IMHO:

 

it doesn't seem rational to compare previous AS versions to this latest one.

 

This latest one has so many features/functions that I would expect to have to "tweak it" until I find the right balance regardless of any of my previous AS version settings.

 

This latest AS is leaps & bounds what I have been waiting for in my FSX rig.

 

Everything in FSX is about finding that "right balance" due to so many of the limitations imposed by FSX's now archaic programming  - despite the fact we now have excellent hardware to push it to it's limits.

 

And yet, software producers like PMDG and HiFITechnic (and so many others) continue to push & stretch FSX's boundaries for our sheer enjoyment.

 

Balance...tweak...balance....

Ok so is it really worth the update price?

Absolutely!

Just got it... doing a flight from kmia to KJFK on the T7.. all I have to say is wow!!!! verry accurate.

I had REXE-OD for some time have a good deal of respect to it, however,  two days back I downloaded the ASN demo version........made two flights NGX & T7............. I couldn't believe how easy it was installed almost with no configuration....Then comes the weather radar.... I can see clouds in front of me and at the map for the first time  at the same time ....... I experienced turbulence just like real plane @ FL370 with wing flex...... I didn't get any dramatic wind change direction/speed form 180 to 360 in two seconds for 5 hours flight........ the plane didn't  over-speed or stall......The cloud coverage seems to be very elastic .......also parts of the wing @ wing view was disappearing in the clouds..........All was new to me................I am speechless ..........those were my first impressions ....

 

Today I have to experience the wake turbulence, wind aloft date export to T& FMC & wind-sheer before I decide to buy it ....only kidding of course I will  

I notice some people talking about how great the turbulence effects are in ASN.  I thought PMDG frowned upon having any turbulence effects turned "on" since it degraded the aircraft's flight dynamics.

I notice some people talking about how great the turbulence effects are in ASN.  I thought PMDG frowned upon having any turbulence effects turned "on" since it degraded the aircraft's flight dynamics.

 

This was only in reference to the way some older addons used the FSX turbulence as a way to force wind changes. I don't believe that's what any of the recent programs do and thus it should be fine. Turbulence obviously exists in real life and the AP should account for it as long as it doesn't get too extreme. (and the AP would have trouble with that in real life too)

I've been using AS2012 for the last 1.5 years with the same settings.  I used those exact same settings in ASN and lost a substantial amount of FPS.  I'm not saying a negative connotation should be given to ASN for that reason but I do think people are justified when they question why vast performance losses are occurring, so we can get down to what is causing these differences so we can adjust settings specific to each users hardware capabilities and satisfaction - it's much more insightful and informational than just saying "just lower every setting".

Great analysis.  I see a parallel to the resurgence in OOMs, even in 64bit OS environments with 8 gigs of RAM or more, because the newer addons are placing more demands on scarce resources, through high definition textures in super HD clouds or aircraft liveries, or complex sceneries like the Drzewiecki Design New York city.  FSX uses some very outdated, inefficient code and does not take advantage of the capabilities of the latest hardware, and there are plenty of people who just pile on complex addons to the point of choking their systems. 

 

Clouds are very resource hungry, and the new found enhancements in overcast depiction is guaranteed to bring some older systems to their knees, and new systems as well if the settings are set to high due to overconfidence by the user, like cloud draw distance and number of layers.  I'm basically using the same settings from ASN and slowly moving up a notch or two to see how big the impact is before I settle with a final setting. 

I find it's a frame killer, but damned if it isn't awesome weather injection.  Better than OPUS, IMO.

 

Weather engines are not frame killers. What kills the frames is the amount of clouds/rain/snow generated by REX, FEX etc. You only have to adjust the weather options

This was only in reference to the way some older addons used the FSX turbulence as a way to force wind changes. I don't believe that's what any of the recent programs do and thus it should be fine. Turbulence obviously exists in real life and the AP should account for it as long as it doesn't get too extreme. (and the AP would have trouble with that in real life too)

Awesome! Thanks Ryan. I actually hoped you would respond directly to my question.

 

 

 

Is it worth going from 2012 to Next?  I read the product comparison and I don't really SEE anything that interests me.  I have a feeling I need to hear from you guys, or try out the demo.  

Is it worth going from 2012 to Next?  I read the product comparison and I don't really SEE anything that interests me.  I have a feeling I need to hear from you guys, or try out the demo.

 

Have you actually read the posts here and over on the main FSX forum?

It.

Is.

Amazing.

 

...and this is coming from the guy who apparently hates everything.

 

...to include kittens, puppies, and small children.

Is it worth going from 2012 to Next?  I read the product comparison and I don't really SEE anything that interests me.  I have a feeling I need to hear from you guys, or try out the demo.  

 

It's night and day improvements from 2012.  It's absolutely worth it.

Hate kittens!!!!

 

If you hate my feline friends you are trully evil.

 

Seriously for a second, ASN is great. I've been simming since Clive Sinclair's first machines and quite frankly I can get bored. ASN has served to revive my interest.

 

ASN is my first HiFi product and quite frankly I'm seeing weather effects in the sim that I doubted would be possible.

 

 

Hate kittens!!!!

If you hate my feline friends you are trully evil.

 

haha - I don't mind cats, really.  I was just exaggerating using things that are normally cute.

 

...well...except small children.  I don't particularly like them.