objects. __________________ My site downloads: https://ricojansen.nl/downloads

03-22-10, 02:26 PM	#8
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	What I normally do is try and get as far ahead (also moving along his observed course direction) of the vessel as possible at high speed then swing my UBoat round 90 degrees towards its course track (facing perpendicular) and then slam the anchors on 500-300m from its course,then submerge.I have found this distance is ideal for making out most flags at night,but colour identification can sometimes be difficult,ie:yellows can be hard to make out properly (I once got confused between a Romanian and French ship because of this).If at this point the vessel is valid I will go ahead with the attack. IMPORTANT - dont get TOO close to the target,or your torpedo/es won't arm and they will harmlessly bounce off.You need at least 300m between you and your target for the torp to arm properly. __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes

03-22-10, 02:39 PM	#9
CTaardvark Watch Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Horsham, UK. Posts: 26 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I learnt the 300m rule during the academy missions. It took me ages to realise why my torps were bouncing off hulls. I also had a problem with crashing into ships! I'm getting better you know.

03-22-10, 02:08 PM	#11
CTaardvark Watch Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Horsham, UK. Posts: 26 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Crafty. A sort of tube launched camera drone. Definitley authentic.

03-22-10, 08:25 PM	#13
klh Der Alte Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 227 Downloads: 200 Uploads: 0	Early in the war, or in open water, I try to time my attacks at dawn or dusk in order to make a proper identification. Trying to detect a flag color in the pitch dark of night is nearly impossible. After the US joins the war, I usually figure that anything without running lights going to or coming from the UK must be hostile. A risk, yes, but what's war without a little risk. (P.S. don't tell BdU)

03-22-10, 09:30 PM	#14
Capt. Teach Gunner Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: U-64, Generally Posts: 94 Downloads: 70 Uploads: 1	I don't know what The Reich's take is on it .... and I don't know what other Captains do ... I can only tell you what I do ... I am the Captain of my vessel ... when I park off the Englander's coast ... and they are heading for it ... as far as I am concerned ... they are one of three types ... an enemy, a neutral, or an ally. If an enemy, then my decision is made. LOS! If a neutral, then they should know better than to enter a war zone. LOS! If an ally, then there is only two reasons to be steaming to England ... they are traitors ... LOS! or .... they are stupid and shouldn't be allowed to represent the Kriegsmarine. LOS! Seriously though, make your best guess ... I can't see them either. __________________ Death? I'm not afraid of death, its the last few seconds of life that scare the hell out of me. Last edited by Capt. Teach; 03-22-10 at 09:51 PM.

03-23-10, 03:13 AM	#15
Paul Riley Ocean Warrior Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Sheffield, England Posts: 2,679 Downloads: 165 Uploads: 0	Last night heading through the channel I accidentally sank a Romanian merchant,I was convinced it was a bloody French swine. Be VERY careful if you find yourself in the same situation,yellow is difficult to make out and could be mistaken for white at night. __________________ Best Patrol: 10 merchants + HMS Nelson for 68.056 Tonnes