Yesterday, because of the announcement on the front page of AVSIM regarding the "lite" version of FSHotseat, I decided to download the demo version. I've used it in the Chicago area where it works, and thd "jury is still out" on whether I should get the full version. How many of you use this program and like it, and what does it REALLY do for your simming experience. To what degree does it add some immersion into the hobby. If I get very positive responses from many of you, I'll buy it. But I'd love to hear your opinions of the program (or something better, if you use something else). Thanks, Stan

If after trying the demo and the "jury is still out", as you say... then don't purchase it. If you sat at KORD next to the runway and listened to the variety of aircraft booming past you...If you had aircraft aproaching overhead winding down... If you didn't like the roar of the reversers kickin' in... If you don't think you will be turning it on every time you are at an airport...If it didn't get a "WoW" feeling... then you shouldn't get it.

Do you get all this with the Demo? If so, maybe I didn't set it up right. I did hear cockpit sounds when changing frequencies, and values. I did hear the brake disengage when I was ready to go. Are there certain settings that you're using? What's your Traffic percentage set to?Sounds like you're sold on the program. Stan

It's fantastic IMHO. I would not fly without it again. My only initial gripe was I would have to buy another copy at full price for my laptop. I WILL be buying the lite version to use on my laptop. I'm amazed about the lack of publicity this addon gets. I use it with AT&T voices which are a definate improvement. The default voices are good however. It just takes a little getting used to.I only purchsed it for the sounds but then discovered everything else it could do. It was like Christmas !Hope this helps.Nick

The best part of FSHotSeat is AIBlast, This is clearly a kick-butt feature. Just park at a really busy airport, KSFO or KORD and such and there are the wonderful sounds of jets and props taking off or going overhead or revving back in reverse and such. The second best thing for me is the built in MP3 player run by hotkeys. For my money, the copilot is only so-so. It works well with default FS9 planes, but I don't use default FS9 planes and it's function with say a PSS or PMDG plane is sketchy at best. If I had to do it all over, I would buy the recent newer cutdown version, but beware that you cannot upgrade to a full version from the cutdown, they are two separate products.Randy Jura, KPDX

Sounds good.Seems like users like like this program and can't live without it. I like that! Think I'll buy it tonight so that I can fly outside of Chicago. I used to fly there rather exclusively, but when they eliminated Meigs, it didn't sit well with me. Screw Chicago... (Don't get me wrong...I love the city of Chicago)let's move on to other airports. I'm buyin' FSHotseat and lookin' forward to it. Stan

I would have to chime in also.... I am also surprised it doesnt get much press.. I use FSHOTSEAT with every flight and enjoy the various features it has... like on IFR flights it will tell you closest cities and state lines and such as you fly overhead. I too like the MP3 feature you can drown out ATC when you dont want to be bothered.I also like the fact that the product seems to be a work in progressso the possibilites are endless. I too would recommened FSHOTSEAT.Hope it helps...Steve

Folk have been bugging these guys for ages to produce a stand-alone version of AIBlast and that's just what they've done with FSHotSFX. The price it's just about right and its immersion factor is just amazing.One of the most exciting things about aviation is the raw noise and this addon gives it to you and some. After trying the limited version around Chicago for an hour or so I was staggered by its potential so I registered it to try on my favourite airports - its so good I then had to order a set of more powerful speakers this afternoon so as to benefit from all that power. So if you want AI a/c that sound like real a/c but don't need the copilot I thoroughly recommended FSHotSFX!Tony

I fly using FSHotSeat all the time. I use payware aircraft most of the time, and FSHotSeat does a reasonable job as my co-pilot. I like having the rating system; it gives me incentive to make a nice landing! There are some things the co-pilot doesn't get right on my FSD Cheyenne, for example, but I can easily skip a step or two on the checklists. The MP3 player is a must! The virtual DJ will read the song titles for you! I used the demo in Chicago and bought the full-version (2.2) not long afterwards. I hope that there is another version coming out soon that adds more functionality and extra doo-dads, I would buy it!

Stan,I use it all the time. For my airliner flights I really like the virtual copilot and the flight evaluation. Great program IMHO and well worth the money.Cheers,Henri

I used the FSHotSeat demo for awhile--never could get use to the voices. I was one of those hoping for a "lite" version (FSHotSfx) so bought it as soon as it came out. Both programs are really quite remarkable. I see plenty of ways FsHotSfx could be expanded and I hope they do so. I do wish there was another program that included pilot rating. If anyone knows of one, please chime in.Randall

I use FDC as my co-pilot - much better in my view!

I too ordered the lite version of FSHotSeat. I really like the sound from the AI now. When the AI jets starts you hear a thunder, not the silly high pitched static sound as before. Also when they reverse at landings and make go arounds you hear the "real" jet sound. What you also get is a MP3 player and other additional sounds.I was out flying in my Aero Commander in Illinois last evening and the wind and turbulence were really hard. To my surprise, I could hear the gusts hammer loud on the wings and fuselage while the plane was rocking hard, which made it very real. It's not an option to get back to the default FS9 sound again.As in another post, I think there's room for a lot of development like more variations of wind, different sounds from the wheels depending on surface etc.BTW, how do I get rid of this blue text in my posts?/Jan Bergwall

Randall,I did not like the default voices too much either. However, it is possible to adjust the pitch and speaking rate of the different voices in FSHotseat. I now have a set that is good enough for my taste. Still too mechanical, but definitely better than the default setting.Cheers,Henri

Henri,I did fiddle with the rate and pitch a little and could improve it, but I find FDC to be better for co-pilot operations. Now, with FSHotSfx, I'm getting the best of both worlds. I'd still like a means to a pilot rating, like old FsMaintenance or what FsHotseat does.Randall