Virtual Pilot Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Thanks for sharing that Robert. Also your video links of the new P3dv5 make it look competitive with the soon to be released FS2020. We discussed this recently during a Multiplayer flight, and I think the pros and cons of the two will make pilots think twice before ditching P3D for FS2020.

John

I agree Robert, the monthly fee is just one of the major drawbacks of FS2020 compared to P3dv5. The optimum computer for FS2020 is very powerful and also needs a highspeed download internet link.

For those of us who like to fly multiplayer with others on various simulators, it's my understanding that FS2020 Multiplayer only works with other FS2020 simulators (similar to what our FlightGear friends face currently). While this might change at some point in the future for both FG and FS2020 users, it's of little value for those of us flying here and now.

Additionally, P3dV5 can use the current FTX/Orbx scenery, so if you currently are using it for P3dV4, you can use if with V5 (I'm told anyway). Hopefully the elevation issues and black-square texture issues that appear sporadically would be corrected. Also, if v5 can use p3d scenery, it can probably use our Adventure Pack scenery also if it's FSX backwards compatible.

I also enjoy Carenado as a mid-price range addon for aircraft. I have a number of their planes myself. I've hardly begun to restore my virtual hangar for P3d to the level of my old FSX aircraft, and having to start all over again with FS2020 is yet another cost factor to add in before I can achieve the enjoyment of the variety of aircraft I once had with FSX and have yet to reclaim with P3dv4.

I guess this is a quick summary of my thoughts and things I must consider when I make my decision as to which simulator I finally choose as my primary simulator to invest in. As an additional complication, I may still have to keep a basic version installed to maintain my ACARS and (scenery addons if I can still access and understand the tools for working with new formats). I'm not Bill Gates and I don't have a development team to support all these simulators, so I'm getting to that critical point where I'm about done trying to develop and maintain addons for multiple simulators and their varying versions currently in use.

I'm guessing that this year or next (depending on when FS2020 is finally released) will mark a turning point for many flight simming enthusiasts where some big decisions will be made regarding what direction they go, or if they choose to make any change at all.

John

I bought my first gaming system over the Internet, but had less than ideal experience. The banging around during the shipping process didn't do any favors. Small things broke and connections came loose. Customer service on purchases was terrible.

When I upgraded the system, I went to Micro Center and had them rebuild the system to my specifications. They did this and make sure things are working correctly. Then you can pick it up without trusting it to shippers. I'll always go back to Micro Center for my gaming system builds. I think I even went back there for my last laptop purchase as well. It's become my go-to place for computer purchase/service.

Back in the day I would build computers from the motherboard on up, but that was before water-cooled GPU and other complexities of modern gaming systems. I tried to upgrade my system's GPU myself a few years back and couldn't get it to work with a bit of fiddling. I brought it to Micro Center and had them finish my botched install because I feared that my fiddling with it might damage the very expensive GPU. After that experience I figure I'll leave the serious work to the professionals. The learning curve on the new equipment is steeper than I care to get involved with when it comes to building modern gaming systems.

This has been my personal experience the past few years anyway.

John