An option to display the "Real Altitude"

[kerbonaut101]

Currently the altimeter displays the altitude from sea level, this is great for splash-downs on Kerbin, Eve and Laythe, but it is not very helpful if you are landing on the Mun, Minmus, Duna ect... So what I am asking for is an option to change the altimeters reference point between sea level and ground level

Edit: Im talking about the altimeter thats part of the UI

Edited April 13, 2014 by kerbonaut101

[John FX]

Makes sense to me. I use mechjeb and RPM and both have a `radar altimeter` which performs exactly what you describe but I agree this info should be part of stock. On other planets the only reading you should get is the radar reading from the ground.

[r4pt0r]

please this.

[coolitic]

A better idea is something that measures the distance between the command pod and the ground directly below, great for landing on mountains and pits.

[Sirrobert]

A better idea is something that measures the distance between the command pod and the ground directly below, great for landing on mountains and pits.

That's basicly what is discussed

[Kasuha]

There is radar altimeter available in all pods which have IVA but yes, it would definitely help if main altimeter could be switched to that mode, too. Perhaps with slightly changed background of numbers, brownish or greenish to indicate the mode.

[kerbonaut101]

Another thing ive thought of is having an emergency light turn on when you reach 500m. Obviously it would turn off once you reached the the surface, would anyone find this useful?

Edited April 13, 2014 by kerbonaut101

[Tery215]

Yah I suppose.

Maybe distance from object to center of sphere of influence too?

[Kasuha]

Another thing ive thought of is having an emergency light turn on when you reach 500m. Obviously it would turn off once you reached the the surface, would anyone find this useful?

There is kind of solution for "emergency light". If you mount a downwards spotlight (Mk1 illuminator) on your ship, you will get a light spot below your ship at about 500 m above the terrain (it is slightly less than 500 m) so if you pay attention you can use that to land even in darkness without access to radar altimeter.

[Joonatan1998]

I think that it could require an special part. (The IVA altimeter would require it too)

[KaBob]

Yeah there really needs to be some way to view those numbers without going IVA. Maybe it should just switch to radar automatically at the same height that it forces 1x time warp, with the option to switch back by clicking on the numbers.

[Nemoricus]

I'd really appreciate this as well. Since we can shift our velocity indicator from orbital to surface-relative modes, why not the altitude meter?

[FORUM_TEST_2-19-14]

This was already suggested (by me) a month ago!...

[Plugin Request] "Real Altitude" altimeter that shows "when am I gonna crash?"!

...& written by Diazo a couple days ago!...

Landing Height: Show distance from bottom of your vessel to ground

[NeoMorph]

Diazo has really added some good stuff... Especially his Action Group eXtender.

[kerbonaut101]

This was already suggested (by me) a month ago!...

[Plugin Request] "Real Altitude" altimeter that shows "when am I gonna crash?"!

...& written by Diazo a couple days ago!...

Landing Height: Show distance from bottom of your vessel to ground

Never saw that... I guess we want the same thing

[Anton P. Nym]

There is kind of solution for "emergency light". If you mount a downwards spotlight (Mk1 illuminator) on your ship, you will get a light spot below your ship at about 500 m above the terrain (it is slightly less than 500 m) so if you pay attention you can use that to land even in darkness without access to radar altimeter.

Yup. I usually mount a pair of Mk 1s; when I see them light up the terrain I know it's within 500m, when the spots separate I know that contact is imminent. (Stole the idea from The Dambusters, to give credit where it's due.)

-- Steve