Buying for FSX and FS9

[ZK-Brock]

Hey Christian
I'm again considering the purchase of the topo+mesh. On the geographX page it says that now there are 2 versions of the product. Currently I use both FS9 and FSX for different purposes (FS9 for VATSIM + IVAO and flying the CS C130, and FSX for everything else, incl screenshots).

Would you suggest I buy the $105 FS9 version or the $80 FSX version? I'd be prepared to fork out $105, but would it make FSX look screwy or something?

[Christian]

Hi

The only difference is that the FSX pack doesn't include the topo, whereas with the FS9 pack you get both.

FSX basically includes the topo data already. Unfortunately it's botched, so I'm currently working on a patch for the FS9 topo. The whole situation is a bit complex. Microsoft changed the topo format. So, the patch I'm developing is for my FS9 topo so it'll work in FSX and all the mistakes in the default FSX topo will be fixed. However, in the long run I will also create a new FSX native topo - but don't expect anything before late this year. The new FSX topo will be mindblowing as I have some very cool ideas. Anyway, if you buy the FS9 topo now, you get a discount for the FSX topo.

I hope this isn't too confusing. Bottomline:

- If you can put up with some mistakes in FSX (eg Milford Sound unflyable) get the mesh only (FSX version)
- If you want to invest into the future (and save some money), get the FS9 version. The current FS9 topo isn't compatible with FSX, but a patch will be forthcoming. I estimate it's available by the end of this month.

My recommendation is that you get the FS9 version, as you are still using FS9. It doesn't make FSX screwy, you simply don't get the topo benefits in FSX until I release the patch.

I hope that makes sense.

Cheers,
Christian

[ZK-Brock]

Awesome Cristian, I'll mull over it for a while longer and then probably purchase the FS9 one B)

[Matlo]

So to ask a further 'stupid' question Christian.
I already own the FS Topo and am running the 75m mesh. If I was to purchase the FSX pack then I can still use the 20m mesh for both FS9 and FSX? i.e. identical for both versions of sim?

Cheers,

Matlo

[Christian]

Hi Matlo

This is correct. The 20m mesh is identical for FS9 and FSX.

Cheers,
Christian


More info for the interested:
The new FSX format specifications allow to include 20m, 40m, 75m, etc in one file. One needs all versions for better quality, However, I knew this since FS2002, so my mesh already includes 20m, 40m, 75m, etc - they always have. The only difference is that they are in seperate files, but the end result is exactly the same. Therefore, there is really no point to create an FSX style mesh - there is no real advantage. The only reason Geographx are selling the scenery as 2 versions is the inclusion/exclusion of the topo.