What hardware and flight controls would you recommend in order to utilize FS2020 to its full capability? Maybe sans the triple monitor option due to space considerations tho…
I’m using the Simionics G1000 apps on iPads with their bezels and I HIGHLY recommend them if you fly things with GPS. They are pretty much full featured G1000 GPS units and the physical buttons make using them really fantastic. You can buy the apps for $10 each to try them out first without the hardware by using a touch interface. I’ve avoided almost all the autopilot issues this game has by using the AP on the apps instead. They are updated for Navigraph cycle 2010 and I’m sure an update will be coming soon. You can also customize them for specific planes by setting up custom engine gauges and V speeds.
The PFD app connects to the MFD app though so you’d need two iPads to test it out fully. You can try the MFD app on one iPad, however. They ship from China but I had zero issues with ordering. One of my first two bezels had a non functioning button and they express sent me a replacement and told me to return the other one at my leisure with any shipping I wanted as long as it had tracking. They refunded my return cost via Paypal. Great customer service.
Thanks Baz. Good to know! I am looking for full hardware recommendations as well - monitor, PC, CPU mem, disk, GPU and eGPU, HOTAS and rudder pedals etc. etc.
I also wanted to mention that using Foreflight with MSFS has also been worth every penny spent. It’s made my simming feel more immersive that I’m actually using a tool that is used in planes every day. It makes looking up charts and diagrams super easy and even has synthetic vision. If you flight sim a lot, I found the annual cost to be worth it. I went with Pro Plus for georeferenced plates and diagrams to make approaches and taxiing easier. That subscription is $199 a year. They have one for $99 a year which has a few less things that could also fit your needs.
That said, Foreflight is only really worth getting for the US as the international add-ons are crazy expensive. It works out to something like $3000 a year for Jeppesen charts of the rest of world. For those, I subscribe to Navigraph as $99 or whatever it is a year is a steal for all the Jeppesen data they offer.
Excellent. I was already familiar with Foreflight :). Good to have your insights on region and Navigraph tho.
I guess it depends on what you primarily fly to recommend specific hardware. I use a TQ6 + throttle quadrant which is great. I also added a few panels from Desktop Aviator to the mix in regards to adding more realism.
For PC hardware, obv get the biggest graphics card you can afford. I’m using a 2070 Super but def upgrading to a 3080 when I can find one that isn’t sold out in 4 seconds. Hard disk for the install should be an SSD for faster performance and I’d recommend 32GB of ram. You mentioned not going with triple monitors but maybe an ultra wide would work or you. Samsung makes a great one that is 5120x1440. Also, don’t skimp out on the processor as this game is CPU limited at certain times. I’m using an AMD Ryzen 7 3700 and it seems to be working out well. Intel has similar offerings as well if you prefer them.
I was looking at this for rudder control: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1419739-REG/thrustmaster_2960809_tpr_pedals.html.
I was looking at the Honeycomb Alpha Yoke and the Redbird Alloy Twin Engine Lever Throttle Quadrant TH2 for HOTAS.
As to graphics cards I was going to go for 4 3080 cards. 1 in the tower and 3 in an eGPU configuration via TB3. CPU I was going to go for AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3970X on a ASUS ROG Zenith II Extreme TRX40 with 256GB of RAM.
Monitor I was looking at is the Samsung 49" CHG90 QLED Gaming Monitor.
Im not sure you gain anything from FS with more than one 3080. At least not until dx12 support. But if you use it for other stuff go for it.
I’m 100 percent happy with my current controller set-up in MSFS 2020:
Honeycomb Yoke, CH Products Throttle Quadrant (the one with 6 throttle levers), Logitech G Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals, TrackIR (Asobo fixed the bug so now trackir is usable 100 percent), and a ps4 controller for using the drone mode (the ps4 controller is totally optional and not necessary).
Bezels are very cool but ouch on the $$$.
I always wanted a full motion simulator of a 747, well since cost is no object
Yeah use it for rendering - will be nice when DX12 support for multi-GPU is implemented.
Cost is always an object, but considering bang for the buck, I too, am very happy with my build.
Honeycomb Alpha Yoke
Honeycomb Bravo Throttle (not here yet, but was first in line and confirmed for early November ship)
Voice Attack software (my current throttle… I just say, “Throttle 70%” it’s just awesome)
Logitech Pedals
Ultrawide 3440x1440 Monitor (just hooked this up last night)
1440x2560 Vertical Monitor (for VFRMap and break-out instruments)
PS4 Controller (for the drone camera, as others have mentioned)
Recently added two Logitech Radio Panels and one Multi Panel (since the SimConnect bug is fixed)
Full System Specs are in my Profile, but I9-9900K with 2070 Super and 32G Ram
1TB M.2 Drive is a no brainer too.
When building this system, I tried to stay just a notch or two below “cost is no object” level.
Jim-Sim
Edit: Oh yeah, HP G2 Reverb is on order since first available for pre-order.
If cost was no object, I would recommend this $200,000 simulator set up. Keep in mind that FAA-certified doesn’t mean what it used to after all the MAX crashes… but still. Pretty decent for the money.
Space is a consideration
Hi @Hedbonkerfs,
If money is no object?.. I’d simply get the most expensive intel CPU, matched to the most expensive giganyte or asus motherboard, with as much of the fastest ram I could fit in. I’d then get the quietest PSU and cooling system that money could buy, and a few fast Nvme disks.
I’d match that up to (say) as 65 or 75 inch TV at 8k (for the future)
Sadly though - cost IS an object!
thanks
PaulyFSPauly
Id would stop simulating and buy a beautiful and big farm with a flat terrain and fly every day with some nice GA aircraft.
Medical conditions not withstanding so would I.
Got you . https://youtu.be/PLd-00W2HEg