I see the #1 pick in most everyone's list is Active Sky V6.5. I am still using AS4.5 and keep saying that I am 100%, not 98% satisfied with my weather in FS2004. I did buy and install AS6.o but to me, it had too many choice's and decisions to make about the weather so I uninstalled it and went back to using AS 4.5. All of you could NOT be wrong as, at one time you were probably running AS4.5 and now you have updated to vr 6.5. Like you, I'm always looking to improved my Fs2004. What, in your opinion, have I missed in NOT upgrading (and using) AS6.5. Thanks, jerry

For me the main two differences are that:1. It looks much better than WxRE - which I used happily for several years.2. No sudden changes of weather, which I always got with WxRE.I'm sure there's lots of complex, technical stuff too, but I'll leave that to the experts.Edit. Ooops, you said As4.5 not WxRE. Sorry!

I used to be the same way.....I had AS4.5 and I figured that there wasn't much more AS6.5 could offer me. How wrong I was.The cloudscapes rendered by AS6.5 are far more realistic looking and in greater 'depth' than AS4.5The vertical air simulation (VAS) really kicks it up a notch with the aircraft now reacting to thermals, turbulence, etc.Much improved 'smoothing' of weather transitions.Ability to refresh AI runway in use for wind changesAS Graphics for improved sky, cloud and other textures Many other features which I am sure I have forgottenOverall, the look and feel is 10x better than AS4.5Regards,Glenn

Hi Jerry,If you decide to go back to ASv6 you can get a fresh, full download by sending me your purchase information to: [email protected],Jimhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Development Team Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterHiFi Beta TeamRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/AirSource Member: http://www.air-source.us/FSEconomy Member:http://www.fseconomy.com/

I have been debating the purchase of ASv6 but have held off because I want frame rate friendly clouds. What is the performance of clouds with ASv6 compared to say Chris Wills FPS friendly clouds? I assume ASv6 is compatible with FSX?ThanksShez

Hi Shez,Thanks for your interest in our product!1. There are 4 detail levels of clouds 64, 128, 256, and 512.2. The latest release will work with FSX, but the Graphics and Radar will not.Thanks,Jimhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Development Team Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterHiFi Beta TeamRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/AirSource Member: http://www.air-source.us/FSEconomy Member:http://www.fseconomy.com/

I have been following threads re active sky and top 5 addons with interest. I am looking to update the "feel" of my FS9 also but have a question. The sytem I run my sim on is not connected to the internet, does active sky update info via the internet or does it have it's own inbuilt weather generation? Sorry if this question has an obvious answer.

It uses the internet to download data from a weather server.

Sounds good. Now let me go look for that cheque book...Shez

Hi Rob,Just to add, we can get you set up on a second computer that does have Internet so that you can get current weather files. Then you can run in Offline Mode. It is not quite as realistic as Online Mode, but we do have users that do this from the office/other computer.You also can set up your own weather conditions, but this takes a bit of work.If you do decide to go with us, drop me a line and I can explain more about this: [email protected],Jimhttp://www.hifisim.com/Active Sky V6 Development Team Active Sky V6 Proud SupporterHiFi Beta TeamRadar Contact Supporter: http://www.jdtllc.com/AirSource Member: http://www.air-source.us/FSEconomy Member:http://www.fseconomy.com/

Thanks for all the info and help. I think I'll look into joining the "broadband generation" this weekend. Regards