get range through sonar contact?

[P_Funk]

Originally Posted by Asuriel

I already looked at those tutorials on how to intercept and how to plot (stated that in my original post as well). The thing is that I played without updated contacts on the nav map, meaning once i am submerged there is no more dot on the map nor bearing\estimated range markings from my SO. I managed to intercept quite well with them enabled though.

I just installed NYGM TOnnage War mod and disabled the "hide contacts on map" option. got it working, but was only able to play a little and didn't get any passive sonar contacts yet, so I am still unsure if I see them or not. hope they show up.

I actually only began manual plotting after I installed GW and had it so that the contacs were never shown on the map itself. This meant that I had to plot their course myself in order to know evben where they were going and at what speed and so on. It is hard for sure. However ultimately it is simple once you get the hang of it. And you can get range while submerged. However you do not get the advantage of the Watch Officer's reading of the target. This leaves the stadimetre. This while submerged isn't very easy to use because firstly it can be hard to accurately measure the target at a long range. Secondly the UZO is better suited to using it because it has a stabilizing mechanism. The periscopes do not.

So what do we learn from this? It is far easier to plot a target's course, speed, and range from the bridge than from the periscope. But this doesn't mean you cannot still attack while submerged. You can gather your data while surfaced and shadowing your target and then place yourself ahead of your target's course and submerge in anticipation.

It is a much more involved process without an updated map. If a convoy makes a sudden course change you can find yourself panicing as the lead escort suddenly is whipping at you at 25 knots. Your difficulty I think is more a lack of experience than anything else. Remember the limitations of the U-boats. They are not true submarines. In fact they are really just weapons platforms which have the ability to submerge. They were designed to attack on the surface and to submerge as a defensive mechanism.

The surface is where you will find it easiest to plot manually, especially without an updated map.

Hope that helps some.