When driving a tank, it is very important for the commander to lean out and use the binoculars, but many newcomers don’t know it. This part should be added to the tutorial.
（Press B after protruding from the turret, or press 8 if equipped with a telescope, all weapons will follow the aiming ring in telescope mode）
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Is commander lean out and use binocular that important?
Because commander is very vulnerable when he lean out, very often a shot comes from some random place just kill him.
I think using commander sight or gunner sight is enough if you want to view far away.
Unless you are using US td which only has commander mg or else I don’t think it is worth it.
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binoculars in general are not important right now, map would have to be enlarged for that
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I almost never pop out of my tank as commander while in battle. it is best to stay in your tank. I’m also one of those players who will take out your tank commander if you pop out of the hatch as my enemy. so you should be scared of me! 
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Using binoculars as a tank commander is very, very useful for spotting enemy tanks before they spot you. They also allow you to suppress an area with fire from a very safe distance.
This is almost completely necessary for some German tanks that are more tank destroyer than actual tank.
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Yes. Sometimes I use it to see over obstacles/cover so I can see the enemy but he can’t see me (so well).
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Quite a few tanks have men to spare and do not mind losing one or two crew. They remain fully functional.
If you have sights on a tank without being seen yourself, you would be better off trying to hit the tank with explosives than trying to hit the commander. By shooting the commander all you are really doing is alerting them to your presence so they can engage or reposition. I’d personally rather lose a crew member than get surprised by a thrown explosive from infantry I did not see.
Not that it is a good idea to keep your commander out for long periods of time and just letting them die.
That said, popping out of the turret and gunning down flanking infantry with your SMG is a great way of protecting yourself. Gunning from the hatch gives you a safe place to duck into for reloading, and your aim does not suffer when the tank moves under you, allowing you to move and shoot better than on foot.
Edit: In fact, I would almost say that a player driving a Stuart or Puma might be more deadly to infantry if they were doing drive bys with SMGs rather than using the turret’s un-upgraded gun. Even more so if different players are driving and shooting. Weapons like the M1E5 Garand (which can be used by tankers) are great for this.
I do not think you realize just how far from the battle tanks usually spawn. Using binoculars to see across the battle field to spot enemy positions or enemy tanks at their own spawn points can be very useful.
They did not add the binoculars to the game for no reason. They even gave them their own equipment slot.
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With a scope you can fire with insane accuracy at over 200 range.
In particular, some maps of Normandy are very suitable.
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Why do they Stand up ffs, ist’s not like there on parade in front of Stalin on May day.
Probably for game balance.
Like I stated earlier, a player shooting from the commander’s hatch of a fast vehicle can actually do a lot of damage. Their aim/bullet spread is not effected by the speed of the vehicle moving under them. Although their animation has them standing, their aiming functions as if their are kneeling (I believe, it is hard to be certain. It might actually be prone aiming). Combine this with the ability to duck into perfect cover to reload and fire the vehicle’s main guns and you can be a real menace.
As for why they are standing, some people have trouble hitting a running target, much less one driving at speed and actively shooting. Imagine trying to shoot just the head and shoulders of someone moving that fast. Assuming their aim is as good as yours, who do you think will land a hit first? Having them standing is a needed counter balance for the play style.
Also, standing up higher is useful for gaining a bit more sight range, when needed.
This imo, would be far more reasonable a pose, and more realistic.
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What is funny here is that he is in a German’s commander cupola, and thus has far less reason to stick his head out. (they have view ports on all sides)
Anyways, as stated. We do not see this in game due to game balance. Balanced game play will always have to come first over realism or historical accuracy.
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