Which addons?

[icudan 5]

Hello, So I've ordered my new system and FSX so now its just my favourite part, Addons! I've been researching and have been thinking about getting My Traffic 2013, ORBX for England but not sure what weather to get REX? Flight Environment X?  Theres sooooo many to choose from!

 

Any opinions would be great!

 

Thank you muchly.

[mutley 4,498]

Hi Dan

 

As a start, have a look here http://forum.mutleyshangar.com/index.php/topic/9455-mutleys-hangar-end-of-year-awards-results/?hl=awards

 

 

Cheers ... Joe

[allardjd 1,853]

AirHauler; VAC; a good traffic program; REX or Active Sky; TrackIR;

 

John

 

EDIT: If that's you in the video clip you really need to switch to decaf...

 

JDA

[icudan 5]

Thanks gents I've had a look through the list Mut and there are a few addons there that look amazing! My bank is going to take a beating next week, It's lucky I've been doing so well on the horses this week.

 

John its not me in the video mate its Ricky Gervais in The Office playing David Brent.

 

Thanks!

[remingtonbox 18]

REX and Opus for weather

[Mistwalker 3]

Remington, how/why do you use Rex and Opus together? I use Rex but after seeing this video...

I'm seriously considering Opus. I'm really impressed with that fog effect.

[needles 1,013]

Remington, how/why do you use Rex and Opus together? I use Rex but after seeing this video...

I'm seriously considering Opus. I'm really impressed with that fog effect.

Thanks Steve, that's an excellent video showing what Opus can do.

The fog is so realistic.

I was getting very nervous towards touchdown, then seeing the runway lights was bliss.

Thanks for posting it.

BTW, I have Opus already but have yet to set it up.

[britfrog 180]

IMHO the fog produced in FSGRW is far better and more realistic than opus.

I have been watching some french tests of FSGRW and it started with some guys who were staunch opus suporters almost unwilling to try the free offering of FSGRW however they did and have been posting webcam shots  and comparing them with opus and FSGRW and it is clear from  what I have seen so far FSGRW is the winner so much so that they have now bought the software.

[Mistwalker 3]

It's really tough making a decision on the weather progs as all of them seem to have their followers. There doesn't seem to be a clear leader in the race at the moment.

[brett 2,316]

IMHO the fog produced in FSGRW is far better and more realistic than opus.

I have been watching some french tests of FSGRW and it started with some guys who were staunch opus suporters almost unwilling to try the free offering of FSGRW however they did and have been posting webcam shots  and comparing them with opus and FSGRW and it is clear from  what I have seen so far FSGRW is the winner so much so that they have now bought the software.

 

Do you use REX or default textures when using FSGRW? 

[britfrog 180]

There is no doubt that all the major players in the weather progs have a very vocal, loyal group of supporters and I have contemplated the possibility of attempting to do a conclusive comparison between them all however this is a huge undertaking and not at all simple, and in reality just about impossile to do as no two people use these programs the same way or for the same things.

I have used Active Sky in FS9 and fsx before Rex came out but preferred the cloud and water representation of Rex, however Rex doesnt always portray the right clouds for a given metar, yes it is great eye candy but not always correct. Opus stole the show with its speed of start up but this only uses whatever textures are installed in FSX and it adds things which in my opinion are not necesary like camera views. FSGRW likewise uses whatever textures are in fsx but the way their program chooses what type of cloud seems more correct than Opus but less flamboyant than rex . In the meantime rex has addressed quite well their speed issues with a recent update and Opus have within the last few days released a new version as well, so it really is a lottery.

Personally I use Rex for some situations, like vfr flying and FSGRW for flying high and fast, but mix and match as i like as there are times when 1 program works better than another.

 

[needles 1,013]

Thanks for your pretty concise explanation Nigel, I for one much appreciate it.

I, like others are pretty much confused as to what to use when and with what, to get the best overall effects.

I did dip my toes into the coffers and bought Opus and I also have Rex, so I suppose I should settle with that combo' for now and learn to play around with the textures Rex has to offer, to find my ultimate setup for vfr, low and slow way of flying, that I like.

Cheers again.

[icudan 5]

Seem's I am spoilt for choice when it comes to a weather addon, I'll have a ponder over the weekend, My PC doesn't come until Tuesday or Wednesday so I have plenty of time.

[brett 2,316]

I like the textures that REX has but would like a better representation of the weather like FSGRW but the price is kinda high considering that it does not include textures. I think I am going to take the wait it out posture to see if REX will improve their program because I am happy with it except for the over the top look(I haven't quite found the perfect ones I am looking for, I thought the program would do the work for me but they seem to use the brightest colors when you let them choose and it does not match what I see outside). Otherwise I might get FSGRW if it goes down in price.

 

So yes it is hard to choose the perfect weather program as an addon but it sure makes a big difference to the sim experience. There are a lot of payware aircraft out there so I would start of with something that you will do most of your flying in, passenger, GA and so on. It is fun to immerse yourself in one aircraft at a time before moving on to the next best one available. Same with scenery, it's hard to give an opinion on what to go with because everyone has there own likes and dislikes. Reading as many reviews as you can and watching video's of the different types is your best bet. Each have their own pros and con's. I personally think the Accu-Feel addon is a must along with a weather program to start off with. You do not mention adding the FSX Acceleration expansion pack, I would get that too. More missions, planes and needed service packs.  

[icudan 5]

Hi, It is going to be a tough choice but I have the weekend to have a look through. I'm waiting for my FSX Acceleration to be dispatched and have SP1 + SP2 downloaded ready. I will look more into this FSGRW as I have never heard of it before.

Thanks!

[icudan 5]

I really like the look of Opus I'm leaning towards giving that a try to be honest, Does Opus provide the breathtaking skies like REX does?

[brett 2,316]

Opus and FSRGW use whatever textures are in your FSX texture files. REX provides a large library that replaces the default textures with many combinations available to display.

 

REX includes a texture tool where you can pick and choose what you would like your skies, water, runway surfaces, ect. to look like. 

 

There are also freeware textures(and weather program) to be found, some are pretty good to use with the other weather programs. They add more shading among other things. Always back up the default textures when trying out new textures. This freeware requires a bit of understanding of editing folders and files.

 

Hope that helps. Check out any free demos of the payware programs available too.

[needles 1,013]

Opus and FSRGW use whatever textures are in your FSX texture files. REX provides a large library that replaces the default textures with many combinations available to display.

REX includes a texture tool where you can pick and choose what you would like your skies, water, runway surfaces, ect. to look like.

There are also freeware textures(and weather program) to be found, some are pretty good to use with the other weather programs. They add more shading among other things. Always back up the default textures when trying out new textures. This freeware requires a bit of understanding of editing folders and files.

Hope that helps. Check out any free demos of the payware programs available too.

Sound advice Brett. Definitely backup before trying out new or free textures or any new add-ons come to think of it.

Cheers.

[icudan 5]

I will have a look into some freeware stuff then chaps thank you might end up using a couple of different ones!

Thanks!

[brett 2,316]

Just to note: If you install Acceleration, you do not need to install Sp1 and 2, they are included in the expansion pack already.

 

Thx Brian

[icudan 5]

Cheers Brett wasn't aware that save me a job, can I install my scenery and aircraft before I install the acceleration as that might come a couple of days after my new computer or will I have to wait? Not been on today with working and watching the US open.

Thanks!

[brett 2,316]

Not to sure about that, I realize your excited to jump right in but it might cause a problem. Maybe someone else knows better but I would tend to play it on the safe side.

[needles 1,013]

Hi Dan, before you install any add-on scenery, you should wait until you have acceleration installed.

Things could get a wee bit confusing otherwise.

Patience pays off, so just hang fire unatil you have acceleration installed.

Cheers.

[icudan 5]

I understand gentlemen, Thanks for the heads up. I believe my Acceleration will probably come the same day as my computer, Fingers crossed anyway, Waiting one more day wont hurt I guess. I've got a flying lesson this week and a day trip to Wales with a girl I used to go to school with to keep me occupied aswell!

 

You're up late, Or early, Needles! I've been woken up by the West Midlands Police Helicopter hovering above my house!!

[britfrog 180]

when i lived in the uk I had problems with the police doing the same over where i lived, regularly.

So as they were keeping all the youngsters awake on the estate i phoned the cops who informed me that they were on an operation, so I phoned the center for helicopter ops and informed them if they didnt get it removed immediatly , the following night I would ensure to be circling the house of the chief commisioner of surrey at 3 am with my own a/c  (at a legal height of course) 30 seconds later the helicopter departed. and it never came back.

 

Getting back on subject Dan a good flight planner is virually a necessity i have used flight sim commander for over a year then bought aivla softs planner which is more impressive to look at , and is used by many virtual airline pilots. However after using both for some time now i find i need to use fsim commander to help out the shortcomings of aivla especially for routes from less frequentd airports, plus it selects more realistic airways between two airports. There is no doubt that aivla has a more impressive presentation but fsim commander does the same things in a simpler way. Maybe Joe would like me to write a comparative review?