Sonar Contacts

[DigitalAura]

couple of things:

When you say your computer slows down... do you mean your TC bumps back to 1X? Or do you mean you sense a hesitation as your CPU registers the extra processor load of the extra data of having a convoy nearby?
This would be difficult to gauge, as computers are all different and my computer may not slow down at all.

Also, do you notice differences based on individual crew members manning the sonar station? I do. In fact when I call BattleStations I seem to get much better results... perhaps because the one crew member has a special ability concerning PASSIVE SONAR. I don't know, but going Battlestations for me produces better results.

I have experienced this too even after spotting the ships and, as you say, I can hear them plainly myself. I think the important thing to note here is that the sonarman WILL NOT report a contact if he can't distinguish between Warship and Merchant. I've noticed that the instrument that reports bearing and TYPE (in the top left hand corner) reads 'unknown' as type in these circumstances. Perhaps the problem isn't that he doesn't hear it, but doesn't report it until he can ID it.

[Armistead]

Certainly it would differ with PC's, but I have a rather intense machine. Two issues at hand. One, talking about the intial slowdown, before TC drops. Many times this will happen and you will still miss the contact. You may be near, but if your headed the wrong way, you'll miss it unless you go to sonar. I've always gone to sonar when this happens as I can find the convoy right away.

Regardless who is on sonar you can pick them up much further yourself.
I have the special sonarman on with BS on and I still pick them up 10nm before he will.

To clarify, I'm getting more contacts before any slowdown, by just listening myself. I had several planes fly over. I was headed NE. Course you get a slowdown with planes anyway. I dive and listen to sonar and behold faint contacts no one is picking up. I head that way on the surface. They were going the other way. I was able to catch them and do a end around. Had I not listened, I would've just keep going and missed it.

I'm sure the issue is a unknown target, that's long been known. I just never stayed on sonar without a slowdown. Now that I do, pick up a lot more targets.

[DigitalAura]

Yes...so then, what we should actually do is request a fix or feature whereby when the sonarman hears an 'unknown' boat he reports it as "unidentified contact" or simply, 'contact' at such-and-such bearing.

[donut]

Originally Posted by DigitalAura

Yes...so then, what we should actually do is request a fix or feature whereby when the sonarman hears an 'unknown' boat he reports it as "unidentified contact" or simply, 'contact' at such-and-such bearing.

Also light could flicker on 15Km contacts.

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by DigitalAura

Yes...so then, what we should actually do is request a fix or feature whereby when the sonarman hears an 'unknown' boat he reports it as "unidentified contact" or simply, 'contact' at such-and-such bearing.

I think that was left alone and the reason this happens is a max limit the very highest rating can hear is the limit of sonar. Was my biggest complaint. I've played with different sonar and even with the best set you can still hear further.

I agree, should be fixed, but no one has been able or wants to mess with it.

[DigitalAura]

I know RR would likely disagree, but I am of the opinion that the most valuable asset on the sub is the sonar gear, esp. passive.
It's value is a combination of its usability, reliability/accuracy and its worth in being undectable as it is being used, unlike radar or asdic.
You can get on without radar, but not without sonar (at least, you can operate covertly with sonar and continue to do damage).
That said, I think you've hit upon an important element to the sim. That is, YOU should be the instigator, YOU should be the best crew member, YOU should be the driving force behind what happens. If the crew can do something BETTER than you can, then it removes any impetus to man that station. It takes away from the immersiveness of play. It discourages a player from taking part in that element of gameplay.
If you can hear further and better than even your best sonar man, then it provides YOU with a richer experience by ensuring that you will be more attentive at that station.

[Rockin Robbins]

I agree that in a game context you should see farther, hear better, etc, than any crewmember for immersion purposes.

However
Radar rules!
Sonar's second string!

[DigitalAura]

hehe...I knew he would disagree with me. I can't tell if RADAR has ever 'outted' me before, but I'll stick to my guns on the sonar.
SUBPACCOM recently talked me into trading up from my porpoise to a gato... I noticed after I got to sea that they didn't give me the surface radar gear that I had on my porpoise, nor can I buy it even. WTF?

Ahh well...at least I have the sonar.