In my opinion GEX looks much more structured, not as messy as FTXG, when I compare it with google earth pictures, which looks more realistic and that does catch my interest.

But what about FTX airports for Global? Are they working with GEP3D?

After uninstalling global and installing GEP3D, I reinstalled the PagoPago airport and it looks just as good as with global. Milford sound is fine. Other than the freeware pack I don't have a lot but so far so good. Obviously the specific areas like Norway, Scotland etc work just fine.

 

Vic

I'm talking about the payware airports, indeed. But that's good to hear, Vic.

Perhaps someone is interested in using the ORBX HD trees.

 

I've read in the documention of the "ORBX FTX Trees HD" that these trees can be installed with or without using FTX products. I didn't know that before.

So I have installed these trees in addition to GEX/UTXv2. It looks really nice!

 

Patric

First there was GEX + UTX 1 --> the best

Then there was FTX + Vector --> the best and GEX + UTX were uninstalled by many

Now we have GEX + UTX 2 --> the best and FTX + Vector are uninstalled by many

 

This really makes me smile.....

There was never any GEX + UTX 1. Not for P3D.

 

Only default + UTX 1 which was really only suited to 1.4

 

As P3D 2.x evolved FTX evolved into Global double installer (FSX and P3D) + nothing unless you ported over the UTX from FSX, which defied the EULA for the product. Fortunately, Allen took a view.

 

Then we had FTX Global + Vector - a pairing designed to be together. Those who had ported UTX also had an option to make a ###### child of the three.

 

Then we had FTX Global + Vector + OpenLC, which was not for NA. So all the European flyers got the full deal, while the Yanks got left with a partial solution from UTX.

 

Then UTX was formally released for P3D v2 in mid-2014, which made illegal users and portover merchants legal again, and which also accommodated the users who had also bought into the FTX market.

 

Now we have GEX + UTX2 which tells everyone who bought into the FTX market that they are stupid, charges more moeny for the same thing, does not integrate into the established FTX market, is not endorsed by L-M, and which has some questionable pricing, unlike the transparent business practices of ORBX.

 

Gerard, if you want to make a point, at least make it a legitimate one.

Until open LC is released for FTX all areas then I don't think a fair comparison can be made.

 

Personally, FTX vector, global and open LC Europe are my preference, especially with the clear model of supporting fsx and p3d with one purchase.

 

Admittedly utx still has many advantages at the moment in terms of maturity and features but vector keeps improving albeit slowly

While I am not about to change, the one real advantage of UTX/GEX I've seen are the big cities. Cities like Munich just look "wrong" in the present ORBX Global representation even with OpenLC Europe. I would be very thankful if someone who owns UTX/GEX could show a screenshot of the Munich city center.

 

Unfortunately, most of the hundreds of official screenshots are without reference to the place, although some like Chicao are easy to identify.

 

Thanks in advance and kind regards

Michael

There was never any GEX + UTX 1. Not for P3D.

 

Only default + UTX 1 which was really only suited to 1.4

 

As P3D 2.x evolved FTX evolved into Global double installer (FSX and P3D) + nothing unless you ported over the UTX from FSX, which defied the EULA for the product. Fortunately, Allen took a view.

 

Then we had FTX Global + Vector - a pairing designed to be together. Those who had ported UTX also had an option to make a ###### child of the three.

 

Then we had FTX Global + Vector + OpenLC, which was not for NA. So all the European flyers got the full deal, while the Yanks got left with a partial solution from UTX.

 

Then UTX was formally released for P3D v2 in mid-2014, which made illegal users and portover merchants legal again, and which also accommodated the users who had also bought into the FTX market.

 

Now we have GEX + UTX2 which tells everyone who bought into the FTX market that they are stupid, charges more moeny for the same thing, does not integrate into the established FTX market, is not endorsed by L-M, and which has some questionable pricing, unlike the transparent business practices of ORBX.

 

Gerard, if you want to make a point, at least make it a legitimate one.

You missed my point.

The point is : every time a new version of a simular product comes out the older one from the other compagny is suddenly not good enough anymore. This goes for FS in general .....

No Gerard, I didn't miss your point. Your point just wasn't very well made, as you are the one who's missed it - especially as each product you refer to has consistently and persistently been upgraded during its life, sometimes considerably so since release.

 

The real point is, all except for GEX have understood they are launched into a market with pre-existing product and have accommodated that product to a greater or lesser extent. Only GEX pursues its particular and peculiar `self-extinction-guaranteed`  path of denigrating what has gone before and requiring its removal. 

 

FTX Global for example, was designed to be used with ANY landclass addon precisely so its own optimised OpenLC would have a firm base for comparison. ORBX have long gone out of their way to provide `default, intermediate, our products integrated` screenshots precisely to aid such comparisons.

 

Ultimate Terrain has ALWAYS accommodated other vector elements and the developers have gone out of their way to describe correct merging techniques. 

 

Witness the complete absence of locations from the GEX screenshots. 

 

Simmers are asking for like-for-like comparisons. Why have GEX set out to make such comparisons almost impossible to provide ? Why not add co-ordinates to screenshots, so those with Global/Vector/UTX/landclass product could readily go to the location in P3D and see the difference for themselves. There is only one reason why they haven't.

 

GEX on its own isn't good enough to replace Global/Vector (and in Europe, OpenLC). So while they pay lip service to the notion of interoperability with UTX, the reality is they aren't simply disparaging Global never a good idea in business terms, they are disparaging Global/Vector AND OpenLC. A considerable expense in both time and money for the simmer, and one where - contrary to your point - while they're quick to state the case, have yet to actually make the case for a `superior product that supercedes that gone before`.

Impressive. Do a 2-4 hour flight and let's see how things are. Are you flying with 1k textures forced at all your payware airports?

Sorry for changing the subject of previous posts, just getting back to update Kuragiman.

 

Flew a 5 hour flight in the PMDG 737-800 United livery FB KIAD to FSDT KLAX overflying FB KDEN and FSDT KLAS same settings as before except changed shadows to high. I also had UTX lighting activated as the flight started at dusk on the east coast. Landed with around 630 vas left at about 26 fps. My old cpu did not do well with the night lights on approach but I'm sure stronger computers would have no issues. I personally don't fly at night anyway so it's not a loss to me but I know others enjoy night scenery.

 

Did not put a video up. If interested I'll post one as I still have the video clips I took.

 

 

GEX on its own isn't good enough to replace Global/Vector (and in Europe, OpenLC). So while they pay lip service to the notion of interoperability with UTX, the reality is they aren't simply disparaging Global never a good idea in business terms, they are disparaging Global/Vector AND OpenLC. A considerable expense in both time and money for the simmer, and one where - contrary to your point - while they're quick to state the case, have yet to actually make the case for a `superior product that supercedes that gone before`.

 

Let me be the first to point out that GEX is not designed to replace any LC, mesh, etc, it is ONLY textures. It is also designed to work seamlessly with UTX and ALL other LC and also includes it's own 'tree' fix. Unlike FTX they do not change any FS core values to force others to comply with their install, and they also include a backup and uninstaller PLUS a 30 day money back refund.

 

Another amazing benefit is with GEX I get a performance boost unlike any I have seen before. I run unlimited FPS on a 6 year old machine and I now get 40-60 consistently and smooth as silk sim with zero 'popping'.

 

As far as posting 'locations', thats your complaint? Seriously? Anthony has posted locations on a lot of shots and I am positive if you have a specific shot in mind he is more than happy to provide it, they are not hiding anything, in fact they are extremely proud of their product as they, IMHO, are not only the best, they are also the FIRST!

 

That alone is enough to keep my flying with GEX, the rest is eye candy without attitude. After seeing customers banned from the FTX forums over the years because they are not '######', I stay as far away from FTX as possible, even though I could add some stories here, I wont.

The only complaint I have with GEX is the unrealistic colouration of the textures (way too brown in Europe) and the over textured effect on the textures which make the world look like it is covered in pieces of 1970's shag pile carpet.

 

For Europe which is where fly, FTX Global with the FTX OpenEU landclass looks much better and closer to what I see out of the window when flying in the real world..

 

It's great that we still have choices to make though and that new products are still coming to market. Each to their own

Are we talking about the product or the developer? Compare the products yourself and decide. Ask GEX for locations - I'm sure they just wanted to get the screenshots out. Bottom line - for the most part, it's visual preference - you and I could loo at the same comparative shots and decide differently.

 

Let's deal with the products on their merit not the personality of the developer. If the latter were done no one would ever have purchased anything from Microsoft.

 

Vic

For Europe which is where fly, FTX Global with the FTX OpenEU landclass looks much better and closer to what I see out of the window when flying in the real world..

 

That's my opinion, too.

 

But there are advantages of GEX I had to be considered:

 

- better looking night lightning over FTX Global

- perhaps better performance (not fully tested yet)

- better integration with UTXv2

- city textures look better than FTXG textures

- city textures are blending nicer in surrounding 

- installer/uninstaller

 

On the other site, the combination FTXG/FTX open LC Europe looks more real. But the FTXG textures are sometimes a liitle bit too green and saturated.

 

So at the end you have to check which product fills your needs better.

 

Patric

lol... monitored really?  Topic is more laid back than many on these forums.