TDC

[Cooter1966]

I got map contacts on, I'm only playing at 52% realism, yup.. noob, but when I'm using scope theres a couple of things like split-image and speed dial thingey that won't work and I want to know if thats because it's auto-targeting(semi-auto)

[Roger Dodger]

Originally Posted by Cooter1966

I got map contacts on, I'm only playing at 52% realism, yup.. noob, but when I'm using scope theres a couple of things like split-image and speed dial thingey that won't work and I want to know if thats because it's auto-targeting(semi-auto)

Sounds like you're on Auto-TDC. The Range/Target Speed indicators should display by themselves. You do not need to adjust these (assume that you are calling out these numbers to your weapons officer). The Auto-TDC gives you an indicator arrow (red/yellow/green) when on target. Hit the 'L' key to Lock the arrow. Then you can manuever, or just wait for the target to sail into a good solution (green arrow). About the only things you can change are the depth of torpedo run (+/- 6 ft.) and Gyro Offset. Beware of the Gyro Offset - a 1 degree left/right Gyro Offset makes one hell of a difference when your target is 4000 yards away (4000 yards is over 2 MILES away).

When you are 'L'ocked on a target, the gyro offset is set for you. Take a look at the attack map; you can see the torpedo track. If you want to shoot for different places on the ship, you have to adjust the periscope sight to take this angle into account. In other words, you have to 'lead' the target (like when you're shooting flying birds or a running deer) as indicated on the attack map. If your target is at 010, and the torpedo track is 000, you have to lead the target 10 degrees.

(Hey, if I'm all wet here, someone correct me - I haven't gotten any hits yet just aiming at a target w/o taking the torpedo track into account).

FYI, I just checked the math (using AutoCAD cause I'm math inhibited). At 4000 yards, a 1 degree difference is 70 yards (210 feet). So if your target is 4000 yards away, and you set your gyro offset to 1 degree left, your torpedo will be 70 yards to the left of your aim point when it arrives. That's more than enough to miss the target.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Cooter1966

I got map contacts on, I'm only playing at 52% realism, yup.. noob, but when I'm using scope theres a couple of things like split-image and speed dial thingey that won't work and I want to know if thats because it's auto-targeting(semi-auto)

That's correct. If you're doing manual targeting, they will work.

[Cooter1966]

Thanks mookie, Rodger, question answered. Next Campaign I'll attempt full real.