Sonar: When to use?

So I've obtained my first sonar and tested it on a few now-annoyed people in the harbor. Now that I've been released from custody, what now? What circumstances do you find it useful in?

I would guess that, I obviously don't want to use it near warships. Merchants without nearby warships, from what I've read are okay. Is this correct? What situations do you find it most helpful in? What is the difference between the estimated and accurate options? Is accurate more likely to reveal your position?

[Herr-Berbunch]

AFAIK using it or your depth-sounding equipment doesn't betray your position

[timmy41]

As far as I know, the AI cant tell if theyre being pinged.
The only restrictions on it are those that one would place upon themselves for the sake of realism.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

AFAIK using it or your depth-sounding equipment doesn't betray your position

Correctumondo.

[STEED]

Use it!

You need it!

I think I will strive for semi-realism in this case, and use it on merchants when they're alone. If warships are present, and I'm about to fire on cargo vessels in a convoy, I'll only use it if I'm in the need for quick range info, and then dive to make my escape.

Thanks for the insight.

[Weiss Pinguin]

Originally Posted by STEED

Use it!

You need it!

"It's your sonar, use it when you need it!"

What is the difference for "Estimated Range" or "Exact Range"?
Is it more difficult for the operator to report an exact range?
Does this extra accuracey come at a price?

[Puster Bill]

Estimated range is a quick, single ping type thing. It's not very accurate. Accurate range is done using multiple pings, and it takes a bit longer, but it is accurate.

Has anyone tried to shoot "blind", ie., using only data from the hydrophones for bearing and active sonar for range to develop a shooting solution? While ahistorical, it seems like it would be perfectly possible.

[Weiss Pinguin]

I've used the hydrophones and sonar to point homing torpedoes in the right direction, but I've never worked up a solid solution for regular 'dumb' torpedoes. Although I've gotten a few lucky hits on circling destroyers using the hydrophones tp set up a quick snapshot.

[ediko]

Lol firing torps using just sonar. I mostly miss while shooting normally. Although I do remember someone making a guide about it

And how does the sonar work? When I ask my hydrophone guy he say's no target selected. How does one select it is beyond me. I only got it to work manually pressing the ping button when manning the hydrophone myself.

Originally Posted by ediko

And how does the sonar work? When I ask my hydrophone guy he say's no target selected. How does one select it is beyond me. I only got it to work manually pressing the ping button when manning the hydrophone myself.

That's how I use it as well. No idea if there's another way.

Originally Posted by Puster Bill

Estimated range is a quick, single ping type thing. It's not very accurate. Accurate range is done using multiple pings, and it takes a bit longer, but it is accurate.

Has anyone tried to shoot "blind", ie., using only data from the hydrophones for bearing and active sonar for range to develop a shooting solution? While ahistorical, it seems like it would be perfectly possible.

On entry into the war the brass with USN was sold on your idé.
From where the big shots were sitting, it worked well on paper.
From where the subs were laying, it worked not at all in practice.