Test Dive advice?

Originally Posted by desirableroasted

1) Once you get into the "orange" range, decrease your descent speed.

2) At some point, you will be told "We are taking damage!" At that point, hit the power and head up.

Despite the message, I've never actually taken any game-notable damage using this method.

BTW, remember that you can randomize crush depth in SHIII Commander, so that may account for seeming differences between installs.

When the IIA went way deeper than expected, with no ill effects, I decided to recheck my favorite (IXB) again.

Unfortunately, the IXB seems unchanged.
Did it your way at ½ knot. It followed the same pattern as the last install's IXB, so at 171 I hit "E" and surfaced without damage.

With my previouse install I "popped" at 182.
The answer seems to lie between 171 and 182 for me so, I guess 165 will remain as my bottommost limit.

It was good advice. At ½ knot, it took 2 - 3 minutes to drop 1 meter, and on hitting "E" she came up like a cork.