8 KM vs. 16 KM Thoughts and Reality

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Bill Nichols

Having actually served in submarines and spent many hours on the bridge while surfaced (of course!), I find the 8-km setting an acceptible compromise between daylight sighting ranges and nighttime. Put another way, I mainly I use the 8-km setting to prevent my watch officer from making too many impossible sightings at night.

Bill,

I see you find 8km as an acceptable compromise for SH3 and prevention of the WO being Eagle Eye GI Joe and see things that could not be seen. I take this as for game play. In your professional opinion and experience, (real data you have experience on the submarine) calm day, no haze, no fog, few particulate matter in the air, could one with assistance of binoculars see to 16km? Meaning smoke columns and masts? I would suspect at the very least smoke column, dark black belching stacks pumping thick black smoke against a blue sky could be visable with assistance of binoculars. These coal burning vessels make quite column of smoke. What is your thoughts on this?

I agree with the night vision within the game. The watchmen are a little to good. But in retrospect I believe the developers are at a fine line between having an enjoyable experience as oppossed getting a little impatient looking and waiting.

Let me know your thoughts on the real experience data you possess through your service in the forces. No one can beat the real deal!!!!

What submarine did you serve on?