I've been accumulating more and more photorealistic scenery for FSX from MegasceneryX, Megascenery Earth, Newport Scenery and other sources. I'm considering purchasing an external hdd for the purpose of storing this scenery since it does take up a lot of real estate on my single internal hdd. Would this be a viable option? I'm thinking that an external hdd with a usb connector would be a convenient way to utilize the photoreal scenery when I need it. But I don't have any experience using an external hdd. Would scenery load times, for example, be longer? Any advice appreciated.

I've been accumulating more and more photorealistic scenery for FSX from MegasceneryX, Megascenery Earth, Newport Scenery and other sources. I'm considering purchasing an external hdd for the purpose of storing this scenery since it does take up a lot of real estate on my single internal hdd. Would this be a viable option? I'm thinking that an external hdd with a usb connector would be a convenient way to utilize the photoreal scenery when I need it. But I don't have any experience using an external hdd. Would scenery load times, for example, be longer? Any advice appreciated.

I am not an expert on data transfer times from HD's but I have, in the past had bigger scenery data files located in three different drives and activated in fltsim with what appeared to be no or minimal consequences.But give the price of HD's lately, when I bought my new computer last Dec. I picked up a 2 Terabite HD specifically for flightsim, and I have this dedicated to FSX. It is connected via USB 2.0 port. I get great performance so if I am losing a bit because of this connection it doesn't seem to be a big deal.In addition, I have my FS9 also on a separate protable HD external drive and it works extremely well.And, I store all my downloads and payware (backup up twice), on another 1.5 Terabite drive.cheers.

I've been accumulating more and more photorealistic scenery for FSX from MegasceneryX, Megascenery Earth, Newport Scenery and other sources. I'm considering purchasing an external hdd for the purpose of storing this scenery since it does take up a lot of real estate on my single internal hdd. Would this be a viable option? I'm thinking that an external hdd with a usb connector would be a convenient way to utilize the photoreal scenery when I need it. But I don't have any experience using an external hdd. Would scenery load times, for example, be longer? Any advice appreciated.

hi,It works fine. No difference noticeable.

hi,It works fine. No difference noticeable.

OK, thanks for the replies, gents. I'll start researching the web for external drives. I suspect that amazon.com should have a number of these items. If anyone wants to give me a recommendation on any particular external drive, I would appreciate it . Thanks again.Bob

I would first confirm what your system can handle, externally. USB devices are plentiful and inexpensive. Newer systems could have an e-SATA (external SATA) adapter, which is considerably faster than USB 2.0. Many external HDs will have both connection types, USB and e-SATA. Given the choice and even with a small price differential, e-SATA is the way to go.You also need to determine what the HD is inside the external device. Is it a "regular" HD with a 7200 rpm or a slower 5400 rpm model. How much cache memory does the HD have, 8mb, 16mb or 32mb?I don't know your location, but Newegg carries a decent variety of external HDs and you can check specs and customer ratings to get a better feel for what is available.