For me, the PMDG 737NGX has set the benchmark. Never ever before have I enjoyed simflying that much! So, wherever PMDG goes, I think I will follow.josebbr

I own every version of X-Plane since the initial release and indeed, it is always changing. In my opinion that is one of its strengths and its greatest weakness. I, like many, sufferered through the arbitrary and frequent updates to X-Plane that rendered add-on planes and scenery useless. The evolution of X-Plane has been a zig zag process solely at the whim of Austin Meyers. My understanding is X-Plane 10 will still offer the same ludicrous and featureless 'stock' GPS that was delivered with X-Plane 1. It won't accept a flight plan, only allowing 'direct to' navigating. I have the RXP 430 plug in, however, it's not the stock GPS that is the problem, it is the refusal by Austin to listen to his flight sim customers. Years ago we begged for a better GPS and Austin gave us Mars. Just wonderful. X-Plane will NEVER surpass Flight Sim as long as Ausin Meyers believes his product is an academic tool. Thanks. Bob.. :)

I agree whole heartedly !

I have most of the train sims as well. And when I think of the evolution of sims, I can't imagine ever trying to soar in FS9 and when Take On Helicopter comes out I will probably move away from rotary-wings in FSX. I know the subject of X-Plane vs MSFS sets off a lot of people and I promise to never post to the subject again.

I wouldn't go melting your FSX discs yet! See our assessment of Take on Helicopters here:http://xsimreviews.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/take-on-helicopters-latest-community-preview/Ive flown helis in both xplane and fsx, they beat the ToH 'game' for satisfying handling feel.

And this thread is timely. A couple of us diehard Xplaners are currently trying out FSX while waiting, waiting, waiting off Xplane10 to be a reality. We're blogging about 'coming out' as Bi-Simual (good one Leen!) here:http://xsimreviews.wordpress.com/We like to think we are objective, giving honest Aussie and Yank opinions of what we are seeing. My own opinion is that of many others. If the big scenery devs come to xplane, it'll do very well, as I can definitely say that xplane has the superior 'feel'. But the fast computers of today and great aircraft addons of fsx, like A2a and Dodosim, have narrowed the handling gap. Gee I love that Dodosim helicopter!! Flying that at level 4 around Orbx is a peak in my simming world..All this news about MSF and Aerosoft delays could be a great opportunity for Xplane to take over. I truly hope they take advantage of the opportunity and don't drop it. Ben and the other developers of Xp10 have a hard job ahead of them, but I reckon the new weather, OPENSTREETMAP roads and AI engine will make the sim irresistible. XP already has great planes and helicopters, ok not the huge variety of MSFS, but how many are truly great? It may take longer than expected to get xp10 up, that's where I hope MSF hits more delays, either that or they surprise us and finish earlier and it's nicely compatible with Orbx. Be careful with rumours too. Sometimes they can be deliberate, to give the competition a false sense of security, meaning that MSF could 'steal the show' and keep the addon devs' loyalties. To me the choice is stark- whichever sim gives me Orbx level immersion, with a reasonable flight model, will win the majority of my business. I say majority, as I'll always fly xplane a little bit, just to keep savoring its fluid feel of flying.

.... I say majority, as I'll always fly xplane a little bit, just to keep savoring its fluid feel of flying.....

FSX, with no addons, is a lot more fluid as well.

Gizmo, how tweakable are FSX shaders? Would it be possible to modify self shadowing algorithm to add a dithering similar to Rise of Flight, or BMS4 shadows? Something like this: http://cockpits.net/images/Darkfalcon/20091204214124.jpg