Test Dive advice?

The newest of my installs seems to allow for deeper dives, than did it's predecesor. (Every version seems different in this respect).

Anybody have some advice on how to safely test when the boat is getting close to the maximum depth, without getting killed or trashing the boat?

[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.

[Obersteuermann]

I normally take the boat straight down to 180 metres (Type VII) and then go in 10 metre steps from there. No faster than 2 or 3 knots. As soon as she starts taking damage I hit A.K. and order 20 metres higher.

I've actually taken my VII down to the red area many times, mind you just the tip of it at around 200 meters without any damage even after staying down for long periods of time.

[King_Zog]

Originally Posted by USNSRCaseySmith

I've actually taken my VII down to the red area many times, mind you just the tip of it at around 200 meters without any damage even after staying down for long periods of time.

With GWX in an undamaged VII you can make it down to about 220m. If you use sh3 commander with randomise crush depth enabled you can potentially go deeper (it's quite a fun option as it gives you a reason to make a 'test dive' eveytime you start a new patrol/load a save game).

I believe the later model type IXs can even peg/exceed the dial.

[Obersteuermann]

Originally Posted by King_Zog

With GWX in an undamaged VII you can make it down to about 220m. If you use sh3 commander with randomise crush depth enabled you can potentially go deeper (it's quite a fun option as it gives you a reason to make a 'test dive' eveytime you start a new patrol/load a save game).

I believe the later model type IXs can even peg/exceed the dial.

My current boat (U-93, VIIC) will happily take 255 metres without problems! Must admit I chickened out at that point ...

[Kapt Z]

Originally Posted by King_Zog

With GWX in an undamaged VII you can make it down to about 220m. If you use sh3 commander with randomise crush depth enabled you can potentially go deeper (it's quite a fun option as it gives you a reason to make a 'test dive' eveytime you start a new patrol/load a save game).

I believe the later model type IXs can even peg/exceed the dial.

Last night I did a single mission with a type VIIC and just hit 'D' at 4kts and waited to see when she collapsed. I thought it was a glitch or something because she just kept going down, down, down, down..... 200, 230, 260, 280, 300with no seriour damage! The gauges shattered and the lights flickered at some point in the high 200s, but the the end didn't come until 330m!

In career mode I would never have even tried to go near that depth.

[Gargamel]

I usually pick a depth I want and then level off there, say 200m, or 220, depending on boat, then continue to dive from there. As mentioned, Wait till they screaming about damage, not just getting nervous about it. I have taken damage before, and it goes quick once you do.

Remember, DC's were historically capped (at least early) to 500ft depth. So if you hit 200m+, you can drive right under them, I think.

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.

Originally Posted by Snestorm

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.

Am I the only one who will hold the sub down around 200m without taking any serious damage?? This is in a Type VIIB too. However I don't dare to go past 215m or 220m because thats when it all seems to hit the fan for me.

[Jimbuna]

On a good day she'll do a little over 260.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

On a good day she'll do a little over 260.

Why not now? This day is good enough..