Usage of UZO

[[40-1] MORD]

You can use it with your TDC same like your attack periscope so its designed for targeting. I cannot see how though as it doesnt seem to give you any aid in finding a distance for exmple or bearing. Theres only one vertical line. My question is do you find the Uzo helpfull for targeting and how do you use it.

[Silence Suzuka]

I never use it , i have no idea why i should keep on surface to use UZO, i think maybe it is when you already get rid of the escorts and be very close to the target.

[[40-1] MORD]

Originally posted by Phantasm:

The UZO has the highest magnification of any of the sighting tools. It is used primarily to identify features of the ship when using the recognition manual.

Yeah 7x versus 6x on binoculars, periscopes. Just checked watching a ship from a distance, switching between binos and uzo. Difference is tiny, rather meaningless.

[Kraftmeier]

Actually, the UZO is meant to have the same functionality as periscopes to conduct attacks when surfaced or submerged, respectively. In current wolfpack build however, it can barely be used since it neither shows the target bearing nor does it allow range measurements. Let's hope this will soon be fixed, it's rather awkward to see people attacking from the periscope although their boat is completely surfaced.

[Valen]

Subsim.com forum user Hitman did some historical investigations on real periscope and UZOs. He found that the UZO did not have any range finding capabilities. It was a large binocular on a stable pedestal with a bearing transmitter at the most. It only featured a vertical line in the optics. Distance was estimated by eye.

Before using the UZO to target other ships they would have already found the angles and speed through tracking techniques and locked it in the TDC. Range plays a minor corrective role in calculation of the gyro angle. It is only needed to adjust for the paralax angle introduced as the torpedo makes a significant turn with large gyro angles. And impact time or torpedo spread calculation for salvos.

[Valen]

Originally posted by 40-1 MORD:

Originally posted by Phantasm:

The UZO has the highest magnification of any of the sighting tools. It is used primarily to identify features of the ship when using the recognition manual.

Yeah 7x versus 6x on binoculars, periscopes. Just checked watching a ship from a distance, switching between binos and uzo. Difference is tiny, rather meaningless.

7x zoom is still 16% larger than 6x. I wouldn't say tiny, but can't call it large either. The real life apperture is probably larger though than a hand held binocular. So it would provide more light to your eyes when viewing through it in real life. Increasing contrast in the image. We don't get to perceive this effect in the game though.

[Valen]

Just found this data on a site for trading/buying antique maritime equipment. (no affiliation, but they have more examples they sold) In Dutch so you might need to translate the page:

http://www.gjaltkemp-scheepsantiek.nl/nl/antieke-maritieme-instrumenten/u-boat-optics/u-d-f-7-x-50-u-boat-conning-tower-binoculars-carl-zeiss-ca-1945-detail.html


translated relevant parts:
Zeiss 7 x 50 U.D.F. binocular
Fixed focus
Right occular with vertical line, lever for light and dark (night vision)

Other example (see photo's for view through optics:


http://www.gjaltkemp-scheepsantiek.nl/nl/antieke-maritieme-instrumenten/u-boat-optics/u-d-f-7-x-50-u-boat-conning-tower-binoculars-carl-zeiss-ca-1944-detail.html

[Kraftmeier]

Interesting read, so it seems like every sub game I've ever played did this wrong. :O Thanks for sharing

[[40-1] MORD]

I tried uzo on tutorial mission following what you said about distance being less important once speed and AOB is set correctly. Fired a few torpedos at 2km away target, set to 1 and 3 km. All hit. Thanks for your informations!

[Valen]

If the gyro angle is about 20 degrees away from 0, and the target appears to be near within a few kilometers (or 10s of hundred meters), then you have to worry about inputing the correct range. Far away is matters less. You can also turn to get the gyro angle closer to 0, or just postpone firing until the target moves closer to the bow allowing 0 gyro angle. It depends on the situation as to what is practical ofcourse.

Now the real trick is finding tracking techniques that do not rely so heavily on range to get course and speed. As you will need to know range if you want to plot their positions on the map, and fair their course from the points.

[N.N.Q]

I would strongly prefere a "realism option" (on the mission page) where the host could uncheck the "real uzo"
so that it will give you the Bearings at least!

[Kraftmeier]

Originally posted by N.N.Q:

I would strongly prefere a "realism option" (on the mission page) where the host could uncheck the "real uzo"
so that it will give you the Bearings at least!

You can get the bearing from the TDC. I tried a "UZO-only" surface attack yesterday and it worked, just not as convenient as with the periscope

[stellaferox]

If you read U-977, written by its commander then you'll read the desription of an UZO which DOES have croshairs and marks