FS2020 - query

[andrej]

Hi all,
I am about to order FS2020, given recent success with the WidePSX. For those that already own FS2020, what version do you have or do you recommend. Initially, I thought that I would opt for the Premium Deluxe Edition mainly for "enhanced scenery". Is the enhanced scenery as good as standalone versions, or is it an improvement compared to default scenery, but not close to independently developed scenery?

Also, how is the weather engine? I understand that ActiveSky is not currently available for MSFS2020. Finally, could anyone share a screen shot (or two) from (and around) Bratislava (LZIB / BTS)?

Thank you for response!
Best!

[Tércio Sampaio]

Hi,
I have the premium, but because i like all flight sims and usually fly them all, including xp10, xp11, fsx, .....
Now the answer depends on more information about your expectations.

Because if you want something to only use to connect the psx, even the standard edition without some premium airports, the default airports are miles away better of what you have in external view on psx vanilla. Also, the premium airports you will fly on them? yeah a good question. Paying for never use is a bit mehhhh.

But if you want to fly on that airports for sure, you want that airports as detailed as possible and not happy with the already ok non premium version, the premium version offer something good because the contents vs price is a nice value. Attention that the premium airports only improves the airports that in the list of differences between premium and other versions, if its not on the list the airport details are equal in all versions.

Also if you want to fly some steam gauges vanilla ga birds, it have more including the steam gauges version of c172.

About weather, visually its the best in whatever flight sim you have on PC even in dreams! If it correspond with the real weather data? depends on the places and situations (JCOMM is the weather Master Lord expert in that department and tell you better), but for example exist the REX weather force for msfs thats not expensive and do a nice job trying to fix the discrepancies between real weather and visual weather on msfs, I have it and like it.

Anyway in flight sims always keep in mind that you will never have a continues perfect weather representation of what happens in reality because the weather data source is always scattered in timeframe and point of data collection.

[funkyhut]

Hi andrej,
I'd echo what Tércio has written.
If you want just a window for PSX, the basic version is perfectly OK. As you go up the scale you get additional aircraft and additional airports. If those are important to you, then that would be your call.
You don't need an external weather engine. As Asobo fixes things, the real weather is getting better. As I write Rex has a weather addon but I don't know anything about it.
The mod community for scenery is really progressing very quickly with new airports and scenery being added almost daily and so far, that is free.
I bought the premium deluxe and wish I had bought the basic version.
Here is a video which covers this subject very well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RJfpiCzoyI&list=PLpqM_XqugLOiRy5Z22H8otW1TbpNRUci0&index=2&t=120s
Good Luck!

[JohnH]

Welcome, I purchased the Premium Deluxe Edition mainly for the Boeing 787-10 and EGLL enhanced airport. I now mainly fly the following,

A320neo with the FlyByWire mod
Daher TBM 930 with Working Title G3000 mod
Beechcraft Bonanza G36 with the amazing turbo mod by Robert Young (my favourite)
Cessna Citation CJ4 with Working Title CJ4 mod

The 'mods' are freeware and do not replace the default FS2020 aircraft but add features and fix problems with the default aircraft.

As all the above aircraft are included with the 'Standard Edition' I would have selected the Standard over the Premium Deluxe.

John

[asboyd]

If you join Rex's Discord Forum, you will see that each update in FS2020 keeps changing the connection methods and Weather 2020 has been updated twice to keep up. Currently it is undergoing another update.....
I think that, as others have said, the real time weather in FS2020 should do OK...
I have an Xbox games pass for windows PC subscription (now AUD$10.95 per month) and it includes Standard FS 2020.... I think it works really well with PSX and may be a cheaper alternative for you to try before you buy.....

Cheers,
AlexB

[andrej]

Dear all,
thank you for your suggestions, opinions, and recommendations.

I decided to opt for the Xbox games pass, use standard version and compare detailed airports vs. normal airports. As I do visit a few airports in premium packages (OMDB, KORD, EDDF, EGLL, EHAM, KDEN, and KSFO) it will be a good comparison vs. default scenery. Maybe eventually, getting the premium deluxe will be a good alternative (acceptable for visits, not HUBs) as well.

My primary HUBs are EDDK (STV), EGLL (BAW), and LZIB. My primary HUBs should be high-end scenery and detailed as much as possible. After-all, this is where I start and end my rotations.

Other scenery does not have to on par with high-end developers, but I would welcome accurate layout and signs, animated gates, VDGS (A-VDGS), and terminals that actually resembles real world terminals.

What is the aim? Primary goal is to use MSFS as scenery generator for PSX. Secondary, if FS Labs release A320 (or A321) for MSFS, then I will use it as well. Tertiary, I want to use it for VFR flights (without any other global scenery addons), with potentially some extra GA plane.

I wonder, if MSFS will use newer Bing maps, once available (for example bi-annual update). But still, what we have now - in terms of VFR - is unprecedented. It would be shame, not to utilize it.

I actually like the idea that community is improving default planes as well. My need for planes is limited (thanks for PSX) and using improved default planes looks like a nice way to explore that offering (in past I hardly used default planes). The only exception is B737NG in XP11, thanks to ZIBO enhancements.

The Xbox game pass looks like a great way to test the sim, without committing much financial resources and then deciding what version to go for.

Thanks again for all your help!
Best!

[andrej]

Dear all,
I made the jump to MSFS2000 over the weekend as for the scenery generator, I am impressed. I have decided to use the Xbox pass trial for 1 month and I will buy the Premium Deluxe Edition. List of 'enhanced' airports is a good deal and I do not need additional 3rd party scenery (airports that I visit, but not frequently).

I really like visuals, sometimes it really looks like real world (clouds are amazing). WidePSX works very well. There are some slight bugs (like VATSIM radio / communication not working 100%, or weather is not loaded; usually a quick restart fixes most of these issues).

Hence, thank you to all for your help, suggestions, and comments.
Best!

[Tércio Sampaio]

Thanks for the feedback and I'm glad that you got the solution that fits your needs