17 hours ago, MrBitstFlyer said:

There is no doubt XP12 has advanced the weather and atmosphere beyond what MSFS 2024 has achieved. 

It does look very nice at first glance but then you start to realize how very blurry the clouds are...

18 hours ago, kerosene31 said:

I got a new PC when 2024 came out, and never even bothered installing 2020.    

Same here. 

I was I need of a new pc and the one I have put together runs 2024 like a dream!

I've waited for over 25 years for my dream machine and now its here, I've never enjoyed flight simming so much! (ok, I did have a soft spot for FS2004 at the time!)

3 hours ago, Krakin said:

It does look very nice at first glance but then you start to realize how very blurry the clouds are...

I'm just now having another look at XP12.  My first impression after initial launch to LOWS was that it looked circa 2012 or so, dull and uninspiring.   A truck proceeded to run right thru a tug nearby.  That is what others have said including the recently converted MrBitstFlyer (said he would choose XP12 over MSFS if he had to make a choice), that the initial impression wasn't too inspiring so one really needs to dig in deeper to get a better idea of what it offers.  Discovered the M key so could get up at different altitudes quickly and yes road traffic is much better, and that was about it.  Would have liked to find a drone camera as MSFS has would make scenery evaluation much better, but never found it.  The rest just looked unimpressive and dated and in need of addons to make it shine.  IanR whined about the qualify of default airports in MSFS and yet LOWS, an airport in XP12 worthy enough to get into a 15 minute DEMO?  Strange to say the least!

If fans could direct me to something like MSFS' drone camera so I can check out XP12 w/o flying that would be much appreciated.

26 minutes ago, Noel said:

If fans could direct me to something like MSFS' drone camera so I can check out XP12 w/o flying that would be much appreciated.

Under the view menu you can choose an external free camera view.  Use the arrow keys and full stop/comma.  However, if you decide to explore default XP12 scenery, you will run off into the horizon within seconds 😁

Pop over to the XP12 forum to find out the minimum addons to get XP12 way over default (or message me).  There are scenery items that will never be as good as MSFS, but if you have the patience for a few days to install some addons, you will see XP12 in a new light.  You will like the sun and moon at the correct sizes 😎.  My flight from yesterday was over the California coast north of San Diego.  the marine layer cloud was coming in over the land.

XP12 needs a few days to a week to get an accurate perception of how it is different to MSFS.  As a whole, XP12 gives a thoroughly great flying experience.

 

32 minutes ago, MrBitstFlyer said:

You will like the sun and moon at the correct sizes

But then the sun (at least in this current beta) looks like Goku's charging up a big spirit bomb. It's like I said before, there's improvements but drawbacks. XP12 currently smokes 2024 when it comes to clouds on the horizon but once you get close, you start to see where they had to cut things back, most likely for performance. I kinda want them to borrow features from each other and both would have absolutely amazing weather depiction.

Edited June 11, 2025Jun 11 by Krakin

1 hour ago, Krakin said:

XP12 currently smokes 2024 when it comes to clouds on the horizon but once you get close, you start to see where they had to cut things back, most likely for performance. 

I believe that's exactly why the clouds are so blurry in XP 12. LR probably had to reduce the quality of the clouds to save on performance.

3 hours ago, MrBitstFlyer said:

Under the view menu you can choose an external free camera view.  Use the arrow keys and full stop/comma.  However, if you decide to explore default XP12 scenery, you will run off into the horizon within seconds 😁

Pop over to the XP12 forum to find out the minimum addons to get XP12 way over default (or message me).  There are scenery items that will never be as good as MSFS, but if you have the patience for a few days to install some addons, you will see XP12 in a new light.  You will like the sun and moon at the correct sizes 😎.  My flight from yesterday was over the California coast north of San Diego.  the marine layer cloud was coming in over the land.

XP12 needs a few days to a week to get an accurate perception of how it is different to MSFS.  As a whole, XP12 gives a thoroughly great flying experience.

I hear you as I hinted above, and I trust your analyses, subjective as they will always be from all individuals.  For me XP would need to be miles ahead in terms of total immersion to move over.  It needs some more look but not going to start amending it to get to basic decent scenery it's just not worth the time, at least nothing I've seen in videos would move me to dedicate what is required to really see it in all its glory.  Weird LR gives you LOWS only, and for 15 minutes--that in itself is telling.  If I were LR I would doctor LOWS area up massively, and even footnote that that is what is possible in XP.  I'm sure many are turned off quickly because of this approach in their DEMO.  

MS/A could develop marine layer if they chose to and perhaps they'll get there some day, but for now we'll just have to try to enjoy a little hi visibility poetic license 😉  Besides, what RW pilot would not rather have more vis than less?  

Here's my one of three shots at LOWS.  Notice the catering truck running thru the tug and my God the sun looks like it might be going all Red Giant!


Many thanks for the guide on the camera issue I will check that out for sure.

Edited June 11, 2025Jun 11 by Noel

Can we keep this to MSFS 2024 ?  I am getting a little XP tired. 

Again XP VS MSFS..  

Thank you 🤨

19 minutes ago, GSalden said:

Can we keep this to MSFS 2024 ?  I am getting a little XP tired. 

Again XP VS MSFS..  

Thank you 🤨

I have no idea why some folks might be "tired" of the few comments that mention XP12 and things that relate to MS2024 as long as they are presented, as they are here, respectful of the topic and of any comparisons.  I do notice "getting tired" this garnered some likes. I don't read any "I wouldn't be caught dead" using MS2024 or XP12 stuff, everything is respectful so why not expand ones horizons.

Perhaps folks don't have XP12, perhaps some don't have both sims actively used on your PC like I do.  Personally, I have enjoyed this tread and also have no issue with the slight comments on comparisons between sims focused as they are on this topic. 

Perhaps offer something toward the topic instead of what comes across as "grumpy old man". Said respectfully!😁

At a basic level MSFS2024 is the ONLY sim you need and is the reason we are here and NOT other sim forums.

The XP posts come across as adverts IMO.

dd

If you consider MSFS 2024 to be the pinnacle of flight simulation, then you should not be afraid of XP12 "adverts".

6 minutes ago, Christopher Low said:

If you consider MSFS 2024 to be the pinnacle of flight simulation, then you should not be afraid of XP12 "adverts".

FEAR is NOT the factor, common sense and respect are.

dd

1 hour ago, GSalden said:

Can we keep this to MSFS 2024 ?  I am getting a little XP tired. 

Again XP VS MSFS..  

Thank you 🤨

Specific questions were asked re XP12 in regards to the differences to MSFS.  My responses are in no way 'us against them' plus I suggested the OP pop over to the XP12 forum for more information. 🤔

Edited June 11, 2025Jun 11 by MrBitstFlyer

5 hours ago, Noel said:

yes road traffic is much better

indeed, and if I may add, the night lighting effects are just stunning, there is nothing that comes close, I just wish someday FS2024 will shine in this department as well as XP12 does.

1 hour ago, Noel said:

For me XP would need to be miles ahead in terms of total immersion to move over.

Now that point is EXACTLY why my 2024 is currently parked as I explore XP12.  You can easily point out individual annoyances in any sim, but it the overall experience that counts.  Virtually all of the annoyances I have with 2024 are not in XP12.  There will be many who will find it the other way of course.  The important thing is to give XP12 a go for a decent amount of time to see the best it has to offer.

Probably best to pop over to the XP12 forum to further discuss this if you want to see what XP12 does better than MSFS.