Screen resolution for FS9

What is the best screen resolution to use for making the gauges clear to see, at the same time not making the map too small?

The resolution I am using a present makes everything appear a darker shade, than my old computer which had a different resolution but the map was too small to see.

Any help is appreciated,

Regards,

Charlotte

I have mine set to the same resolution as my desktop and that works fine for me.

I use 1280 x 1024, but I am using FS9. However seems to work well on my setup. I am no expert on this, but hopefully my reply might coax one of the more knowledgeable here to cut in with better advice !

In general, the common wisdom is to set you FS resolution to the same as your desktop. I always do, and it seems to work fine for me!

Pat☺

I asked because I'm not even sure my screen resolution is the best one!?

So I just wondered what everyone else was using?

 

Thanks for replies

Charlotte

Hello Charlotte. :)

Whenever possible, the system runs better if your monitor resolution matches your FS9 resolution (better performance). My system runs an Invidia GeForce 650 graphics card. My native resolution is 1920x1200 pixels, which is what I have my FS9 resolution set to also.

 

As far as the gauges being clear, there is a tweak you can do which makes them easier to read and much more clearly detailed. It involves editing the aircraft's panel cfg.file. Most planes are defaulted to 256,256 or 512,512 on the gauge pixel resolutions. You can manually edit the entries to say 1024,1024... this will make the face of each instrument dial VERY clear and easier to read.

 

This is an example from the default Microsoft Cessna 172 panel.cfg file in FS2004. The stock gauge pixels are only 512,512. We need to change them to read 1024,1024.

 

Open the panel.cfg file using the microsoft text editor called "Notepad" then scroll down until you find the [VCockpit01] grouping. Change the text entries and the SAVE the panel.cfg file.

[VCockpit01]

size_mm=512,512

pixel_size=512,512 <.......change this value to read>

texture=$C172s_1

background_color=0,0,0

 

gauge00=Bendix_King_Radio!Bendix-King Radio Nav-Comm 1, 0, 0, 205, 77

gauge01=Bendix_King_Radio!Bendix-King Radio Nav-Comm 2, 206, 0, 205, 77

gauge02=Cessna172!Clock, 413, 1, 93, 93

gauge03=Bendix_King_Radio!Bendix-King Radio DME, 0, 86, 198, 51

gauge04=Bendix_King_Radio!Bendix-King Radio Audio, 201, 85, 198, 34

gauge05=Cessna!Annunciator, 403, 96, 109, 30

gauge06=Bendix_King_Radio!Bendix-King Radio AP, 0, 136, 198, 59

gauge07=Bendix_King_Radio!Bendix-King Radio Xpndr, 0, 196, 198, 61

gauge08=Cessna182s!VOR2, 257, 129, 126, 126

gauge09=Cessna!ADF, 385, 130, 126, 126

gauge10=Cessna!VOR1, 1, 258, 126, 126

gauge11=Cessna!Vertical_Speed, 129, 256, 126, 126

gauge12=Cessna172!Airspeed, 256, 256, 128, 128

gauge13=Cessna!Turn_Indicator, 384, 256, 128, 128

gauge14=Cessna!Altimeter, 1, 383, 126, 126

gauge15=Cessna172!Tachometer, 128, 383, 128, 128

gauge16=Cessna!Heading_Indicator, 256, 384, 128, 128

gauge17=Cessna!Attitude, 383, 384, 128, 128

gauge18=shockwave_lights!SW Lights, 1,1,1,1 //shockwave light

 

 

[VCockpit02]

file=Cessna_172_Panel_Decals.bmp

size_mm=512,512

pixel_size=512,512 <........... change this value to read>

texture=$C172s_2

background_color=0,0,0

 

gauge00=Cessna182s!Oil_Press_Temp, 257, 2, 98, 98

gauge01=Cessna!Vacuum_Ampermeter, 256, 102, 98, 98

gauge02=Cessna172!Fuel, 356, 2, 98, 98

gauge03=Cessna172!EGT_Fuel_Flow, 356, 102, 98, 98

gauge04=Bendix_King_Radio!Bendix-King Radio ADF, 261, 201, 214, 54

gauge05=Magnetic_Compass!Magnetic-Compass,455, 0, 57, 57

gauge06=Cessna!OMI_Lights, 461, 61, 47, 19

gauge07=Cessna!Pitch_Trim, 461, 85, 44, 74

gauge08=Cessna!IOAT, 457, 173, 54, 18

 

I hope this is helpful. I've attached (2) screenshots that show the differences this editing can make in an airplane.

Best Wishes! ~Glenn

 

Default _ BLURRY Gauges ...original 512,512 pixels

 

Default _ CLEAR. Changed the pixels to read 1024,1024

Hard Cub - Correct me if I'm wrong, but won't your changes affect the Virtual Cockpit view only, and have no effect on the 2d panel view? (I'd guess that with a wide screen monitor you probably don't use the 2d panel?)

 

Cheers,

Grae

I asked because I'm not even sure my screen resolution is the best one!?

So I just wondered what everyone else was using?

 

First step would be to ascertain the native resolution for your monitor and set Windows to that resolution. If you're not getting a warning message when you turn the monitor on, then it is PROBABLY set ok, but check anyway. (Google your monitor make/model if you haven't got manuals or the likes). Then set FS9 to the same resolution.

If you don't like the result, then come back and I'm sure there'll be more help/hints available. (Incidentally, if you're using an old CRT behemoth monster monitor, this post is nonsense - those things would run happily at a multitude of resolutions :-) )

HardCub

 

I just discovered this post, and it has helped me a lot. I'm able to use planes which have just been sitting in my hangar due to fuzzy VC gauges.

 

You're a plane saver!

 

Thanks.

 

Elmer J. Fudd

Yep, a 5+ year old thread, but an extremely helpful reply.

 

Added HardCub's tweak to Bill Lyon's Grumman Goose VC and must say instruments are looking way better now. Thanks.