Well have just received my copy of SimPlates 2004. What an awesome piece of software that is. Its not just a collection of charts but also includes navaid info, prefered routes and even a large collection of simulator checklists. And now with the lates upgrade we can even add in additional plate paks.I have seen a couple of posts elsewhere stating that charts are available on the web. I would hasten to add, not like this theyre not. Over 18000 charts on the CD's and more to come via plate paks. There MUST be several man years of surfing required to get that little lot even if they were all available.My advice is get it even if you dont fly IFR, the airport information has got to be good for the VFR flyers as well as the AFCAD writers.You can get this title from the Avsim store.BTW, I am NOT associated with Dauntless software at all, just a very satisfied customer.All the bestPeteW

Wow, thanks for the great words, Pete!I am the author of SimPlates 2004 - pete sent me a note telling me about his post and now I'm here. I'm happy to answer whatever questions you guys may have about SimPlates 2004, though I have already answered many of the more common questions at the product's web-page at www.dauntless-soft.com/PRODUCTS/SimPlates. Unfortunately, I cannot answer questions such as "does this product include airport X" or "why don't you have more airports for country Y?" Those questions are I hope adequately answered on the website. I want to state for the record that I hope this does not cross any lines of this forum insofar as "advertising" goes--this is not my intent for being here, but just to let you guys know that I am more than happy to answer questions. Furthermore, while SimPlates 2004 is available for purchase through my own website, it is available via the AvSim shop and other retailers as well and I encourage you to purchase where you have an existing relationship (perhaps somewhere gave you good service in the past, etc.)Note: as far as the reviews go of SimPlates 2004--so far there have ben none! I have sent review copies to the major sim sites, including this one, but no reviews have actually been published yet, alas. If you want to ask me a question via email rather than on this forum, that's fine too. My email address is (remove the slashes)a///drian AT dauntless-/soft.comBlue Skies!AdrianFAA M/CFI/I IGI/AGISimPlates 2004 Authordauntless-soft.com

I am pleased you liked the note Adrian.In fact I like the program so much that it will be the first review to appear in the ressurected flightsimreview.org along with UT. I would though point out that this site will be for HONEST reviews produced by USERS and not by journalists (writers do get the chance to reply to a review though). The site should be back up within the next few days so thos looking for screenshots etc. will find a few there.I echo your concern that Avsim does not see my/your post as advertising in anyway. And therefore I state again that I have no association with Dauntless or SimPlates at all. As for Flightsimreview, thats a non profit site which cannot/will not be any type of competitor to Avsim.All the bestPeteW

I purchased their product several years ago, and have periodically utilized it. However, I was disappointed that it does not include Alaska or Hawaii. I was not able to find out about those ommisions prior to the purchase. Not that it was not stated, just that I did not notice it. It was a good product, but that is why I have not re-purchased. If there was a discount for prior owners - maybe.Again, if you dont have any of their offerings, I am sure this NEW product will actually work very well.

I think it is good product which fills some important market niche, however I don't like it because of the quality of their plates. I understand that NOAA plates are not up to Jeppesen standards but if you buy the same NOAA say from AmericanFlyers (yes, more expensive) they are much more crisp and readable. I simply hate plates where I can't get the info I need in a quick glance. In my opinion there is no excuse in today's world to loose quality when transitioning from paper to its electronic counterpart.Michael J.

The above link won't work until you remove the period from the end. Looks like a "must have" product.David

Well, there is now a review available at http://www.flightsimreview.org This is a new site so not much there yet. The site will be carrying USER reviews for many add ons later as well as site reviews, yes Avsim will be included.All the best

Adrian:I have a previous version. Do I need to uninstall it before installing the current version?

I read the review, but I still had one question:If you use the full install, do you still need the Simplates CD in the drive?

No, you dont. If you choose the full install you can put the CD's away.All the bestPeteW

Looks very good and I am tempted. Couple of questions though...Since these are pdf files and at least some of the rest of the suite seems to be html driven, I suppose they could be opened via the HTML driven kneepad in FS2004?Secondly, and more importantly, with regard to your European sales and the no VAT offer - since these are being sent in from abroad, would I (in the UK) be hit with a customs/VAT charge over here?Thanks.

Well, obviously I cant answer for the developer on the ability of the charts to be shown in the kneeboard. Hopefully they will read this thread and supply some insight.I ordered, like you believing that the item would ship from the USA, I was suprised to find it was actually shipped from the UK. I guess the VAT thing is a cost that the publisher takes on.All the bestPeteW

>I think it is good product which fills some important market>niche, however I don't like it because of the quality of their>plates. I understand that NOAA plates are not up to Jeppesen>standards but if you buy the same NOAA say from AmericanFlyers>(yes, more expensive) they are much more crisp and readable. I>simply hate plates where I can't get the info I need in a>quick glance. In my opinion there is no excuse in today's>world to loose quality when transitioning from paper to its>electronic counterpart.>>Michael J.>I had my copy of Simplates a few days now, and i have looked at hundreds of charts, and i have to tell you that they look very crisp and readable, i really dont see how they could look better.OHN

>I ordered, like you believing that the item would ship from>the USA, I was suprised to find it was actually shipped from>the UK. I guess the VAT thing is a cost that the publisher>takes on.>>All the best>PeteWThanks for the reply Pete

>I had my copy of Simplates a few days now, and i have looked>at hundreds of charts, and i have to tell you that they look>very crisp and readable, i really dont see how they could look>better.>It is quite likely they reworked them. Last time I evaluated them was like 2 years ago. At that time I downloaded their free trial version (a very small subset of charts) and I was very disappointed. They looked poorly both in print and on screen. Do they still offer such trial version ? In case not, is it possible that anyone of you could post a chart of your choice (preferably with lots of detail) so I could look at it with my own eyes. Most obliged.// Never mind. They do have samples at their site. Indeed it looks like a completely different product than the one I examined 2 yrs ago. !Michael J.