FS2004 - new user

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

>
> Bought, and installed FS2004 yesterday, then updated with fs9.1 (Doh -
> didn't check if I already was at 9.1), and then added the NO_CD 9.1
> version. Working OK.
>
> I've a couple of questions.
>
> 1) Don't yet have a joystick. Any recommendations - I will only be
> using it with FS2004.

I had a full Yoke/Rudder Pedal system and miss it :*( but have been getting
by with a Logitech Joystick that's a Extreme 3D Pro. It has a twist handle
so I can steer down the taxiway/runway if needed. I plan on getting a
Yoke/Pedal system once I get some money but for right now I can handle it
using a stick-like interface.

> 2) First impressions.
>
> The graphics are not as smooth ( I take it that's down to the video
> card - radeon x300 lite as supplied by Dell), or detailed as I had
> expected. The PC I'm using is a Dell 4700 with 3Gb Pentium processor,
> and 1.5Gb memory.

You're ok memory and CPU wise. Video: can someone else tackle this?

> I tried it out very briefly flying a Cessna, but the keyboard is not
> really suitable. Truth is it took off itself and I was lost. Anyway,
> took off from my home airport (Prestwick, UK), but found the graphics
> not smooth not accurate detail. I can understand the accuracy of detail
> bit. Are there 3rd party updates of Prestwick which will be more
> accurate.
>
> 3) This part for future use. Recommend good quality aircraft freeware.

Are there any good freeware planes out there? That's a good question.....I
can't answer that one....

> Regards,
>
> Rannoch
>

2992

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

"rannoch" <rannoch@forums.simradar.com> wrote in message
news:1123075991.28285@forums.simradar.com...
> Subsequent to another thread asking for info of FS on behalf of a
> friend, I started to become interested myself.
>
> Bought, and installed FS2004 yesterday, then updated with fs9.1 (Doh -
> didn't check if I already was at 9.1), and then added the NO_CD 9.1
> version. Working OK.
>
> I've a couple of questions.
>
> 1) Don't yet have a joystick. Any recommendations - I will only be
> using it with FS2004.
>
> 2) First impressions.
>
> The graphics are not as smooth ( I take it that's down to the video
> card - radeon x300 lite as supplied by Dell), or detailed as I had
> expected. The PC I'm using is a Dell 4700 with 3Gb Pentium processor,
> and 1.5Gb memory.
>
> I tried it out very briefly flying a Cessna, but the keyboard is not
> really suitable. Truth is it took off itself and I was lost. Anyway,
> took off from my home airport (Prestwick, UK), but found the graphics
> not smooth not accurate detail. I can understand the accuracy of detail
> bit. Are there 3rd party updates of Prestwick which will be more
> accurate.
>
> 3) This part for future use. Recommend good quality aircraft freeware.
>
> Regards,
>
> Rannoch
>

I use a CH yoke USB. Its satisfactory. Has some sticking problems but the
newer ones may be better. Not familiar with joysticks but you will get good
input from others.

Also have a Dell 8400 P4/3.4 ,which came with the X300 PCI express. Since
upgraded that to the X700 pro and it is an amazing difference.

Good freeware available at www.avsim.com and http://www.flightsim.com

good luck
Bill

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

"rannoch" <rannoch@forums.simradar.com> wrote in message
news:1123075991.28285@forums.simradar.com...
> I've a couple of questions

>I use a Saitek X45 joystick.Slightly OTT for this sim,but i use other
combat sims too.You get a good deal for the money.Has a rudder,mouse
pointer...throttle..
Everything you need really.

>Check here for UK vfr-photographic scenery,covers the whole of the England.
& Wales.Performance won't be affected.Scroll down the page:

http://www.horizonsimulation.com/UK/index.html

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

I don't know what you were expecting, but with the right settings you can
get the most amazing scenery and smooth flights. I suggest you have a look
at some of the screenshots that are on the web...several million I should
think, and stay in this NG until your tweaking has improved. Good luck, you
will get nothing but help and goodwill here.


Cheers
Quilly


Try 'Living With Technology' magazine
http://www.livtech.co.uk

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Bryan wrote:

>
>
> As for good free planes, there are many but one that springs to mind is the
> Howard 500. An old twin with radial engines. Looks great, sounds great and
> is very easy to fly.
>
>
> Bryan
>

Bryan and I have similar tastes. Here's just a couple pictures of the
Howard 500 with a couple others I like to fly. More will be added
shortly.

http://flightsims.vze.com/virtual/
and
http://img142.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2howardfs2002s...

The aero-commander is another great airplane.
http://img151.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aerocmdr9nx.jp...
and the Socata
http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=socata01.jpg

and..... you get the idea.  

--

boB,
SAG 70

U.S. Army Aviation (retired)
Central Texas - 5NM West of Gray Army Airfield (KGRK)

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

I'm considering either the Logitech Extreme 3d Pro or the Logitech
Wingman Force 3d

I been given a loan of the Extreme 3D Pro. Really feels nice,
ergonomics great, sturdy ... I like this one.

The one niggle is that I've read about calibration problems. Is this a
big issue?

Regards

Rannoch

_________________________________________________________
Posted via the -Web to Usenet- forums at http://forums.simradar.com
Visit www.simradar.com and try our Flight Simulation Search Engine!

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

G'day Rannoch ,
First choice would be the Yoke/ Rudder pedal combo
, next in line (IMHO) the Microsoft Sidewinder FFB ( Forcefeedback) Joystick
, then Logitech Wingman series. Flying with the keyboard leads only to
frustration.

FS2004 is a greedy bugger resource wise , CPU and RAM are ample , but you
gotta do something about that Video card. The 6600GT card is extremely good
value right now , and should give you a good framerate. Bigger faster cards
are great too ,but they can be pricey !! Be sure to have the latest drivers
for whatever card you use.

There are alternative textures for trees , clouds , water etc are available
on the net , www.avsim.com and www.flightsim .com are good places to start.
Also look for updated Terrain Mesh and Landclass files .

For free updated scenery files , this site is absolute gold :
http://walhalla.mine.nu/fs2004.php

For good stuff from my neck of the woods ( Australia ) try here :
http://ozmesh.com/real.htm

For just about everything else , this site will keep you amused for hours :
http://www.tony.smiths.btinternet.co.uk/fsgate1.html


Ross

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

"rannoch" <rannoch@forums.simradar.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
news:1123176316.22533@forums.simradar.com...
> I'm considering either the Logitech Extreme 3d Pro or the Logitech
> Wingman Force 3d
>
> I been given a loan of the Extreme 3D Pro. Really feels nice,
> ergonomics great, sturdy ... I like this one.
>
> The one niggle is that I've read about calibration problems. Is this a
> big issue?
>
> Regards
>
> Rannoch
>
> _________________________________________________________
> Posted via the -Web to Usenet- forums at http://forums.simradar.com
> Visit www.simradar.com and try our Flight Simulation Search Engine!

I'm using a Logitech Extreme 3D pro on various games for almost 6 months
now. The first thing you will notice that the current Logitech Driver does
not feature a calibration possibility as this stick is auto-calibrating. It
seemed weird to me at first glance but after quite some experience I must
state that I never came across any problems due to that fact. In my opinion
currently the state-of-the art joystick (if you like the twist-grip of
course...).
--
Oskar Wagner
(retired Captain)

Remember, in the great scheme of things, we're all small potatoes....

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

And the Extreme 3D Pro is hard to beat at US$17.99 including shipping
(USA only).
http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&p... I
have one and really like it.

Trip

------------------------------------------------------------

"Oskar Wagner" <rengaw@swissonline.ch> wrote in message
news ctm83$4ps$1@news.hispeed.ch...
> "rannoch" <rannoch@forums.simradar.com> schrieb im Newsbeitrag
> news:1123176316.22533@forums.simradar.com...
>> I'm considering either the Logitech Extreme 3d Pro or the Logitech
>> Wingman Force 3d
>>
>> I been given a loan of the Extreme 3D Pro. Really feels nice,
>> ergonomics great, sturdy ... I like this one.
>>
>> The one niggle is that I've read about calibration problems. Is this a
>> big issue?
>>
>> Regards
>>
>> Rannoch
>>
>> _________________________________________________________
>> Posted via the -Web to Usenet- forums at http://forums.simradar.com
>> Visit www.simradar.com and try our Flight Simulation Search Engine!
>
> I'm using a Logitech Extreme 3D pro on various games for almost 6 months
> now. The first thing you will notice that the current Logitech Driver does
> not feature a calibration possibility as this stick is auto-calibrating.
> It seemed weird to me at first glance but after quite some experience I
> must state that I never came across any problems due to that fact. In my
> opinion currently the state-of-the art joystick (if you like the
> twist-grip of course...).
> --
> Oskar Wagner
> (retired Captain)
>
> Remember, in the great scheme of things, we're all small potatoes....
>

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

"Trip Lane" <Trip@NoSpam.com> wrote in message
news:SeGdnbVKscL8_W_fRVn-1Q@comcast.com...
> And the Extreme 3D Pro is hard to beat at US$17.99 including shipping
> (USA only).
> http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&p... I
> have one and really like it.
>
> Trip

WOW, what a price. I paid a lot more than that for mine   Best Buy if you
can imagine......

2992

Archived from groups: alt.games.microsoft.flight-sim (More info?)

Yep, me too. I bought mine a couple of months ago at about twice that
price.

--------------------------------------------------------------

"2992" <nope@no_one.com> wrote in message news:wXKIe.86$KX4.45@okepread05...
>
> "Trip Lane" <Trip@NoSpam.com> wrote in message
> news:SeGdnbVKscL8_W_fRVn-1Q@comcast.com...
>> And the Extreme 3D Pro is hard to beat at US$17.99 including shipping
>> (USA only).
>> http://www.overstock.com/cgi-bin/d2.cgi?page=proframe&p... I
>> have one and really like it.
>>
>> Trip
>
> WOW, what a price. I paid a lot more than that for mine   Best Buy if
> you can imagine......
>
> 2992
>