Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980
Yes, it is rather annoying SH 4 is the only "modern" WWII PTO sub sim and we just have to keep modding it until reaches a point, can't be modded any further.
I have concerns about running it on newer machines as time goes on as I noticed a lot people with newest windows for example having issues. I have a older desktop at home that I use exclusively for SH 4, kept it around just to run the sim. While it runs great but the PC is getting older as have had it since 2010.
We deserve a properly done SH 6 to make up for SH 4 but doubt it will happen.
Yes, it does matter how far your scope is out of the water. Some time back I did numerous tests to see if it mattered. I thought it did after years of running SH 4 and TMO but was not sure.After multiple specific tests, I found it does in fact matter. More periscope exposed, easier for enemy to post your sub. In fact, the stock periscope depth for Gato, Balao, Tambor, Tench, Gar was 60 ft. This carried over into TMO. I changed it to the historically accurate 64 ft which for the above boats does not leave so much scope exposed.
A lot of factors come into play for AI spotting player periscope such as time exposed (longer scope is up, more chance to be spotted) distance from target, sea state, light (day or night time, moonlight etc) skill level of enemy unit, type of enemy unit(escorts have sharper lookouts than merchant vessels, generally)
When I am close for a attack I raise the attack scope manually in increments (insert/delete key, unless have a custom key layout) to where the scope just pokes out of the water and the blur caused by water on scope clears...if not using external cam...just go to conning tower view and look at the scope as it raises and just where the handles fold out, then stop. This simulates a real life method captains used where they kneeled and "rode" the scope up to point just where the head was just above the water. Fluckey (among others) mentioned this in his book. I keep observations (as captains did) short..about 8 seconds each or less. I rarely get my scope spotted even at 1000 yards or less on a clear day with calm seas using this tactic.
Lol yes as of the new Virginia class (and future boats I presume) , no periscopes, they have photonic masts. To my knowledge all of the older boats like LA class, Seawolf, Ohio etc. have traditional periscopes, although its possible some have been retrofitted with photonic masts, I have not read of it.
I supposed they have a "main viewing screen" along lines of star trek lol so when captain wants to see something, says "on screen" lol.
Few photos I've seen of Virginia Class control room, looks like something out of Star Trek.  |
I am starting to get the idea that you and I play SH-IV in a very similar way. It's all about immersion. I have always used the periscope in the exact same way... except for the very limited exposure above the water like you and the real captains did it. I try not to leave it exposed for more then 90 seconds and so far I have been spotted maybe twice which is not bad considering how often I play, which has been ALLOT, especially as of late.
I am not counting the 2 or 3 times I accidentally left the air search radar up which was spotted with disastrous results. Apparently that thing is very VERY easy to see.
I have always thought it would be nice to have an indicator panel that displayed a light that would be on if the air search radar was up, and to show what torpedo doors are open. That sounds more like a “Behind The Curtain” type of a MOD though, but I could be wrong. I know on the real boats there was the “Christmas Tree”, but in the game it's only for looks.
I just recently made a decision that when ever I decide to get a new computer I am going to keep the one I am using now and it will become the dedicated SH-IV machine. It's new and fast enough to run the game no problem, but not so new to have some of the very strange problems that seem to be happening with the newest machines and operating systems.
From everything I have read moving the control room down one deck on our new Virginia class subs has been a huge improvement as far as situational awareness and overall efficiency... or so some of the captains say. I can't imagine what the control room on the yet to be built Columbia class SSBN will be like. Modern day submarines are the closest thing to spaceships. Maybe on the new Columbia class they will actually put in a STAR TREK style captains chair. It possibly wouldn't be the most practical thing, but we would have the coolest subs in the world.
I'm thinking that if the Los Angeles class and Ohio class subs had been designed and built with STAR TREK type captains chairs, I would have gone to Annapolis and become a NAVY officer just so some day I could become the Captain of a U.S. NAVY submarine, just to sit in that chair and give orders like Captain Kirk.
Did you serve on a Los Angeles or Ohio class sub?
I was born and grew up in Detroit and have always thought it should have been the Michigan class SSBN, and NOT Ohio. Just sounds better.