[REL] Manual Speed Calculator, Merchant

[CapnScurvy]

I've completed work on a handheld Merchant Speed Calculator that is in the .jpeg format. The Calculator can be printed from the following web site.

http://mysite.verizon.net/ress1z18

The Calculator has a range in speed from 4 to 24 Knots, based on the given distance of 1 Nautical Mile. To use, a ship must be "Timed" on the Navigation Map for a distance of one nautical mile. Take the time, and match the Inner Dial corresponding time to the black arrow. Read the Knots per Hour at the left.



The calculator only measures to 24 Knots, due to the degree of accuracy needed at the higher speeds, and the constraint of fitting the range in speeds on a printable, handheld device. I will soon work on a "Warship Speed Calculator" that has a range from 20 to 40 Knots.

[flintlock]

Another whiz wheel!

This looks good, thanks.

[panthercules]

Interesting variation on the theme, measuring the target track by distance rather than time. I'm not sure under what circumstances it's easier to measure distance rather than time though - how do you tell (easily) when the target has gone 1 nautical mile? Is that something that only works well if you have map updates on? Without the map updates, I don't know how you would ever really be able to determine when the target had gone 1 mile with any reliability, which I suspect is why it seems a lot easier to track and estimate speed based on elapsed time and then measure the distance later using the ruler tool.

One minor point - your wheel has a label "KNOTS per HOUR" - Knots already means nautical miles per hour (i.e., 1 Knot means 1 nautical mile per hour), so you don't really say "knots per hour" - that would be like saying MPH/hour.

Just a small point, but since you've got your name on the wheel I thought you might want to fix it. Thanks for offering this up, as I suspect some of our metric friends playing with map updates on might find it useful

[CapnScurvy]

I agree Panthercules that the usefulness of a calculator like this really comes into effect if the Gameplay Settings have the Map Update set ON. In this way measuring the target distance traveled within a time period will give you its speed.

The abillity to track a target on the Navigation Map becomes much more difficult when plotting its course from visual guesstimation. I say its an estimate because to visually determine range to target and angle on bow we are doing so in a 2D environment. The fact is we are looking at a flat 2 dimensional screen as we play a 3 dimensional game. Much like covering one eye, depth perception is hampered if not totally lost. Using observation to determine range or AoB can be a tricky venture. A tool like this with the aid of the map updater can make for an enjoyable game experience for those who wish to use it. For those who wish a more realistic adaptation of submarining, join the Navy. We are still just playing a game, on a 2 dimensional device, with make-believe shipmates.

As far as the Knot per Hour advice, if UBISOFT can put its name on a bug riddled game like this, the least I can do is not be bothered by the semantics of a phrase.