PSS Dash-8 (To buy or not)

[Guest PDX Bailey]

Any suggestions on buying the PSS Dash-8. I think I read somewhere that the frames-per-second are kind of choppy? I own an AMD 1.7 system with 512 ram and a G-Force TI 4400 video card. Any ideas or suggestions appreciated.

[tiberiu11 54]

On your system, it will work fine. Let me try the DASH-8 on my Athlon 1,33, 640RAM, and a GeForce2 MX 400 64MB. I may report later. My advice would be to get it. You won't regret it. It works on my AMD +2400, 512RAM, and GeForce4Ti4600.Edit: All the sliders are maxed out!

[Guest Stratus_Fractus]

I have a system almost exactly like yours. It runs quite smooth, and fps are 15-25 with high detail and a few notches of aniso and AA.

[Guest]

I have a AMD 1Ghz, 512Mb ram and a Geforce 3Ti200 vid card. Runs smooth on my system 16-20FPS with all settings maxed except terrain mesh set at 80%.FYI: PSS dash 8 will not work on most windows 98 machines, but their is a work around...

[Guest PDX Bailey]

Wow! Thanks for the very quick response. I have a XP operating system. Comments look encouraging so far. More opinions welcomed. Thanks, Jack.

[brynjames 0]

>>FYI: PSS dash 8 will not work on most windows 98 machines, >but their is a work around... Aaah, I had given up on my W98 machine - could you tell me where to look for the workround please?Thanks.

[Guest]

Brynjames, what I had to do was to remove the virtual cockpit gauges from the panel.cfg file. Just put // in front of the entire section so it looks like this://[VCockpit01]//size_mm=1024,1024//pixel_size=1024,1024//texture=$VC//background_color=0,0,0//visible=0//gauge00=PSS-Dash8!Airspeed_V, 256,0,255,255//gauge01=PSS-Dash8!Altimeter_V, 768,0,255,255//gauge02=PSS-Dash8!RMI_V, 256,256,255,255//gauge03=PSS-Dash8!VSI_V, 768,256,255,255//gauge04=PSS-Dash8!PFCS_V, 256,512,255,255//gauge05=PSS-Dash8!HSI_V, 512,256,255,255//gauge06=PSS-Dash8!StandbyAlt_V, 0,768,255,255//gauge07=PSS-Dash8!turnslip_V, 0,0,255,255//gauge08=PSS-Dash8!FlapsInd_V, 0,512,255,255//gauge09=PSS-Dash8!StandbyAdiV, 0,256,255,255//gauge10=PSS-Dash8!AdvisoryV, 768,647,255,119//gauge11=PSS-Dash8!ADI_V, 488,-33,290,300//gauge12=PSS-Dash8!Clock_V, 512,512,256,259//gauge13=PSS-Dash8!Fuel1_V, 256,768,256,256//gauge14=PSS-Dash8!Fuel2_V, 512,768,256,256//[VCockpit02]//size_mm=1024,1024//pixel_size=1024,1024//texture=$VC1//background_color=0,0,0//visible=0//gauge00=PSS-Dash8!Torque1_V, 256,0,256,256//gauge01=PSS-Dash8!Torque2_V, 512,0,256,256//gauge02=PSS-Dash8!PropRPM1_V, 256,256,256,256//gauge03=PSS-Dash8!PropRPM2_V, 512,256,256,256//gauge04=PSS-Dash8!ITT1_V, 768,512,256,256//gauge05=PSS-Dash8!ITT2_V, 0,768,256,256//gauge06=PSS-Dash8!NH1_V, 0,0,256,256//gauge07=PSS-Dash8!NH2_V, 768,0,256,256//gauge08=PSS-Dash8!FF1_V, 0,256,256,256//gauge09=PSS-Dash8!FF2_V, 768,256,256,256//gauge10=PSS-Dash8!NL1_V, 512,512,256,256//gauge11=PSS-Dash8!NL2_V, 256,768,256,256//gauge12=PSS-Dash8!FuelTankTempV, 0,512,256,256//gauge13=PSS-Dash8!EngOil1_V, 256,512,256,256//gauge14=PSS-Dash8!EngOil2_V, 512,768,256,256//gauge15=PSS-Dash8!FuelTemp_V, 768,768,256,256//[VCockpit03]//size_mm=1024,1024//pixel_size=1024,1024//texture=$VC2//background_color=0,0,0//visible=0//gauge00=PSS-Dash8!Pedestal_V_WXR, 0,768,256,256//gauge01=PSS-Dash8!Pedestal_V_Radio, 256,768,256,256//gauge02=PSS-Dash8!BypassV, 768,256,256,256//gauge03=PSS-Dash8!ECU_V, 0,512,256,256//gauge04=PSS-Dash8!FuelInd_V, 256,512,256,256//gauge05=PSS-Dash8!AltSelector_V, 256,256,256,256//gauge06=PSS-Dash8!Annunciators_V, 512,256,256,256//gauge07=PSS-Dash8!NAV1_V, 255,0,256,256//gauge08=PSS-Dash8!NAV2_V, 512,0,256,256//gauge09=PSS-Dash8!autopilot_V, 768,0,256,256//gauge10=PSS-Dash8!Gear_V, 0,255,256,256//gauge11=PSS-Dash8!Warning_V, 768,768,255,255//gauge12=PSS-Dash8!Compass_V, 552, 808 ,175,175//;gauge13=PSS-Dash8!AdvisoryV, 512,512,256,256//;gauge14=PSS-Dash8!AdvisoryV, 768,512,256,256//[VCockpit04]//size_mm=1024,1024//pixel_size=1024,1024//texture=$VC3//background_color=0,0,0//visible=0//gauge00=PSS-Dash8!VCoverhead1, 768,0,256,256//gauge01=PSS-Dash8!VCoverhead2, 256,256,256,256//gauge02=PSS-Dash8!VCoverhead3, 512,0,256,256//gauge03=PSS-Dash8!VCoverhead4, 0,256,256,256//gauge04=PSS-Dash8!VCoverhead5, 256,0,256,256//gauge05=PSS-Dash8!VCoverhead6, 512,256,256,256//gauge06=PSS-Dash8!VCoverhead7, 768,256,256,256//gauge07=PSS-Dash8!Caution_V, 0,0,256,256//gauge08=PSS-Dash8!Clipboard, 768,768,256,256If you like vitural cockpits, then this is not a work around, but I only fly IFR, so I removed the entire virtual cockpit and added 2d realistic views....

[brynjames 0]

Thanks!

[Guest]

Did it help brynjames?If it did and you want to add 2d side views, here is how I do it..This procedure will remove the virtual cockpit views...Step 1: Add your 2D realistic side views and make the necessary entries into the panel.cfg file etc. Go to: http://www.bahnhof.se/~classic/ and get 2D side views and add per instructions. If the instructions are not clear, to add 2d side views you need to add the following to the panel config: Note: Just make sure no other windows have the same window numbers as below. If they do, change the numbers below to some other number that will not conflict.. (Window Titles) <-------------------square bracketswindow00=window01=window02=window03=window04= -------This section below has to be added---------------------------------------------Fixed Window30=Forward Right Fixed Window31=RightFixed Window32=Rear RightFixed Window33=RearFixed Window34=Rear LeftFixed Window35=LeftFixed Window36=Forward Left (Views) <----------------square bracketsVIEW_FORWARD_WINDOWS=MAIN_PANELVIEW_FORWARD_DIR=5.5, 0.0, 0.0VIEW_FORWARD_ZOOM=1.0VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT_DIR=6.5, 0.0, 45.0VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT_ZOOM=.75VIEW_FORWARD_RIGHT_WINDOWS=30VIEW_RIGHT_DIR=6.5, 0.0, 90.0VIEW_RIGHT_ZOOM=.75VIEW_RIGHT_WINDOWS=31VIEW_REAR_RIGHT_ZOOM=.75VIEW_REAR_RIGHT_WINDOWS=32VIEW_REAR_ZOOM=.75VIEW_REAR_WINDOWS=33VIEW_REAR_LEFT_ZOOM=.75VIEW_REAR_LEFT_WINDOWS=34VIEW_LEFT_DIR=6.5, 0.0, 270.0VIEW_LEFT_ZOOM=.75VIEW_LEFT_WINDOWS=35VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT_ZOOM=.75VIEW_FORWARD_LEFT_WINDOWS=36VIEW_DOWN_WINDOWS=37VIEW_DOWN_DIR=-5.0, 0.0, 0.0---------Next look for the last window section (window xx)--------------------- (Window00) etc.... Under the last window section add this section below --------------------Last window section (windowxx)----------------------------- (Fixed Window30)file=x.bmp <----------enter bmp file name here visible=0nomenu=1render_3d_window=1window_pos=0.0,0.0window_size=1.000,1.000ident=30 (Fixed Window31)file=x.bmp <------------enter bmp file name here (etc...)visible=0nomenu=1render_3d_window=1window_pos=0.0,0.0window_size=1.000,1.000ident=31 (Fixed Window32)file=x.bmpvisible=0nomenu=1render_3d_window=1window_pos=0.0,0.0window_size=1.000,1.000ident=32 (Fixed Window33)file=x.bmpvisible=0nomenu=1render_3d_window=1window_pos=0.0,0.0window_size=1.000,1.000ident=33 (Fixed Window34)file=x.bmpvisible=0nomenu=1render_3d_window=1window_pos=0.0,0.0window_size=1.000,1.000ident=34 (Fixed Window35)file=x.bmpvisible=0nomenu=1render_3d_window=1window_pos=0.0,0.0window_size=1.000,1.000ident=35 (Fixed Window36)file=x.bmpvisible=0nomenu=1render_3d_window=1window_pos=0.0,0.0window_size=1.000,1.000ident=36---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Now it's time to reposition the V cockpit: Here are two solutions, pick one. I prefer solution#2. Solutions # 1: After the 2D side views have been added or if you don't want 2D side views, load up FS2002 with the aircraft you're going to remove/reposition the VC. Once the aircraft is loaded, switch to the virtual cockpit, and press "Shift + enter" until the VC slips completely below you. Pan left or right to make sure the VC is entirely gone. That's it, you're finished. Now when looking out the side views while in the 2D panel, you'll have just you're 2D side views. Of course, if you didn't add any 2D side views, you'll have wide a open view. Downside to this, after FS2002 is restarted, you'll have to do the same thing again. If you use this method, if you press "Shift + backspace", you can move the VC back into position. Solution #2: (more permanent) This takes a bit of time to adjust, but works great. If you do this change, your view will be clear every time you start FS2002. Open up your aircraft.cfg file and look for this section:(Views)/eyepoint=28.8,-2.2, 3.2eyepoint=35.0,0.0, 3.2Note: use these numbers above for the PSS dash8If this section is not there then add it, starting with all zeros. In this example, I commented out the original eye point view with a /.What you have to do is increase or decrease the first number until the virtual cockpit is adjusted behind your viewpoint, when sitting in the virtual cockpit. I move the cockpit back just far enough so my 2D side views are clear when looking through them. For most models, increasing the first number does the trick. The first number moves the VC forwards or backwards.The second number moves the VC left or right of center.The third number moves the VC up or down. If moving the VC back does not work, you can always move it down. I just prefer moving it back.. Their is one thing you have to watch out when doing this adjustment however. If your aircraft has landing/taxi lights that can be observed while in the 2D cockpit, if you move the VC to far back, you will not see the lights at night... Just beware Hope this helps

[W2DR 1,859]

It's a tremendous aircraft Jack. I've purchased virtually every add-on made in the last few years and the Dash-8 is in my "Top Three" along with the FSD 115TC and 767PIC. The more I fly the Dash-8 the more I marvel at just how good a product it really is.Doug

[Guest]

Ditto to what Doug just said.....I've been flying the Dash 8 since release..... I can't stop...PSS did another great job...

[Guest PhilipManwaring]

The Dash 8 is the finest aircraft I've yet seen from PSS, and after their Aribus series that's saying a lot. The model is gorgeous, the panel is very well depicted and the systems are simulated well. While it doesn't simulate every last aspect of the real plane, it is very comprehensive and as far as I can tell it's almost entirely bug free. Details abound (APU shuts down after t/o, heating elements cycle correctly and turn on at the correct temperatures, etc.). Also, the VC is one of the best and most fully-realized that I've ever seen. Try it - you'll like it! Happy flying,Philip.

[Guest byoung]

Dash 8 is Great.. But the only problem for me is that it isn't compatible with Go Flight's push button module for controling the Auto Pilot. PSS uses its own self contained A/P. So setting the standard A/P variables has no effect on the A/P itselfDoyel at Go Flight Inc. and PSS hopefully are working on a solution.Barry

[Guest]

If you want eye candy and the easy way out to learn how to fly a Dash 8 then get the PSS model. Very nice looks but tends to chew up the frames pretty fast. Don't care for the sound file as it is not complete. Other then that it looks pretty.If you want FREE, realistic, great dynamics, awsome sound, and would like to learn the real workings of flying a Dash 8, then go get Olesky Frolov's model (available here at AVSIM).If you want to sit outside and watch the plane fly then PSS is the one for you. If you want to sit in the cockpit where you belong and fly the plane then Olesky is the way to go.http://www3.telus.net/dport1/Radar_small.gifRC3 - Just gotta' have it!http://www3.telus.net/dport1/Radar_small.gifhttp://www3.telus.net/dport1/dansig.jpg

[Guest Henri W]

Dan,I fully agree with what you say. However, Oleksiy's model isn't too bad either.Best regards,Henrihttp://hifi.avsim.net/activesky/images/wxrebeta.jpgOleksiy Frolov's Dash 8-Q300 in Tyrolean livery: