Recognizing flags at night?

I have a couple of questions actually, but my main problem now is recognizing flags at night.

I currently run these mods environment mods:
Thomsen's Water V4
SH3MoonMod
GWX 3.0Gold

First of all, the night is pitch black, and I have no searchlight (that I'm aware of) so identifying flags on ships is impossible at night.
I do have the F12 free cam possibility, but that's kinda cheating and sometimes it's hard to see the flag even when close up in free cam. (yes I have tried it in a frustrated moment.)

So, I wonder if it's possible to adjust the "light" of night without reducing the "cover" effectiveness?

I also wonder about these radio messages I get from GWX, telling me to go to destination XX or telling me to dock at a different location.
I also got a radio message telling me to not attack english warships (late 1939) just after I torpedoed HMS Rodney. (Who can resist 35000 tons eh?)
Does it mean i get a renown penalty or is it just "cosmetic" for a more authentic feel of WWII?

Thanks, Brew.

[Von Talon]

Neutral ships are usually lighted. If a neutral ship has searchlights, they should be pointing the flag, so it could be regoniced. So if you are after a ship without any lights, thats probably enemy ship.

Sinking enemy warship doesnt cause negative renown. The message is just for... Well... To make historical.

[Brag]

Originally Posted by Von Talon

Neutral ships are usually lighted. If a neutral ship has searchlights, they should be pointing the flag, so it could be regoniced. So if you are after a ship without any lights, thats probably enemy ship.

But be careful in areas where German shipping might be present, German ships also travel blacked out.

[Rafael]

Well for recognizing flags, you can use Rubini's flags enlighten mod. In fact also a (little) cheat.

That's the only solution I can think of.

These messages "attacking Warships" are in WAC too. But you don't need to do it.

[Hitman]

So it also happened during the war hence I don't find it a problem. I must choose -as real Kaleuns did- between getting close, in danger but sure of the identification or staying far, safer but risking an attack to an ally or neutral.

[Rafael]

Another option would be, to install (for GWX 3.0) colored map mod, so you will always see if it's an enemy.

In fact a cheat too, standard in SH3.

[JHuschke]

I would not like cheating in Silent Hunter III. In real life, a captain could not "change the effects" of the night..It would be nice to have a spotlight of course, as in they did in real life for SOS or communication, same for DD's and BB's.

But, it should be also true that, Germans did not surface to spotlight an enemy ship (maybe some I am unaware of), because it would be a higher risk of being fired upon. If you cannot sink a ship at night, follow it until day and sink it. Otherwise, we shouldn't be changing night effects for someone to sink it (no offense) but that really messes up being realistic.

Originally Posted by JHuschke

I would not like cheating in Silent Hunter III. In real life, a captain could not "change the effects" of the night..It would be nice to have a spotlight of course, as in they did in real life for SOS or communication, same for DD's and BB's.

But, it should be also true that, Germans did not surface to spotlight an enemy ship (maybe some I am unaware of), because it would be a higher risk of being fired upon. If you cannot sink a ship at night, follow it until day and sink it. Otherwise, we shouldn't be changing night effects for someone to sink it (no offense) but that really messes up being realistic.

I don't know if you are belitteling on purpose or just being ignorant, nevertheless, the reason why i'm asking is because my screen is PITCH BLACK at night, I can't even see my own UZO when I stand on deck (F4) and according to my monitor settings everything is perfectly set.
Before I installed mods, the night was not as pitch black, so I merely asked wich file (if possible) I could edit to tune the night a little less black.

I'm sorry I did not specify every single detail in the first place, I just assumed most people wasn't stupid / or gave a rats arse why I wanted to tune it. (no offense ^^)

[JHuschke]

I am merely making a suggestion of awaiting til day, if you are that eager and impatient of a Kaleun, then go about your way

using the cover of darkness is a well known u-boot strategy.

[Rafael]

It has been said before in different topics, GWX 3.0 is quite dark. Some people cannot see anything at night.

Probably GWX has been made on a specific Video card? Other supermods are not soooo dark as GWX.

Thank you Rafael, now at least I know it's propably GWX that does it. Narrows down my search quite a bit.

[Rafael]

Originally Posted by Brewtality

Thank you Rafael, now at least I know it's propably GWX that does it. Narrows down my search quite a bit.

You're welcome, with GWX I must set my brightness to maximum. However, with NYGM, LSH3 or WAC it is slightly lighter at night.

yeh, i just need it a tad lighter, might not even be able to see the flags, but I need to see two feet ahead.

Adjusting monitor settings isnt a viable option for me, i have this monster widescreen and SHIII don't suppot widescreen... having huge grey borders on each side of the interface would simply look too ugly

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Rafael

It has been said before in different topics, GWX 3.0 is quite dark. Some people cannot see anything at night.

Probably GWX has been made on a specific Video card? Other supermods are not soooo dark as GWX.

Part of it has to do with the monitor. I still use an old 19" CRT monitor, and my nights are, if anything, too bright. And I use GWX.