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389 ExcellentAbout tttocs

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MSFS2020 & 2024 Settings
tttocs replied to Mike_CFII_MEL's topic in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)
Now I'm curious. Don't have 2024 (yet), but in 2020, TLOD of 100 is most definitely NOT all I need. I use 300 max with AutoFPS. So my question: is 2024 really that different in regards to TLOD? Scott -
Hmm. Filled out the entire survey seemingly successfully, but it's been hung on "Submit" for the last 10 minutes. Mozilla Firefox browser in Windows 10. Scott
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The regular, inexpensive and non-powered TrackIR TrackClip has worked flawlessly for me with no need for the more expensive and cumbersome wired unit with no discernible loss in accuracy. I have a south-facing set of windows to my immediate left that let in lots of light in the daytime, but have never had issues with light interference. I HATE wearing hats, but like @Bobsk8 I have a lightweight visor (similar to what TrackIR sells) that works very well and doesn't bother me a bit. Works fine with my headset when I wear one. Sometimes the best solutions are also the cheapest ones.
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For reference I fly GA exclusively, both IFR and VFR TDS GTNxi Simbrief (both for planning and for flightplans uploaded into TDS) Simlink AutoFPS Navigraph (Charts running on separate network connected tablet, data in MSFS and TDS) TrackIR (can't believe how long I resisted this, now wouldn't fly without it) SPAD.neXt Scott
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Upcoming Black Square Baron/Bo lineup
tttocs replied to ryanbatc's topic in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)
This is definitely an exciting update. The TC variant of the "Steam Gauge Overhaul" Bonanza is my most flown airplane in MSFS to date, and the new "Professional" version will take it to the next level. Definitely excited about this one. And the updates to the Baron have me rethinking picking one up. My go-to light twin so far has been the Milviz 310, just as it was in P3D, but these changes have definitely bumped my interest in the Baron by a lot! Scott -
[Freeware] Page Municipal airport (KPGA)
tttocs replied to vbazillio's topic in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)
Hadn't seen this before, but I notice it was only released this last fall. There's only one review on Simmarket and it's not at all favorable, referencing some pretty poor performance. I also found one video review but it was pretty fluffy, and the creator seems to have some sort of relationship with Spinoza. Visually, the airport looks nice enough but when the only Simmarket review talks about 1fps framerates, it's a bit off-putting. Does anyone here have any direct experience with this release? Scott -
Leave aside the word "quality", as that can be highly subjective. The Jepp product that Navigraph offers simply provides greater support for GA by supporting information for Cat A and B as well as full support for all airports worldwide, not just those used by commercial air carriers. If that matters to you, it matter a lot. If it doesn't, it doesn't. So, not really a quality issue, but a support one. And yes, there are numerous products that can only be updated with Navigraph. For GA folks, the TDS Garmin GTN products are one example. In the tube world, there are third party planes who's FMS data can only be updated with Navigraph. Scott
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Keep in mind that the "even exceeding" part is mostly subjective. Some people prefer LIDO charts, some (like me) Jepp. As noted by others, the LIDO charts don't cover the ever-increasing number of smaller airports which feature IAPs (thanks to GPS). In the US, this matters less as the sim augments with FAA charts for those airports. In other parts of the world it matters if you fly to non-aircarrier airports. Keep in mind also that some third party aircraft as well as some third party GPS devices only support Navigraph. Another quick edit: Because LIDO targets the air carrier market, LIDO approach plates ONLY publish info for categories C and D, leaving off A and B. Cat A is Vref of 91 KTS or less, while Cat B is Vref of 91-121 KTS. Scott
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For years, many of us used RealityXP for our Garmin GA needs in P3D. While excellent products, the number one complaint was always that the database was not upgrade-able and would get wildly out of date. Just to offer a different perspective from what's been expressed here, I cannot thank TDS enough for breaking through the barriers and making an update subscription possible in MSFS for the Garmin trainers. Note that for those who already use the excellent Pro version in 2020 there is no upgrade fee. It will cost many of us nothing to move our Garmins to 2024. While I understand the concerns expressed by some who use the base version, I can also easily understand the decision to port only the latest version to 2024. It's not like TDS is taking an unreasonable position, or attempting to gouge their established base, and the upgrade price is reasonable. For those concerned about the Navigraph costs, keep in mind that if you don't require the latest database you can always subscribe for a month and then drop, and then repeat this process some time down the road so your database doesn't get too far out of date. You do not have to commit to a full year - or any other time frame for that matter - if you prefer not to. Sorry for butting in with a contrary view, but I hate seeing what I feel is TDS' greatest strength portrayed as a net negative. I'm not trying to negate anyone's concerns - just balance them a bit. For me, the availability of database updates at reasonable cost for our Garmin's is a true blessing. I know many others agree. Scott
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2024 Sunrise Flight from Palm Springs to Agua Dulce
tttocs replied to ryanbatc's topic in The AVSIM Screen Shots Forum
I've got to remember to check the screen shots forum more often. Beautiful shots, Ryan! Scott -
I love streaming, but as good as it is, even for those of us blessed with fast, cap-free internet, it's still not the gold standard for quality in video. I stream most of what we watch these days, but still buy 4k Blu Ray for blockbusters that I know are well-shot with great sound that I'll likely watch more than once. Why? Bit rates for 4K Blu Ray run in the 92-144 Kbs range. 4K streaming services vary, depending on service and title but as one example, Netflix is generally measured to max out somewhere around 16-17 Kbs. That's for their major titles - others will be streamed at lower bit rates. So streaming services are running with much higher compression rates to make up for the lower bit rates which results in artifacts. Maybe you don't notice, but trust me once you've compared it's hard to unsee the differences on larger, quality 4K screens. Heck, even in standard HD you can see the differences. Take the infamous darker than dark scenes in GoT's Battle of Winterfell. People were howling mad at the muddy mess that HBO streamed. On the Blu Ray released later that year you could finally see what the director intended, minus the extreme solarization and muddy blacks so apparent in the stream. What does all this have to do with MSFS 2024? Not too much, really. I still believe that once the server issues are cleaned up and stabilized, and some tweaks made in the client it will all work out and provide excellent quality for those with the aforementioned solid internet services. And that 2024 will be widely accepted as the better product vs 2020. But streaming does have it's issues and limitations and it requires a lot of back-end resources with LOTS of scalability. Getting this worked out is no easy task. As a huge baseball fan, I've been a subscriber to MLB's streaming service almost since the beginning back in the early aughts, but it's really only been in the last 2-3 years that they've been able to provide consistent and reliable high quality HD images. And the quality still reverts to a lower level from time to time. Anyway, back to sims... Scott
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MSFS2024 seen by a grumpy old man
tttocs replied to David Roch's topic in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)
If it frustrates you, there's a simple solution. Don't be an early adopter! I find the older I get, the easier it gets to delay gratification. It's simply become easier to wait for the next shiny new thing... waiting to be sure it really IS not just new, but truly shiny. I came fairly late to MSFS from P3D (though part of that was admittedly because I had stopped simming due to lifestyle changes - full time RVer) and I don't regret it a bit. When I did finally join the party, it was a move to a stable and mature sim and an easy transition. I'll do the same with 2024, though I doubt I'll see the need to wait quite as long. I have no doubt that I'll move, but I'm happy to wait for the dust to settle and the frustration levels to decrease. In the meantime, I've got a solid sim to fly in and I'll enjoy watching as the new one gets better and better. Scott- 170 replies
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MSFS 2020 Connection lost and CTD
tttocs replied to booga's topic in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)
All good for me here in the SE US this morning as well. Scott -
MSFS 2020 Connection lost and CTD
tttocs replied to booga's topic in Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)
Since 2024 was released my 2020 update screen has gone from being barely noticeable (unless there was an update) to hanging for 1 to 1.5 minutes before proceeding. The rest of the load process seems unchanged. It's pretty clear that there is at least some resource sharing going on. Yesterday was my first opportunity to sim in over 2 weeks, so definitely annoyed at yesterday's nonsense, and hoping today is better. There's that initial moment of panic when you think you've done something to bork your system, followed by a measure of relief when you discover everyone else is in the same state. Not gonna get too vexed about it though - it does no good and in the grand scheme of things isn't worth elevating my BP. Scott