Operating system request

[Ascoteer]

Thanks for the welcome.

So far all you've done is talk completely over my head.

I mean, WTF is FSX Steam? I know what FSX is, but really?

I made it quite plain that I have absolutely no knowledge about PC Flight Sims, yet you all go off into 'Star Trek'.

Help me out here guys.

Lets say I have a £2000 budget, what do I buy?

Are FS2004 files compatible with FSX or FSX Steam (whatever that is).

Where do I go to buy the recommended software?

VR goggles? Really? Just how do I instruct a cadet as to what they are doing right/wrong if they can see stuff in goggles? Hence why I want screens.


Oh and as for the 'Tincano' it's not a typo TYVM, it's a RAF Aircrew play on words, Tin and Meccano for Tucano. It's the term we who trained on the JP5A use to refer to the (inferior) Tucano.

[TSR2]

No worries... and yes, welcome.

The guys refer to FSX Steam edition as its the way you have to buy FSX these days. Short history, Microsoft sold the rights to FSX to Steam who make games available via download rather than trusty old DVD. That actually might be a pain in the ass for you guys if you don't have an internet connection in the building where your going to put it. If that's going to be a problem, I'm sure we can find a DVD version for you.

As to the other bits. Would it be easier if we said "buy that one" and pointed at a link to the Dell or HP website? I guess it might. The trouble might be the 3 monitor setup. Is the 3 monitor a nice to have or a drop dead requirement? The guys have mentioned the various controllers, i.e. Sticks, Yokes, Pedals etc etc. They can add a hefty whack to costs. I'm guessing you'll probably want pedals and a stick?

So what you get from FSX "out of the box" is pretty basic. If its VFR there's some nice scenery (which is additional software that plugs into FSX) to make it look like the UK. Photo scenery is, as its name suggests photographic images of the UK from the air, and my personal preference. Folk will also talk about Orbx scenery, which is a bit like an artists impression of the photos with 3D buildings added that may or may not be vaguely close to buildings in the area your flying in. Folk get a bit precious one way or other over Orbx VS Photoscenery, but its personal preference. I prefer the photo scenery.

I just quickly went on to the scan.co.uk website and put a guestimate spec in to build a custom PC and it came out at £1900 inc vat, but that's without a stick and pedals or any software. I think you could easily get a good set up for under £2k.

[DaveB]

I've dropped Paul an email. Hopefully.. he'll pop in and offer some first hand advice soonest

ATB
DaveB

[Airspeed]

Hello again Ascoteer.
One thing that I love about this site, is that you learn something every day.
I was familiar with the Tornado/Tonka slang name, but despite a hunch, none of my searches for Tincano produced a reference to Tucano, so TYVM for explaining .

Could you contact RAF technology procurement section which may help out? Their buying power should go a long way towards lowering your costs.
Failing the above, why not try a local computer retailer, preferably not a franchise outlet for some huge "couldn't care less" outfit, and tell them what you need.
Get a written specification and quote for the lot, then share that with us for comment.
BTW, as your Squadron will be flying military aircraft, did you know that HOTAS controllers are available for simulators?
You won't get one controller to realistically suit every aircraft, so there will need to be some compromise.


I'm not competing, Ma'am! Sorry it's a left-hand salute, but then I am left-handed.

[DaveB]

Paul has replied to my email. He'll be popping in some time today to give his 'first hand' experience of exactly what Ascoteer will need and how to go about it

ATB
DaveB

[PaulC]

Hello,

As a Sqn OC with a decent sim setup I'll post on here very soon. Just really busy with work this weekend so give me a day do so and I'll take you through what we have.

Paul

[Kevin Farnell]

If buying an 'off the shelf' PC, then it may be well worthwhile taking a look at the Wire2Fire and Chillblast websites.
Both companies are highly regarded and produce PC's optimised for flight simulation. They also both supply triple screen setups.
Whatever you choose, I'd strongly recommend a 64bit operating system (either Windows 7 or Windows 10), rather than the 32bit as this will allow software to access more RAM (Random Access Memory).

Links -

http://www.wired2fire.co.uk/

http://www.chillblast.com/

Regards

Kevin

[Buggyman]

Hello Ascoteer,

Please see my PM

Allan