I'm a loyal Active Sky customer, and use Active Sky Evolution at the moment.   I'm on the fence about upgrading to AS2012.  My take when it was first released is that it was playing catchup to REX by offering texture sets to match the weather generated by the weather engine.  I don't need any of that, as I use freeware sky/cloud textures that I like very much.  So, apart from the textures, are there any significant improvements above and beyond what I get in ASE?   I have read about improved overcast depiction, and a trick to make it appear that visibility is obscured inside clouds.   But do these features really work? 

 

I also believe they will implement a way to easily export/or communicate directly with the PMDG 777 to share winds aloft data in AS2012, not sure if ASE will see that feature.  

Anyways, it's a small upgrade fee for me, but I still would like to know if it's worth the price if I'm not using the texture sets.

 

 

I have read about improved overcast depiction, and a trick to make it appear that visibility is obscured inside clouds. But do these features really work?

 

All I can say is that the cloud thickness thing is really good.  They added it in the last service pack and it does make flying in the clouds seem much more realistic.

Well, AS2012 is probably a waste of money considering AS2013 is hopefully not too far away now.

I jumped from ASX to AS2012 shortly after it was released.  I've been happy with it, especially in its current version.  There was a bit of a learning curve for me as AS2012 had far more features and parameters to set than what ASX offered.

My almost half year experience is that textures are worse than in previous versions. Overall its a convincing package, but the competition seems to run a bit ahead. I cannot reach consistent results during my flights, usually the cloud coverage looks good on ground but it disappears or dissolves when airborne.

 

What freeware textures have you found?

Still ASE for me (with REX and the PMDG B777).

it's great!

Well, AS2012 is probably a waste of money considering AS2013 is hopefully not too far away now.

Is that just conjecture, or a fact?   I doubt Hifi would just drop another new release on it and charge full price or even an upgrade fee for AS2012 users if that were to happen.  When Active Sky Evolution was rolled out, they offered a free upgrade to it for Active Sky X users, which I was one of, at least for a certain amount of time.  

Funny you should mention that, because last fall I think they were hinting that some major upgrades were down the pike, and this was just a few months after releasing AS2012.  I think subconsciously, I felt that I should wait and see what happens before I sprung for the upgrade.  Alas, I haven't heard of any such news since.

Is that just conjecture, or a fact? I doubt Hifi would just drop another new release on it and charge full price or even an upgrade fee for AS2012 users if that were to happen. When Active Sky Evolution was rolled out, they offered a free upgrade to it for Active Sky X users, which I was one of, at least for a certain amount of time.

Funny you should mention that, because last fall I think they were hinting that some major upgrades were down the pike, and this was just a few months after releasing AS2012. I think subconsciously, I felt that I should wait and see what happens before I sprung for the upgrade. Alas, I haven't heard of any such news since.

Please see here: http://www.hifitechinc.com/forums/showthread.php?1147-The-next-version-of-Active-Sky

 

 

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It it worth for me.  The feature that simulates the zero visibility while in the clouds is worth the small upgrade fee.  I also find it executes faster.  Don't recall if ASE had the ability to refresh the AI, but that's another feature I use.  

Please see here: http://www.hifitechinc.com/forums/showthread.php?1147-The-next-version-of-Active-Sky

 

 

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Interesting read in that link. I am excited to see how it pans out.

I'll read the link, thanks for the submission.  I think I've made up my mind and will purchase the upgrade soon sometime today.  I figure at some point I'm going to eventually get it, or the next upgrade for AS2012, so I may as well get it now and enjoy it, especially with the release of 777 and PFPX!   And if there is a surprise upgrade, Hifi most likely will offer an discount for previous hifi users.

 

I'm sure there are some under the hood improvements as well that I will like.  I know I'll be looking back and thinking, why did I not upgrade sooner!  Maybe I was thinking OPUS would be a replacement for AS, but I don't think they will ever implement the three things I need for it to compete with AS2012:   An easy to use, robust GUI; accurate winds aloft without wind shifts; and historical weather.   No one can compare with OPUS's visual depiction of real weather phenomenon like fronts, but IHMO, realistic cloud visuals AND the stable/accurate winds aloft that are so critical for jetliner ops are mutually exclusive.

 

Thanks folks.

 

EDIT: Just finished reading the link with the news from Damian.  It sounds like great news, and if true, it would almost be like FSXI.  I'll believe it when I see it, as I'm sure the competition from OPUS is forcing a response, but this is exactly what I have always wanted: accurate weather depiction and winds aloft.   Let's hope for a discount for AS2012 users, which I'm about to become!

Just to point out. I do not recommend AS2012 over the competition,I have it, REX and Opus, but FSGRW is my favourite due to its simplicity, cloud cover, visibility accuracy and above all, real turbulence on the aircraft.

 

I only answer the original question to point out that the new version is coming.

I had ASE, then AS2012, and now I use opusfsx.

Better weather depiction and a smaller system footprint.

No textures though. REX does that.

 

If you don't have REX and want an all in one package, I would go with AS2012.

Damian is really pushing the hyperbole in that link. His partner Chris hints at volumetric clouds as well. We have all seen this hype before with fs releases and most fall spectacularly flat. Now if it lives up to the hype then Activesky can take it's spot at the top.

 

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