Why so much criticism of Abacus?

[Jayhawk Jake]

I think this quick comparison sums it up

$20 Skycatcher addon from Abacus:


$30 (Normally $35) Skycatcher from Flight1:


Look, it's not that Abacus's addons are BAD, they just aren't as good as the price makes it seem.  When I can get something as close to real as possible for $35, then $20 for something that's basically on-par with decent freeware (and not even up to the quality of some freeware), it's not quite right.

So I warn you with ALL payware to be very careful, and if you don't know much about what the addons from different companies are like, check with us here at SimV so you don't get ripped off

[todayshorse]

Hmmm. Ive read quite a bit about Abacus. Why? Ive no idea

[Xpand]

... then $20 for something that's basically on-par with decent freeware (and not even up to the quality of some freeware), it's not quite right.

Sorry, that's not even half of what a decent freeware model is. The exterior is a shame too... Overall, Abacus models, even for FSX, don't look much more like the FS2002 early freeware add-ons to me... Curious is that Abacus is one of oldest FS payware companies and it has barely made any change since the early days... If you take a look at their FS2004 F-14 and compare it with Dino's F-14 that came out at the same time and was freeware you'll see what this thread is all about... It's nightmareish...

Oh, and if anyone's offended by this: THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION ON ABACUS (That I've building up since my early days in FS) IN NO WAY WAS IT INFLUENCED BY OR BASED ON THIS WEBSITE YABBA YABBA...

[Jayhawk Jake]

... then $20 for something that's basically on-par with decent freeware (and not even up to the quality of some freeware), it's not quite right.

Sorry, that's not even half of what a decent freeware model is. The exterior is a shame too... Overall, Abacus models, even for FSX, don't look much more like the FS2002 early freeware add-ons to me... Curious is that Abacus is one of oldest FS payware companies and it has barely made any change since the early days... If you take a look at their FS2004 F-14 and compare it with Dino's F-14 that came out at the same time and was freeware you'll see what this thread is all about... It's nightmareish...

Oh, and if anyone's offended by this: THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION ON ABACUS (That I've building up since my early days in FS) IN NO WAY WAS IT INFLUENCED BY OR BASED ON THIS WEBSITE YABBA YABBA...

When I say decent freeware, I mean it in the sense that at least Abacus offers a complete package, with VC and what not.  Some of their exteriors could be improved with a good repaint, but overall I agree, it's not very good.  It's a shame, and honestly I suspect it has a lot to do with the history of FS.  As time has gone on, payware has become much more than just some addons with VC's and better paints, it's more realistic, more true to real life, with more functions and everything.  Freeware on the other hand has become better and better, with people like YOU creating stuff simply because you enjoy it, and there's some truly excellent freeware out there. 

Payware costs as much as buying a new game sometimes, and it should feel as such!  The Flight1 Mustang is my personal example of this (as I don't do any of the PMDG stuff), I paid more for the Mustang than I did for the sim itself, and it's a very good simulation.  So good in fact, that I want to get some time in a commercial Mustang sim and see how well I can fly it after spending hours in the simulated Mustang.

[corcor123]

Sorry but abacus just stinks on all their addons... physics and graphics wise. The abacus f35 is not even able to preform vtol and lots of faded and blurry textures on their aircraft... much better freeware on sim v than you can pay for junk on abacus... I HATE LAZY VIRTUAL COCKPITS! Especially lazy white reflective junk as in abacus... why do their seats look like their made of steel?!. I hope this helps designers a bit.

[FIREMAN79]

I have to agree. It is night and day. I am a Carenado fan myself. I like their model textures and the cockpits are pretty sweet. I think if you are gonna drop your dollars you should be getting something that looks like it was a real project for someone to complete, not like a art school weekend assignment.

As a side note, the coffee cup in the Flight1 cockpit is kinda funny. 

[Josef]

Try I bought Figher Pilot 2 because they had the EA-18G Growler for FSX before KBT did their update.

The Growler only has ONE listening pod on the left wingtip when the right wingtip also has one in real life and the cockpit seems to be the same as KBT's.  I even called about the wingtip issue and haven't seen any changes since that call... a year+ ago.

Really feel disappointed because Growlers train in the skies above my ranch and I occassionally repaint as well.

[Jetranger]

Yip, their Quality leaves a lot to be desired, they just sren't all that intersteaded in staying in the flight sim business and I suspect, they'll be out of it shortly !  Especially if they keep using that disasterous FSDS to design their aircraft that looks like grade school art work.  I also have to say watch out for that Nor Cal prop Club, their right behind Abacus as far as any level of Quality Detail, I've downloaded several of their aircraft and had to delete them they were that badd in quality, you can tell when an aircraft is made with FSDS, and when ones is made using GMax or other quality design .  I dunno' I just don't like aircraft looking like its from Flight Simulator 98' or 2000' in an FSX Sim. Lately, I've seen some trying to pass off older supposedly revised editions of older aircraft as FSX Compatible or supposedly ported over for FSX and their not even close to being decent aircraft, I have to go in to the Texture files and generally fix the Prop Spin texture file, because its not right and shows up as a big Blur in FSX, and aircraft just painted with globs of paint , and the wrong scale of rivets and emblems not being to scale, been seeing a lot of that lately too.                            I like at more realistic weathered worn look, (see photos) with some degree of detail anyway, especially if it Payware , even tho FREEWARE is free still could put some effort into it like well known designer MILTON SHUPE does, his work is truly Magnificent and awsum see the AVIO 51/156.                                                Now for some really cool Awsum Aircraft check these War birds out !! http://www.warbirdsim.com/

[c130lover]

the only purchase I'm proud of from them is the Civil Air Patrol addon, which could still have some improvements.

[U4EA]

When Circuit City went under I got Flight Deck 5 and The Aircraft Collectors Edition for $5 each.

Overpaid by a couple bucks!

[Jetranger]

For you Sim PILOTS who are into SPEED & being Fast - check this out now your gonna like this !  Link ---} http://www.glowingheat.co.uk/

[U4EA]

Hopefully there'll be an FSX B-58. 8-)

Thanx for the link.

[Jetranger]

Welcome Major , if you liked that link above - then you might also like this Link too , have fun ! Link ----} http://flyingstations.com/canberra-pack-b57a.html