I'm with Michael on this one. I have been thinking about getting AS for quite some time, but knowing this version would be out has kept me from that...until now. While it might be the fair thing to do, where do you draw the line, on who and at what point? This is a commercial product that has been in development for awhile, they deserve every penny they earn from it.He may be an extreamly fair and moral person, but this is business, not charity.I also don't think the price is unfair for either the package or the price cut for loyal customers, since this is a new standalone product, NOT an upgrade to the last version.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/mcdcvabanner.jpgCalVirAir International

Hi All,We had a few emails last week about this and here is our reply:Dear AS2004/.5 User:Thank you for contacting HiFi Simulation Software concerning AS2004.5 and ASV. As you may know, ASV was first announced (hinted at) back in December

HeyThats a great letter. OK Im the idiot Im the fool. After all its just 27.00 more dollars. Heck I spent 35.00 this afternoon on a new cooler.If the reviews are very good I will probably purchase ASV before the upgrade time expires. I know youve spent hundreds if not thousands of hours in making this new version of AS and In the real world you never recoupe your time on these addons "I truly understand that".I purchased AS4.5 knowing full well that a new version was coming out soon I just assume that you would do the right thing. So I guess that leaves me with nothing more than a slightly biter taste in my mouth about this whole deal and I will leave it at that not to be heard from again.Besides Yours is the only game in town and I doubt that will change. If I wanna play I gotta payRegards your loyal customerDennis Waggoner

I can see the dilemma because the perceived marginal benefits vs the cost is giving some folks pause. PArticulalry the ones who bought it very recently and have not had time to enjoy the 4.5 version. Yup..I would not be too happy either. But I have never owned a AS before. The Q for me is... Is it worth it? For the first time user? Ocourse.. I am really concerned about the AI conflicting with this... If it conflicts with AI UT..my AI UT traffic stays... And I hope I don't have to refresh this and refresh that and work around this and work around that... Could anyone clarify that if they are using it...that they didn't have to do any such thing? BTW... What does Flight1's Flight Envirnoment add to this? If this is doing all thise clouds and pretty skies.. why FE?

I see points from both sides. However, if you were Walmart, you would be giving a refund... Or the difference back in a refund. Looking at this from a business perspective, you are taking their money sooner than if they wait. By doing this, increases sales prior to new releases.I still think the fair thing to do is (and I think it is pretty much a standard) anybody purchasing AS 4.5 within the last 30 days of the current date or release date of the new version, can upgrade to ASV for the difference. After 30 days, then the full upgrade applies.A customer is a hard thing to find, and gestures like these will build long customer relationships. I know of one other quality add-on producer that even gives up to a 30 day refund if not satisfied. >>Since we have only one single

Well I'm in love with FE+AS4.5 so it will take a lot of convincing for me to use AS's clouds...

Quote..... Again, I am not suggesting that you just give the new version to people that meet this requirement, just have them pay the difference for the full product. This would also move happy users to the "new technology" platform faster. I suspect, they are thinking their product is so good that this customer would spend another 75% more (without using the one that he bought) again. They must be confident that their product is that good.Maybe it is that good. thats what I want to know... Cause I don't own AS and I am considering it. Ofcourse if they come up with a version VI within the next month..I would not be happy. :)

Good point. I think that Active Sky is a quality product. But business is business I guess.Damain is a person of integrity. He will do the right thing!Barry

>pretty much a standard) anybody purchasing AS 4.5 within the>last 30 days of the current date or release date of the new>version, can upgrade to ASV for the difference. After 30>days, then the full upgrade applies.That's nice and dandy provided you did not buy it 31 days ago. Oherwise you would feel cheated. There would be no end to sour grapes. Michael J.WinXP-Home SP2,AMD64 3500+,Abit AV8,Radeon X800Pro,36GB Raptor,1GB PC3200,Audigy 2http://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/747400.jpghttp://www.hifisim.com/images/asv_beta_member.jpg

I think we are beating a dead horse now.. It is ultimately up to Damian and company to determine these policies.Barry

Yeah, I just bought FE to play with the AS2004.5 I have owned for a while. Very pleased with the cloud formations, randomisation and how it seems to work well with AS2004.5.Since I am still within the 30 day Flight 1 money back guarantee period, I have the option of handing FE back and upgrading to ASV instead. I'd really hate to jack on the FE dudes by handing it back if ASV offers similar results to the AS2004.5 and FE combination. Am I going to notice a quantum leap with ASV accurately matching cloud types to weather patterns, or are these two programs going to pump out similar graphical results? Gary

Hello guys,Imho the new clouds of As 2.5 and the clouds of FE are both pieces of art work.I think if you have one of them then buying the other will not bring something extra.

Spot on, I'm afraid the clouds will look wonderful, but they will be more of the nature of flicking lazily through a photo album than a simulation!Everyone talks about AI as being a frame rate killer, but at least that's only around the airport, clouds are with you all the time.

So much desperation!!!Lol, until a month ago I had a 56K Modem, which downloaded at 5 kb/sec, and some of you complain because you get 17...I got the file late in the afternoon and at full speed (way faster than 17Kb/sec). The AS guys were still there giving support since they solved a problem I had with the download. As usual Jim and Damian give the best support possible.I read the whole manual, installed it and set everything as per the manuals and I will try it tomorrow.The only thing that dissapointed me is that given that new vertical winds have been added, I expected Microburst effect was going to be part of the new software. I haven't seen anything mentioned in the manuals, so I guess it is not. AS guys, is it possible to add MBs? You already have the elements and it is quite an important turbulence that we miss in our simulators.I want to stop missing Lago's Air-file-proThanks,Leo

Hi thre Gary and thanks for buying FE,I'm sure you won't want to really dump FE and probably you are trying to illustrate a point of trying to ascertain a fair value for the upgrade for FE plus AS 4.5 users and it's a logical statement indeed.I'll try and bias this towards a FE customer and what the pros and cons are for dumping FE's clouds and water.Diffictult one to answer in an objective and fair way. The graphical look of ASV clouds are different to FE and I would supsect if you dumped FE you would miss some of the looks you liked. Also we are providing a very significant FREE upgrade within the next few weeks that will more than double the cloud options and most of those new ones are much better. If you dump FE you may never know how good those new clouds are. And there are new types of clouds some with harder edges and some much softer.At the same time if you avoid getting ASV you may never see FE at it's full potential; and trust me when I say ASV really helpf to enhance the look of FE.What's more is future upgrades will see the use of ICS cloud selection with ASV and that looks really exciting.But the water is also more than doubled in size also; in the next upgrade, and without FE you won't get water which is a significant upgrade to how the environment looks.What I would say is try to think of ASV as a really fantastic weather (better than AS 4.5) engine with options and potential to add more than this.The bottom line here is without even comparing to ASV clouds there is a really good case to keep FE and to also get ASV.Peter