In regards to the U.S. it looks like Orbx has limited coverage vs the whole country coverage from the combination of FSGenesis Mesh + UTX + GEX. Is the quality of the terrain in the Orbx areas signifigantly higher than the combination of the other three in those same areas?

Due to its focus on specific regions, FTX is generally more detailed and finely crafted. Even evident in screen shots, FTX possesses a clean, dark, and lush style that, in my opinion, is more aesthetically appealing, even though it may not be absolutely realistic.

Is the quality of the terrain in the Orbx areas signifigantly higher than the combination of the other three in those same areas?

 

Yes, Orbx areas are beautifully detailed but as you point out they are smaller areas and the cost really adds up. Fortunately you can have both, just put Orbx above UTX in the scenery library. I only have Orbx PNW but might get some other areas. I also have Tongass Fjords X which is also fantastic and right up there with Orbx.

 

You should also be aware the Orbx has announced a "World" product which hopefully will mean we can cover the earth with their great scenery and have it all in one package.

 

Actually, I just read the Orbx (FTX) Global announcement and it looks like it's mainly a texture product, not a complete scenery like their smaller regions, so mainly it's a competitor to GEX, and you would still need products like UTX and a mesh addon to really improve the scenery.

The combination of Ultimate terrain and Fscene is what I have and greatly improve terrain, and don't decrease frame rates significantly. Both can cover the whole World, or you can buy for example USA only. Check out the advertisements and reviews.

 

Henri

Biggest bang for the buck for large coverage area terrain are UTX products.

Well, I´d go for free first.

 

After fresh installation I would add the "anti-desert" textures/terrain for free.

Then for the mesh, local meshes mostly free, global costs.

Perhaps then I would pamper myself with a plane of my dreams if it is not among the default planes.

Then some scenery to play with the dream plane.

This far you don´t necessarily have to pay a dime.

I really like ORBX North America and Tongass Fjords. Those addons are really great for bush flying in the American North West. Then add some Realair or Carenado aircraft (I really love the Realail Legacy and the Carenado C208 and C337), and off you go.

Another great thing - and totally free, btw - is BlueSkyScenery. They offer photoscenery and highly detailed meshes for California and Nevada, and slowly making their path up North to Wyoming and Montana, as well as East to Texas. (Those are daytime textures only, though).

Those are pretty much the best GA "low and slow" things, that come to my mind.

 

Regards,

Flo

1 - For me is AI traffic ... I liked x-plane, but quickly got real bored with being the only person alive out there..

 

2 - Yoke and Pedals .....

 

3 - Weather, but you can just generate your own if you don't want to spend $$$

 

4 - ATC , FS ATC is just too buggy and I can't stand getting dropped out for not communicating ..

 

5 - The right plane for your flying style..

 

Personally I would go for a plane first, just because I prefer looking at the scenery from a "decent" cockpit. If I was starting from scratch I would almost certainly go for the RealAir Scout (nice and slow and great visibility for viewing scenery) - if that is too slow then I would go for their Legacy instead. You cannot go wrong with any of the RealAir products though !!

 

You don't say where you are flying, but I would look at (in order):

 

FSGenesis Mesh

UTX

GEX

 

 

Unless you are flying Alaska, then you could just get Ultimate Alaska and not need the other 3 !!

 

G