I'm looking for suggestions about my next aircraft purchase: that classic plane -- the Beechcraft Bonanza!  I've always really liked the look it these birds, I don't yet have one in my small library of planes, and I have consistently enjoyed Carenado's products, so I figured I'd go with one of the models they offer.  Here are three available:

• F33A: www.fspilotshop.com/carenado-f33a-bonanza-p-2585.html
• V35B: www.fspilotshop.com/carenado-v35b-bonanza-p-2814.html
• A36: www.fspilotshop.com/carenado-bonanza-a36-p-3448.html

Any suggestions, preferences, disappointments, etc?  (I'm slightly leaning away from the F33A which I think doesn't not have a GPS -- I could be wrong though.)

 

One thing to keep in mind is that I have a so-so simming machine at the moment, so if for some reason one of these is a resource-hog (which I kinda doubt), I'd probably rather be safe than sorry.  Thanks!

I really like the F33A and it does have the Garmin 430, I also added the S-Tex 55X autopilot from Reality XP. Down load the Jaguar Special Edition livery and you'll have a nice plane. Plus I think there is also a modified FDE file on Carenado's site which I would recommend...

 

I have a very modest system E8600 CPU and it works fine, decent FPS over Orbx scenery.

 

 

 

http://iblueyonder.com/freeware/

Here is a suggestion

Buy Prepar3D academic for $59.95 which includes the Carenado A36 and Albeo Extra E300S

Total value of free aircraft $29.95 + $19.95 = $49.90

That gets you your next generation simulator for $10.05

 

Just saying.....

I really like the F33A and it does have the Garmin 430, I also added the S-Tex 55X autopilot from Reality XP. Down load the Jaguar Special Edition livery and you'll have a nice plane. Plus I think there is also a modified FDE file on Carenado's site which I would recommend...

 

I have a very modest system E8600 CPU and it works fine, decent FPS over Orbx scenery.

 

http://iblueyonder.com/freeware/

 

Woah, you can add an autopilot planes that don't have one installed?!  Regardless though, does the F33A not come with any?  I don't mind if it's not a top of the line autopilot, but I do like them for long flights.  Also, what about a GPS -- does it come with one? Thanks.

 

 

Here is a suggestion

Buy Prepar3D academic for $59.95 which includes the Carenado A36 and Albeo Extra E300S

Total value of free aircraft $29.95 + $19.95 = $49.90

That gets you your next generation simulator for $10.05

 

Hmmm.  That does sound interesting, but like many people out there, I feel deeply invested (financially and to some extent otherwise) in FSX already and am not sure if everything will translate over to PD3.  I do have Orbx addons, so that's a plus as they are compatible. I also have My Traffic X, Ideal Flight, Air Hauler, and several planes -- not sure how they work.  How limited is the "student" licence?

 

Believe me I'm tempted, especially when I see so many people pulling their hair out over the fact that FSX's was written almost 10 years ago and it requires core speeds that just don't exist the way Microsoft probably thought they would.  Very tempting indeed.

 

 

How limited is the "student" licence?

 

Exactly the same as the Professional version except for a watermark in the top right of the screen which you do not even notice.

mad dog, do me a favor: take a look at My PC specs. Do you think I'll be able to have a meaningful increase in my performance without having to upgrade my hardware much?  I guess considering that I don't have a ton of $ to spend, and since (outside of a few programs) I haven't dropped a fortune into FSX-only software, the main advantage to me would be in performance.  Thoughts?  Thanks!

Woah, you can add an autopilot planes that don't have one installed?! Regardless though, does the F33A not come with any? I don't mind if it's not a top of the line autopilot, but I do like them for long flights. Also, what about a GPS -- does it come with one? Thanks.

If you just want the 'flying' benefits of AP, as opposed to having an AP unit modelled in the VC for you to push buttons and turn dials, most aircraft have default AP settings in their cfg file and you only have to change 0 to 1 in the first line to be able to utilise it in flight. Then just use Ctrl+Z (altitude)/ Ctrl+H (heading) to turn the basic elements on and off.

 

 

I also added the S-Tex 55X autopilot from Reality XP.

 

Can you tell me how the DH function works on that?  Does it alert at the DH or does it alert 50 ft above and below the dialed in altitude? 

I really like the F33A

 

+1

 

I have the other ones too, but I always went back to the F33A.

 

Yes, it does have the GPS, you can also see that when you look at the page that you linked to, it shows in the screenshots, it shows in their video and even the description mentions "Original GNS 430 included". It makes me wonder how you could have missed all of that. :biggrin:

 

Personally I moved away from Carenado once I discovered A2A and RealAir, they make in my opinion far superior planes.

If you just want the 'flying' benefits of AP, as opposed to having an AP unit modelled in the VC for you to push buttons and turn dials, most aircraft have default AP settings in their cfg file and you only have to change 0 to 1 in the first line to be able to utilise it in flight. Then just use Ctrl+Z (altitude)/ Ctrl+H (heading) to turn the basic elements on and off.

 

Well how about that!   I just copied & pasted the text from the entire autopilot section on the default C172 into a old payware Piper PA-28 ... and presto!  Thanks, Portia911!  Now how would one go about making it appear on a panel -- either on the plane in the virtual cockpit or as a separate 2D panel in a different window.  Is this a complex process?  (I'm sort of a newbie, if you couldn't tell.)   

 

Yes, it does have the GPS, you can also see that when you look at the page that you linked to, it shows in the screenshots, it shows in their video and even the description mentions "Original GNS 430 included". It makes me wonder how you could have missed all of that. :biggrin:

 

Personally I moved away from Carenado once I discovered A2A and RealAir, they make in my opinion far super planes.

 

I missed that bc I didn't know what a GNS 430 was.  Ha!  

 

Yeah, the A2A's look pretty dreamy.  Wish they had a few more planes in their catalog.  Haven't checked out RealAir though.  Will definitely look into it.  Thanks!

 

 

mad dog, do me a favor: take a look at My PC specs. Do you think I'll be able to have a meaningful increase in my performance without having to upgrade my hardware much? I guess considering that I don't have a ton of $ to spend, and since (outside of a few programs) I haven't dropped a fortune into FSX-only software, the main advantage to me would be in performance. Thoughts? Thanks!

 

To be honest I know next to nothing about AMD chips and ATI cards so have no point of reference.

 

With my PC which is not considered great these days i.e i5 2500K @ 4.6 with a GTX 570 for a quick comparison I use this scenario to test

In FSX (running DX10) the default Lear45 on the runway at the default Farnborough EGLF gives me 50-60 fps,

P3Dv2.2 with the FSX Lear45 ported over, at the same spot using the same REX textures gives me 80-90 fps peaking at times above 100 fps.

 

Take your time and do the research, find out how users of similar hardware to yours are fairing in P3D.

 

Given how P3D has performed on my hardware there is no going back for me, but I would like to see the lighting situation at my Aerosoft airports resolved soon, that is my only issue at this point.

With my PC which is not considered great these days i.e i5 2500K @ 4.6 with a GTX 570 for a quick comparison I use this scenario to test

In FSX (running DX10) the default Lear45 on the runway at the default Farnborough EGLF gives me 50-60 fps,

P3Dv2.2 with the FSX Lear45 ported over, at the same spot using the same REX textures gives me 80-90 fps peaking at times above 100 fps.

 

Take your time and do the research, find out how users of similar hardware to yours are fairing in P3D.

 

Holy crap! That's a pretty huge difference.  I know this is off topic, but I'm wondering if PD3 requires the super fast core that FSX requires to run well.  I have a pre-made machine that can't be overclocked, so I'm stuck at about 3.4 ... unless I want to drop a lot of cash on a new machine ... which inevitably I will eventually.  I'll look into it more.  Thanks for the info, mad dog.

 

 

but I'm wondering if PD3 requires the super fast core that FSX requires to run well.

 

Take your time, FSX runs well now especially under DX10 and has plenty of life left in it.

P3D is only going to get better going forward so now we all have a (simming) future to look forward to which we did not have not so long ago.

And it will be all be there for you when  the time comes to move forward.

 

I really believe that this is the best of times for desktop aviation simulation, when only a short while ago it seemed we did not have a path forward.

In FSX (running DX10) the default Lear45 on the runway at the default Farnborough EGLF gives me 50-60 fps, P3Dv2.2 with the FSX Lear45 ported over, at the same spot using the same REX textures gives me 80-90 fps peaking at times above 100 fps.

 

Strange, I hardly saw any difference under similar circumstances.

Woah, you can add an autopilot planes that don't have one installed?! Regardless though, does the F33A not come with any? I don't mind if it's not a top of the line autopilot, but I do like them for long flights. Also, what about a GPS -- does it come with one? Thanks.

 

Yes, it does come with an AP, I just replaced it with an upgraded one.....

 

MartinRex007, on 05 Jun 2014 - 5:54 PM, said:


Can you tell me how the DH function works on that? Does it alert at the DH or does it alert 50 ft above and below the dialed in altitude?

 

Been awhile since I've done and ILS approach with this gal, I'll try one tonight and see, but I can't recall a DH setting on the altimeter I think you have to monitor your altitude and once you reach the DH either land or abort.....