OrbX truly is something you have to experience before you can honestly talk about it. I always looked at the screenshots with a "wow" in my eyes and the keyboard getting all wet due to dribble, but the actual experience of flying in their NA Blue terrain (recently bought NRM, PFJ, PNW and KORS) can not be captured by those screenshots. I think it's because of the freedom you feel. Sitting on the runway in some small, godforsaken little strip in the mountains, in my trusty old BN2 Islander, I feel i can take off and go anywhere I want, much like what the OP did in the opening post. And the freedom is not all of it: OrbX has made the first scenery where I can set FSX's settings to their max and enjoy a good, solid FPS. The OrbX packages, together with the BN2 islander, have been my best FSX purchases in my FSX history, by far. I can not emphasize the joy these sceneries bring!Ian: I'd say either PNW or PFJ, with a preference for PFJ.

OrbX truly is something you have to experience before you can honestly talk about it. I always looked at the screenshots with a "wow" in my eyes and the keyboard getting all wet due to dribble, but the actual experience of flying in their NA Blue terrain (recently bought NRM, PFJ, PNW and KORS) can not be captured by those screenshots. I think it's because of the freedom you feel. Sitting on the runway in some small, godforsaken little strip in the mountains, in my trusty old BN2 Islander, I feel i can take off and go anywhere I want, much like what the OP did in the opening post. And the freedom is not all of it: OrbX has made the first scenery where I can set FSX's settings to their max and enjoy a good, solid FPS. The OrbX packages, together with the BN2 islander, have been my best FSX purchases in my FSX history, by far. I can not emphasize the joy these sceneries bring!Ian: I'd say either PNW or PFJ, with a preference for PFJ.

BenjaminThat's interesting, because I've been thinking PFJ looks the most impressive, and I completely agree with your comments on the Islander. It's my favourite too, and made for exploring that part of the world!Ian

I have a single complaint about ORBX.Since the release of PNW followed by PFJ and RNM, my FSX turned to an ORBX Simulator.I don't remember a single flight out of the AU and NA regions for months.And I can't imagine flying anymore without ORBX beautiful textures and atmosphere, without this incredible fluidity.Kudos to John Venama and his team, they are simply brillant.

I can tell you, that with the presence of these guys ORBX has not only upped the ante in scenery development, it has also surpassed the level of detail MS Flight has been providing within screenshots provided by Microsoft so far. Dave.

I can tell you, that with the presence of these guys ORBX has not only upped the ante in scenery development, it has also surpassed the level of detail MS Flight has been providing within screenshots provided by Microsoft so far. Dave.

Agreed!! Microsoft will have a difficult time getting FSX ORBX users to make the switch to Flight until such time as ORBX releases their scenery for the new platform.Regards, Mike Mann

And to think it all started way back with "Koorbygen". :(

Agreed!! Microsoft will have a difficult time getting FSX ORBX users to make the switch to Flight until such time as ORBX releases their scenery for the new platform.Regards, Mike Mann

Who knows if some parts of those shots were already done with some Orbx tech behind? There seems to be a big NDA around some flight sim devs and I really assume that Orbx is a member. So the boat for "Flight" might have one captain (Microsoft) but the crew is much bigger.I think that Orbx really raised the bar for delivering some area scenery addons at very good details and a big (if not even "best") value (or better: cost/performance ratio). Looking at PNW and all the airfields included gives me this view. The love in the work there too.But apart from being a fan of their stuff myself, I really like to stress that ever good scenery dev did his work to make FSX what it is, a beautiful sim with great details (if you own their stuff).They may fail here and there on getting the value to such levels as Orbx does, but Earth Simulations, France VFR, FSAddon, some talented freeware authors and many other companies shouldn't be left out when talking about an enhanced flight sim experience. It surely depends on your preferences and the locations you like to fly to.As said, the value really seems to be the benchmark, especially on the Orbx area addons while their bigger airports took some time to mature (remember the first Melbourne releases and their performance?) and are now great.But you will find other great devs and you "need" their stuff too to get FSX on those levels currently experienced.So praise the guys around Orbx (I join in by the way) but don't forget about the others. There's no one man (or company) show possible on this field.

Hey Guys and Gals,It is thrilling that you are thrilled. A few of us have been trying to tell some of you these things for a couple of years or more. ORBX has truly surpassed what FSX11 might have been like, by taking it several years down the line to something more like what FS13 ot FS14 might have been out of the box. ORBX did all of this while struggling with limitations and handicaps imposed by the oldest game engine around.None of us know what FLIGHT will be like, but I have extremely high expectations, which will be further raised if we find out that ORBX produced scenery will be a part of it's features. When people complain about FSX or resurrect old FS9 vs.old FSX arguements or resentments I just want to kidnap them and force them to fly with ORBX on a good machine for 15 minutes. If so, we would never hear a negative peep again.Kind regards and Happy New Year,StephenPS:Just took advantage of the 33% off sale and bought Cairns and Bundaburg to add to my ORBX collection (some 2 dozen) and am surprised (all over again) as to how great they are. I particularily love Bundaberg, which is now competing with Darrington as to which will be my default home airport!Kind regards,

Yeah, I learned my lesson with FSX. I bought it right when it came out along with a new computer. It still took nearly 3 years (and another new computer) for me to enjoy it as much as FS9 thanks to the multitude of quality add-ons that grow by the day (Orbx, etc). Although I may buy "M$ Flight" when it comes out to see the features (I'm sure it will have certain positives over FSX),however, my expectations will be extremely low and I won't be investing in it at least right away. I couldn't agree more with FSXII as OP says and I think it could be FSIV by the time Flight comes out. I can't envision a switchover for at least 4 years here, perhaps longer. PS: FSXIII is just around the corner with NGX by PMDG! Can't wait.

Another FS9 v. FSX in the making. Best bet would be for flight to have some sort of "killer app" aspect or fix a bug so annoying that people are compelled. However, think of this: what if FSX is a perf hog and MS Flight figures out how to put so much processing onto the Graphics Card that perf requirements do NOT go up.

I will echo the majority of posts because I'm a believer and fan of FTX. It has brought me so much joy.Even though there are some nice sceneries out there, there just nothing like flying in the ORBX world, particularly in their Australian sceneries. They are to say the least MAGNIFICENT creations.I hope 2011 brings us NZ.

Another FS9 v. FSX in the making. Best bet would be for flight to have some sort of "killer app" aspect or fix a bug so annoying that people are compelled. However, think of this: what if FSX is a perf hog and MS Flight figures out how to put so much processing onto the Graphics Card that perf requirements do NOT go up.

Jeff,I wanted to comment on your post because I honestly believe that history will repeat itself.We are just asking these computers to do more than they can handle. A base FSX with Acceleration is no match for my machine. Add UTX, GEX, REX, and ORBX and it brings it to its knees.

What about X-Plane 10, anyone considered that?Yep, I know, this is the FSX Forum, but have a look anyway...http://www.x-plane.com/pg_news.htmlWith FSX I´m tired of throwing more money into an old "CPU hog engine", where hardware is still struggling. ORBX is just absolutely amazing, but is limited to certain areas.Will they do the whole world, who will pay?

XP-10 NO THANKS.I will be happy to pay for the entire world. BTW ORBX and PMDG will team up in the future to do some projects.That pretty much sums it up for me.

Good 'ole Clutch! How you been buddy ? Not many remember the early days when Koorby was over at Birds Eye View and KoorbyGen came to fruition....Anyway, we at Orbx are humbled by the experiences as shared in this topic, it is always an amazing joy for all the developers behind the scenes to see positive topics like this. Thank you all for your amazing support and believe me 2011 will be one helluva ride ;)

Wow ... nice sentiments everyone, makes the team feel proud!

Good 'ole Clutch! How you been buddy ? Not many remember the early days when Koorby was over at Birds Eye View and KoorbyGen came to fruition....Anyway, we at Orbx are humbled by the experiences as shared in this topic, it is always an amazing joy for all the developers behind the scenes to see positive topics like this. Thank you all for your amazing support and believe me 2011 will be one helluva ride ;)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------'...and believe me 2011 will be one helluva ride'....You just put an ENOURMOUS smile upon my face. You should see it! Happy New Year!Mitch :(