I am curious as to whether anyone has taken the leap of faith and purchased the new Porter from FSD http://www.fsd-international.com/I have and love the original, but unless I can get some feedback on any new features, make that GROUND BREAKING features, that price is way outta line for me. PLEASE, no FSD bashing, I just want feedback on the product and/or pricing as I own the original.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/tfbeta.jpg

I was really surprised to see the new pricing and that the amphib and landplane versions had been split apart, each one now costing about what I spent for the combined package a couple years back. I didn't get a chance to see what the differences are, though the pictures on the website seem to indicate at least several new paints. The panel and VC shots looked the same.I'll probably pass on the ski version at $18 for the upgrade version. Doesn't mean I still don't like my current Porters, though, because I do. Closest thing to a helicopter I can actually fly well in the sim. :)EDIT: Looking at the website, it looks like Jim did an all-new model for version 2. Looks really sharp, but I can't tell how much of an improvement it is over the already-good-looking original.Lewis "Moose" GregoryRichmond, Virginia

agreed...I need a bit more information on exactly what one gets for this pricing structure, the breif reference to 'numerous improvemnts' just does not cut it for me at this point. Yes, I did see the page with the 4-5 listed items, still not enough info.

Well, I dug around in the FSD forums and this is the list of new features that Jim posted a while back:Texture upgrades.Configurable cabin (empty, passengers, parachute, cargo)New night lighting implementationupdated Pilot/Co-pilot seats.Fully clickable VCNew PilotFuzzy DiceRemove DiceRemove GPSRefinements to exterior and interior models.ETC..................Lewis "Moose" GregoryRichmond, Virginia

Thanks Lewis, didn't think to check the forums. Sounds cool, BUT I am happy with my current model so more feedback is needed for me to take the plunge at that price. Really to bad they are seperate packages, wonder if it's for technical reasons and not $$.Guess I'll keep looking for more feedback. Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/tfbeta.jpg

Ive bought 4 of their planes,3 in the last month including the Pilatus.I do not plan to rush to their site and spend even more money on a updated version.Might be the impending FSX release holding me back or the fact that many are squeezing every drop they can out of really old releases.

I have had the 337 since it came out last summer and also recently bought the Porter (about two months back) only to find this new version out now.I won't be spending any more money.....

Their upgrade says it will also be compatible with FS X when it comes out. This is the first time I have seen a developer commit to that. I think that makes it worth the price.As far as the ski version I'm thinking about it. I always kind of wanted one. I'm not too much into the float planes.

Actually a couple of developers are saying that, probably just stating that they will make it work when released. There will probably be a big difference in working in FSX and designed to work in FSX since there will be new features. Kinda like FSDS aircraft used to just work in FS9 and ones designed in Gmax specifically for FS9 had a few more features.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/tfbeta.jpg

>Ive bought 4 of their planes,3 in the last month including>the Pilatus.>I do not plan to rush to their site and spend even more money>on a updated version.>Might be the impending FSX release holding me back or the fact>that many are squeezing every drop they can out of really old>releases.I hear ya bud. But I'm gonna get the upgrade and the ski version and heres why. I am just on the short side of paranoid that all or most of what I got right now from Dreamfleet, Flight 1, Caranado, FSD etc. (about 18 planes) are going to be all or mostly obsolete when FS 10 comes out. Here I can pay $36 and get 3 Porters that are supported for FS 10. That makes em good to go for a few years. Sounds like its worth it to me.Rob

Rob, not to dissuade you from purchasing, but you have no need to be paranoid. This time around MS has guys specifically set to interact with 3rd party developers so it's a 99% chance that the ones you name will have all their aircraft up and running for FSX. Besides, there looks to be some great default aircraft included as well!I'd be more worried about scenery compatibility than anything else.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/tfbeta.jpg

Well Im keeping FS9 and my small fortune of addons on my computer even once I buy FS10. Im just not going to spend much more on addons for it. I know for a fact my money will be supoorted by FS10 and once the addons start coming in I will start building up my new fleet.Even though I do not agree with charging existing customers for "compatabilty" or the inevitable "fs10 conversions I know its going to happen.Even if FS10 requires ZERO changes or modifications to run existing addons, I see a many selling upgraded versions, FS10 ready, FS10 edition ect.

I love my Porter but there is no way on earth I would pay $18 for what would seem to be a minor update and I'm not really interested in the ski version. I did fall for the T-38 'upgrade' and was very disappointed. I did pay to update my Real Air Scout/Decathlon + Citabria but that was never in question!As for FSX compatability it is absolutely in the developers interest to make thier add-ons work as FSX will probably attract quite a few new customers and they'll want to keep selling them.

Yes, but remember in marketing speak there's a world of a difference between `compatible` and `optimised`.So the aircraft can be used in FSX? OK, but does it take advantage of any/all the new features in the sim? Probably a bit early to be committing to a purchase because it offers FSX compatibility when we don't know what that will mean - and neither can the developers!I'd say that this is definitely NOT the time to be buying anything for FSX and that any upgrade purchase decision should only be made regarding what we have now!I'll wait and see. Not really using the Porter much at the moment, but the fully clickable VC might be of interest, now I have TrackIR4 Allcott

Allcott,I agree. I have been in this hobby since FS 4 and my experience tells me that backwards compatibility is typically limited at best. And then there are all the new features.Don't think for a second that all these developers are going to bring all your moldy old titles up to date for free. So when somebody tells me it will be up to date with FS 10 that means quite a bit to me.Rob