Best (payware) environment packages

[Adamski]

I know it may be a case of "different strokes for different folks" and all that, but I'm very confused by all the enhancement packages available now (for FSX).

So far, I think there are:

FEX
FTX
REX
ASX (Active Sky)
HiFi (X) [?]

Are there any more?

Some change weather, some change land textures (?) ...

Which one is best? Or which one is best *value*? I already have ActiveSky ... but am holding off [re]installing it on my new Win7 FSX in case there's something better.

Any feedback appreciated.

[NZ255]

FTX is currently just for Australia but they're almost done on the PNW and soon maybe NZ
So it's no world wide package.

Personally I would go with REX, paired with Active sky FSX looks great!

REX NeXt is even going to feature real time cloud shadows! Don't know how they did it! You might have to pay for that ugrade though but it's not out yet and i don't know the ETA.....anyway REX +1 from me

[AlisterC]

I don't have any of them, but from the forums I read, REX always gets the big thumbs up from users

[Nzeddy]

Real Environment Xtreme 2 is the best environment addon for FSX IMO.

Once you have FTX installed its just too hard to fly away from Auzzi!

[Adamski]

QUOTE (NZ255 @ Nov 24 2009, 08:27 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Personally I would go with REX, paired with Active sky FSX looks great!

Thanks [all] for the comments. Do ASX and REX live quite happily side by side then? I presume so! Any gotchas?

I've also heard great things about REX (mainly here!!!) ... so it looks like the front runner at the moment.

[creator2003]

I use FEX flight1 ,really cool but they havent updated the weather engine in it though the tab is there ,it just doesnt work ,so my recommendation is REX over them all with the new cloud shadows tech stuff coming soon ,
i read the other day or heard that aces had programed a cloud shadow button in the beta but removed it on the release ,so the tech was already there ,though the rex team have tapped back into its use ,to bad really that aces didnt finish it or incorporate it in the the final FSX package ,then we wouldnt have to pay REX for it ,though i suppose REX version would be better then the default one they had planed anyway ...

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Nov 24 2009, 09:07 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks [all] for the comments. Do ASX and REX live quite happily side by side then? I presume so! Any gotchas?

I've also heard great things about REX (mainly here!!!) ... so it looks like the front runner at the moment.

Hi Adam I have both Active Sky and REX-2 and don't use ASX now find that the REX-2 seems to cover everything you can put in your departure and destination airports and download the latest weather for the flight and yes you get cloud shadows also cloud reflection on calm water.
It is a big download if you buy the download 4.13GB.

[NZ255]

You could get it on a DVD for a few more dollars

[BigBird]

REX 2 is the bee's knees

[creator2003]

At this point FEX without the cloud shadows and weather engine ,i think FEX and REX are the same ,and im not sure if REX can make water and cloud textures and then import them into custom themes like FEX ,this helps if i want to change the color of the waters to other than pre programed themes etc ,
ill still vote REX but FEX is just the same to me minus the weather engine as it stands at this moment in time ,if FEX had finally updated the source for the weather engine these two products would be on even par ..

[Adamski]

QUOTE (creator2003 @ Nov 25 2009, 08:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

At this point FEX without the cloud shadows and weather engine ,i think FEX and REX are the same ,and im not sure if REX can make water and cloud textures and then import them into custom themes like FEX ,this helps if i want to change the color of the waters to other than pre programed themes etc ,
ill still vote REX but FEX is just the same to me minus the weather engine as it stands at this moment in time ,if FEX had finally updated the source for the weather engine these two products would be on even par ..

I'm not a great fan of "themes" (I even hate them on my desktop LOL) ... I prefer tweaking what I want, where I want etc. so I'm not bothered about importing them into something like FEX (not that I have it anyway!). If REX gives me good control over the effects (and the effects are good to begin with) then that may settle it.

Anyway - on the basis of BigBirds "bees knees" comment, I think I'll go for REX2 Sometimes the simple, non-scientific P.O.V. works best - ie. Don't fart around *just buy it*!

[whitei]

Gidday Guys,

I am looking at getting REX 2.0, just want to know if the wx engine in it picks up all the minor airports in NZ i.e NZKK, NZNV etc, rather than just the big three i.e CHCH WEL, and AKL, cause most of my flying is round NZ and I intend doing allot of it in the next three months cause I ain't allowed to work after me surgery!!

Cheers

Ian W

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (whitei @ Apr 17 2010, 12:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

after me surgery!!

Hi ya Ian , been a long time , Jeepers what did you do to yourself !

I cant honestly tell you where the weather gets generated , last week I was spending a lot off time in Hokitika and Ross region , i always run real world W , in CHCH we had the Northwester Monday /Tuesday , over there it made for interesting flying - made a virtual flier airsick

The resolution and the detail in impressive , if your not sure and want to check it out your always very wellcome to come by .

[whitei]

Yeah Sorry Ian, I mean REX does give the smaller airports its own weather real world weather, did not mean where it actually gets it sources from.

Ian

[dbcunnz]

QUOTE (whitei @ Apr 17 2010, 11:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Gidday Guys,

I am looking at getting REX 2.0, just want to know if the wx engine in it picks up all the minor airports in NZ i.e NZKK, NZNV etc, rather than just the big three i.e CHCH WEL, and AKL, cause most of my flying is round NZ and I intend doing allot of it in the next three months cause I ain't allowed to work after me surgery!!

Cheers

Ian W

Hi Ian
Yes I base myself at Woodbourne and you can set up to get wx from the departure airport to destination airport.

Doug

[Venge]

Where is a NZ based store to buy this if one was to opt for the DVD version?

[creator2003]

There isnt one that i know of and me thinks its only DL version

[Ian Warren]

Venge go to this store .. link http://www.windowlight.co.nz/ ... May not be downloadable yet but the best damn service !

[Venge]

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Apr 24 2010, 01:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Venge go to this store .. link http://www.windowlight.co.nz/ ... May not be downloadable yet but the best damn service !

Thanks for the link!
I have also been looking at REX and it seems damned fine as an overall enhancer. Is that available in NZ? Or does everyone just buy the download version from where ever they find it cheapest on a overseas site?

[hoki1185]

I have just bought the DVD version through PC Aviator(Australia).They are a bit dearer than my normal shop(Flightstore UK)but they have the product.Poor NZ/Aust exchange rate currently so cost meNZ$90 including postage.Had it in about 3 days.