I've been away from simming for nine months and would like very much to get back into it and don't know where to start.

Like many of you, I flew a highly optimised FSX for years but after selling off my old system, I would be starting from scratch again.

I've built a new machine with Windows 7 64bit on it and am ready to re-install everything but I have no experience with Prepar3D.

 

I love flying smaller aircraft with up to date GPS, the largest I've managed to fly is the Q400 but with three kids, my sim time is now limited to 1-2 hours per night, so I need to keep it relatively uncomplicated.

I'm only interested in flying with ORBX scenery or very good photoscenery and PMDG/Majestic quality aircraft, if that helps.

 

Any help you can give is really appreciated.

 

Toby

Well, you have the right system, and as far as I am concerned, the right direction (GA). Orbx is a solid bet - just pick your region(s) - and as far as aircraft you have offerings from A2A, Carenado, MilViz, Alabeo, and my personal favorite, RealAir. These are all "tier 1" vendors, and given your limitations, would fit into your sim environment/limitations just fine.

 

Have fun!

I fly the Turbine Duke in P3D and it works fine.  No RealityXP though...not on P3D.  There are folks flying the Q400 on P3D too.  Milviz continues working on their lineup. 

 

I have both...FSX on one SSD and P3D on another.  There are mixed reviews on P3D.  For me, visually stunning...daylight looks like daylight...cloud shadows, cockpit sunlight...no scenery popping.   But, I don't have the FSX smoothness yet and some jaggies and shimmering.  LM is aware of it...might be an nVidea issue...and they're working on performance for their next release.

If you're into flying the tubeliners, the Airbus X works extremely well with P3D v2.2 and is frame rate friendly. It's also one heck of a nice plane.