Flight Simulator X

[The Finman]

Wow, is all I can say.

I have a commercial pilot's license with multi-engine and instrument ratings, so I've been using flight sims for over a decade just to keep my instrument proficiency up.

And since almost all of my flight sims are IFR (Instrument Flight Rules), graphics on flight sims have basically been irrelevant to me.

However the new Flight Simulator X from Microsoft is so impressive in the graphics department, that I've switched from running all IFR flights for instrument proficiency, and I've been running mostly VFR (Visual Flight Rules) for most of my sims on the new FSX just to kick back and enjoy some of the eye popping scenery.

I've got an nVidia GeForce 7950 GT graphic card which is pretty much almost the top of the line, and the FSX pushes it to it's limits.

Even for those that are not pilots, the new FSX is incredible.



Here is a real landing at Princess Juliana International on the left versus the FSX simulation on the right.

[RandomNY]

I have it also and the graphics are impressive, but what has always disappointed me is that the inaccuracy of the roads and such.

I can understand that their is no way to have every single building in it's right place, but can't we have at least road markings and correct topography?

There should be a way to incorporate Microsoft's Streets and MAPs program into Flight Simulator.

How about not having farmland in the middle of Manhatten island.

I was hoping for years that Microsoft would be more accurate with this version. I would like to fly over my house and not see a stream where my driveway is.

The Las Vegas strip is very accurate, I didn't fly anywhere else. Nowadays Microsoft would probably blame terrorism concerns but FS has always been rather inaccurate..
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My new computer is:

Intel Duo Core Conroe 1.86ghz
2 GIGS of Kingston PC800 RAM
ATI X1800 Raedeon PCI Express VID CARD Crossfire edition(so I can hook up a second card and they can run in tandem)

320 and 200 GIG hard drives
ASUS P5BWIFI DELUX MOBO.
LIAN LI Aluminum case
Samsung 20.1 LCD (sweet contrast)
WinXP 64bit edition

[The Finman]

Yeah, that is the toss up.

Well known airports the geography, roads and buildings are usually pretty acurate, but the lesser known FBOs are generic.

Even still...FSX ate up about 14 Gigs of my hard drive.

This is the first Microsoft Flight Sim I've had in awhile as I have prefered Terminal Reality's FLY! over the previous FS releases from Microsoft. Again, graphics have really never been important to me as my flights are almost all IFR.

I would however really like to see a Beechcraft 1900D added for this sim.



Back when FLY! and FLYII! flight simulator programs were well supported I knew where to go get good addons for them, and I've been looking through some of the addon support sites for FSX, but I can't find a Beechcraft 1900 (C or D) addon even for purchase.

[The Finman]

Originally Posted by RandomNY

I have it also and the graphics are impressive, but what has always disappointed me is that the inaccuracy of the roads and such.

I can understand that their is no way to have every single building in it's right place, but can't we have at least road markings and correct topography.

Well, I just solved that problem today!!

Whooohooo!!

...or better yet...YEEEHAAWW!!!

http://www.megascenery.com/megasceneryxdfw.htm

This thing ROCKS!!!!!

[RandomNY]

I was watching KATIE COURIC tonight, it was on at my gym, and she did a story on how MICROSOFT is going to take on GOOGLE EARTH. Microsoft's version will have everything in 3D. They showed pics of the HOOVER DAM and the VEGAS strip that were amazing.

Microsoft says it will have about 5000 cities totally ready in a few years, they have teams driving around different cities snapping pics, as they drive with these special SUVS, they are calling it INTERNET EARTH 2.0(not the exact name), so maybe my dream will become a reality some years from now.

Yea it's a huge install, but don't worry Vista will be anywhere from 15 to around 30 GIGS of install space needed.

[RandomNY]

I'm sure all the addon programs will be released soon, I would love to get the addon with the MILITARY JETS and the aircraft carrier. The last verison had the RONALD REAGAN that you can takeoff and land on.

[The Finman]

Well, I found a B1900D for 2002 & 2004...I'm in the process of "borrowing" it to see if it's compatible with FSX.





Here is something of interest also.

Here are an artist's concept of FSX with DirectX 9 versus the upcoming 10 for Vista.

DirectX9


DirectX10


More...

Here is some real life shots versus DirectX10 shots for a game called Crysis

[RandomNY]

I can not wait for Crysis to come out. It's been a bit delayed, from what I have read. I might have to purchase a second X1800 for Crysis.

[The Finman]

$%#&...grumble, grumble.

I got my hands on both a Beechcraft 1900C and 1900D for FS2002 and FS2004. I thought I could modify the files to work with FSX and I did somewhat, but there was just too many errors.

I have FS2002, but pretty much have never used it as I've preferred the flight sim FLY! from Terminal Reality. I think I will just probably wait until they make a viable 1900D version for FSX.

[RandomNY]

Fin I'm sure you know of this site but I heard a guy talking about Fightsim X today and he mentioned this website..

www.flightsim.com