I am new to FSX, but enthused with the overwhelming possibilities.  I am nearing completion of a small (C172, Mooney, etc.) Sim and ready to start putting everything together.  I have FSX running on an i7-4770K (no overclock), GTX-780, 32GB RAM, three 2 drive RAID0 SSDs, and 4 monitors (3-Matrox TH2G and one for panels).  Everything is under water cooling.

 

I plan to fly mainly GA planes at relatively low altitudes.  Mainly VFR, with some IFR for a diversion and occasionally a C-130 for long haul flights.

 

While building the Sim itself, I have been playing with the basic FSX installation, and the only add-on software that I've added is the MegaScenery Arizona (I live north of Phoenix).  I am not impressed with the MegaScenery package.

 

I have been reading everything that I can find on scenery related software, and of course each developer claims that theirs is the best thing since canned peanut butter.  I am thoroughly confused on what would be the best scenery related software for my flying preference and hardware.  UTX, GEX, FTX, REX, etc.

 

So my question is, for the type of flying I will be doing (mostly VFR low altitude in North America) what scenery/texture/weather/etc. software is recommended and compatible?

 

I realize that there will be varying opinions, but right now I'm just plain ignorant and confused, and the more I read the more confused I get.

 

RodeoGeorge

ORBX regions. You wont need any extras like UTX,GEX etc.

 

They are limited in their USA coverage but enough to keep you exploring for a year or 2 while new areas continue to come on line

 

WEATHER

 

ASN seems to be the most popular

OPUS has weather and headshaker, cameras, buttkicker out put as well so its a great over all package

ORBX regions. You wont need any extras like UTX,GEX etc.

 

They are limited in their USA coverage but enough to keep you exploring for a year or 2 while new areas continue to come on line

 

 

I have been on the ORBX site numerous times.  Unfortunately they do not have a product with which I can fly into and out of my local area (Prescott, AZ north of Phoenix).  In fact, I could not find one of their products that covered the Phoenix area.

 

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

RodeoGeorge

I my opinnion there's one thing you might want to concider and that is that FSX hasnt been in development since 2008, I believe. For now things work, but the whole computer world keeps pushing forward, while FSX is standing still and eventually, sooner or later, FSX cant keep up with development and people have to change to a sim in active development. Since UTX and GEX are only licensed for FSX, you cant take them along to another platform, while the whole ORBX/FTX line is P3D compatible and who knows, will be compatible with what Dovetail is going to do with FSX. And like Zoran says, UTX/GEX is limited in their coverage, while FTX Global/Vector are global and Open LC is on it's way to global coverage.

 

REX is something totaly different, REX does skies and clouds and some improvements to details in the airport environment, so REX is used besides UTX/GEX, or the FTX combination. And for Weather there are also different options like Opus and ASNext, that is a personal taste, but I'm very happy with ASNext. The weather is very good and the program is very user friendly. I had trouble with Opus, even with the manual next to me, while for ASNext, I never even looked at a manual, it's very intuitive.

 

But in the end it all comes down to personal taste, what do yóú think looks best and what do yóú think works best for you.

I'm very pleased with FTX Global/Vector/Open LC with REX4 and ASNext. I think it's a perfect combination.

I'm very pleased with FTX Global/Vector/Open LC with REX4 and ASNext. I think it's a perfect combination.

 

+1.

 

Doug

Since the FTX Global cover the entire world, does the entire package load with FSX, or on a portion applicable to your current location?

 

Seems like that would be a lot of overhead if the entire package loads.

 

RodeoGeorge