Most Realistic GUI/Optics mods?

[BillCar]

In the month since getting SH3 + GWX 3.0, I have gone from 89% realism to 95%. I'm preparing myself now for the jump into obsessive realism.

With that in mind, I've started looking for realistic optics interfaces. So far, it looks like OLC is the best one, but I am not TOO knowledgeable as to what I should expect from my optics, targeting materials, and so on. Is it reasonably realistic?

So far as I can understand, there were no stadimeters, and the UZO didn't have a rangefinder. Both scopes should run at 1.5x and 6x, as opposed to the 10x and 4x (or whatever) in the stock scope config.

OLC also has that great attack wheel, and the range/AOB/speed finder. I am still new to researching this stuff. Are these tools historically accurate? I sure hope so, because I do love them.

Any recommendations / suggestions / corrections are appreciated! I want the most realism that can be afforded from my computer chair.

[Pisces]

This thread should help a bit. It was talked about a few weeks back. If you do a search for threads started by OLC or Hitman or Joegrundman you'll get more specific info.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=159696

[BillCar]

Thanks! I did a search, but I guess I was using the wrong terms.

By the way, I love that attack wheel thing that I believe you were responsible for.

[comet61]

OLC and Makman's MaGui are very similar. Either one are fine. I use MaGui myself. Each of these mods have their strengths-plus, they both use the attack wheel in the scope; which by the way I'm gettin' pretty good at...

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by BillCar

Thanks! I did a search, but I guess I was using the wrong terms.

By the way, I love that attack wheel thing that I believe you were responsible for.

Only in part, just the scratchmarks if you mean that wheel on the attack periscope.

No, do not ask to get it removed. Or else somebody will asks about it again tomorrow.

[Hitman]

So far, it looks like OLC is the best one, but I am not TOO knowledgeable as to what I should expect from my optics, targeting materials, and so on. Is it reasonably realistic?

You must always bear in mind that realism in such a limited environment as a game is many times a matter of trade-offs. So yes, OLC is overall very realistic in recreating the first models of periscopes installed in WW2 german Uboats. It is specially adequate for simulating the attack periscope installed in the Type II U-Boats and some of the fixed-height attack periscopes in other Types (Like the one seen in Das Boot, where the captain sits on a chair and embraces the whole periscope column that rotates hydraulically at his command).

The are however minor aspects where it can't be as realistic as one would wish, but that is not OLC's fault, just a game limitation. I am referring to the size of the scopeview. While it is realistic in that it offers good detail of what you see, it is irrealistic in that it doesn't keep the proportions with the rest of views, and makes you lose the sense of those proportions. This is a game limitation, either you have a good definition and lose the proportions, or you get the right proportions and lose definition. A decission had to be done, and OLC chose that. In my interface mod, the opposite route has been taken, and it is obviously realistic in a different way. Each has advantages and disadvantages, but you bet 99% of the GUI mods out there are miles ahead in terms of realism when compared to the original interface.

So far as I can understand, there were no stadimeters, and the UZO didn't have a rangefinder.

Not exactly. In the early war models there were stadimeters, but later they were sacrificed in favour of binocular view and cheaper & easier construction. The UZO hnever had a rangefinder, that's correct.

Both scopes should run at 1.5x and 6x, as opposed to the 10x and 4x (or whatever) in the stock scope config.

Yes, but the 10x/4x is a GWX setting. Stock is 1,5/6x for attack and 1x/4x for observation.

OLC also has that great attack wheel, and the range/AOB/speed finder. I am still new to researching this stuff. Are these tools historically accurate? I sure hope so, because I do love them.

Historically accurate to a 100%

[BillCar]

I am in awe of your expertise, Hitman! I am in the process now of building a copy of the Angriffsscheibe from your template. You rock.

What is your interface called? I would like to try it, too!

Thanks for your advice. I didn't know the 10x was GWX thing, since I never have played SH3 without GWX 3.0 installed!

EDIT: One other question – I just watched a video tutorial by OLC where he is showing his scope without the doubled mast values, and with numbered horizontal gradations of 10, 20 and 30 as opposed to 5, 10, 15. So each line is worth two marks, and mast values are not doubled. Is this more realistic than his first draft? Or does it represent a system for later/earlier in the war than the other one, and is equally realistic depending on the time?