The question about the course of target

[558800]

no. you ONLY have to take range. Take range, send to tdc. Wait a few minutes. Take another range, send to tdc. Click on the speed estimate tool and click the button to estimate speed. It will tell you the course and speed. You do NOT need to get AOB or ANYTHING other that range (which also gets bearing) in order to have the course and speed estimate.

This is how it works with patch 1.3. There's a sticky on it right at the top of the first page of this forum.


I see .thank you!
If only taken the course,so aob is easy to take.

[amurph182]

Originally Posted by 558800

I see .thank you!
If only taken the course,so aob is easy to take.

exactly. just make sure that after you click the button to get the course and speed estimate that you click the button next to that to send it to the tdc. I've forgotten to do that a few times.

[Seadogs]

Additional question(s),

My standimeter marks are always crap and so my speed estimates are crap. I lock target and line up the overlays waterline with the highest point of the visable target. Any additional pointers?

And how can I reset the data for a new course and speed estimate so that my old, previous crappy mark does not interfere with my new estimate?

[amurph182]

Originally Posted by Seadogs

Additional question(s),

My standimeter marks are always crap and so my speed estimates are crap. I lock target and line up the overlays waterline with the highest point of the visable target. Any additional pointers?

And how can I reset the data for a new course and speed estimate so that my old, previous crappy mark does not interfere with my new estimate?

a) not really. I have problems too sometimes. Look at the target in the identification book...does it show the tops of the mast be a bit higher than what you see through the scope? Sometimes it can be hard to see the very top of the masts if they're a light color or you're too far away. Merchants would paint their masts different colors in real life to cause just this kind of problem. Also, if you are too far away you may not see the actual waterline. Same problem in heavy sees. Make sure you're actually able to see the waterline. Finally, make sure you've identified the target correctly.

The next time you're tracking a single target, take some time to compare your range estimates with what you can see on the map with map updates turned on. Estimate range, and then measure it on the map. See how they match up. If you're getting a range that is too high, you're bringing the image down too far and not lining it up with the actual top of the mast. If the range is too low, you're not bringing the image down far enough.

It can seem like it just doesn't work, but once you get it right a couple of times it's pretty easy.

b) I'm not sure myself. It's annoying to get a somewhat accurate range measurement and then see "speed 98 knots". I THINK that it uses your last two measurements. If it just doesn't seem to be working then wait two or three minutes from your last "estimate speed" click and get the range. Then wait another two or three and get it again. then check speed. THis usually works for me when I've completely screwed it up.

But if you haven't been detected, feel free to just shut it down, put some distance between yourself and the target and start the approach again. It's slower, but much easier than trying to re-do everything at the last second and it usually works a lot better.

[Seadogs]

Originally Posted by amurph182

if you are too far away you may not see the actual waterline.

Good point, never thought of that.

The next time you're tracking a single target, take some time to compare your range estimates with what you can see on the map with map updates turned on. Estimate range, and then measure it on the map. See how they match up. If you're getting a range that is too high, you're bringing the image down too far and not lining it up with the actual top of the mast. If the range is too low, you're not bringing the image down far enough.

Yep thats exactly what I do now and it's what I want to break myself of. But they are always so far off I end up having to place the mark where it looks completely off. Identification is fine, I get the same results using TM's identify button.
Guess I will have to wait until they are much closer. But not so close I will miss my good angle.

[558800]

By the way, except the method of made the plotting team, how can I estimate the speed of target in the sh3 by the periscope's reading. It never tell me the course of target.

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by 558800

By the way, except the method of made the plotting team, how can I estimate the speed of target in the sh3 by the periscope's reading. It never tell me the course of target.

Use the 3 minute rule. Plot the position of the ship on the attack map with Mr Pencil. Three minutes later, plot the new position. Now with the compass or ruler measure the distance between the "x" marks. Multiply by 2 and drop the decimal point. In other words, .6 miles = 12 knots. I'm assuming you're using imperial measurements here. In the U-Boat I use the nomograph, which lets you use any time interval you wish. The longer the time interval is the more accurate your speed estimate.

You can also extend the line between the points for a rough course. Keep plotting points to refine his course and speed.

In the Pacific, you can use the attack map with the position keeper turned on to compare your speed and course to the actual speed and course. If your aiming point drifts away from the position of the target, it means either your speed estimate or course estimate are slightly off. Readjust the TDC from periscope view and recheck for accuracy. When everything looks steady, down scope, wait for your shot and hit 'em with the scope down. THEN tell us how great the U-Boat is. The Germans would kill for an American submarine.

I'll let someone else jump me about the type XXI. But they never saw meaningful combat.

[558800]

no. you ONLY have to take range. Take range, send to tdc. Wait a few minutes. Take another range, send to tdc. Click on the speed estimate tool and click the button to estimate speed. It will tell you the course and speed. You do NOT need to get AOB or ANYTHING other that range (which also gets bearing) in order to have the course and speed estimate.

This is how it works with patch 1.3. There's a sticky on it right at the top of the first page of this forum.

According above,In the sh4 It will announce course at the same time of estimating the speed,so,in the sh3 how can I estimate the course of target by the periscope's reading.(only use plotting two marks to measure the course,without other easier method?)

[Rockin Robbins]

Originally Posted by 558800

no. you ONLY have to take range. Take range, send to tdc. Wait a few minutes. Take another range, send to tdc. Click on the speed estimate tool and click the button to estimate speed. It will tell you the course and speed. You do NOT need to get AOB or ANYTHING other that range (which also gets bearing) in order to have the course and speed estimate.

This is how it works with patch 1.3. There's a sticky on it right at the top of the first page of this forum.

According above,In the sh4 It will announce course at the same time of estimating the speed,so,in the sh3 how can I estimate the course of target by the periscope's reading.(only use plotting two marks to measure the course,without other easier method?)

This works if you are perfect. But if you have errors, there is no way to detect them other than wasting a torpedo. The plotting method refines and checks your information all during the approach so you can shoot with confidence that the next thing you hear will be BOOOOOOOOOOOM!