The "other" future is full of OOMs

[deetee 164]

I, like many on these fora, tend to drift between sims depending upon one's particular mood or need. So... I was looking forward to see what Prepar3d 2.1 would bring to the table; basically an FSX compatible sim with DX11 effects. However it seems that the brick wall that we know as the 32-bit VAS is spoiling all the fun. Turning up the visual candy in FSX was already a good recipe for OOM cake, but now the candy's been bumped up a notch or two in P3D v2.1 it's clear to see that that brick wall is becoming a major handicap for that platform. Any visual improvements introduced in P3D have to be turned down or throttled back, so in the end there is little real improvement upon FSX. A 64-bit version may come one day but not any time soon from what I've read.

 

Having already invested in P3D v2 and followed the unfolding events, I decided yesterday I would no longer waste money on FSX/P3D and put my dosh where it counts - X-Plane with its 64-bit goodness. To celebrate; I bought the LES Saab 340A !!

 

So, anyone else feel the same?

 

Edit : I'm probably preaching to the converted but I just wanted to share.

[JimmiG 244]

I can't feel happy about the situation as there are many add-ons and features I enjoy in FSX/P3D. It's also frustrating because as I customer, I don't know whether some of the amazing new v2-optimized add-ons like OrbX NorCal are "safe" investments at this time.

 

The situation right now is not good and LM need to provide a better answer than "Our simulator is designed for many different usage patterns". Clearly they did not design the simulator around the idea that it should unceremoniously crash to the desktop with a misleading error message if you're using it "wrong". Stability should be the #1 priority for the professional market they cater to, and 64-bit is the only way to achieve that. X-Plane proves this beyond any doubt - 10.25 has been absolutely incredible in terms of stability for me.

 

The move to 64-bit needs to come sooner rather than later. 64-bit should not break "traditional" add-ons, only those that rely on external .dll's and modules. Most of those already broke when they moved to 2.x / DX11, so now is as good a time as any for LM to make the switch.

 

I remain hopeful that they will be able to plug a few memory leaks and optimize the loading/unloading of scenery data to keep the sim going through 2014 in its current 32-bit state.

[ohsirus 241]

Give Lockheed time, I'm sure they will work things out. X-plane is coming along nicely also.

[Don t moderate me this way 882]

Until there's a clear-cut advantage for either sim (one is lacking complex planes, the other one is lacking the "other" 32bit), I keep my dosh to myself.

 

Must admit, I like the fact that there are competition and options in our niche market ...   B)

[xplanery 250]

If LM manages to improve the way Prepar3d handles memory they should be able to get rid of OOM problems even before making the actual 64 bit version. 

 

I would consider switching to X plane if someone handled me 1000 euros to obtain enough aircraft & scenery to even nearly match the coverage I currently have for FSX / Prepar3d. 

[Ianrivaldosmith 5,317]

If LM manages to improve the way Prepar3d handles memory they should be able to get rid of OOM problems even before making the actual 64 bit version.

 

I would consider switching to X plane if someone handled me 1000 euros to obtain enough aircraft & scenery to even nearly match the coverage I currently have for FSX / Prepar3d.

Why would you need $1000?

 

I have spent $50 on the sim, $50 on Carenado planes, and $40 on sky maxx pro.

 

With the HD mesh and the tweaks knocking about, $140 gets me something much more realistic looking than FSX ever was. Plus it handles better! Oh not forgetting the freeware airports that are payware quality in some cases!

[Murmur 3,941]

I think that until P3D will switch to 64 bits, X-Plane has maybe a unique window of opportunity to become a real competitor in terms of sales/community adoption.

 

This will depend on how quickly the most requested missing features will be implemented in X-Plane.

[MrRoper 27]

I can't feel happy about the situation as there are many add-ons and features I enjoy in FSX/P3D. It's also frustrating because as I customer, I don't know whether some of the amazing new v2-optimized add-ons like OrbX NorCal are "safe" investments at this time.

 

The situation right now is not good and LM need to provide a better answer than "Our simulator is designed for many different usage patterns". Clearly they did not design the simulator around the idea that it should unceremoniously crash to the desktop with a misleading error message if you're using it "wrong". Stability should be the #1 priority for the professional market they cater to, and 64-bit is the only way to achieve that. X-Plane proves this beyond any doubt - 10.25 has been absolutely incredible in terms of stability for me.

 

The move to 64-bit needs to come sooner rather than later. 64-bit should not break "traditional" add-ons, only those that rely on external .dll's and modules. Most of those already broke when they moved to 2.x / DX11, so now is as good a time as any for LM to make the switch.

 

I remain hopeful that they will be able to plug a few memory leaks and optimize the loading/unloading of scenery data to keep the sim going through 2014 in its current 32-bit state.

 

 

But their target audience wont be running memory intensive add-ons with high-res VC cockpits. Also not many long haul flights are performed in a commercial sim, I can imagine that P3d as it stands in a typical commercial usage scenario performs very well

I think that until P3D will switch to 64 bits, X-Plane has maybe a unique window of opportunity to become a real competitor in terms of sales/community adoption.

 

This will depend on how quickly the most requested missing features will be implemented in X-Plane.

 

I agree, but I worry that they dont have the resources available to pull something out of the bag quick enough

[Glynn 405]

 

 

Why would you need $1000?

 

 

A million dollars would not be enough unless someone was happy to program a good

atc and ai addon for that much.

Once Xplane gets those I will jump over but at the moment it lacks so much.

Makes good screenshots though, that for sure

 

[HiFlyer 9,343]

I think we can be very impatient. And can turn on a product much too quickly.

 

We did it with Flight.

 

We are doing it now with P3dV2

 

I sometimes do it with X-plane, so a while ago I decided to back away and have had nothing further to say, especially about 10.30

 

Give LM a chance. And that's from somebody with no intent to buy into it at this time.

[alexcolka 183]

I don't have P3D v2, so I wonder does the majority of users have this oom problem with that platform? For example I don't have it with FSX, I have it sometimes in XP10 64 in the form of low memory warnings and in the worst case a complete CTD. So the problems with different simulation platforms and system will be unique to a specific user.

 

Anyway, I enjoy XP10 64 a lot with the SAAB and with my new addition the 757 Professional now with a discount of 50%.

[jcomm 5,890]

Well, for me it is even simpler....

 

I'm smoking a much better stuff :-)  - Flight Gear 3.0.0 !!!

I keep using ELITE, a lot lately thanks to our friend Alec, who has kindly provided me with his IFR classes, also IL2 Sturmovik together with DCS, both not for the combat component but rather for the excellent flight and systems modeling, and looking forward for two other mandatory releases - ELITE v9 ( this year for sure ) and PSX ...

[keithb77 305]

 

 

I don't have P3D v2, so I wonder does the majority of users have this oom problem with that platform? 

Never had it with 2.0, after an hour with 2.1 - dOOMed...

Seem to be several potential causes, that can catch most but not everyone.

 

X-Plane does have another Window of Opportunity - there needs to be an FSX Users conversion guide, last time I tried X-Plane there were just too many blank walls...

Cheers

Keith

[rototom 198]

Never had it with 2.0, after an hour with 2.1 - dOOMed...

Seem to be several potential causes, that can catch most but not everyone.

 

X-Plane does have another Window of Opportunity - there needs to be an FSX Users conversion guide, last time I tried X-Plane there were just too many blank walls...

Cheers

Keith

 

I had a lot of questions when I considered using x-plane. I decided to get the demo and see what I could accomplish. To my surprise, I was able to get a lot farther than I thought I would. I found plugins like XPUIPC that allowed me to use programs like FSCommander, Plan-G, SPAD and EFASS. All addons that talk to FSX using FSUIPC. I also heard that Aivlasoft may start using a UIPC interface and that would likely allow EFB to work with X-plane as well. You also have XSquawkbox and X-ivap if you like to fly online.

 

If you find yourself stuck to FSX because you have many addons that you like, then you should definitely use it and enjoy them; I know I will. But X-plane has no shortage of potential. As stated there are a number of great addons out for it and the community is growing. If it continues to grow, then the developers have a market and that's all they need to start building 64bit addons.

[hychewright 46]

I have been flying FSX for years and when P3D came out, like a dummy, I deleted FSX (kept all add on) and went to P3D full throttle. P3Dv1,4, P2Dv2.0 and now P3Dv2.1.  I was looking forward so much for 2.1.  The latest version fixed some things but messed up other things like GPS systems and flight planing.  I know LM is trying hard to fix things as we the testers find things wrong. I guess I am just disappointed. May go back to FSX til LM gets things sorted out. Or I may try X plane 10. It has a future with the flight simmers as well.