Has anyone actually used this software yet? I haven't seen any reviews of how well it works as opposed the the previous version.

Totally agree with nicolau about the moderators and their general conduct. The product hasn't worked correctly for months and yet they wouldn't release the service pack despite complaints. I'm not sure I would consider any other products from REX after this experience and for the life of me I can't understand PC Pilot awarding a Platinum product award. They were obviously not aware of the degree of frustration that REX Essentials has caused to its customers.

 

Richard.

Couple of questions from those who have d/l and installed it:

 

1. Does it provide for a P3D install option?

2. Does is have a server/client install option - or should I say instructions on how to install for that scenario?

 

Yes it does have a P3D option. You buy the licence key and then you can point REX to your P3D installation. Although my upgrade has removed the option for me for some reason, it generally should be there.

 

In defence of their lack of support, I have to say Reed at their support desk regarding my P3D key missing, has been regularly communicating to try and solve the issue.

How's the overcast situation compared to OPUS?

 

One short test flight from Port Hardy CYZT to Nanaimo CYCD yesterday during overcast conditions.

I flew the first half of the flight using REX + ....then re started the exact same flight using Opus.

 

Sorry no pics but...

 

The conditions at the departure airport where well depicted by both engines showing plenty of low level cloud and a nice thick overcast layer at 6000...during climb using REX + the transistion through the overcast layer was very convincing but once ' on top ' and climbing through higher altitudes the overcast layer below gradually dissipated until I was flying with a clear view of the ground.

 

....Opus, on the other hand, maintained that overcast layer below me throughout the entire flight ( I finished the flight using Opus ...only flew half the flight using REX ) so no fair comparison on arrival.

 

....no condemnation intended toward REX+ as this was a very short test flight.

cheers

 

Greg

The conditions at the departure airport where well depicted by both engines showing plenty of low level cloud and a nice thick overcast layer at 6000...during climb using REX + the transistion through the overcast layer was very convincing but once ' on top ' and climbing through higher altitudes the overcast layer below gradually dissipated until I was flying with a clear view of the ground.

 

I hesitate to draw too many conclusions yet until I have a chance to play with settings in REX, as there are quite a few more variables than with Opus - I flew my first flights with all default settings in REX. My initial impressions from last night mirror yours about the basic presentations both being good. Curiously, however, I was able to tune ATIS and AWOS frequencies from a ways out whose reports clearly didn't match the prevailing wx until I got closer to those airports. This may vary with settings, but surprised me a bit. The other quick impression I had was that transitions in changing conditions seemed a bit smoother in REX, but that impression may change as I change settings.

 

I also did a quick flight using data from a day in July, and I must admit that it was great to be able to fly "real world" wx independent of real time. The initial data load for this was a bit slow, but nothing too bad.

 

Scott

Man one of the thing I love about Opus right now is that you load and fly.

 

I know there are many updates coming soon which will ' improve ' upon it's platform BUT I hope it doesn't morph itself into another " Setting's Buffet "

 

I truly appreciate the effort from all the devs who attempt to satisfy everyone's needs and wants with weather depiction, but the amount of, and wording of, and descriptions of, all of these Options is crazy.

 

cheers

Greg

Just a quick one: I´ve got that 4 GB down but now´s the question whether I have to delete REX Essential before installing REX Essential Plus?

There are correct upgrade files to every version of REX. If you downloaded FULL installation REX-E+, then you need to uninstall REX-E, but if you downloaded a patch, then you should have checked that it is the right patch for your version.

Man one of the thing I love about Opus right now is that you load and fly.

 

I know there are many updates coming soon which will ' improve ' upon it's platform BUT I hope it doesn't morph itself into another " Setting's Buffet "

 

Yeppers. Seems they've been pretty clear that they'll leave other functions to other packages, so I expect they'll stay as true as they can to their current approach whereas REX is trying to be more of a total planning package. Really, most of the REX settings are one-time, figure out what will match your preferences kinds of things as well, but you're right. It's hard to beat the simplicity of Opus' load it and fly.

 

 

Scott

The conditions at the departure airport where well depicted by both engines showing plenty of low level cloud and a nice thick overcast layer at 6000...during climb using REX + the transistion through the overcast layer was very convincing but once ' on top ' and climbing through higher altitudes the overcast layer below gradually dissipated until I was flying with a clear view of the ground.

 

....Opus, on the other hand, maintained that overcast layer below me throughout the entire flight ( I finished the flight using Opus ...only flew half the flight using REX ) so no fair comparison on arrival.

 

And that's why I love OpusFSX so much!!! I just did a 90 nm VFR flight and flew through various conditions during that short flight (slightly hazy with a few clouds, thunderstorms, low level clouds, blue sky with a few clouds) and everytime the weather in the far away distance was actually there when I arrived at the spot and it stayed there when I flew through it and when I passed it. No disappearing stuff but one big huge 'theatrical stage' with detailed weather as far as the eye can see that does NOT change into something completely different when you get close. Absolutely awesome. (You can see pics of that flight here.) And nothing beats the speed of OpusFSX too. It start in a few seconds and loads the weather just as fast. It's so wonderful to take off with a rather clear sky and to see huge cloud formations near the horizon and to see them becoming bigger and bigger until you enter them... wonderful stuff. ^_^

 

But er... this topic was about REX... sorry... :rolleyes:

Yep OPUS is the king, it's a big step up over REXE,AS2012, I know I have all 3 now.

The conditions I tested in involved an IFR flight with a solid layer into gradually clearing VMC IRL. This was quite accurately depicted and in a similar fashion to what I've grown accustomed to in Opus. I didn't have time to test the opposite set of conditions to see if it does as well flying towards building wx - yet. This isn't the sort of thing you can draw conclusions about until you've had a chance to fly in a variety of conditions.

 

Scott

OPUS it is then. I've had nothing but problems with REX weather engine ever since it came out.

I've had nothing but problems with REX weather engine ever since it came out.

 

As I have both, and the upgrade cost me nothing but time, I like to keep both my options and my mind open. Like others, I had constant trouble with the REX-E wx engine and simply stopped using it, using REX for textures alone. Eventually I picked up Opus and have been thrilled with it and the support offered for it. But REX does offer features that Opus currently doesn't, and in some cases probably never will. I think it's worth a look. So far, the new wx engine has worked without a glitch.

 

Sorry - not being anti-Opus or pro-REX here - just confused at those who are already making a judgement with little to no real information.

 

Scott

Good points on the install and go architecture. I didn't know Opus was like that and, after Open Clouds became payware, I was thinking if any dev would go that path again.

 

I often wondered why the addon weather engines throw some 100 options on you. At the same time, I was asking myself if a simple one-click solution would be ok for folks being eager to tweak and twiddle. So I can understand both approaches, in a way.

 

Maybe that new mode on the REX Ess Plus engine helps a bit since it handles a lot of options automatically. So far, it does good and I didn't feel like changing anything on my initial setup.

 

Now I am still trying how the turbulence sliders affect my plane. The older Ess engine (without the Plus) came in harsh and needed very low settings. The new one does fine with medium ones and the Maddog so far and I'm now turning off the FSUIPC smoothing I had running. Just to check if it's still needed, like on the other weather addons I own. Well, tweak and fiddle I guess. ^_^