Hello all! I am waiting for my copy of fsx to come in the mail tomorrow! After doing alot of research I saw alot of people saying REX was one of the must have addons.

 

Quick question when it comes to buying addons, as a steam user I really like digital downloads, but I don't know if I like buying digitally from other vendors. What I am really getting at is, with steam you can download the same game over and over again with no problems. If I buy REX from a store will they allow me to redownload it if needed? I noticed the download is about 8g so I am thinking about just ordering the CD in the mail too. I was thinking about ordering from fspilotshop if that matters or anyone knows if they will allow you to download as many times. I am guessing its just a 1 time download link and you have to save the file somewhere?

 

Question 2 is I noticed the official site for REX shows a 3.0 version. I havent found a store selling it as specifically 3.0, but called "REX ESSENTIAL PLUS with OverDrive". Is this the same thing? I am guessing the 3.0 is just the patch update? If they make a 4.0 will the give that free too? Lots of questions!

What I am really getting at is, with steam you can download the same game over and over again with no problems. If I buy REX from a store will they allow me to redownload it if needed?

 

This seems to be the case for most online shops. I've bought downloads from simmarket, flightsimstore and pcaviator and they allow me to go back later, login and download again. I haven't used fspilotshop. Best to email them and ask if in any doubt. The flightsimstore says I can download each product up to 100 times!

 

Even so it's not a bad idea to save your downloads somewhere safe.

 

Another shop to consider is Flight1 which allows you to return products within a certain timeframe (eg 30 days) if not satisfied, so you can try their products without any risk.

 

As far as free upgrades REX has been very generous about offering free upgrades to their users, so I would guess that will continue. I'd ignore the version numbering, the latest is REX Essential Plus w/Overdrive and is the 3rd major release of REX but the versions show v1.0 for the sound effects and download center since they are new features. Too confusing, just go with the product name (which is too long but oh well).

 

A weather engine is definitely a good idea, as FSX does not do a great job of depicting weather on its own. REX is a good option but so are OpusFSX and Active Sky. Personally I use REX textures but mainly use OpusFSX for weather and PlanG for flight planning.

A weather addon i would say is a must have, but it does not need to be REX. There are others out there like Opus and Active Sky.

 

I had REX Essential, then i switched to Opus and FEX because i got tired of the weather download and interpolating issues, but this whas before they added the service pack 1 to REX Essentials so these things have probably been fixed. I have to say I like Opus so much now that I would not go back to REX Essentials.

He didn't say he was looking at REX for the weather engine.... ^_^

 

I think to most people REX is a texture addon. If SirSnaxAlot is looking at REX for textures (clouds, skies, water) then he is looking at the right addon for the job. If he however is mainly looking at a weather addon, I would advice him to have a good look at OpusFSX first. However, I think that most people will agree that any of the available weather engines WITHOUT a good texture addon won't get you too far... So... REX will be a good starting point for someone who is new to FSX.

 

I wouldn't advice someone who is new to FSX to buy too many expensive addons at once...! With REX you get a lot, even though not everything may be the best (weather engine) but at least you can enjoy FSX a bit more. If SirSnaxAlot likes FSX a lot after flying a few weeks with FSX and REX, he might start looking at for instance OpusFSX. And other addons like scenery and planes and planners and ATC and fuel planners and what not... ^_^

He didn't say he was looking at REX for the weather engine.... ^_^

 

If SirSnaxAlot is looking at REX for textures (clouds, skies, water) then he is looking at the right addon for the job. If he however is mainly looking at a weather addon, I would advice him to have a good look at OpusFSX first. However, I think that most people will agree that any of the available weather engines WITHOUT a good texture addon won't get you too far... So... REX will be a good starting point for someone who is new to FSX.

 

I wouldn't advice someone who is new to FSX to buy too many expensive addons at once...! With REX you get a lot, even though not everything may be the best (weather engine) but at least you can enjoy FSX a bit more. If SirSnaxAlot likes FSX a lot after flying a few weeks with FSX and REX, he might start looking at for instance OpusFSX. And other addons like scenery and planes and planners and ATC and fuel planners and what not... ^_^

 

He could get textures for Opus with FEX or freeware(I personally like the FEX textures better than REX). And why is giving him some alternatives to REX a bad advice?

What if he only heard of REX and bought that and later to discover Opus and FEX and regret the money he spent on REX(I know i would), and later cursing at those people that gave him the advice and did not say anything about better alternatives out there?

When I whas a newb I had heard the same, that REX whas the must have addon etc, only later to discover that there whas also something called Active Sky(Opus whas not released at the time)

 

And I have not given anyone advice to buy to many expencive addons at once, just wanted to inform that there are alternatives and that REX is not the only weather/texture addon out there, and it's not a "must have addon" because it's not the only alternative.

E.g If I use Opus and FEX, Why must I have REX?

 

Edit: BTW is it possible to give away my REX licence, if so the OP could have my key for free, as I do not use REX anymore and it just takes up backup space.

He didn't say he was looking at REX for the weather engine.... ^_^

 

I think to most people REX is a texture addon. If SirSnaxAlot is looking at REX for textures (clouds, skies, water) then he is looking at the right addon for the job. If he however is mainly looking at a weather addon, I would advice him to have a good look at OpusFSX first. However, I think that most people will agree that any of the available weather engines WITHOUT a good texture addon won't get you too far... So... REX will be a good starting point for someone who is new to FSX.

 

I wouldn't advice someone who is new to FSX to buy too many expensive addons at once...! With REX you get a lot, even though not everything may be the best (weather engine) but at least you can enjoy FSX a bit more. If SirSnaxAlot likes FSX a lot after flying a few weeks with FSX and REX, he might start looking at for instance OpusFSX. And other addons like scenery and planes and planners and ATC and fuel planners and what not... ^_^

 

Have to agreee with you on this one

And why is giving him some alternatives to REX a bad advice?

 

I can't remember having said that. ^_^

There's an interesting question here about what a new user should first consider in the way addons. One possible answer is: Nothing at first, because just learning how to use FSX on its own is complicated enough. That was the case for me anyway, it was several weeks at least before I got any addons.

 

Once you have a good grip on FSX I would suggest to first make it work well, then make it pretty. Some good addons that make FSX work well are:

- Get some decent controller hardware: A yoke, rudder pedals and a throttle quad really add to the experience

- FSUIPC for controller assignments, calibration and for fixing certain problems/bugs

- OpusFSX for weather and camera management

- AccuFeel for better physics

- TrackIR to make it easier to look around (very useful if you prefer the 3D cockpit)

 

One bit of advice above that I like is: Don't do this all at once, add things one at a time, get them working well and then continue.

 

With your sim working well, then next thing to add is a good airplane. By this point you should have a good sense of what you like and what your capabilities are as a pilot. I think it's more fun to fly a plane that matches my level of competence. For example, for me that is the Beech Bonanza. I also have the QW 757 for when I want to pretend I can fly the big jets without getting too overwhelmed.

 

Finally it's time to pretty-up your sim with textures, scenery, airports etc and also consider the flight planners, AIRAC data and so on.

 

I don't really think anyone goes in a strict order like that but it's just something to keep in mind as you consider how to improve your sim.

Edit: BTW is it possible to give away my REX licence, if so the OP could have my key for free, as I do not use REX anymore and it just takes up backup space.

Uhhhhh... no!

I wouldn't advice someone who is new to FSX to buy too many expensive addons at once...!

I can't remember having said that.

 

Maybe I just misunderstood then, but felt it whas aimed at me -_- Because you qouted my post and said that, so for me it sounded like I whas giving him bad advice, when all I did whas enlighten him about that there are other alternatives out there, and they may even be better than REX.

 

Uhhhhh... no!

 

Ok, whas just curious about that. So there is no way to get rid off addons or sell those you no longer need. Thanks for clearing that up... I have a full hangar of Carenado planes I wish I could sell or maybe donate...to bad.

What if he only heard of REX and bought that and later to discover Opus and FEX and regret the money he spent on REX(I know i would), and later cursing at those people that gave him the advice and did not say anything about better alternatives out there?

When I whas a newb I had heard the same, that REX whas the must have addon etc, only later to discover that there whas also something called Active Sky(Opus whas not released at the time)

 

Thanks guys for the replies! I have to admit I only wanted Rex because it was the "must have addon" atleast thats what I saw on youtube. I am sorry for the delay as I have been flying all over the place. I bought REX from fspilot shop and it lets you download 20 times within a year I think I had saw. I ran into a problem with it not loading the weather files but I had to reinstall fsx outside of the programs86 directory, apparently some kind of security measure within windows.

 

One bit of advice above that I like is: Don't do this all at once, add things one at a time, get them working well and then continue.

I am going to follow this advice for now because otherwise I dont think I can appreciate the addons if I just assume thats how the game should go! But I did purchase GSX Ground services, I get a real kick out of watching them load the planes.

 

Another question, and I am sure it bugs you guys too, is when I load up free flight, it always has my plane slightly moving with the parking brakes off. Is there anyway to set it so the brakes are one and not moving??

Another question, and I am sure it bugs you guys too, is when I load up free flight, it always has my plane slightly moving with the parking brakes off. Is there anyway to set it so the brakes are one and not moving??

 

Try creating a flight with the default Cessna 172 at an airport near where you live, put it into whatever state you like (I shut down cold and dark), then save the flight and check the box that says to make it the default flight.

 

If you use the C172's shutdown checklist in the kneeboard, make sure to leave the fuel tanks on "Both". I vaguely recall it saying to set it to either the left or right tank, but doing that caused me some problems with other planes.