Having trouble using manual targeting

Zantham · 03-03-08, 04:36 PM

Having just started manual targetting myself, I find the "Fast-90" method the easiest to use. The German TDC will automatically calculate the AOB for you. I plot the contacts course, and extend it. I also start timing the contact which gives me its speed (3 minute rule). I then park myself perpendicular off the estimated course of the contact, I try to get within 2000m, and preferably within 1000m, but I've been successful at much greater distances. Once your sub has stopped moving its easy to set your attack periscope to zero degrees, since you know the targets estimated path its very easy to get the range, and since you've been timing the contact you can get it's speed. After you plug these two variables in, no matter what direction you point your scope the TDC knows the AOB. I don't lock the target. Once the target passes the periscope wait till the part you want to hit passes and fire off your torpedos. If you want to fire more than one, move your scope and shoot again. Only thing is dont forget to open your tubes, this seems to take about 10 secs and is enough to throw your aim off. Note if you fire too far off of a zero gyroangle it will mess up your range setting a little, but I only find this on the long shots, generally for this method the range doesnt even really matter as long as your within a few hundred yards range.

This also works quite well in the US boats too. There is basically no math required for this method, and you can very quickly target numerous vessels in quick sequence. I found the stadimeter useless to me, and I'm terrible at guessing AOB, and by the time I'd calculate it and input it to the TDC it would have changed enough to make my shot inaccurate. So I use the above method which for me is very simple to use. Your mileage may vary

Rockin Robbins · 03-04-08, 11:55 AM

I'll repeat the question: how do you input the speed into the TDC?

Zantham · 03-04-08, 12:29 PM

There is no way to actually enter the speed at the periscope view, you have to do it from the attack map on the U-Boat.

You can attempt to get a contact's speed from the periscope using the notepad. This involves doing a few range sightings with the stadimeter and sending that information into the TDC, and after you send it a few times your weapons guy will have enough info to estimate speed for you, which on the notepad screen you hit the Chronograph symbol.

If he has enough information he'll tell you a speed (not always accurate I've found) or tell you 'not enough information' uin which case wait another 30 secs or so (longer is better), do another stadimeter reading, then go back to the speed part of the notepad and try to get the weapon officer to estimate it again. His estimate will also largely depend how accurate you were in sending precise ranges.

I've probably just confused everyone more with this post lol

Rockin Robbins · 03-04-08, 12:45 PM

I figured the estimate was worth about as much as the American estimate: better than nothing but not good for much. Now, how do you set the speed on the attack map, turn the knobs?

Zantham · 03-04-08, 01:01 PM

Well you have to click the little red button first to make it green which unlock the TDC, then you can turn the knobs. Be sure to click it back to red again when you're done entering data.

I've found that even tho the speed dial sets speed to the knot, its possible to enter increments down to the quarter-knot. This can mean the difference between hitting and missing a long distance shot.

Rockin Robbins · 03-04-08, 02:10 PM

I'm dangerous now!!!

Zantham · 03-04-08, 02:42 PM

No, Rockin Robbins ... Thank YOU. It was your post that started me using manual targetting!!

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...6&postcount=67

I hate the stadimeter. I hate trying to identify ships. I hate trying to calculate AOB. Thus I hated manual targetting. It was your explanation of the Dick O'Kane method that suddenly made this game great. I now use manual targetting both in SH3 and SH4.

03-04-08, 11:55 AM	#2
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	My turn! I'll repeat the question: how do you input the speed into the TDC? __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

03-04-08, 12:29 PM	#3
Zantham 中国水兵 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 283 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 1	There is no way to actually enter the speed at the periscope view, you have to do it from the attack map on the U-Boat. You can attempt to get a contact's speed from the periscope using the notepad. This involves doing a few range sightings with the stadimeter and sending that information into the TDC, and after you send it a few times your weapons guy will have enough info to estimate speed for you, which on the notepad screen you hit the Chronograph symbol. If he has enough information he'll tell you a speed (not always accurate I've found) or tell you 'not enough information' uin which case wait another 30 secs or so (longer is better), do another stadimeter reading, then go back to the speed part of the notepad and try to get the weapon officer to estimate it again. His estimate will also largely depend how accurate you were in sending precise ranges. I've probably just confused everyone more with this post lol Last edited by Zantham; 03-04-08 at 12:42 PM.

03-04-08, 12:45 PM	#4
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Well, you explained how not to do it. I figured the estimate was worth about as much as the American estimate: better than nothing but not good for much. Now, how do you set the speed on the attack map, turn the knobs? __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

03-04-08, 02:10 PM	#6
Rockin Robbins Navy Seal Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: DeLand, FL Posts: 8,900 Downloads: 135 Uploads: 52	Thank you. I'm dangerous now!!! __________________ Sub Skipper's Bag of Tricks, Slightly Subnuclear Mk 14 & Cutie, Slightly Subnuclear Deck Gun, EZPlot 2.0, TMOPlot, TMOKeys, SH4CMS

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03-03-08, 04:36 PM	#1
Zantham 中国水兵 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 283 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 1	Having just started manual targetting myself, I find the "Fast-90" method the easiest to use. The German TDC will automatically calculate the AOB for you. I plot the contacts course, and extend it. I also start timing the contact which gives me its speed (3 minute rule). I then park myself perpendicular off the estimated course of the contact, I try to get within 2000m, and preferably within 1000m, but I've been successful at much greater distances. Once your sub has stopped moving its easy to set your attack periscope to zero degrees, since you know the targets estimated path its very easy to get the range, and since you've been timing the contact you can get it's speed. After you plug these two variables in, no matter what direction you point your scope the TDC knows the AOB. I don't lock the target. Once the target passes the periscope wait till the part you want to hit passes and fire off your torpedos. If you want to fire more than one, move your scope and shoot again. Only thing is dont forget to open your tubes, this seems to take about 10 secs and is enough to throw your aim off. Note if you fire too far off of a zero gyroangle it will mess up your range setting a little, but I only find this on the long shots, generally for this method the range doesnt even really matter as long as your within a few hundred yards range. This also works quite well in the US boats too. There is basically no math required for this method, and you can very quickly target numerous vessels in quick sequence. I found the stadimeter useless to me, and I'm terrible at guessing AOB, and by the time I'd calculate it and input it to the TDC it would have changed enough to make my shot inaccurate. So I use the above method which for me is very simple to use. Your mileage may vary

03-04-08, 01:01 PM	#5
Zantham 中国水兵 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 283 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 1	Well you have to click the little red button first to make it green which unlock the TDC, then you can turn the knobs. Be sure to click it back to red again when you're done entering data. I've found that even tho the speed dial sets speed to the knot, its possible to enter increments down to the quarter-knot. This can mean the difference between hitting and missing a long distance shot.

03-04-08, 02:42 PM	#7
Zantham 中国水兵 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 283 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 1	No, Rockin Robbins ... Thank YOU. It was your post that started me using manual targetting!! http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/show...6&postcount=67 I hate the stadimeter. I hate trying to identify ships. I hate trying to calculate AOB. Thus I hated manual targetting. It was your explanation of the Dick O'Kane method that suddenly made this game great. I now use manual targetting both in SH3 and SH4.