FEX is it worth it?

[J.]

ok, im getting a bit bored with FSX'x default plain white clouds, just a bit of cotton in the sky, so i am now seriously wondering about getting FEX. I was going to wait for REX but with no planned release date, and the differance between the two products being minimal im now going for FEX but i have a question... or 2

1.how many water variants are their? ive seen screenshtos on the FEX site but one of the water options i realy do not like and if its just one option its going to push me away a bit

2.is their any hit of performance?

cheers
kermit.

[Tweek]

I was going to wait for REX but with no planned release date, and the differance between the two products being minimal

FEX is a great addon, no doubt, but I reckon it's worth hanging on for REX to see how people compare the two. Remember that REX also includes airport environments (textures, etc) and a weather engine, so there is something extra to wait for.

[krigl]

I'm also tired of waiting for the REX guys to tell us when it will be ready (though someone squeezed '1st quarter 2008' out of them) or roughly how much it will cost. It is really getting on my nerves and is poor customer relations. They are now taking some flak for this in the forum where they post preview screenshots.

FEX is here now and looks very nice. They are constantly adding new variations - FEX connects itself to their server automatically and you can download new themes whenever they come up. Right now there are around I guess 40 or 50 water themes to choose from, for example - though it seems to me that they are just pumping out what they feel like doing rather than carefully thinking about it. You can also edit the themes yourself to make new clouds/skies/water. They are also working on a weather engine which will be available for free to FEX owners.

On the other hand REX, when it comes, will come with a weather engine, flight planner, airport/runway etc textures all built in. How long it will take them to put this ambitious project together, and how much it will cost is still up in the air though. Their clouds, water and sky mainly look much more real than FEX - because they are based on real photographs. Sometimes they look a bit TOO vivid, but otherwise fantastic!! I'm definitely looking forward to the release of this product. However, it occurs to me - if REX is based on real photos, will there be obvious duplications of the same 'picture' i.e. clouds which look real, but identical. If this happens too much then that's a minus as it looks very strange...why not check out the 'preview packs' on their website - download the pics and see what you think. I've only seen one or two pics with noticeable duplication, but of course you can take screenies in such a way as to cut out deficiencies, can't you.

It all comes down to how much money you have lying around, and how much you care.... I'd buy FEX now and REX in 3 months when it comes out.  :)

[J.]

thank you both of you, i am also part of the group who think REX are pushing it a bit to much and that their sloud textures look too real and out of place in the sim, i will probably end up getting both REX and FEX and mixing the two addons together a bit

thanks again for your feedback

kermit

[ThePilot_Ace]

[quote]I use Active Sky X.

[J.]

i am so torn right now, im downloading the installer, so that if i decide to buy it out of impulse i can and have instant access

[J.]

just went to buy FEX but i can't ..... yet!

need to go upgrade my direct debit account to a Visa instead of Solo

then FEX here i come