I want to get back into Flight Sim
Discussion
I hope this is the right section to post in.
I was into FS 2004 back in 2004, but packed the stuff away in a house move in 2010 and never went back to it.
Things must have moved on massively, so advice and experience is appreciated.
Hardware. Back in 2004. My mid range desktop coped well with FS and the third party add ons. This time, I’d like a dedicated PC. I don’t want to spend a fortune in case it turns out to be a passing fad or it becomes too complicated. (See below)
I loved the realism, but towards the end of my time with FS 04, I found one or two aircraft were getting too real. For example CTRL E the engine start shortcut didn’t work, and the later aircraft didn’t have the drop down GPS map so I had to set up ILS. Another aircraft didn’t work properly unless you mastered and used the FMC. None of the above was a problem, but there were times when I just wanted to fly a short route with minimum preparation.
I take it you don’t buy the game on disc now. Is it subscription or do you just buy a download?
What’s the scenery like? I recall buying enhanced scenery and models of UK airports. Is it still the case or is the third party software scene still where you go.?
What about aircraft? In 2004 the standard aircraft weren’t great. I recall the 777 being one example. Not great that is compared to third party products. Also what aircraft are included? I’d like a light aircraft, a turboprop like an ATR or Dash 8, a regional jet like a 146 or CRJ a 737/A320 and that’s about it.
Finally, is it worth digging out my old FS discs? If I got a third party plug in CD drive, I guess my modern desktop would handle it with ease? Maybe not enough USB ports though. I suppose things like real time weather won’t be supported anymore, so it would be very much a stand alone game.
Lots of questions I know.
I was into FS 2004 back in 2004, but packed the stuff away in a house move in 2010 and never went back to it.
Things must have moved on massively, so advice and experience is appreciated.
Hardware. Back in 2004. My mid range desktop coped well with FS and the third party add ons. This time, I’d like a dedicated PC. I don’t want to spend a fortune in case it turns out to be a passing fad or it becomes too complicated. (See below)
I loved the realism, but towards the end of my time with FS 04, I found one or two aircraft were getting too real. For example CTRL E the engine start shortcut didn’t work, and the later aircraft didn’t have the drop down GPS map so I had to set up ILS. Another aircraft didn’t work properly unless you mastered and used the FMC. None of the above was a problem, but there were times when I just wanted to fly a short route with minimum preparation.
I take it you don’t buy the game on disc now. Is it subscription or do you just buy a download?
What’s the scenery like? I recall buying enhanced scenery and models of UK airports. Is it still the case or is the third party software scene still where you go.?
What about aircraft? In 2004 the standard aircraft weren’t great. I recall the 777 being one example. Not great that is compared to third party products. Also what aircraft are included? I’d like a light aircraft, a turboprop like an ATR or Dash 8, a regional jet like a 146 or CRJ a 737/A320 and that’s about it.
Finally, is it worth digging out my old FS discs? If I got a third party plug in CD drive, I guess my modern desktop would handle it with ease? Maybe not enough USB ports though. I suppose things like real time weather won’t be supported anymore, so it would be very much a stand alone game.
Lots of questions I know.
Like you I had a break from simming for a while through my 20s and 30s. I got back into it in a meaningful way about five or six years ago to complement my IRL flying. The level of fidelity and visual realism now is amazing and something I only dreamed of in my early years. There are really accessible retro style sims like Tiny Combat Arena by Microprose (yes, them!), Arcadey air-quake stuff like War Thunder, Simplified VR flying with VTOL VR. MSFS2020 is great now the bugs have been squashed, and of course DCS, the best combat simulator available and the most expensive 'free' game you will ever play.
Plus X-Plane 12 for the serious procedural stuff (and better flight engine than MSFS2020), P3D which is essentially running on old FSX code, Falcon BMS which runs on old Falcon 4.0 code (but seriously improved), IL2 for dedicated WW2 flying, and more I'm sure I've missed.
The question is - what sort of experience are you looking for, and how much time are you willing to dedicate?
I seem to remember you are fairly local to me Wildcat? I can always hook you up with a test flight if you want to experience VR flying in all it's glory? Be warned though, once you go down the VR route it gets spendy (but not as bad as some might imagine).
Just to show you how far sims have come, take a look at the DCS '2024 and Beyond' video here
Plus X-Plane 12 for the serious procedural stuff (and better flight engine than MSFS2020), P3D which is essentially running on old FSX code, Falcon BMS which runs on old Falcon 4.0 code (but seriously improved), IL2 for dedicated WW2 flying, and more I'm sure I've missed.
The question is - what sort of experience are you looking for, and how much time are you willing to dedicate?
I seem to remember you are fairly local to me Wildcat? I can always hook you up with a test flight if you want to experience VR flying in all it's glory? Be warned though, once you go down the VR route it gets spendy (but not as bad as some might imagine).
Just to show you how far sims have come, take a look at the DCS '2024 and Beyond' video here
LimaDelta said:
MSFS2020 does a decent job on the xBox and with a big TV you get a fun experience. For casual sightseeing flights it is very good.
Do I assume that for licensing reason this isn’t available for the PS5? Is there a similar quality simulator for a PS5 I.e. one that focuses on realism rather than ‘gameplay’?(Sorry for hijacking the thread).
Sport_Turismo_GTS said:
LimaDelta said:
MSFS2020 does a decent job on the xBox and with a big TV you get a fun experience. For casual sightseeing flights it is very good.
Do I assume that for licensing reason this isn’t available for the PS5? Is there a similar quality simulator for a PS5 I.e. one that focuses on realism rather than ‘gameplay’?(Sorry for hijacking the thread).
I have flight simulator on Xbox, mines a series S and whilst the realism compared to sims in the past is night and day i play it on game pass and experience a lot of the game crashing, or instruments disappearing mid flight, not all the time but its incredibly frustrating when you've gone to all the time programming in a flight etc for that to happen, a series S can be had brand new for around £250 and a series X which will give you better graphics in 4k compared to 1440p on series S but the series X will be around £380, all depends on how much you will plan on playing it etc.
I've just got back into FS again. A decent Graphics card to run FS on a PC will probably cost you more than an Xbox Series X, let alone a whole new Gaming PC. Xbox games tend to cost more than their PC equivalents but you can stump up for a game pass which lets you play on monthly subscription. Take a look at the on-line videos of the latest version, you'll certainly notice a big difference.
An Xbox doesn't come with a keyboard but most of the controls can now be activated by selecting them from within cockpit view so it's not an issue. A lot has happened to FS in the past 20 years, Graphics have come on a long way since then, I run it in 4k mode on a 65" TV, there's no video lag, it's incredibly smooth with a high frame rate, even at maximum detail. You can hook up joysticks and pedals to the Xbox if you want them.
An Xbox doesn't come with a keyboard but most of the controls can now be activated by selecting them from within cockpit view so it's not an issue. A lot has happened to FS in the past 20 years, Graphics have come on a long way since then, I run it in 4k mode on a 65" TV, there's no video lag, it's incredibly smooth with a high frame rate, even at maximum detail. You can hook up joysticks and pedals to the Xbox if you want them.
Lefty said:
I rather think getting into flight sim without VR is a bit like going to a brothel and just having a beer.
Flight sim and VR are utterly perfect for each other, I’ve only dabbled very briefly because I know I’ll disappear down the rabbit hole of time and money
Getting caught playing a flight sim with VR is probably more embarrassing than getting caught in a brothel though Flight sim and VR are utterly perfect for each other, I’ve only dabbled very briefly because I know I’ll disappear down the rabbit hole of time and money
Lefty said:
I rather think getting into flight sim without VR is a bit like going to a brothel and just having a beer.
Flight sim and VR are utterly perfect for each other, I’ve only dabbled very briefly because I know I’ll disappear down the rabbit hole of time and money
Good halfway house is head tracking, I got one a while back, not played it that much since but am getting back into it and its great.Flight sim and VR are utterly perfect for each other, I’ve only dabbled very briefly because I know I’ll disappear down the rabbit hole of time and money
I have a VR headset but its clunky wearing it but very immersive, thought he graphics arent anywhere near as sharp and interacting with stuff was a bit weird. I think as VR comes on it will get more compelling but at the moment its a bit like hard work I found.
Might give it another go.
J4CKO said:
Lefty said:
I rather think getting into flight sim without VR is a bit like going to a brothel and just having a beer.
Flight sim and VR are utterly perfect for each other, I’ve only dabbled very briefly because I know I’ll disappear down the rabbit hole of time and money
Good halfway house is head tracking, I got one a while back, not played it that much since but am getting back into it and its great.Flight sim and VR are utterly perfect for each other, I’ve only dabbled very briefly because I know I’ll disappear down the rabbit hole of time and money
I have a VR headset but its clunky wearing it but very immersive, thought he graphics arent anywhere near as sharp and interacting with stuff was a bit weird. I think as VR comes on it will get more compelling but at the moment its a bit like hard work I found.
Might give it another go.
The interaction thing varies by sim, in DCS I don't ever touch the hand controllers as everything is done via a HOTAS. For the civvy sims the hand controllers aren't such a hardship as things tend to happen at a much slower and predictable pace.
Mastodon2 said:
Getting caught playing a flight sim with VR is probably more embarrassing than getting caught in a brothel though
I'll never forget nor am I allowed to forget when my wife walked in as I was playing DCS, neck cranked round trying to see if I'd shaken off the 109 that was shooting at me from behind over the English Channel, I was utterly immersed until I heard "that's a really, really odd look" and the door closing.Boozy said:
Mastodon2 said:
Getting caught playing a flight sim with VR is probably more embarrassing than getting caught in a brothel though
I'll never forget nor am I allowed to forget when my wife walked in as I was playing DCS, neck cranked round trying to see if I'd shaken off the 109 that was shooting at me from behind over the English Channel, I was utterly immersed until I heard "that's a really, really odd look" and the door closing.Blib said:
What's a good starter set up for flight sims?
I've a dedicated racing sim rig / pc / Oculus Quest 3 and I'd like to dip my toe into this.
Thanks.
Download DCS (combat sim) and X-Plane (free flight sim) as the base product is free. Possibly hunt around for a lower-spec joystick/throttle to see if you're into it enough to get into the more premium flight sim hardware and paid software like expansions for those two applications or MS Flight Simulator.I've a dedicated racing sim rig / pc / Oculus Quest 3 and I'd like to dip my toe into this.
Thanks.
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