There's plenty of stuff out there for FS9, really more than there is for FSX.The benefit of sticking with FS9 is the prices of all those FS9 addons that have been around for a whilekeep going down. I'm still buying FS9 scenery, there's a lot of good deals out there.I've stayed with FS9, and even though I have FSX. I haven't yet seen the need to replace all my existing FS9 addons with newer FSX versions. Perhaps the type of simming I'm into doesn't really demand it.This transition was inevitable.The only thing unusual about it this time is how long it took. Which says a lot about both FS9 and FSX.If you want to keep up with the newer addons and their newer features, then you'll eventually need to switchto FSX. There's no way around it, its inevitable.But if you enjoy FS9 like I do, there's lots of stuff out there that is still available for FS9 I haven'tyet purchased at reduced prices. Plus a ton of freeware stuff. Though the CLS decision to go FSX only with the MD80 is a bit puzzling, with 2 other detailed MD80'salready out there, and them putting out LITE products, you'd think they'd want to get as much of the remaining FS9 market as they could.Regards.Ernie.

A nice post Clay. It is refreshing to read a level headed thought on the subject and the reasons for your choices devoid of the opinionated BS. Thanksbest regards,Mel

Agree with Mel; (again today!) very well said Clay and in a lot of ways sums up my feelings as well. I can afford any FSX rig I want, but there is no Newark KEWR for FSX LOL... In all seriousness, I can't explain it because I love the photo-scenery, the unbelievable resolution, the sounds are phenomenal in FSX but for now I too keep coming back to FS9... Perhaps I too am just getting older and more stuck in my ways LOL I have gone from early adopter to wait and see user over the past few years after being burned a few too many times :) Great post though Clay, just honest opinions with no chest beating or BS behind it... And I know there was always that small minority of us on the PMDG beta team who were so much more excited to see the MD in FS9 than FSX but I have had to come to terms with just that; we are the minority but that doesn't bother me at all... No need to go with the flow here LOLPaulThanks Ernie, another great post! And I still thank you every day for FSBuild!!! I use it EVERY single time I fly!!!

DELEnough from me.

DELEnough from me.

I had two chances to buy FSX Gold for only $29 Us dollars and pass the chance up for the following reasons:REX 2004 ExtremeGround Pro IIUltimate TerrainActSky 6.5FS Genesisand so many payware and freeware............I cannot even post a picture from my sim because the bandwith is to big. I will not convert to a lesser format degrading the picture and giving FSX ammo about the clarity. Bottom line for everyone enjoy whatever sim you have because I sure enjoy FS9.Carl Perry 7+ year sim pilot

I can only speak for myself. First, I have FSX and a ton of add on's for FSX. I have also been a PMDG beta tester, so there is NO lack of great aircraft in FSX for me to fly. For the most part, FSX's scenery is 'photo' and much more detailed than FS9. I have a very high end rig, ASUS Maximus MB, QX9650 overclocked to 4.1 which runs flawlessly, and a GTS 9800 512, overclocked to the max. All this with dual Raptor HD's. I have NO overheating problems, no CTD's..........it's the only unit that I have been 100% thrilled with. and it's faster than skunk stink! SO I HAVE NO PROBLEMS RUNNING FSX JUST ABOUT MAXED, EXCEPT FOR BLOOM.Saying all of that, I think I have the perfect rig for FSX, at least for me.................AND I STILL PREFER FS9. Maybe it's because of FSNav . . . I love that program. Maybe it's because I'm getting old and find no use for the new upstart. Or that I find bugs all the time in FSX. I found those also in FS9, but have worked them all out..............I just plain don't like FSX. Can't give you any other reason why..............just don't like it.Best to allClay

Now that saved me a lot of typing.With your permission I will copy and paste this post into every irritating thread started on this topic.

Its in one abbrev.. FPS. period.FSX is nice, maybe in 5 years, but for non GA flying, just forget it, and when flying a jet on approach, you wont notice the cars, and details, only needed for GA.tried it, saw the power it needed, dont have it..end of use. FS9 delivers what I need.

I run both...FS9 is still my favorite for large jet sims, FSX for GA, heli, and other low/slow stuff.My view of what will keep FS9 alive for a long time to come still is simply bang for the buck...lots of performance for a modest investment...something important as we work our way through the Second Great Depression or whatever deceptively less serious term we care to use for our nasty economic predicament. First, FS9 and its best add-ons will run on what is now considered a low-performance (and low cost, often as little as $500-700) bargain of a computer, versus need for a powerful cutting-edge system to run FSX and complex add-ons well.There is a vast amount of good freeware available under FS9. Under FSX, freeware seems all but dead, and the payware is getting more and more expensive. Here in the fs9 world we have free works of art like Stellan Hilmersby's DC-9, the Ready for Pushback 747, Milt Shupe & gang's Howard 500, CalClassic's Connie, the TinMouse II B732 (my fave hehehe), Jordan Moore's Bell 412, etc etc. The weather engine in FS9 has long been well-tamed with ActiveSky 6.5...no version of any other weather program, including all of HiFi's follow-ons to AS6.5, has come close to the stability and predictability of AS6.5 running in FS9. Three and a half years after FSX' arrival, the weather environment in FSX is still flaky and oftentimes disastrously uncontrollable.Scenery availability in FSX (at least in the US where I do my simming) is seriously lacking, both in the payware and the freeware arena, and it's still painfully slow in coming. I know of only one decent FSX add-on airport (payware) for the entire US west coast in FSX.I have a retired AF buddy just trying out simming now. My recommendation to him was to put away FSX and get FS9 instead to make for a good first experience on a 2-year old dual-core PC, rather than sign him up for a trip to slideshow hell or recommend he invest in a new $1500-$2000 PC to run a 3.5-year-old $40 MS game title.I do like FSX for some of the enhanced visuals, and I have invested in a system capable of running it well because I like and can afford to indulge myself with the pricey new add-ons hitting the street. But for a teenager, or a retiree on a modest fixed income, or someone who's just getting started and who may or may not ever get the bug to do this whole-hog...FS9 gets the job done--cheaply.So it's not a matter of looking down one's nose...it's a matter of mature capabilities and of best bang for the buck when there aren't a whole lot of spare bucks out there for many.CheersBob ScottColonel, USAF (ret)ATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-VColorado Springs, CO

I just don't feel the need to switch.I like FS9,I do have FSX(it is in plastic on a shelf) and I will probablysometime in the far future switch to it.But for now,FS9 is all I need,it serves my purpose,and does it well,and I can't be bothered to go out and tweak night after night again,so that in 1 year I may have a fully equipped running FSX with all the geewhiz I have in FS9 now.FS9 really does well on my machine,I'm still having fun with it,and thus I see no need to switch.I think the only thing that might make me switch is a fully blown Dash 8-Q400 for FSX only WITH a 2d panel.So I'm probably sticking to FS9 for years to come :(I say FS9 is my old comfy sweater,and FSX is a non-casual really neat suit for me.I just like comfy better,and I don't care about the age or neatness,really.After all,I start my sim to fly,not to make screenshots and wow the crowdwith my superduper rig.No offense to those that do,but both merit a different approach,I presume.JP.

Overall I always say more power to whichever sim anyone wants to use whenever. And yes, fsx is the superior platform overall, building on many of the gains we enjoy in fs9.Having said that, the very fact that there IS a 'debate' or 'divide' at all, speaks volumes for just how great an achievement fs9 was, and still is to this day. Never in the history of the franchise has the older platform endured so strong for so long.fs9 and fsx coexist peacefully on many machines - lets do the same :(

The difference between the responses in this thread and its clone in the FSX forum are considerable. There's aggressiveness over there..... Maybe its because people were unable to download from the Library for a while - its fixed and back to normal now. The angriest stuff said in the AVSIM forums seems to be when the Library is experiencing some form of technical difficulties.....At any rate I prefer the thread in the FS9 forum as it seems to be more calm with more logical arguments; with less threat of an aggressive outburst.I have both FS versions but have tended to stick to FS9 (even though I can run FSX ok). I do like it better than FSX, mostly because I have a ton of scenery and planes for FS9 that would run problematically or not at all in FSX - the RFP B747 and the PT Tu-154M (and B2) will not run in FSX in addition to many others, also I'd have to pay for updated FSX versions of many of the payware aircraft I have. Added to that is the important fact that in terms of flight handling and dynamics - there is no difference between the two sims. Also with the new graphical enhancements FS9 can look remarkably good (for example, the new freeware HDE v2 by Pablo Diaz does a remarkable job with the sky and clouds, and there are many other enhancements available - both payware and freeware). Under the circumstances there's really no pressing need to switch entirely to FSX for someone in my position.There is also a lack of scenery for FSX (especially freeware) in the places I tend to fly in. Most of the good stuff tends to be expensive payware. So I'm perfectly happy with FS9, at some point in the future I may switch but that would depend on the add-ons available for FSX. I would advise people to try both (if they have the ability) and see which one they prefer.

Hi,Posted in the FSX forum as well as here.It truly amazes me how selfish people can be. Those that only use FSX want all FS9 production stopped because it interfers with the "me-me-me, I want it now attitude" and whine about the additional delay (in many cases there is no delay) for an FSX product. Then you have FS9 users that continue to whine to developers to continue FS9 support even after a developer has stated numerous times that production will no longer continue.Looking at both sides, I believe FSX only users are the more selfish of the two groups. At least FS9 users have not asked to stop FSX development in favor of FS9, where-as FSX users have asked time and time again to stop FS9 development because they don't want to wait one additional day for an addon due to FS9 development, again the "me-me-me, I want it now attitude".Let The Bashing Begin

My point all along (when I post in these threads at all, which is rare) is that it seems counter-intuitive for heavy-iron developers to abandon the platform which is better suited to their products in favor of the one which requires a supercooled Cray (such as yours, Mike) to replicate that busy add-on airport experience with anything approaching reasonable frame-rates. As a businessman, I understand the tough decisions and long lead times involved in product planning, so I'm sympathetic to their predicament, but I think they're leaving a lot of potential sales on the table by ceasing FS9 development altogether. Most FS9 users understand and accept that most new products will be for FSX from now on, but would appreciate the odd bone thrown our way now and again.

My point all along (when I post in these threads at all, which is rare) is that it seems counter-intuitive for heavy-iron developers to abandon the platform which is better suited to their products in favor of the one which requires a supercooled Cray (such as yours, Mike) to replicate that busy add-on airport experience with anything approaching reasonable frame-rates. As a businessman, I understand the tough decisions and long lead times involved in product planning, so I'm sympathetic to their predicament, but I think they're leaving a lot of potential sales on the table by ceasing FS9 development altogether. Most FS9 users understand and accept that most new products will be for FSX from now on, but would appreciate the odd bone thrown our way now and again.

Hi John, I can understand your perspective; the issue is when fellow users don't respect a developers decision once it's made. It is their business and we all need to respect that no matter how disappointed we may be. And I am not directing that at you, just saying in general myself included b/c I would have loved to have seen a PMDG 777 for FS9, it has been my dream for years but I respect Robert, Ryan and the group in their decision. I doubt anyone wants to leave money on the table but the ROI needs to be justifiable and at the end of the day the numbers do the talking...Paul

Hi,Posted in the FSX forum as well as here.It truly amazes me how selfish people can be. Those that only use FSX want all FS9 production stopped because it interfers with the "me-me-me, I want it now attitude" and whine about the additional delay (in many cases there is no delay) for an FSX product. Then you have FS9 users that continue to whine to developers to continue FS9 support even after a developer has stated numerous times that production will no longer continue.Looking at both sides, I believe FSX only users are the more selfish of the two groups. At least FS9 users have not asked to stop FSX development in favor of FS9, where-as FSX users have asked time and time again to stop FS9 development because they don't want to wait one additional day for an addon due to FS9 development, again the "me-me-me, I want it now attitude".Let The Bashing Begin

Hi Mike, I agreed with you their as well but here is my .02...So I do want to summarize some things here and put them in a little perspective:In both threads you hear a lot of live and let live (which I love)You hear a lot of logical sensible constructive feedback (which I love)You hear a lot of passion and love for this hobby (which I love)You hear a lot of respect for others opinions and preferences (which I love)But here is where things take a turn...In the FS9 threadYou hear a lot of "I just prefer it, or it suits my flying style or my add-ons are available in FS9 but not FSX (which I understand)You hear some performance criticisms (which I tend to think are non-issues with the right HW/Config)and you hear some people who just can't afford to upgrade (which I understand)In the FSX thread:FS9 users are called whiners (unacceptable, we need to address this as a community)FS9 users are called noise (unacceptable, we need to address this as a community)FS9 users are called interference (unacceptable, we need to address this as a community)My favorite, FS9 users are called Poor (unacceptable, we need to address this as a community)You hear comments about not supporting developers who still develop for FS9 as well as FSX! (which is mindblowing)So I agree with Geofa, this is not a fair overall representation but it is interesting to take a step back and really look at this from the outside for a little bit if I was just reading this off the street....Now, to be fair, this does not take into account the past or the FS9 users who give all FS9 users a bad name with their constant and unrelenting badgering of developers for a certain release because they want it, or their lack of respect for a developer's decision once it is made or their constant criticism and close minded attitude towards ANY aspect of FSX but when we take a step back we as a community need to address this from BOTH sides if we are to ever have a mutual respect that is so critical to FS's survival in ANY form moving forward!!!All the best everyone!!! Happy and safe virtual flights!!!I really hope we can use this thread to take something positive away in our understanding of the "other side"PaulEdit: I am also posting this in the FS9 forums because those FS9 users who DO give the rest a bad name need to be addressed just as much as some of the comments made in this thread!!! Please do not misinterpret this post as bashing FSX users at all! I am calling out those on BOTH sides who are ruining it for the rest of us!!!

I am retired now and started my interest in flight simulation with Microsoft's very first version of FS.I recently looked at a website displaying the history of MSFS and that bought back memories of the early days when all we had was a lot of dotted lines representing the runway and not much else - well, nothing else really. That was it - just a lot of dotted lines. No scenery, no mesh, no VCs, no joysticks or yokes. But in those days it was the forefront of technology and we had, at last, a flight simulator.Little did we dream then of what MSFS would eventually evolve into. If anyone had told me then I wouldn't have believed them.So to all people who moan and groan about FS9, FSX or any other FS for that matter I say this. Do a Google for the history of Microsoft's Flight Simulator, take a good look at what it all started with and then be very thankful for whatever version of the sim you now run.David

I am retired now and started my interest in flight simulation with Microsoft's very first version of FS.I recently looked at a website displaying the history of MSFS and that bought back memories of the early days when all we had was a lot of dotted lines representing the runway and not much else - well, nothing else really. That was it - just a lot of dotted lines. No scenery, no mesh, no VCs, no joysticks or yokes. But in those days it was the forefront of technology and we had, at last, a flight simulator.Little did we dream then of what MSFS would eventually evolve into. If anyone had told me then I wouldn't have believed them.So to all people who moan and groan about FS9, FSX or any other FS for that matter I say this. Do a Google for the history of Microsoft's Flight Simulator, take a good look at what it all started with and then be very thankful for whatever version of the sim you now run.David

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