I decided i was going to stick with P3D as my sim of choice because it allowed some options that I'm not sure if MS will allow and which are not available as far as I know in XP. Therefore i decided to suck it up and jump on P3D V5 early and try to make it work.
To date i have flown slightly over 5 hours without an issue. If you are looking for the next big thing in Flight Sims then V5 is not it for you. If you are looking for a smooth and accurate reflection of real world aircraft you fly ( for when you are locked down and unable to fly IRL) then it is a good choice.
In comparison to V4.5 it is a great deal smoother with the controls and as close i think i will ever get to a home simulator. Frame rates are smooth, ORBX scenery works well and the mesh looks to be worldwide so no need for an add on there. Flying around the areas i know ( North Island of NZ mainly) i find the orbx scenery is a good representation, and best of all i can max out my sliders and i am not on a very powerful system ( it needs an upgrade for the MB and Ram).
I regularly use the A2A C172 in V4.5 and it works perfectly ( apart from one file which needs to be deleted). Some of the issues i had with it in V4.5 (trim and seemingly overpowered) appear to have gone and the flight dynamic now feels much more relaistic.
Unfortunately none of my weather add ons work at this stage but i am enjoying the updated sky in V5 and apart from some wind ( which i could load myself if i wasn't meant to be working form home and not simming). This evening i will be trying a flight on VATSIM to see how it goes but for me this is a keeper.
