Switching Altimeter Modes

[Shadowsteps]

It would be incredibly useful if we could switch between the altimeter and and radar altimeter (height above sea level and height above terrain) on the main screen.  I know you can see it from IVA, but switching back and forth as you are landing is a pretty big pain.  It seems like this would be a really easy thing to implement.  Is there a reason they haven't done this yet?

Edited April 3, 2016 by Shadowsteps

[Rocket In My Pocket]

Same reason we don't have a stock Delta V or TWR read out I imagine.

Downloading KER is my suggestion.

 

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, Rocket In My Pocket said:

Same reason we don't have a stock Delta V or TWR read out I imagine.

Downloading KER is my suggestion.

Very true.

Personally, if I was a KSP dev, the first thing I'd do is add Delta V and TWR readouts, along with this.

[StrandedonEarth]

21 hours ago, CliftonM said:

Personally, if I was a KSP dev, the first thing I'd do is add Delta V and TWR readouts, along with this.

Credit edit: Meme lifted from the KSP Memes Megathread

Edited April 4, 2016 by StrandedonEarth

[pandaman]

Yes.  As has been suggested before, either have a toggle switch next to the display and/or have it default to radar altitude in 'surface' mode.

If a parachute knows how high it is off the ground surely the pilot could be given a bit of a clue.  I know it's in IVA,  but I'm usually too busy steering to flip views constantly. 

I use KER and have the height above terrain on the hud, but it should still be on the stock altimeter IMHO.  

[Red Iron Crown]

I've used Landing Height for this functionality for a long time, it changes the stock altimeter to AGL altitude when in surface mode and uses the lowest part of the craft rather than the root part for altitude. It's baffling to me that this is not how stock works, or that the radar altimeter is IVA only.

[Shadowsteps]

18 hours ago, Rocket In My Pocket said:

Same reason we don't have a stock Delta V or TWR read out I imagine.

Downloading KER is my suggestion.

 

The devs have said that the TWR/DV readout has complications, edge cases where it becomes incredibly complex to calculate the true Delta V of the rocket, with engines in different vectors etc. As a stock feature it would be expected to accurately account for all of that.  This, however, is so much simpler.  It's a value already calculated in the game, all it needs is a display on the main screen.  

[Rocket In My Pocket]

1 hour ago, Shadowsteps said:

The devs have said that the TWR/DV readout has complications, edge cases where it becomes incredibly complex to calculate the true Delta V of the rocket, with engines in different vectors etc. As a stock feature it would be expected to accurately account for all of that.  This, however, is so much simpler.  It's a value already calculated in the game, all it needs is a display on the main screen.  

A stock DV calculator wouldn't have to function any better than KER does to be acceptable.

I mean, has KER held anyone back from visiting all the planets in the Kerbal system? Nope.

Not to mention the "edge" cases so often mentioned aren't going to affect new players building standard rockets so by the time they encounter them, they should be experienced enough to deal with any irregularities.

 

[Shadowsteps]

Just stating what reasons the devs have given for why there isn't a stock DV readout.

[Rocket In My Pocket]

1 hour ago, Shadowsteps said:

Just stating what reasons the devs have given for why there isn't a stock DV readout.

Yeah, sorry!

There is a another thread going on now about why we don't have a stock DV readout and I got a little carried away.

[Shadowsteps]

Yeah I'm pretty sure that's where I got their answer to that haha!  Given that their time is limited I understand that they can't implement everything we ask for.  Maybe I'm wrong but I feel this would be a 1-2 devday project that would provide a massive quality of life benefit to players.