TFDi 717 + SLI Review

[TopGun33 124]

9 hours ago, TechguyMaxC said:

Aside a massive amount of displays I can't think of a valid reason to have more than one GPU in a modern desktop PC used for flight simming anyway.  There are plenty of laptops that switch back and forth between integrated and discrete graphics depending on the workload but they're not both active at the same time so your statement shouldn't apply here.  

LOL, it's not a statement it is a fact. I have a custom home cockpit that needed two cards and the problem was there, acknowledged by the dev.

Whether you like it or not the bug is still here if you have several GPUs.

[TechguyMaxC 516]

4 hours ago, TopGun33 said:

LOL, it's not a statement it is a fact. I have a custom home cockpit that needed two cards and the problem was there, acknowledged by the dev.

Whether you like it or not the bug is still here if you have several GPUs.

Right, so the exact scenario I mentioned, then? How many, even hardcore flight simmers, have home cockpits? I've been simming for 25 years and I've only ever met 1 person that had more screens than a single video card could handle, just for flight sim.

Let me spell it out for you: the number of people affected by the issue you cite is infinitesimal, relative to the larger group of general flight simmers. What that means is software developers don't have time to test their products for your specific use case, so you're not likely to get a fix, ever.

[TopGun33 124]

1 minute ago, TechguyMaxC said:

Right, so the exact scenario I mentioned, then? How many, even hardcore flight simmers, have home cockpits? I've been simming for 25 years and I've only ever met 1 person that had more screens than a single video card could handle, just for flight sim.

Let me spell it out for you: the number of people affected by the issue you cite is infinitesimal, relative to the larger group of general flight simmers. What that means is software developers don't have time to test their products for your specific use case, so you're not likely to get a fix, ever.

OK.... I don't really understand why but you are obviously in the need to prove something here and pick a fight. I was merely providing information that the aforementioned problem was not only regarding SLI but any rig that has more than one GPU.  Why you are offended by this I don't know lol but I'm not going to follow you on the path where you want to bring me.

I'll let the others make use of the information that I feel is needed because not explicitly on the product page.

Have a good day y'all!

[TechguyMaxC 516]

12 minutes ago, TopGun33 said:

OK.... I don't really understand why but you are obviously in the need to prove something here and pick a fight. I was merely providing information that the aforementioned problem was not only regarding SLI but any rig that has more than one GPU.  Why you are offended by this I don't know lol but I'm not going to follow you on the path where you want to bring me.

I'll let the others make use of the information that I feel is needed because not explicitly on the product page.

Have a good day y'all!

I'm not sure if you understand how forums work...  You made a public statement. It is therefore, open to scrutiny. I've simply done that.

[JasonPC 173]

Well I think the issue is that P3D is the "Platform" and it does support SLI + multiple GPUs + multiple displays. The "Addon" (TFDI 717) does not support it and in addition has CTD issues even with single GPU in a variety of setups.

[Alaaar 34]

Hello all,

Any news or updates or regrets? or satisfaction? .......Thanks 

[JRBarrett 3,070]

1 hour ago, Alaaar said:

Hello all,

Any news or updates or regrets? or satisfaction? .......Thanks 

The view switch CTD problem that plagued the 717 specifically was due to an obscure bug in P3DV4 itself, that TFDI and LM were finally able to find by working together behind the scenes.

AFAIK, the combination of the latest TFDI release for V4 combined with P3DV4 HF3 has solved the problem completely.

Then P3DV5 came along, that has a view switch CTD bug of its own affecting many different aircraft in the RTM version. It’s better in HF1, but I think it is still happening to some users.

I’m testing the beta version of the 717 in V5, and it seems to work very well, other than the fact that it uses a lot of VRAM - especially when combined with the beta versions of TrueGlass and RealLight.

[Alaaar 34]

25 minutes ago, JRBarrett said:

The view switch CTD problem that plagued the 717 specifically was due to an obscure bug in P3DV4 itself, that TFDI and LM were finally able to find by working together behind the scenes.

AFAIK, the combination of the latest TFDI release for V4 combined with P3DV4 HF3 has solved the problem completely.

Then P3DV5 came along, that has a view switch CTD bug of its own affecting many different aircraft in the RTM version. It’s better in HF1, but I think it is still happening to some users.

I’m testing the beta version of the 717 in V5, and it seems to work very well, other than the fact that it uses a lot of VRAM - especially when combined with the beta versions of TrueGlass and RealLight.

Thanks, because I am considering to purchase but while googling it, I found different reactions so, I thought to ask, I did not move to P3D5 yet and most probably I won't.......Another question and I know it's touchy being a BETA tester for them, how is it compared to Leonardo Maddog? similar or better or falling behind?

Thanks  

 

 

[JRBarrett 3,070]

53 minutes ago, Alaaar said:

Thanks, because I am considering to purchase but while googling it, I found different reactions so, I thought to ask, I did not move to P3D5 yet and most probably I won't.......Another question and I know it's touchy being a BETA tester for them, how is it compared to Leonardo Maddog? similar or better or falling behind?

Thanks  

 

 

It’s an open beta Anyone who owns the V4 version can test the V5 version.

The current V5 version is exactly the same as the V4 in terms of systems and features.

Nothing compares to the Leonardo Maddog in terms of realism, but I find the 717 to be a fun aircraft to fly. The autopilot system is quite different than most airliners - it is similar to the MD-11 which was also built by McDonnell Douglas.

Most systems found on the real 717 are emulated. It uses a custom engine model that faithfully simulates the extremely long start time (60+ seconds) of the real Rolls Royce BR-715. It has some definite similarities to the MD-80 in the overhead panel, since the real aircraft is in the same family, but the 717 is more advanced. Like the MD-80, there are aux hydraulic transfer pumps that need to be on for takeoff and landing, but off in cruise. Like the MD80, it has “dial a flap”. Engine management is much simpler in the simulated and real 717, since the engines have Fadec.

The TFDI 717 FMS works very well. The only feature not simulated is the ability to enter forecasted winds aloft to help optimize fuel burn predictions. Both LNAV and VNAV work great - if you are descending on a STAR with multiple speed/altitude constraints, it always seems to meet them correctly. The auto throttle works very well too.

Neither the real or simulated 717 are “hot rods” performance wise. Max altitude is FL370, and max cruise speed is about Mach 0.78, though Mach 0.76 is more typical.

It hand-flies very nicely. Overall, I have found it to be a fun and good-performing aircraft, and definitely worth the price. Weather radar is simulated if using Active Sky as a weather engine. 

Edited June 9, 2020 by JRBarrett

[Alaaar 34]

Hello Jim, first I would thank you very much for your detailed and comprehensive replies, I do appreciate it.

OK I was just watching a tutorial video on Youtube that was released more than a year ago, It looks like a miniature  MD-11 in a way with different overhead panel and pedestal panel. the EFB is a nice touch but somehow simplified, looks like all gauges and buttons are working not sure if there are a terrain display? also if there's a PFPX profile for it and if it's compatible with GSX?

 When I was using FSX I used to love flying the MD-11 of PMDG it's different from Boeings and Airbuses, I am also flying now MD82,83 and 88 of Leonardo and as you said it's unmatched.

From what I read from you, it will be nice to add to my fleet because it's different, hoping by time it will be matching to Leonardo or PMDG or even FSL products. 

Many thanks again 🙂 

[JRBarrett 3,070]

17 minutes ago, Alaaar said:

Hello Jim, first I would thank you very much for your detailed and comprehensive replies, I do appreciate it.

OK I was just watching a tutorial video on Youtube that was released more than a year ago, It looks like a miniature  MD-11 in a way with different overhead panel and pedestal panel. the EFB is a nice touch but somehow simplified, looks like all gauges and buttons are working not sure if there are a terrain display? also if there's a PFPX profile for it and if it's compatible with GSX?

 When I was using FSX I used to love flying the MD-11 of PMDG it's different from Boeings and Airbuses, I am also flying now MD82,83 and 88 of Leonardo and as you said it's unmatched.

From what I read from you, it will be nice to add to my fleet because it's different, hoping by time it will be matching to Leonardo or PMDG or even FSL products. 

Many thanks again 🙂 

It does have a terrain display, but it only works when you are close to the terrain during landing or takeoff, once you are safely above the highest terrain, it disappears.

If you had experience with the PMDG MD-11, you would feel right at home in the 717 - the FMS and autopilot are almost identical.

I don’t think TFDI plans much further development of the 717, other than to fully optimize it for P3DV5. It does seem to use quite a lot of VRAM at the moment (more than the V5 versions of the PMDG 747 or Leonardo Maddog).

TFDI’s next major project will in fact be an MD-11, which will be great, since PMDG has no intention to do one for P3D

[micstatic 4,319]

I love the 717.  Hand flies like a dream and just an all around good airplane.  My biggest complaint is the lack of a range to altitude arc.  Or sometimes also called the banana mark.  

[CaptainNick 575]

A third recommendation for the 717. Great mix of old and new.

[Alaaar 34]

16 hours ago, JRBarrett said:

It does have a terrain display, but it only works when you are close to the terrain during landing or takeoff, once you are safely above the highest terrain, it disappears.

If you had experience with the PMDG MD-11, you would feel right at home in the 717 - the FMS and autopilot are almost identical.

I don’t think TFDI plans much further development of the 717, other than to fully optimize it for P3DV5. It does seem to use quite a lot of VRAM at the moment (more than the V5 versions of the PMDG 747 or Leonardo Maddog).

TFDI’s next major project will in fact be an MD-11, which will be great, since PMDG has no intention to do one for P3D

Many thanks Jim I really appreciate your views regarding the 717 🙂

[Alaaar 34]

Thank you Sir