I can't remember when I replaced FS9'(x)'s textures with custom...probably when (B)ird's(E)ye(V)iew textures came out. I installed them, and what a difference it made to my flight simulation experience. I stayed with them right up until a few days ago, when I switched them out for G.E. Pro II.You never know what's around the next curve through the 'mountains', unless you decided to actually see for yourself.Having gone from B.E.V. to G.E. Pro II, is absolutely like having just gone from FS98 to FS2004, stock. I guess the point that I am saying, is it is never over, till it's over..but the point being..is that in this hobby, it never really is 'over'. You get used to what you have installed. You stay with it. One day, you decide to lighten the wallet, you install the 'new to you' whatever..and whammo...a whole new element of satisfaction starts to set in. I had never really packed up FS9.1 into the retirement home. In installing my last two purchases...to coin what I now personally call FS9.75, it is giving me reams of satisfaction!Running the sim at full bore; Running A.I. both commercial and general the same; A sky so active, around me in that A.I. envelope; Cloudscape, atmospherics acting upon the plane, and all at fluid 60 FPS (the full 100 percent refresh rate of my 24 inch wide-screen monitor), which is truly being maxed out. Boy, but one can get used to this!I guess that FSX will need five to seven years of advancing technology to really be where one can be with FS9.75 today. So, to be fair about it all, let's see where FPS (I mean where it will run at 98 percent of the time, with no drastic drops as per what is happening to be rendered or enacted) performance will stand after those five to six years have passed since its RTM date. To have FSX running FULL BORE, and c'mon folks..let's all put the cards on the table. I mean EVERYTHING that can be tapped in the configuration screens---be at full bore... and have it stay at 60 FPS at 98 percent constant---would be mind blowing! :) I'm sure that that day will come, just as it has for FS9.75. Until then, I am MORE than happy to enjoy my 'new' FS9.75 flight environment. I'll enjoy FSX as well, as it rocks within its own, and on its own merit---but to have everything 'hot and running at 60 or greater FPS ALL THE TIME, has become an addiction. Just like a good cup of java.....Cheers!Mitch

I can't remember when I replaced FS9'(x)'s textures with custom...probably when (B)ird's(E)ye(V)iew textures came out. I installed them, and what a difference it made to my flight simulation experience. I stayed with them right up until a few days ago, when I switched them out for G.E. Pro II.You never know what's around the next curve through the 'mountains', unless you decided to actually see for yourself.Having gone from B.E.V. to G.E. Pro II, is absolutely like having just gone from FS98 to FS2004, stock. I guess the point that I am saying, is it is never over, till it's over..but the point being..is that in this hobby, it never really is 'over'. You get used to what you have installed. You stay with it. One day, you decide to lighten the wallet, you install the 'new to you' whatever..and whammo...a whole new element of satisfaction starts to set in. I had never really packed up FS9.1 into the retirement home. In installing my last two purchases...to coin what I now personally call FS9.75, it is giving me reams of satisfaction!Running the sim at full bore; Running A.I. both commercial and general the same; A sky so active, around me in that A.I. envelope; Cloudscape, atmospherics acting upon the plane, and all at fluid 60 FPS (the full 100 percent refresh rate of my 24 inch wide-screen monitor), which is truly being maxed out. Boy, but one can get used to this!I guess that FSX will need five to seven years of advancing technology to really be where one can be with FS9.75 today. So, to be fair about it all, let's see where FPS (I mean where it will run at 98 percent of the time, with no drastic drops as per what is happening to be rendered or enacted) performance will stand after those five to six years have passed since its RTM date. To have FSX running FULL BORE, and c'mon folks..let's all put the cards on the table. I mean EVERYTHING that can be tapped in the configuration screens---be at full bore... and have it stay at 60 FPS at 98 percent constant---would be mind blowing! :) I'm sure that that day will come, just as it has for FS9.75. Until then, I am MORE than happy to enjoy my 'new' FS9.75 flight environment. I'll enjoy FSX as well, as it rocks within its own, and on its own merit---but to have everything 'hot and running at 60 or greater FPS ALL THE TIME, has become an addiction. Just like a good cup of java.....Cheers!Mitch

I believe FSX finally has a competitor and that is FS9.

Anything else new with you except the "same old?"

Sesquashtoo,You're saying that GE Pro II is better than Birdseye? I don't know about that. I have both and I like Birdseye a lot more. But maybe I should try GE Pro II again.

You're saying that GE Pro II is better than Birdseye? I don't know about that. I have both and I like Birdseye a lot more. But maybe I should try GE Pro II again.

I'm in between regarding two, which puts me in a bind. I just switched from Birdseye to GE Pro II. I definately like the GE II autogen and the weather dependence, but the textures otherwise Birdseye gets my vote (both city and rural). Part of the problem is the GE II pro textures appear repetitive from flight levels and almost look "stock" in certain ways (once you look past the autogen). Is there anyway to mix the two like you can for, say FE, ASV Graphics, and REX? I suspect not, it is pretty much one or the other for ground textures.

Anything else new with you except the "same old?"

I might ask you the same thing.

Sesquashtoo,You're saying that GE Pro II is better than Birdseye? I don't know about that. I have both and I like Birdseye a lot more. But maybe I should try GE Pro II again.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------As in everything else, including posts on AVSIM, comments and opinions are totally subjective. Personally, yes, I find that there is much better coverage, and I really like much better the suburban of GE Pro II over the same in BEV. Also, do I like much better the forested areas as they appear much more 'real' than does BEV. That of course is just my opinion, and preferences. I stayed with BEV for a long time, and there's nothing wrong with that product. Just for myself, I find G.E. Pro II's to be more aligned to my liking. :)Cheers!

I'm in between regarding two, which puts me in a bind. I just switched from Birdseye to GE Pro II. I definately like the GE II autogen and the weather dependence, but the textures otherwise Birdseye gets my vote (both city and rural). Part of the problem is the GE II pro textures appear repetitive from flight levels and almost look "stock" in certain ways (once you look past the autogen). Is there anyway to mix the two like you can for, say FE, ASV Graphics, and REX? I suspect not, it is pretty much one or the other for ground textures.

------------------------------Good question, but alas, I don't have the answer for that. :)Mitch

These latest FS9.75 screenshots look better than the FSX shots that's been posted over the years. The only FSX shots that beat it is the ones where the actual sim was running at 5fps (all options were maxed in FSX for the sole purpose of the screenshot). I agree that when the day 'hopefully' comes that FSX can run full bore like FS9 today that will be something to see and enjoy... Last I checked if you loaded up FS2000 that sim still has problems. Sometimes a version's code is just crap and it's sad a bad version had to be the last version.

These latest FS9.75 screenshots look better than the FSX shots that's been posted over the years. The only FSX shots that beat it is the ones where the actual sim was running at 5fps (all options were maxed in FSX for the sole purpose of the screenshot). I agree that when the day 'hopefully' comes that FSX can run full bore like FS9 today that will be something to see and enjoy... Last I checked if you loaded up FS2000 that sim still has problems. Sometimes a version's code is just crap and it's sad a bad version had to be the last version.

---------------------------------------------------------------I gave away my copy of FS2000 to somebody at work. Geez...I hope that in hindsight, I didn't discourage him...lol! Oh well....;)

Your artical talks about, G.E. Pro II. Do you really mean, G.E. FS2004 VERSION 2????? I have "Ground Environment Professional FS2004 V 2.0.1.Do I have the lastest version or did I miss something? Is GE Pro II the same as GE pro v. 2.0.1? Thanks jerrycwo4

Your artical talks about, G.E. Pro II. Do you really mean, G.E. FS2004 VERSION 2????? I have "Ground Environment Professional FS2004 V 2.0.1.Do I have the lastest version or did I miss something? Is GE Pro II the same as GE pro v. 2.0.1? Thanks jerrycwo4

Yes, I too am a bit confused as well. I also have "Ground Environment Professional FS2004 V 2.0.1." Like jerryuscg wrote, is that GE Pro II that everybody seems to be impressed with?

Your artical talks about, G.E. Pro II. Do you really mean, G.E. FS2004 VERSION 2????? I have "Ground Environment Professional FS2004 V 2.0.1.Do I have the lastest version or did I miss something? Is GE Pro II the same as GE pro v. 2.0.1? Thanks jerrycwo4

Hi Gerry,Just head over to Flight 1 and look for Ground Environment Pro II (as in version 2). That's what I picked up.Link: http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=geproUpdate page: http://environments.flight1.net/gepro/downloads.htmSound's like you already have it though.

Yes, I too am a bit confused as well. I also have "Ground Environment Professional FS2004 V 2.0.1." Like jerryuscg wrote, is that GE Pro II that everybody seems to be impressed with?

Link: http://www.flight1.com/products.asp?product=geproThis is what I purchased. :)Mitch

Okay thanks, Mitch.Then I do have it.

Okay thanks, Mitch.Then I do have it.

-------------------------------------You're welcome.Check the download page, as there is a more recent update version than what I think you posted. I gave the link to it in an EDIT of the above...Mitch

-------------------------------------Check the download page, as there is a more recent update version than what I think you posted. I gave the link to it in an EDIT of the above...Mitch

Yes, I've just noticed that. I'll have to install it when I get home.