I want to get lost!

[laukejas]

Hello,

I'm using Virtual sailor 7.1. After playing a while, I discovered it's quite easy to navigate, because you know everytime where you are: press f and you will see your coordinates. Open GPS, and you will see it even more accurately. Open map, you'll see your position. But what if I want to make some dead reckoning and celestal navigation? Of course, I can never open GPS, and when I press f to see time, just don't look at the coordinates. But with map, there is no escape - I will always see the triangle of my ship, along with the coordinates.

So sextant becomes quite useless, because coordinates are almost EVERYWHERE.

What can I do? Is there a way to make map do not show my boat location, so I can use it only for planning? Or should I abandon the map, and use external application (can you recommend any that would be accurate with Virtual Sailor and it's sceneries)?

Thank you in advance.

[Axeonalias]

Hi Laukejas,

I must admit I have experienced the same feeling, Ill second you on this one.

[Hrive]

Yeah, I wish there were a way to turn the coordinates off, and use the map for navigation -- maybe add waypoints or little push-pins to mark where you *think* you are, or draw lines of position. It would be a great addition. Then all the navigation aides would have a reason for existing!

[ron]

Yes, navigation..
On the previous VS board I posted a tutorial on how to use the sextant in VS, there is a particular time offset you have to observe as the VS heavens are not exactly rendered true? The tutor would take care of that. I'm trying to find it back on the old forum? No luck just yet but I'll get there.

In the meantime, there are 9 chapters in below link that should be very usefull to any nav student....

http://www.sailingissues.com/navcourse0.html

[Sailorjohn]

I have to agree...I'd previously asked Ilan for the VS option to untick all vessel positions (mine and AI) from Map, allowing for navigation practice...and adding an element of surprise when encountering other traffic. Since I exclusively use VSF now, I think this is a most desirable option for the future.

[Victor]

I have to agree...I'd previously asked Ilan for the VS option to untick all vessel positions (mine and AI) from Map, allowing for navigation practice...and adding an element of surprise when encountering other traffic. Since I exclusively use VSF now, I think this is a most desirable option for the future.

That has been on the wish list for a long time as well as a detachable chart you can use for planning.

Victor

[ron]

I'm trying to figure out what it is exactly we want Ilan to accomplish in the sim on this topic (dead reckoning).
We are on the subject of "dead reckoning" where we use a map and are plotting our course and spead over "the ground" taking some variables (like wind/current drift) into consideration into an anticipation of true position (the guess).

The more I think about it the better I understand it is an almost impossible question/request to Ilan, how can he anticipate all the variables and render those on a map (dead reckoned position versus actual position)?

This is a serious topic though as you'd want the simulator to "simulate" what you see/do/experience once "in command".

We've got to keep the topic of dead reckoning open as it is an elementory one,

[Hrive]

it is an almost impossible question/request to Ilan, how can he anticipate all the variables and render those on a map (dead reckoned position versus actual position

All he would have to do is create a button or option to NOT show the vehicles on the map. Then, if we can place [way]points, and use the "measure" tool from them, we'd be in business. The ability to draw a line between two waypoints would be helpful, in the long run, and not something I'd consider an impossible request.

[ron]

Well, if that's all which is required, can't you remove the vehicle yourself and be on the map without one? Why wait for Ilan to remove the vehicle if you can do it yourself and then see if you can do the dead reckoning stuff?
I'm just brainstorming with myself now..., I would insert a set of waypoints and save it as a situation, load a boat and follow the waypoints (the dead reckoned stuff) NOT on autopilot and see what I'd have to do to stay on course?

[Hrive]

I don't think you're understanding what I'm saying (I can't speak for everyone else). I want to be in a ship, like in real life, and use the sextant/compass to take sightings and then mark where I think I am on the map, like sailors do in real life. As far as I know, currently there's no way in VSF to delete a vehicle just from the map. I need to have the vehicle in the game, of course, because that's what I'm trying to navigate through the water. Hope that makes sense.

I'm not sure what you mean by the second paragraph.