Simviation Forums

Hello , new to the site and somewhat new to fsx . I used to fly it when it first came out but took a break and just now starting it back up . My question to you guys is there some kind of update for the game . My graphix are awful . I see all these freeware sites but not exactly sure what they are .All that I seem to find is downloads of single airports . Also is there not a download for better scenery for the eastern part of the US or maybe all of the US . I have done nothing to the game since I bought it new out of the box other than the expansion pack . Any help would be appreciated

Welcome Ryan.

There certainly are a lot of ways to improve the look of FSX.

But just getting back into it, as you are, it can be hard to decide what the best choices are.

On New Years Eve at the start of this year I wrote a post on the improvements made over the past year - A good year for FSX.

Some of that has changed for the better. For an example I'd highly recommend REX4 over REX Essential Plus Overdrive for the best weather.

I've pretty much settled on the Orbx systems - FTX: Global, FTX: Vector, as well as the other Orbx FTX sceneries.

The majority of the imperfections (especially with Vector) have been done away with.

In fact I now consider FTX: Vector one of the essentials.


Again, Welcome to SimV.

It's all in how much money do you want to spend. I just recently got back in to the flight simulator game after rediscovering my old FS2002 discs. Since then I have bought FSX, replaced a computer I only bought 3 months ago, downloaded a bunch of freeware planes and airport scenery and made a stupid purchase (Mega scenery Florida). I may buy what OldAirMail is recommending if I continue and don't burn out. Payware planes are $30 and up. Payware scenery can be even more. Some of the freeware planes I have downloaded have suspicious looking instrument panels but if the flight characteristics seem right I can live with inaccurate instrument panels. There are a few planes I would like to add to my collection that are only available as payware and eventually I may add one or two as my budget permits.

And remember ---- there is a LOT if amazing freeware!!!

Don't be hiked into the payware route straight away. I have never purchased one single thing after basic MSFS since 1980 something in my life and i have great FSX scenery (including eastern US --- I don't know what you are searching in words?) and great aircraft that match payware (unless you actually enjoy start up procedure that most real pilots (like me) find a drag)

I would recommend simviation front page - keep hitting f5 refresh - see the 'Recommended downloads'


If you really want to spend - spend -- but in my opinion it won't really make much of a difference unless you want eye candy screenshots.

Step by step - and enjoy. Take it one stage at a time.

Pete what are some af the good freeware that you got on your scenery I mostly fly the 737 IFR usually the eastern half of the US . I live in Kentucky and the closest international airport to me would have to b Nashville KBNA or St Louis KSTL in real life . So I usually start my fsx in one of those 2 airports . We have a regional airport here which is KPAH but it's a tiny place

Ryan, does your computer allow you to run FSX with all the scenery and detail sliders set all the way to the right? If you are having to move the sliders even a little toward the left a lot of detail gets left out. It takes a pretty powerful cpu and graphics card to get the most out of the software. I found that out the hard way.

A good year for FSX mentions freeware Modlerbob, just incase you haven't read it yet.

Follow some of the links and you'll have more than enough freeware to keep you busy for the rest of the year.



Some of the freeware scenery you'll see if you go to the link:










And that's only a small part of the high quality FREEWARE scenery that's out there.


On top of that, there's tons of quality freeware right here on SimV.

And don't forget to get the freeware mesh. Mesh is what gives the "height" in the scenery more detail.


This comparison is made with payware from FS Genesis, but it's only about $20

Standard FSX


FS Genesis


Other than the mesh difference these pictures are of the same island!

Again, some payware is great for a general, over all, base. From there you can get some extremely good freeware mesh for a particular area.



I still feel that Orbx FTX: Global gives FSX a more believable world wide scenery than you'll get otherwise.

From that base you can pick and choose the areas where you want more detail.


Read some of the reviews, look at some of the pictures, decide what you like, and go from there.

Before going on spending a lot of money, i too would suggest you make searches for any freeware specific stuff you need. I always starts here, then google with different search input.

Ref mentions FTX/ORBX, it would be a good idea to try their freeware downloads, which can be found here
http://fullterrain.com/
I surely would recommend the free NA Pacific Northwest