To my fellow STANDARD EDITION pilots....

[Pappy]

I bought the standard edition on sale, and I think it's great. Do I miss the pro edition features? Well, maybe a little... but there are other workarounds besides trying to get the pro edition files.

Problem 1: Missing gauges for third-party panels.
Solution: Try to download a stand-alone panel that uses only standard gauges or has all the gauges included. Another easy fix is to just alias to a different panel by editing the panel.cfg or by using a program like flightzip 2000 that lets you change an aircraf's panel and sound files.

Problem 2: We don't have some of those cool pro-edition planes.
Solution: The only thing you can do here is try to get a 3rd party version. In some cases you'll have to get one made for FS2000 and edit the aircraft.cfg file to make it work right.

Problem 3: We don't have g-max.
Solution: Personally, I've tried to make planes before, and I'm quite terrible at it, so I just download planes. Odds are, if you wanted to create planes you probably got the pro version anyway. If not, you can download g-max freely at it's website, although I am not sure whether or not it comes with everything needed to export FS2002 aircraft files. Also, you can probably use other aircraft design programs such as the ones from Abacus.

Well, this is just my 2 cents. I'm not a pilot...don't even play one on TV...so it's not the biggest deal to me if I am using the wrong panel. A lot of add-on planes just alias a pre-existing panel, anyway. I just wanted to offer some solutions other than asking for pro edition files and upsetting some of the forum members. I'm not pointing fingers or complaining about anyone. I am just offering some ideas. Hope it helps.

[DaveKDEN]

An excellent post!
Thanks Pappy,
Dave

[Starship_ca]

As a Standard Edition pilot, I think this deserves a bump:-jumpy

[rispon]

I agree with you, Pappy. Some people who have the standard are trying to get others with the Pro to give them files. While I agree with, for the most part, on the users that respond to these "gimme gimme gimme" people, I do take unkindly to only the very few who, because of these "gimme" people, think that all standard users are cheapskates and/or thieves trying to gain on others. The majority of us, standard users, are one, not cheapskates and/or two, not thieves. Myself, I bought the standard because for one, I own the Pro edition of FS2000, so, I'm able to easily obtain some of the necessary gauges, two, I felt that paying $20 more dollars for some extra addons that I'm not going to use would be wasteful. Sure, I don't get the extra planes, oh well. G-max, oh well, I can download it, sure, but, like some others, I don't create aircraft. Some of the other stuff, well, I really have no need for it. I don't fly multiplayer, AND I'm only a casual simmer. I'll admit, I don't play more than 1 hour a night (although I'm on the computer alot more than that...my wife and couch can attest to that.. <g>) I just didn't find it useful to have the pro edition. And if there's something I want, I'll just download it. (If it's available of course... )

[mith]

Gmax seems too complicated for this idiot... I'll leave that to the people who have brains.. i dont.. lol

(too lazy to fix the lower case "i" and add the apostrophe in the word, "don't"...


Am I lazy or WHOT

[eagle013]

I got standard for my birthday (Oct. 27) I wanted pro, and I got pro for xmas, i'm taking standard back and installing pro today, My dad realized after I logged 51 hours in 2001, (22 in november, 29 in December)



-----------------------------------------------------------------------------


http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3c2a818c6dabd9fb.jpg

[Simon Evans]

Hmm, rebate makes the price difference between Standard and Pro about 5 bucks in most cases. FS2002 is already available discounted so there really is no excuse for a dedicated simmer.

And you're only a cheapskate when you try and ponce Pro files or start posting whinging threads about why `this` won't work and how can you get the gauges for `that`... otherwise go fly. Be Standard. Be happy.


Simon Evans


Simon Evans

[sewells]

I really (REALLY) missed the high perf single (mooney). After getting' fsd's commander, I'm happy with the std edition (for now). I'm still looking for someone to pawn off the standard edition( which I purchased first day on shelves) and update to the pro.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3c24c7e93e163a8d.jpg

[Starship_ca]

>Hmm, rebate makes the price difference
>between Standard and Pro about
>5 bucks in most cases.


My standard edition came with a rebate as well, so that negates this particular point.

[Pappy]

Yes, my standard edition came with a rebate as well. Around here, the pro version costs about $70 ($80 in some places). I caught the standard version on sale for $36 as best I remember. That's half the price of the pro version! Since I got the rebate too, I definitely saved a lot more than $5! :)

Using the workarounds I mentioned above, I am quite content with the standard version of FS2002. It's really just a matter of individual preference of whether the extra features warrant the extra price. For example, in my case the gmax would be fun to play with for a while, but I would never actually create a decent aircraft with it. I lack the skill and the patience. The flight instructor might be good too, but I really just fly for fun and relaxation. I like to fly in the different aircraft, check out the scenery, fly under bridges and between skyscrapers, and land helicopters in baseball stadiums. If I ever wanted to be a real pilot, I'd get real instructions! Basically, I am just a casual flight simmer... the exact kind of person the standard edition was made for! :D

[Pappy]

Sewells,
If there are any Electronics Boutique stores around where you live, you can trade in your Standard Edition for store credit towards getting the Pro Edition. You probably won't get as much for it as you would if you did find someone to sell it to, but it is an option.

[MD83]

I have the Standard Edition, and I see it as no disadvantage :D There are one or two people who upload saying that their planes are FS2002 Pro Only, but we know better... ;-)

***************************************
A fan of FS2002 and FS98

[johnjennings]

About the only thing I miss not having is the Baron, but I guess that I don't miss it too much. You see, I have 138 AC to choose from which all work beautfully. Many thanks to all the free ware AC designers. I have only purchased one payware AC, the FSD Super Cub. I understand that FSD will be posting an upgraded 2002 file soon. The 2000 file is very good, but no vertual cockpit. I have read that the AC in 2002 are very easy compared to REAL AC. I hope someone can post an air file which changes that soon. I want to receive flight instruction one day and I hope to feel right at home once I do!

[wthomas]

If you miss the baron, try the wonderful Bonanza Twin available on the A V S I M site. You will need some King Air and Mooney guages to fill in the holes on the panel. If you have FS2000 Pro, this is easy enough. Or find a third party panel.

The Bonanza Twin is a wonderful aircraft, and totally fills my need for a small Twin.

(Luckily I had FS2000 Professional available for the guages. It's Ironic that my having been not satisfied with FS2000 pro's "extra's" was exactly the reason I settled on FS2002 standard. Couldn't be happier.

[Simon Evans]

Now 51 hours... THAT's no casual simmer..!!!!!!!!

Congrats.

And to Pappy, if you're happy and you are aware what is missing
and have made an informed choise then that's great too..!!!


Simon Evans

[sewells]

I'll check, but I hacked the box and then threw it away to get the rebate.

I'm tempted to sell the disks on ebay for whatever I can get.

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/User_files/3c24c7e93e163a8d.jpg