FSX vs History of Flight 2004

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Member for

17 years 1 month

Posts: 113

I've now used FSX a lot and I still can't make up my mind whether I like it better than 9.

It certainly has advantages. The colours are more vibrant and the ground traffic is nice to have but somehow using it with the settings sliders down at reasonable levels it seems just slightly jerky especially when taxiing, while 9 operates the aircraft as smooth as silk with most if not all the sliders to the far right.

I can't say I'm a fan of the 3D cockpit on either program but certainly, that again seems to work more smoothly on 9 than on FSX.

In the 2D cockpits, there's a noticeable delay before the look right and left views come up in FSX while 9 is instant although I must admit this phenomenon only seems occur at the very beginning of flights and once the program has warmed up it's pretty fast.

Anyone else with views on this subject which will help to convince me FSX is worth the change?

John Y

Original post

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 6,503

I know for sure that my computer wouldn't be able to handle FSX as it is - although it would with an upgrade or two. I do admit that the latest Flight Simulator looks pretty special for the same reasons you mentioned, and also for it's amazing water reflections, but I think that forking out extra cash on upgrades for what appears such a subtle change would be pointless.

And with so few add-ons and aircraft available for FSX at the moment, it isn't really an option. I've got dozens of add-ons for Flight Simulator 9 (sceneries and aircraft) and I'm happy with it.

Member for

18 years 8 months

Posts: 4,721

And with so few add-ons and aircraft available for FSX at the moment, it isn't really an option. I've got dozens of add-ons for Flight Simulator 9 (sceneries and aircraft) and I'm happy with it.

I am happy with FS9 aswel got loads of aircraft plus the F28 :D I wait till the next FS is out;)

James

Member for

17 years 1 month

Posts: 113

And another thing about FSX

Why on earth is it that the 2D cockpit has to be built up before you can use it? For instance; to get the light switches, the trim and wheels panel, the auto pilot and the GPS, even in the Garmin 1000 version aircraft it's necessary to press shift and the numbers to get them, then position and resize them to your liking. It's ridiculous taking that much time before you can even get ready to fly; you're practically building the cockpit yourself!

One more consideration is that even with 2GB of RAM and a new Nvidia graphics card, the settings on X have to be made at the left side rather than the right to get any kind of evennness which rather defeats the object of the better scenery because you can't get it!

On the other hand, since raising this little discussion, I must admit that having the airport and ground traffic running around makes the 9 airports seem very bare. And the turbulance built into the X program certainly adds interest to the landings, expecially coming into Bristol over the Severn Estuary in a light aircraft like the Cessna. In fact, it sometimes seems to me to be positively dangerous!

All in all I've finally come to the conclusion that I like X better but would advise anyone just starting to train on 9 first. It's more stable and does contain the lessons.

John Y

Member for

19 years 8 months

Posts: 282

Many people have already said that FS9 with all the addons available is just as good as FSX, and will run better. I download the FSX demo version, and to be honest I've certainly not been in any hurry to buy it!

Member for

17 years

Posts: 3

I bought FSX for Xmas, and at first was not too sure whether I had wasted my money or not.

However, once you have played around with the settings, it is well worth it, even just for the water!!!!

Unless you have a low spec pc I would give it a go.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 4,213

These debates come up ever time M$ releases a new FS, especially when upgrading the platform. More than ever this time people are shying away due to the new capabilities of Vista which will boost FSX even more, but look scary from the outside especially to people with less technical knowledge.

FSX is much better than FS9 from my use on a Windows XP Pro platform. Ive run it on my laptop which is not amazing but has a decent onboard ATI X700 video card.

People are scared away from FSX due to Vista but 90% due to them being comfortable with their addons and do not want to break their level of comfort, rather transition to a new higher level when able. This is not a fault of them I am like this too but I am lucky to have facilities to try the new sim out without having to get rid of FS9 etc (I run FSX on my A320 Sim and FS9 on my home PC).

It has been shown on other forums that when people are asked why they dont move, they want to give a solid reason and this can lead to slander as it has done. Its human nature to want to match others egos and this is where the slander comes from on so many forums (not saying its slandered on here). FSX doesnt have a clear picture in the minds of users as a result of various slander etc and its not fair as its a blo*dy good program. Ok some PCs cant hack it but thats no reason to slander it.

Sorry about the rant but im getting fed up overall of people on various forums (mind you not much here) making up lies or just exaggerating situations to make FSX look bad as they are embarrased about not being able to upgrade.

Member for

19 years 8 months

Posts: 282

I don't have Vista, and to be honest I've never been "scared" by moving on, but if everything works fine, why bother spending loads of money to keep up with the latest craze. I prefer to catch up later, that way all the bugs have been ironed out of the software. Vista still has many problems from what I've been reading, but so did XP upon it's release and these were sorted out in time. I don't "need" a new Operating System and will only get Vista when I get a new computer. I've never gone and bought a new OS for the sake of it, I have much better things to spend my money on.

Back to the thread in hand, like many people I've bought a lot of money's worth of addons for FS9 many of which will not work on FSX, and I'm rather fond of them. The UK2000 Scenery team have recently released a statement saying many of their scenery products will not run properly on FSX and a complete rebuild would be the only way of rectifying the problem, a huge task that could take years to complete. I like flying from my local patch, and to lose that would take away a huge amount of the enjoyment for me.

As for water, there are plenty of freeware or payware addons that create stunning water effects for FS9, it's also perfectly possible to have AI boats too, so there's nothing new in that really.

It's all down to what works for individual people, and for me I'm happy with what I've got. :)

Member for

17 years 1 month

Posts: 113

FSX vs 9

Well, I do seem to have stirred some passions!

I'm still using both programs on my one computer and they seem happy to work alongside one another.

The other point is. Vista may be better for FSX. I don't know, and probably never will as I'm perfectly happy with XP with FSX on it.

However, there is something else about FSX that I don't like and that is it seems to be a somewhat wobbly program. In that I mean if you do the slightest thing (like turning off your printer - that was the last thing I had) while it's trying to change from say 'settings' to 'free flight' it's prone to crash the computer. The result is I've just reloaded it for the third time! It's my fault because I'm impatient but it's annoying just the same, expecially so because each time you have to reload the program you lose your pilot records, logbook etc.

John Y

Member for

17 years

Posts: 3

FS9 better than FSX?

:) I have FSX Pro and it works well on a medium spec computer. The graphics are good, there are alot of aircraft and there are just as many add-ons. I think FSX comes out on top. How can it not be better?

visit : http://groups.google.co.uk/group/fsimmersuk?hl=en

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Member for

17 years 4 months

Posts: 1,060

Hi ya, just nipped in from the Historic Forum and found this little gem. I have read with interest your comments. My "problem" is I didnt know FSX was coming out, bought 9 and with the help of Ebay got all the Add ons & aircraft I wanted then up pops FSX.

FSX looks pretty amazing, and from the comments here u guys mostly like it so yes if it was worth my while then Id buy it too, but I also know my PC would propably through a mega techy strop at the thought of FSX.

Only thing I dont like is the constant M$ upgrades to new software on which most of the stuff u already have wont work on the new stuff. I also have a load of FS2000 add ons, but as that runs on my old lap top, my step son is getting that to play with while I have FS9, so eventually he will get my FS9 collection (when he stops putting big holes in runways LoL)

Oh slightly off topic, but John Y, if u think FSX is a little unstable and throws its toys then try M$ Train Sim, THAT is unstable but when it works is great fun. Bex

Member for

17 years

Posts: 3

Most PCs made since 2003 should run fsx OK. So nobody should be going on about that their PC can't run it.:confused:

Member for

17 years 4 months

Posts: 1,060

D'oh I knew I shoulda saved a bit longer before I bought a cheapo graphics card and BUILT my pile of poo PC oh well silly me :diablo: Bex

Member for

17 years 1 month

Posts: 113

FSX vs FS9

Now here's another thing. All you wise guys who are holding on before upgrading, and make no mistake, you will be upgrading, are very wise and don't I wish I had held on a bit longer too!

The reason is Microsoft have launched a free up-grade download for FSX which pretty much improves everything. Unfortunately, only those with a powerful broadband connection will be able to benefit from it. It's 90 odd MB! How do they expect us dial-up connectors to get it? Well, I did try. After two and a half boring hours and with another five or six hours to go my server decided enough was enough and cut me off!!!

I'm hoping that Microsoft will take up my suggestion that they offer it on disc but I'm not holding my breath.

I tried the real photo scenery too, and my advice would be to hold before you get those add on's because if Just Flight is anything to go by, you have to get a download from Microsoft before that will work properly too.

Despite all this, I still prefer FSX with the traffic features making everything so busy and the more vibrant and accurate scenery. I'm glad I've got it. I use FS9 occasionally, usually to learn to fly a different aircraft, then I go on to FSX to brave the turbulance and enjoy a rather more realistic flying experience.