Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Wishlist => Topic started by: Glider on September 14, 2009, 01:07:18 PM

Title: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Glider on September 14, 2009, 01:07:18 PM
Although all of the vertical card compasses and DG's appear to work correctly, the horizontal card or "wet" compasses all turn backwards.  I know that this is not terribly important to most AH players, but it drives me nuts!  I don't suggest that HTC try to model turning errors, accelleration errors, variation and all the other esoteric technical aspects of compass operation.  However, after many thousands of hours looking at compasses, if I glance at a compass and see:

(http://www.sgsim.com/instruments/DSCN0608-compass-300.jpg)

Then I know I can look back out of the cockpit and just turn about 15 degrees to the left to be going North again.  In AH, I end up going NorthWest.

Since this system works so hard at realism every place else, why are the whisky compasses all backwards?

Pat

P.S.  Yeah, first post.  Go ahead.
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: theNewB on September 14, 2009, 02:36:57 PM
hah good thought out 1st post, right on id like to know too.
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: hitech on September 14, 2009, 03:55:46 PM
Glider: Sorry but that is an intentional inaccuracy that we do.

HiTech

Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Saxman on September 14, 2009, 04:14:21 PM
I'd be happy to see the ribbon compasses match up correctly with the dial. I know in the F4Us at least there's maybe a 5 degree offset between the dial and ribbon. Doesn't seem like much, but when you've got a bunch of squaddies trying to fly in formation and you set the heading and read from the dial but three others go by the ribbon it leads to issues.
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: moot on September 14, 2009, 04:20:05 PM
Saxman   It's not just the camera POV angle relative to those instruments on the cockpit? 
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: hitech on September 14, 2009, 05:00:07 PM
I'd be happy to see the ribbon compasses match up correctly with the dial. I know in the F4Us at least there's maybe a 5 degree offset between the dial and ribbon. Doesn't seem like much, but when you've got a bunch of squaddies trying to fly in formation and you set the heading and read from the dial but three others go by the ribbon it leads to issues.

If there is , we would be happy to fix that.

HiTech
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Masherbrum on September 14, 2009, 05:09:41 PM
If there is , we would be happy to fix that.

HiTech

These are the types of things that separate this game from the others.    :rock
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: CountD90 on September 14, 2009, 05:54:50 PM
These are the types of things that separate this game from the others.    :rock

agreed
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Swatch on September 14, 2009, 05:57:29 PM
Wow... this explains everything.  I've always been confused by the AH compass, I don't even use it anymore.  And now I know why it always felt backwards.... because it is! :) :rofl
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: EskimoJoe on September 15, 2009, 02:04:00 PM
Coming with no flight experience, I had no clue it was backwards! Interesting bit of information.
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Glider on September 15, 2009, 02:18:07 PM
HiTech,

Thanks for the reply.  Your willingness to respond to the concerns of the user group is one of the most attractive aspects of the AH system.

However, one of the other great parts of the system is the supposed devotion to accuracy.  You imply in your post that the improperly operating wet compass is a deliberate error in the game system.  Although I respect the fact that this is your sandbox and you make the rules, this really does make me wonder what other modifications to the laws of physics I might encounter in your world.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond,

Pat
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: hitech on September 15, 2009, 03:04:00 PM
Glider: We do not ever play with flight dynamics. The fighting piece and flying piece we do our best to be as accurate as possible. But things like gauges we will lean more towards playablity then accurate minutia. The compass is just simpler to use for non pilots in this form.
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Anaxogoras on September 15, 2009, 03:09:58 PM
Really?  I'm not a pilot and I find the backward compass confusing as heck. :huh
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: EskimoJoe on September 15, 2009, 04:56:18 PM
Really?  I'm not a pilot and I find the backward compass confusing as heck. :huh
I always found it rather easy to turn right and have the compass turn to the right as well. For instance, looking at the picture in the first post, I would have banked my aircraft to the right to reach a 0 heading. I can see what your thoughts were when you put the compass in, HiTech. It worked (made it more user friendly, that is)  :)
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: FiLtH on September 15, 2009, 10:36:50 PM
   When I get lost, I look at the map.
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: guncrasher on September 15, 2009, 10:49:28 PM
right map is easier and faster to read than compass, i have it set to my stick. but then again i never look at my gas gauge either, till i run out of ammo or the propeller stops turning.

semp
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: John Curnutte on September 16, 2009, 02:46:47 PM
 I can see how the compass setting is easier for most folks , it thru me for a loop a first but now its how it works . You get used to it after a while .
                 Nutte :salute
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Lusche on September 16, 2009, 02:49:29 PM
I doubt I have ever used the compass in Aces High...
Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: ToeTag on September 16, 2009, 09:06:45 PM
If its wet you should not need a compass :devil

Title: Re: Correctly Operating Wet Compasses
Post by: Reaper90 on September 17, 2009, 06:42:01 AM
I doubt I have ever used the compass in Aces High...

What compass?  :rolleyes: