Just wanted to add my two cents about how the flightsim world really opened up since I purchased Active Camera. Preflights will never be the same :)I do have one question though, Right now, my favorite aircraft to fly is the 737-200. I would like to be able to "Patch" in the vurtual Flightdeck of the Default 737 so that I can combine Active camera with my Alaska Flying but can't remeber how and my search in the avsim archives has so far been negative. Any suggestions?ThanksDave in Alaska

Hi Dave,Do you mean that you'd like to use the virtual cockpit of the default 737 with another aircraft? If so, the answer is no. The virtual cockpit is part of the model itself and can't be separated for use with another aircraft like the 2D panel can. Of course, if I misunderstood your question, please disregard ;-).thanks,

Hi Bill,Thanks for the response. Guess that is why my AVsim search turned up negative results. Guess I will need to use an Alternate aircraft for my vurtual cockpit flying :0)Fly safeDave

Speaking of AC - does anyone use the padlock features and other advanced features when actually flying? In the review at AVSim, it was mentioned that the padlock view can be used to "lock" the view on to the runway threshold when flying the final part of the downwind leg, base and the long final. I tried it but it seemed somewhat awkward. Very time consuming to search for the Ctrl+F12 combniation on base just to check the airspeed indicator. Also during the final I tend to not look straight forward, but instead to one side and slightly downward because this makes it easier to judge height and speed for me. If it was quicker to toggle this feature on and off maybe it would be more useful.The feature that allows you to pan with the mouse is also promising. Unfortunately I have no hands or feet left to operate a mouse with on final. I already have the stick in one hand, throttle in the other and feet on the rudder pedals and I can't let go of either during final.Anyone found the above feature useful or is are they indeed just gimmicks to justify AC going payware?

Jimmy,there is a more flexible way to toggle the runway padlock than the default shortcut. Simply re-assign the hot key :Open the Active Camera 2004 menu - Keys1. Highlight "Toggle scenery padlock view"2. Click on Modify 3. the program asks you to set a key or mouse button 4. press "X"Now you have set the toggle function to the X key. While flying the pattern - you are on base leg. Define the padlock point on the scenery (CTRL + right mouse click). 1. Press X (toggle on), your head starts to follow the runway threshold2. Press X again (toggle off) and press space bar. You revert to the default VC view so you can monitor your instruments (speed, altitude ...)3. When turning on base leg, press X to track the runway. Revert to the VC view whenever you wish (press X and space bar) and so on untill established on short final. This key combination is easy and no time consuming at all.You can also re-assign the "Toggle scenery padlock view" to any joystick button instead of a key."Anyone found the above feature useful or is are they indeed just gimmicks to justify AC going payware?"AC is a compilation of gimmicks :)Regards,

I have been playing with the demo version of active camera and are starting to think it is mostly gimmick - albeit a relatively cheap gimmick as these things go. The virtual cockpit pan/eyepoint functions cane be achieved with default functions, the PMDG 737NG virtual cabin walk through is neat but the absence of pax makes it a bit unrealistic. Furthermore I have found other ways to get limited cabin/wing views with this aircraft. The runway padlock function seemed a worthwhile function but a bit clumsy in practice even with hotkey reassignment described in the previous post. The external walk around is also neat but apparently doesn't work properly in the southern hemisphere, and I do most of my flying in Australia. However the main thing that will stop me signing up for the full version is that if I play MP3s while flying with Active Camera the 3D display distorts quite badly. IMHO the Avsim reviewer was generous in giving it 4.5 stars - I would give it 3.Bruce

What is unrealistic is your statement about the absence of virtual pax in the 737 PMDG virtual cabin. Perhaps with a Pentium 10 and GForce 8 you could see pax in the cabin, do you realize how much ressources it should take?Runway padlock is an excellent feature that is used a long time in combat sims, I toggle the padlock with a joystick button and I think it is working great, not clumsy at all.As for the review I think it is fair, objective. The rating is justified IMO, the reviewer pointed the innovativation and imagination for a fs add-on (see the avsim review policy) and not the fact you can't play your MP3's with Active Camera.Peter V.S.

I think AC is well worth the money. I love the head latency and turbulence effects, and I really love the mouse panning even if it's only for looking around while cruising. It's considerably quicker and more smooth than panning with the hat switch.

I've been using ActiveCamera since FS2002 and have found it an indispensable addon for VFR flight.In order of usefulness:1: VC View Mouse Zoom and Panning2: Spot View Mouse Zoom and Panning3: Head Latency effects (most realistic in turbulence!)4: Approach View (although still not sure how to set it up so I can have the view preset beside the runway touchdown point - help plz?!)Have tried the padlock runway view but, as someone has already commented, it is too fiddly for me, especially on base leg when I am already very busy preparing for landing.Tried the "walkaround" view but for some reason bits of my aircraft disappear as I walk around:( Is this a common problem for Radeon graphics card users?Overall a great addon and reasonably priced!RegardsAdam

I guess this must be a personal thing but I found myself reverting to the hat switch for VC/Spot view panning as it is on the flight yoke right under my thumb and I have a second joystick next to the yoke with buttons set to default eyepoint movements. I have to reach over the joystick to get to the keyboard so I tend avoid using where possible. I agree on the head latency effects and turbulence but couldn't justify the purchase just for that and you seem to agree with me on the padlock runway feature - just a bit clumsy. Finally the walkaround feature has acknowledged shortcomings including the fact that it doesn't work properly in Australia where I live. The MP3 thing is of course a personal issue but I have always played music on long flights (as in real life) and it seems I can't do this with AC. If it wasn't for this I might still buy it as it is relatively inexpensive. At least there was demo mode where I could test it to see how it performed on my setup.Bruce

For those who have not yet looked at Active Camera...I'm going to simply agree with Serge--AC is a collection of gimmicks. But these are gimmicks that one eventually finds indispensable. Sort of like a remote-control garage door opener, or power windows in a car, or mobile telephones, ... and so on. Gimmicks that seemed superfluous until one actually used them.Certainly, flying in the VC is made much more believable with Active Camera working. One can swivel one's head and focus one's eyes from the small instruments to the outside world--all naturally and quickly. (The focussing and refocussing feature may not seem critical until you use it.) Further, the preselected "views" allow one to do an instrument scan, or work the radios or autopilot, and then get immediately back to flying. (Especially nice is that the "eyes" shift from one viewpoint to the next, refocussing, in a smooth way.) All this becomes critical when the workload increases in a busy airspace.Also useful is the ability to swivel and move the eyepoint "in" and "out" when you are "outside" the cockpit--say taking screenshots or merely admiring the beauty of your model in the air. And, of course, one can wander through the cabin or walk around the aircraft on the ground for a bite of eyecandy.And there are other features that others find handy. (Head latency, padlocking other aircraft, wind sounds, fly-by views, landing views, and so forth ...)All in all, these guys have done a wonderful job expanding the capacity of MSFS. Lots of kudos going their way.Best,Mike

> IMHO the Avsim reviewer was generous in giving it 4.5 stars>- I would give it 3.I'd give it a 5.5 (given that 5 is the limit ) Squawkident :>>4: Approach View (although still not sure how to set it up so I can have the view preset beside the runway touchdown point - help plz?!) 80 seconds, choose VC mode during replay, hold down Shift and right click anywhere near the runway you'd like to be standing,hit 'S' and be amazed. If not you can of course do this over and over again ( if you have checked repeat replay continuously )choosing different points of view by just right clicking spots along the runway in VC mode. Always best to choose a spot with the sun in your back. I enjoy doing this for hours but then again i am a world renowned aircraft spotter. :( For an example see here http://forums.avsim.net/dcboard.php?az=sho...topic_id=171100Jan

JanThanks for the instructions:) Will have a go tonight when I do some touch and goes at my local airfield.Thanks v muchAdam

>I have been playing with the demo version of active camera>and are starting to think it is mostly gimmick - albeit a>relatively cheap gimmick as these things go. The virtual>cockpit pan/eyepoint functions cane be achieved with default>functions, the PMDG 737NG virtual cabin walk through is neat>but the absence of pax makes it a bit unrealistic. >Furthermore I have found other ways to get limited cabin/wing>views with this aircraft. The runway padlock function seemed a>worthwhile function but a bit clumsy in practice even with>hotkey reassignment described in the previous post. The>external walk around is also neat but apparently doesn't work>properly in the southern hemisphere, and I do most of my>flying in Australia. However the main thing that will stop me>signing up for the full version is that if I play MP3s while>flying with Active Camera the 3D display distorts quite badly.> IMHO the Avsim reviewer was generous in giving it 4.5 stars>- I would give it 3.>>BruceHow do you 'walk' through the cabin? In the demo I could only flyby.... is there something I don't know (please tell me :-) )?

>How do you 'walk' through the cabin? In the demo I could only>flyby.... is there something I don't know (please tell me :-)Check 'internal pilot view' in AC menu, with Numpad On you can now crawl all over your plane by using the Numberpad keys. The toilet is the limit. ( mostly :+ ) Adam: you're welcome, have fun ! Jan