Upgrading to MSFS

If you have a payware prog whether it be a model, scenery or utility that you have tried.. tell us about it here.

Moderators: Guru's, The Ministry

233SQN
Viscount
Viscount
Posts: 125
Joined: 05 Feb 2005, 20:03
Location: Worcester

Upgrading to MSFS

Post by 233SQN »

Hello folks, I'm considering an upgrade to MSFS and would value your thoughts and opinions.

I currently use FSX, with Horizon VFR photographic scenery, TreeScape, and UK 2000 airports. For the sort of flying I do, (low and slow VFR, no big jets or complicated airports for me), it seems to work okay. That said I am attracted by the eye candy of MSFS, and my current system will manage it, albeit at the lower end of the settings. If it works and I get on with it I’m happy to upgrade further.

One thing I can’t seem to find however is what the lesser, basic airfields look like in MSFS; there doesn’t appear to be any smaller airfield upgrades similar to UK 2000 available for MSFS? I normally fly Gloucestershire Airport (Staverton), RAF Cosford and Croft Farm a small Worcester farm strip. What do these airports look like in the default MSFS? Would anybody be able to post some pictures please? Are they as good or nowhere near as good UK 2000?

I understand the base scenery in MSFS is Google Earth or similar photographic image, is this of higher quality than I’m used to with horizon at 1.2 m Per pixel?

And finally.... I have Steam and I see you can now buy MSFS through them. Any reason why I wouldn't?

Thanks as always for your thoughts and guidance.

Best regards
Thanks

Colin Bear

Scorpius
Concorde
Concorde
Posts: 1130
Joined: 21 Apr 2007, 21:49
Location: Bournemouth

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by Scorpius »

Could not find Croft Field in MSFS, the default Cosford is ok but the buildings are wrong. Did not look at Staverton.

The airfields are not as good as the UK2000 offerings in my opinion.

If you want eye candy then go for MSFS, if you want loads of aircraft and airfileds (via ORBX) then go for P3Dv5.

If you want true aircraft flying characteristics then X-Plane 11 is for you. You also are able to use ORBX scenery in X-Plane.

Nev.

PeteP
Concorde
Concorde
Posts: 767
Joined: 07 Nov 2004, 06:50
Location: Bedhampton (just outside Portsmouth), Hants, UK

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by PeteP »

I don't know what the quality/accuracy is like - not my sort of flying - but Neil Birch, who seems to specialise in this sort of scenery, had produced 8 volumes so far of his "UK Airfields & Farm/Grass Strips Scenery" for MSFS.

https://www.simshack.net/manufacturers/neil-birch-102

There may be some fields in there that would interest you.
Pete

Brian Franklin
Concorde
Concorde
Posts: 712
Joined: 14 Jul 2004, 19:42
Location: Chester / London
Contact:

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by Brian Franklin »

I'd used all the FS versions up to FSX and P3D as well but found several years ago that I had exhausted my interest in something that whilst 'mechanically correct' just failed to hold my interest at a realism level. That to me is what simulation is all about - simulated reality. MSFS has grabbed my interest and dormant desire to take to the virtual skies again. Agreed it does not have the sheer number of add-ons that FSX and P3D have but it will have. However there is just no getting anywhere near MSFS for realism especially in VR.

My advice is to make the move to MSFS - its about flying not about having 1000's of models in your virtual hangars!

PS Orbx also publish in MSFS too ;)

User avatar
TSR2
The Ministry
Posts: 15647
Joined: 17 Jun 2004, 14:32
Location: North Tyneside, UK
Contact:

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by TSR2 »

To add to the above, modelling airfields and scenery in MSFS isn’t hugely different from what’s gone before which is why there are a lot of add on airports / strips etc. The variety of aircraft will get better too. I have all of the UK2000 airports that have been released for MSFS so far too, and there’s no need for Photo sceneries like the old version ones.
Steam is an interesting one. I think at first it had some nuances because of the way it installed, but I think this has been ironed out.

A half decent internet connection is a must. Updates to the main program are mandatory and the range from 1 - 15 GB and come out usually monthly.
Ben.:tunes:

ImageImageImage

User avatar
DaveG
The Gurus
Posts: 7707
Joined: 23 Jun 2004, 18:05
Location: in a deep, dark hole somewhere.
Contact:

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by DaveG »

For VFR flying MSFS can't be beat. The default airports are a huge improvement over FSX / P3d default, but generally not as good a addon scenery. There is a huge amount of freeware scenery enhancements available, although I haven't seen any for the airfields you mention.
As Ben mentioned, be prepared for regular large downloads, the next update is due this week I believe.
Dave G.

User avatar
DaveG
The Gurus
Posts: 7707
Joined: 23 Jun 2004, 18:05
Location: in a deep, dark hole somewhere.
Contact:

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by DaveG »

Here's a couple of shots of Gloustershire and Cosford.

Image

Image

As I said, not bad for default, but not up to addon standard.
Dave G.

233SQN
Viscount
Viscount
Posts: 125
Joined: 05 Feb 2005, 20:03
Location: Worcester

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by 233SQN »

Thanks everyone for your replies, and thanks Dave for the images. I agree... they are pretty good "out of the box" ..... do you have your settings high? In the short term I will have to run with low end settings but I'm happy to upgrade.

Another question, how does the disk space work? The spec says that 150Gb is required, but it sounds as though this quickly goes up with the monthly updates?
Thanks

Colin Bear

User avatar
DaveG
The Gurus
Posts: 7707
Joined: 23 Jun 2004, 18:05
Location: in a deep, dark hole somewhere.
Contact:

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by DaveG »

I haven't been keeping track of the installation size, but I'll have a look next time I'm on the pc. I've got a reasonably good pc, but it's nowhere near top of the line. Most settings are on high / ultra with frame rates around 40 on average, depending on aircraft and location, on a standard monitor, not 4k. If I use VR it's around 25 to 30 with some settings lowered.
Dave G.

User avatar
TSR2
The Ministry
Posts: 15647
Joined: 17 Jun 2004, 14:32
Location: North Tyneside, UK
Contact:

Re: Upgrading to MSFS

Post by TSR2 »

I bought a 1TB Samsung SSD for MSFS when it came out. MSFS is all I have installed on it (plus 5 addon aircraft and 5 airports). The formatted capacity of the drive is 838GB and half of that is now gone.
Ben.:tunes:

ImageImageImage

Post Reply