I am a long time GEX NA user (no UTX, have not upgraded to "V2").  I believe that it's a good product, but with the early version of GEX only on my computer, it seems there are in fact much better options on the market in either the later versions of GEX NA or FTX Global.  I'm thinking of going for FTX Global, but am hoping that you guys could answer a few questions.  I've tried to be diligent and do my homework, but not everything is answered is basic reviews and there a millions (ok maybe not literally) of forum threads to read.

 

1. Performance: I've seen people post regarding performance improvements going from GEX v1 to GEX v2 or GEX to FTXG.  These have rarely been quantified.  For anyone out there with experience, has this been substantial or 1-2 fps? 

 

2. I know much ado has been made over the custom landclass calls and FTXG not "playing well" with other add-ons, yet the only add-on I have seen that doesn't work with it are GEX (makes sense to be one or the other).  Are has this been resolved, are there problems I'm missing?

 

3. Future upgrades? I haven't followed FTXG development so closely.  I see they are planning to be releasing custom landclasses.  Are these going to be pay for products?  Any other upgrades I'm not aware of?

I moved from GEX NA to FTX Global and have ZERO regrets.    Much better in my opinion for just the night lighting in DX9 alone.    Makes cities come to life.    Is it perfect?  No.  But it covers the whole world for $100 bucks.   You'd spend MUCH more to do that with GEX.    I like FTX because the colors are a little more vibrant and I like that.    I wish it was a little more accurate in my home city of Dallas Fort Worth.  There's a little to much green around the metroplex.    The Cowboy's Stadium does not sit in a grassy field surrounded by trees.  It sits in a concrete parking lot.     But I can live with it.

I'm a noted FTXG fan and defender.  I don't make choices for other people though.  I used to use GEX, I don't regret the money I spent on it at the time.  it's definitely better than default, or FScene.  FTXG is something else though.  I think it's the best hundred bucks I've spent in flightsim.  

 

Maybe the best thing you can do is to head over to the GEX forums and read what GEX developer NickN has to say about FTXG.  he calls ORBX tyrannical, accuses them of sabotaging your fsx install and makes an oblique comparison to FTXG as "malware"  all while trying to play the innocent helpful guru.  Now ask yourself, would a competitor go to that length to trash a product unless it was REALLY good?

 

have fun deciding...  really can't lose either way though.

 

P.S.  the incompatible products so far for FTXG are FranceVFR photoreal regions with autogen (their airports and truelandscape landclass work fine) and the freeware FinlandX.  and a few random freeware airfields.  I have had similar problems with GEX and a few freeware airfields in Africa.

 

 

1. Performance: I've seen people post regarding performance improvements going from GEX v1 to GEX v2 or GEX to FTXG. These have rarely been quantified. For anyone out there with experience, has this been substantial or 1-2 fps?

 

I fly the NGX and the Aerosoft A320 a lot and i cant really say i have noticed any performance issues with global and its night lighting, if there is a performance hit it is a small one on my computer ( my specs are out of date, I run the cpu at 4.5ghz and now use a GTX760 graphics card )

 

 

 

2. I know much ado has been made over the custom landclass calls and FTXG not "playing well" with other add-ons, yet the only add-on I have seen that doesn't work with it are GEX (makes sense to be one or the other). Are has this been resolved, are there problems I'm missing?

 

I have yet to see any compatibilty issues with the addon airports i use and i use one payware airport package that was made in 2008 and last updated in 2009 and it plays well with global.

 

 

 

3. Future upgrades? I haven't followed FTXG development so closely. I see they are planning to be releasing custom landclasses. Are these going to be pay for products? Any other upgrades I'm not aware of?

 

Yes Orbx OpenLC will be payware upgrades but on the threads that i have read on the Orbx forum say they wont be expensive to buy and they are planning to release airports that will work better ( blend in ) with global, I believe the first will be ENNK and it does look sweet.

 

http://www.orbxsystems.com/forum/topic/61488-ennk-narvik-airport-development-shots/

You might have to register to view the screenshots

I moved from GEX to FTXG and can recommend it too. No major difference in FPS as far as I can see. I do have problems with some of my freeware airfields (trees on runways etc). Suggest you check the feedback on the ORBX FTXG forum also.