3:05- Dovetail re-released FSX as Steam Edition on December 18, 2014 - not in 2006. 2006 was boxed FSX’s original release date. I think you accidentally misspoke on that. Excellent presentation.
I use both sims. A lot of people get their PPL without ever using P3D or X-Plane. The flight mechanics are superior in XP but it’s not going to give you too much of a significant edge to being a pilot, especially if you’re using low end flight control hardware without motion. Best thing is to get down to the airport and learn with a CFI.
What ever works for you works for you! I was once an FSX user a few years and then X-PLANE came along and I moved on lol but they are so much of things I miss about FSX one of the things is the vast number of addons you can get!
Agree with the first spot being X-plane, especially for new flightsimmers as it does look nice right out-of-the box and is less expensive (especially during steam sales). Nice vid!
I have a PPL, the Cessna 172 in Xplane 11 feels spot on to me. And it's a great tool for practicing cross country flights to new airports, and instrument flying
Opinions on flight sims will always vary - I flew old ones years ago and at the time they were interesting and immersive. I've more recently gone back to FSX SE as it suits the system I use (I prefer to spend less as real world flying takes the main cash) Flight models vary a lot - some freeware is excellent and is close to the real thing, other payware isn't so good. The odd thing I find on forums is people talking about realism when flying airliners and using the automation all of the time - sitting programming a virtual FMC for a virtual flight on a computer sim and then watching the aeroplane fly itself strikes me as being very dull. In the real world I've flown over 10 varied types all are hands on. I use the sim with photoscenery and add on's to pre fly trips that i'll often fly later in reality. For this purpose it works well. I'm not too bothered to watch the fuel flow meter and magenta gps line count down the nm for 8 hours as an airbus/boeing crosses half the planet. Realistic scenery at 38000feet doesn't really matter, but it does at 1500 when looking for an illusive farm strip in Shropshire.
As a long time simmer and retired miltary aircraft mechanic, I totally agree that X-Plane is the best by far. The key to their success is continuous improvement of their product. Their latest release, X-Plane 11, is phenomenal. I only wish that they could somehow make the scenery mimic Google Earth.
Mine (for a pilot in training perspective) would be 5) FSX, outdated sim, you would spend nearly $200 bucks trying to get it to the level that XP11/P3D reside at. I've owned FSX since I was 6, my parents bought it for Christmas 2006. I have plenty of memories playing it. And I still have it installed on my computer just for fun. The sim has really bad flight dynamics, and you better have a full pocket to replicate those "realistic experience" videos that litter RU-vid. Don't buy it if you're serious. 4) Flight Sim World, again, another FSX that appears to have sub-par flight dynamics. Although I have never played FSW, I put it here because of its current state. It is also lacking Aircraft, but more will be an added in. It's hard to judge this one because its still in development 3) Areofly FS2, I had a debate with myself about this one, I was going to put P3D in the third place spot, And I decided not to. Areofly is a great sim all together, it is taking flight sim to the next level. The thing that is quite lacking in Areofly is lack of content. The flight model is there, this is a serious competitor to P3D/XP11 2) Lockheed Martin Prepar3d, I've played a couple hours on P3D (With some add-ons) and I quite liked it. Currently, it has the same flight model as FSX. But there will probably be a change at some point. Default scenery is FSX Autogeneration with better textures. It looks really nice actually. It is still in development with it being updated regularly. The big downside is the dent in your wallet that is caused by the expensive realistic aircraft. Since the default aircraft are basic FSX like aircraft with additions of newer ones. Other than that it's a great sim. No need to say it but I will, the one and only... 1) X-Plane 11, if you are looking for a sim where everything is there, scenery where you won't need to spend $200 dollars to make it look nice, airports that look great, and airplanes that behave like airplanes. Here you go, this sim blows all of them out of the water. There are developers that make great quality add-ons/mods for free. It's one hell of a sim. There are two downsides to this though 1.It's massive, it will take up your hard drive 2. Sound for jets are garbage #2 can be solved by looking for better sounds This list is due to change at some point, I guarantee
My main grip with X-plane 11 is that is sports no AI to speak of and the default ATC is absolute garbage. I feel that I gain one element of immersion with the graphics and detail in X-plane, but lose out when it comes to ATC and dealing with AI aircraft.
I agree X-Plane has the *best* value for money: 60$ and you have everything you need, and you can download great add-on planes for free, like Zibo's Boeing 737. Lockheed Martin asks 2300$ for the Prepar3D "Professional Plus" version, which is basically FSX with some combat scenario capabilities. Developers need to buy a "developer" copy with a monthly subscription, thus most of the add-ons are commercial. Of course 90% of the people are gonna get a pirated copy.
I have a good feeling about fsw. Now flying xplane and p3d. I think dovetail sees the success of p3d so they should have good motivation to push fsw to the out-of-the-box standards of x-plane 11. That would really lower the bar for flight simulator x fans to jump in (and perhaps convert a couple p3drs too? :)
Yeah for me it's between P3Dv4 and Xplane 11. I've been an MSFS junkie all of my life from FS98 to FSX, but MSFS is gone now. P3D is probably the best reboot of the original FSX architecture, as Dovetail's FSW needs a LOT of work, should have been #5 on the list. Aerofly FS2, which is a completely different sim is not bad, but in my mind, it's more of a toy. I like its simplicity and graphics though. One thing I like about P3D is that it has the largest add-on database and the most customization (most FSX add-ons are compatible). Graphics between P3Dv4 and XP11 are almost on par now except XP11's lighting effects are far superior. Now, for me, aircraft sounds are very important. FSX used to have the best 3D sound engine (I'm a flight sim aircraft sound developer), and P3D and FSW still use it, but Xplane rolled out FMOD support with Version 11. Xplane's FMOD sound architecture is quite possibly the most advanced and detailed sound engine there is, so to go with the ultra-realistic flight dynamics and systems, stunning graphics and level of detail is a phenomenal new 3D sound engine! Now keep in mind that not all aircraft have this sound engine (they are still working on that), but I suspect that by the end of the year we will see these new 3D sounds for all of the stock aircraft. Once I figure out how to work with the FMOD engine and Xplane, I'm going to make the full switch over. I might still do sounds for P3D/FSX though, not sure yet. But XP11 definitely deserves its best in class rating and it's my new favorite sim!
What makes the 5 simulators different? Is it the speed (fps), the details (looks), the physics, can one do something, what the other one can't? Would have liked to see examples of the same detail on ever simulator, to understand where the differences are visible.
Catching up with some of your vids mate. Loved this countdown. Cliffhanger finished :) but you go me excited with your number 1. Worried I might be moving my channel in the wrong direction. This video however has calmed me :) have a good week mate
G'day Mate . . . . it is the holidays . . .you should chill out . . . .but seriously while I don't necessarily agree with every point you made overall you have hit the nail on the head . . .I agree with your ratings . . . . but still think Flight Sim World has a long way to go to catch number 2 . . .let alone x-plane . . .. I am working on quite a few videos over coming weeks of more specific flying examples . . . . Do have a break . . .Happy New Year . . . ..
What's the difference between P3D and FSW? (Other than licensing and cost). The addons are the major plus for P3D I think. As the SDK is out soon we just need the devs to start releasing stuff for it.
Good morning. Enjoyed your content. I agree with you for the most part. Regarding the top spot. I have been going back and forth for some time. I believe that both these platforms are equally good. It does seem that my system likes P3d v4.1 better but at times it has issues. I also have notices that since I have added orbex add-ons it does run slower. X Plane 11 when it is running well is really stunning. But I get more glitches with X Plane 11. I tend to use both of the top two platforms daily. FSW is very enjoyable and I am looking forward to see how it turns out. I have been following the Microsoft flight sim product since it was introduced. Still have FSX Steam on my system and go back and use it from time to time. A great platform overall but dated. I am amazed how far the flight simulation platforms have come..
Hello. New subscriber here. Thanks for your informative description of the different simulators. I am drawn to Xplane since that is what I have heard the most about accuracy in flight based on airframe definition. I am a pilot that is currently not able to fly medically and while I am in this state I am going to build a home cockpit with either individual instruments or Garmin G1000 with some backup gauges. I am having trouble identifying this instruments and what size panel I need to have rode those things. But it is all interesting and enjoyable to learn the different interfaces that are required.
you mention that you are not a real life pilot which is why i will throw in that fsx with a decent A2A or PMDG aircraft feels more real than xplane which to me still feels like a game and not at all real. I can get away with xplane landings that would have me doing a "go around" in the real thing. P3D would be my sim of choice i've just got to take the plunge to spend the extra £200 however at £170 per hour in the real thing it would seem silly not to .....Thanks for the vid and showing options i didn't know existed
I have FSX which I love. I have made lots of airports and custom planes. I just which Microsoft was still into flight sim. I have at least 3 maybe even 4 of the original packages.
FSX was not re-released in 2006 by Dovetail games, but by Microsoft. FSX Steam edition was the upcoming version when Microsoft decided in 2012 or 2013 (I don't know precicously) to stop supporting FSX.
Agree with your chosen five but not entirely.. I'm about to build up a new sim set up after using FS9 since it's implementation. I have watched with awe you guys videos of each flight sim platform and to me its swings and roundabouts. With my VA there is an awful lot more scenery and visual effects such as weather in P3D. X-plane looks amazing scenery wise and mind blowing night lighting. FSW looks to be in contention during 2018 if it's jets become available. So it's P3D for me next month after much deliberation on the whole package of 64bit usability ,scenery,aircraft, weather etc.
I don't disagree with x plane as it's amazing in scenery quality and have seriously considered it but it lacks the airports I desire... One has to question....will P3D and orbx bring the scenery to X plane standard or will X plane bring more scenery to the platform? Thanks for your videos which includes FS elite flight sim deck.. You guys do a great job in paving the way in what direction to take flightsim wise. Yes a very high end pc in the new year with new software and hardware... Exciting time ahead😀
Have you looked on the X-Plane forums to see if someone has made the airports you're looking for? There are a number of good freeware airports available and if it doesn't exist you might just find someone to make it for you. If that's the only thing keeping you from getting it I'd take another look. P3D is an excellent sim, but I've been advised Lockheed-Martin are starting to get more strict about the licensing.
I continue to use the original FSX and it does well with add-on aircraft [my current favorite is the Carenado EMB505 Phenom 300 second is the Alabeo PA44 Seminole], Ground Environment X, and REX Worldwide Airports. If I were to purchase a simulator now I would get P3D v4
Nice video but I would have dropped FSX out of the mix. I know its a combat sim but DCS World should be right up there as an alternative. If it were me I'd go FSW, Aerofly FS2, P3D, DCS, Xplane11.
Good video. I have X-Plane 10 and and FSX-Steam running on Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit) 32 GB of memory, i7 8-core 3 GHZ processor and GTX NVidia 6 GB video card. The computer is a powerhouse, and X-Plane 10 runs great on it. I want to get rid of the FSX-Steam mainly because it's a 32-bit simulator built on the old FSX architecture. I also want to upgrade to Windows 10 Pro in the near future, and I was thinking about getting X-Plane 11, I just wish they had more airports in it. I'll also keep my eyes on FSW, hoping they add commercial airliners, the Boeing 777 would be great to have in the fleet.
Not even so much as an honorable mention to DCS? There is no close second when it comes to systems modeling and flight characteristics. It is not a civilian flight sim, so I can understand why it wouldn’t make the list, but at least a mention would be respectable.
Your ranking is still a bit off (in my NOT SO humble opinion) but you have got the important players on the board this time. Thanks for a great & fun video! :)
Agreed for the most part except I'd recommend Aerofly's FS2 before Microsoft's FS X.. looking to the future, as you say it's dated but Aerofly at $53US (Steam Sale) isn't great value. Edit: if you don't have a good gaming rig Aerofly FS2 may be for you. ATM Dovetail Games Flight Sim' World is the cheapest (Steam Winter Sale $7.49USD!) bang for buck sim' but as you say it has a long way to go... DLC is not cheap. X Plane 11 (currently $35.59USD Steam Sale) continues to improve every update, (now with native VR) it really does have the best flight physics of any PC sim' on the market... it is the only one I'm happy to throw $$$ at but there is so much quality Free Ware available you don't have to! I haven't bothered getting P3D to date, the cost of getting it to look as good as X Plane 11 is prohibitive and it doesn't have realistic flight physics. As a former GA pilot when it comes to simulation it's all about realistic flight physics.
I loved XPlane for flight mechanics and because it's the only simulator with curved runways, which, taken together, give way more fun. However, AI traffic and AI ATC need to be improved, and FSX/P3D have also much better selection of aircraft mods. And as I'm not ready for vatsim, I'm sticking with them.
I don't get all the positive remarks for X-Plane 11's flight model. At 8:57 in this video the nose of the aircraft is dancing around as if the pilot is slamming the rudder back and forth. I have never been on a plane that size and had the aircraft yaw in such an erratic fashion. The plane yaws around like it has no verticle stabilizer or a pilot that is standing on the rudder pedals randomly. That doesn't look very realistic to me.
We used to use the original MSFS as a way to determine whether a PC (8080 or 8086) was truly compatible with the IBM standard for PCs. If it ran OK, it was compatible!
Shane: Like your videos on flight sims. Very informative. I have two questions if you could answer here: 1. What video card/monitor do you use to generate the very detailed screen video? They always look so much sharper than mine. I have an NVIDIA GeForce GTX960 and two AOC E2752S monitors. I run P3DV4 at 2048 resolution which seems to be as high as this card will go. The 1080 cards are really expensive so I am wondering if upgrading to a 4k card and monitors will make a big difference? 2. In many of your videos, the scenes are in parking lots or inside terminals and other places outside of the aircraft. How do I get to these locations to look around? Can that be done with P3DV4 or do I need an add-on package? I am running with the ORBX GTX and OpenGL scenery. Thanks and keep the videos coming!
Hello Denny, I use chase plane for P3D and x-camera for xplane. Both will enable you move around the sims freely. As 4 monitor, I cant remember the model, buts a 4K and my graphics card is 1080. 4K will make a massive appearance to your flight simulator. Hope that helps, and thanks for the support. Cheers
Thanks Shane. I'll give the Chase Plane app a look. I did some research on my existing card GTX960 and it seems it supports UHD so I'll keep that (since the 1080 cards are over $1k) but look into 4k monitors since even the same size (27 inch) as I have now has a much higher resolution. Appreciate the help.
DCS is the highest fidelity flight sim ever made and it's not even mentioned in the list. DCS: F-18c Hornet comes out soon this year. Seems like this list is for civilian aircraft, not combat sims.
Me thinks if FSW is sorted and developers start to take advantage of the SDK it should become the number one. I play it, and have played FSX and SE and P3D. IMO P3D its strengths are becoming its achilis heal and performace is actually reduced since P3D v3 which I find weird since its 64b architecture thus it should have more RAM available. Up to now I only see that advantage being exploited by Dovetail....that 3d rain effect from P3D also does do not give the extra immersion i get in FSW. FSW however has a lot of bad reviews about performance, but when i bought it i was actually astouned by it. I get 30 fps easy whilst the performance sheet says my PC would downgrade the game to perform well...well...it didn't downgrade and I get those 30 fps and proper AI and scenery/autogen visibility easy...add the rain effect which no other has ever matched and its a solid nr1 for me. I do think however, when flying a 500kts jet the performace in scenery and autogen visibility will be greatly reduced...caus lets be honest, if you fly a plane that flies 170 kts max every sim will load the scnery and autogen in a proper way, slow flying enhances performace/scnery and autogen loading time on every simn out there..fact. Force feedback is a big joke on FSW, but thats with every sim included in this vid, thanks to FSforce this will change soon. FS force is not available for Xplane 11, which makes it a no no for my fully force feedback equiped sim-pit, so Xplane, how beautofull it may seem, has no advantages for me. IMO Aerofly will become a solid two for me when they get coverage and nultiplay sorted. From what I have seen the scenery is the best of all....just so sparcely covered...and I have no idea how they have incorperated FFB. Nice vid, I do not agree on all of it, but I think positions will shift during development. Its good to see Flight sim developers are actually competing again, which is good for us, the end user ;)
There is no Digital Combat Simulator! That's a flight simulator too. I think DCS belongs in at least #2, if not #1. The flight models and graphics are stunning!! Many say it's on par with X-Plane 11, if not maybe a little better. Give it a look.
Hi great video maybe you could if possible do a video on a computer system.for beginners to run the top 5 flight Sims so they get the benefit out of them
I personally would place P3D in first spot, when used with aircraft from PMDG. Those aircraft are highly realistic & can cost more than P3D itself, but the realism is unmatched by any other sim.
+Megan J Perry Some great points PMDG do make great products. Xplane 11 is starting to catch up on the study level ac. With the likes of FlyJsim 737-200. Thanks for checking out the video.
If you've not tried it, you need to give DCS a go. Yeah.. it's not a civil sim, but the feel of it and given how well TrackIR works in it it out does XP11. This is frustrating to me as i've been trying to move into civil sims for a while and nothing beats DCS for 'feel'.
To me, FSX with REX, ORBX, and high end payware aircraft addons make it right up there with the newer sims, but with the benefit of what I think is a nicer program when it comes to the map and flight planning and ATC aspects, for which X-plane honestly sucks.
Quick question I hope someone could answer, I know it’s a long time since post but still.. What’s the best sim when it comes to teaching you “pilot license”?.. I mean how and when’s and what’s. I can easily take off and land a Cessna with the alt meter and such but a little more into teaching you the how tos etc.. if I’m making sense at all. Other than that! Good video and I agree on nr.1! Flying wise
I agree with your whole list but the computer has to be very powerful for xp11 or pd3 because a low computer with very low graphics can’t support the sims but If you can afford it, then buy it
I am interested in using a VR flight simulator in my classroom. I have a class set of VR headsets. My students are studying the novel Hatchet and I would like to give them an idea of what flying in a Cessna 460 would be like. Any suggestions? Also, if anyone can suggest a VR simulation of a boreal forest that would be great.
Shane, new to your channel. Great channel btw. You mentioned Terra Flora. If I am running REX4 Textures Directl, would TF add anything beneficial? Same type of question regarding Active Sky. I'm running Active Sky 16, would Active Sky be beneficial? I don't know if AS16 is a newer version of AS or vice versa. So it gets a bit confusing. Thank you! Your vids are very well done
I've been playing FSX steam edition and Flight Gear for a while now (I've been flying Microsoft flight simulator since version 4.0 in the late 80's). I just acquired X Plane 11 for Christmas on steam for 49$ and to me, it was a waste of money as it is not reliable. I love to say that it is impossible to land a plane in X plane 11 because it is actually impossible to reach destination without the game crashing. I am not saying it is the case for everyone, but for me, the product is unstable, unfinished and crash all the time. On the other hand it is way more beautiful than any other flight sim I ever owned. As for being realistic, I really cannot tell because I am not an actual pilot. A stable version of X plane would definitely put it in the first position, but for now I am sticking with FSX for stability. (I did not try any of the other sim in this video so i cannot comment)
be sure to check the x-plane.org forum and post your log files there, the X-Plane community is incredibly helpful, the developers are often lurking there, I bet you'll have this fixed in no time. Also, I think there's a good french community too, but I don't them as much.
im just waiting for the day when a civilian flight simulator has damage modelling then i have a reason not to pull 6G when turning away from the airport or using flaps to slow down from 400kts
@@burtr9311 yeah but like all other simulators it doesnt apply the damage and let you continue to fly FSX freezes and ends the flight xplane 11 takes away your controls, turns off your instruments and lets you fall as a ballistic projectile with no aerodynamics applied to the plane if you pull 10G and snap a wing off, it should simulate that and let you spin out of control as well as the inevitable inflight breakup that will occur soon after if you deploy the flaps at 400kts and one breaks off, it should at least let you TRY to fly the plane in that condition if you clip a tree on the way down and break off your left wingtip the plane should pull to the left a bit, not freeze and say "you crashed" if you abuse the rudder to the point where the tail fin breaks off, you should be allowed to try and land in that condition if you fly too far beyond the design limits of the plane, then it should simulate an inflight breakup due to overspeed when i refer to damage modelling, this is what im talking about all combat flight simulators have it and its loads of fun, theres no reason not to put it into a civilian flight sim even BeamNG drive has flight physics and the best damage modelling i have ever seen in a game (and thats not even a flight simulator)
@@mwbgaming28 You have made a good point, that is what I am hoping to see in a future Flight Simulator too. Only, may I know the reason for your profile picture?
@@sal_strazzullo look at what is happening in the UK, Australia and other western countries that have taken Muslim refugees from Africa and you will know why I have this profile picture
Prepar3d the best, way better than XPlane. As a real pilot I'll tell you that Prepar3d is much more realistic. And FSX should be higher on the list, there's a reason Lockheed bought the software code from Microsoft FSX rather than Xplane to make Prepar3d.
Hello. In fact I am looking after a sim that is the best for learning to fly in both visual and instrumental way. Sceneries of thousands of airports and with the biggest aircraft are of little importance to me. In that case, what is the best ?
Hugo, Xplane 11 or P3D. P3D has more airports and higher end aircraft such as A2A or PMDG. Xplane has a better flight mechanic and lighting. They are fairly equal. Hope that helps.
Haven’t played sim since 2010 , I would like to buy a new computer, what is the specifications that I need to run xplain or one of the others from the top 3? Thanks
It's been a while since Ive flown, but when I did I was flying the original AirHauler, like a couple of hours every night for a year +plus a virtual Airline that has since gone broke . . .lol So I stopped for a few months to build a FScockpit and my Virtual company worth $12 million went into debt ! Falcon4-BMS then revived and so I was hired back into flying fast attack jets ! Who needs Game of thrones when you can go fly and see the world, not to mention blowing up a small proportion of it ! Another five years have gone by and I look at my 8 year old Son playing Minecraft, locked away in his virtual world. Hang on! Last time I checked six he was in that cot ???? Thankfully he's hooked on PS3 and can solve his own re-boot issues while I narcissisticly fiddle and tweak my graphics card, trying to optimise my 4x27" screens I don't really need. I've lost track of what I was going to say . .. . oh yeh Great review while being short and concise so I can get back to flying. Didn't realise all the other options now, and I thought X-plane might eventually come top-shelf. Well done ! Happy new year !
For a beginner I would say FSW. It's the cheapest one. Good way to see if the like flight simulation and then to span to some of the more advance simulators. Thanks for checking out the video Dave.
