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B58 BaronPublisher: CarenadoReview Author: Stuart McGregorSuggested Price: $29.95/images/fsc/wbicons/store-buy-now-button.png /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.46.38.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.55.54.jpgThe AircraftThe Beechcraft Baron has been aroundsince the early 1960s, and in my opinion, is one of those iconic lightaircraft that everyone should try out at some point in theirsimulation careers. Now the great thing is, Laminar Research provide apretty good rendition as part of their fleet of default aircraft, soif you are not sure if you want to splash out and dive straight intopayware, you can try out their B58 to get a feel for whether thistype of aircraft is for you or not. The real-life Baron is still inproduction today which is a testament to its appeal as a twin-enginelight aircraft, and the B58 variant was in production from the late1960s right up until 2004, where production then continued as theG58. If you are unfamiliar with the Baron B58, it is the long-bodiedversion of the aircraft (short body being the other option), and comeswith twin Continental engines, typically seating 4 - 5 passengers andcrew. If you are thinking on purchasing a real one, it will set youback somewhere around US$1.5 million, so read on, as the version beingreviewed here may be more in line with most people's budget. Theaircraft being discussed in this review is the recently releasedX-Plane 11 version of Carenado's B58. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.47.32.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.50.11.jpgGetting StartedThe Baron retails at $29.95, which I believe is a fairly reasonableprice for what is on offer, and hopefully this review will give yousome insight into the features of the aircraft and whether the askingprice is a fair one or not. I purchased my copy at Carenado's shop, and as with most developersites there is a good description of the aircraft's features, what isincluded in the package and also the minimum system requirements youneed to have to get the best out of it. It is a reasonably largedownload at 365 MB, and based on the description provided, to make themost of the features on offer from your prospective purchase, you willneed a system with a quality CPU and GPU with at least 4 GB VRAM. Onething to note is that to get the rain effects, you also need todownload and install the Librain plugin, and a link to the file isalso provided on the download page. I must admit that I didn't noticethis at first, so it's well worth reading all the info provided on theproduct page before you jump in. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.13.30.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.13.48.jpgInstallation is straight forward enough, usual story, simply unzipthe downloaded file and drag and drop into your Aircraft folder.First time you start the B58, you will be required to enter a LicenseKey, however this is provided with the download and only takes acouple of minutes to enter and activate. I had no issues. Various documents are provided in the DOCUMENTATION folder, andthese include a variety of procedures, reference documents andrecommended graphics settings for X-Plane 11. Fairly standard forCarenado. For this review, I did follow the designer's advice withrespect to Visual Effects, Texture Quality and Antialiasing, so Ibelieve my observations and experience are a fair reflection of whatothers might experience, although different hardware setups will getdifferent results. One thing I didn't do, was crank up the ReflectionDetail as suggested, as I found this totally killed my frame rates.Throughout my test it was left at Minimal. For reference, my ownsystem consists of an Intel i9 9900K 3.60 GHz CPU, a RTX2080Ti GPU and64 GB RAM. I also have a number of Saitek panels and 3 x 27" screens,and my test flights were all carried out in and around WBKK in Borneoduring the day and early evening. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.15.03.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.16.26.jpg Initial Thoughts And ObservationsLooking from the outside, the B58 is well proportioned and inkeeping with the real aircraft, although this is pretty much what youwould expect from a seasoned and experienced design team such as thefolks over at Carenado. Even with the Reflection Detail set tominimal, the aircraft external surfaces have a nice look to them, andthe graphics quality is extremely realistic. Design details such asdirt and grime around the engine covers and the fuselage, the highlypolished prop spinners, the extremely lifelike landing gear, trim tabsand tires as well as the static wicks on the trailing edges of theelevators, all add to the realism. This B58 really does its real-lifename sake justice, and I was pretty impressed with what I saw straightfrom the word go. I really enjoyed the animated head movements of boththe aircrew, a nice little touch when looking from the outside of theaircraft, which in combination with all the other visual eye candy,set me off in a good mood. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.19.16.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.22.21.jpgAs far as the external sounds go, I have never been around a realB58, so it is difficult to know what it really sounds. However theengines do have a nice tone to them and I really enjoyed the 3D effectas you move around the aircraft. The heat haze coming from the engineexhausts just adds a further nice degree of realism, and the varioustaxi, beacon and landing lights are all bright and easilydistinguishable, and the good news is that the bright halo that reallyused to annoy me, isn't there this time around. From one of the onscreen menus, you can open the double passengerrear door, and front cabin door, as well as the baggage compartmentlocated in the right-hand side of the nose, and again the texturedetails and door operations are extremely realistic. In the baggagecompartment for example, there are a few pieces of luggage. From thesame menu you can also add and remove instrument and windowreflections, as well as add and remove a number of static objects,such as chocks, warning cones and protective covers for instrumentslike the pitot tube and engine air intakes. It also worth mentioningthat the two pilots are also removed from the cabin when static. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.27.34.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.31.47.jpgMoving inside, the high-quality textures and level of detailcontinues. There is detailed texturing of the seating in the cabin,air vents, exit signs, information/warning signs on the windows anddoors, and even instrument reflection in the sun shades. The interiorroof lights can also be switched on and off, and the list just goes onand on. In my opinion, the B58 is pretty impressive when you considerthe overall features list, the asking price and just the ease ofoperation of the whole thing. The bar certainly has been raised withthis aircraft, and it never fails to amaze me at the quality thatdesign teams like those at Carenado keep on delivering. Moving aroundthe compact cabin (various views are available from a second pop outon-screen menu), you have a great view through the relatively largewindows, and in particular the views from both the pilot and co-pilotseats are excellent. One of the reasons I like this aircraft so much,is the fact the with my 3 x 27" screens, the view from the cockpit islargely unobstructed, allowing the user to get a great view of theoutside world. I personally use TrackIR and this allows me to get adynamic 180° view of everything going on around me. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.36.04.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.37.02.jpgSitting in the left-hand pilot seat, I thoroughly enjoyed thecrispness and clarity of the instrument panels, and once again nodetail has been overlooked. With the move to X-Plane 11, the qualityof the textures really stands out, resulting in a truly immersiveexperience. This is one of the most noticeable differences between thedefault Baron and this one, the improvement in texture quality isextremely noticeable. Most of the buttons and switches were user active, so there isplenty of interaction possible, although this was not the case for thevarious fuses (a minor detail in my opinion, and maybe something forthe future). As an avid Saitek panel user, the fact that everything"just worked" made me extremely happy; no additional scripts required,no fuss. As far as I could tell, all the features worked perfectlywith the Baron's controls, and this is the sort of thing that reallymakes a massive difference for me. I do however appreciate that noteveryone uses these, and therefore no big deal for some. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.40.20.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.40.25.jpgThe B58 comes with twin default X-Plane Garmin 430 panels, and alsoa Bendix/King KFC 225 autopilot panel. I also understand that RealityXP GTN750 support is provided if you so wish, although I do not usethis add-on so can't comment on how well it works. From what Iunderstand, it adds an extra level of sophistication to navigation ifyou would prefer more modern equipment. Anyway, back to theKFC225. The unit can be accessed easily via a third pop out panel or byclicking on the actual unit itself. Either way, it was extremely easyto access, and more importantly, to operate. It is quite a simplepanel (which I really appreciated), however it has all the basicfeatures an aircraft of this type would need, such as heading andaltitude hold, vertical speed adjustment, yaw damper, etc. I found thewhole thing really simple to understand and use when in flight. I justloved the fact that with only a couple of simple clicks, you can setyour desired altitude and vertical speed, set arm and the aircraftglides to the required altitude and stops. Just fabulous... /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.45.31.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.53.44.jpg On The GroundTaxiing the B58 was relatively easy and smooth, however as I haveno toe brakes due to a change in my hardware (I fly mainly helis thesedays), I felt at times it had a habit of getting away from me, soregular manual braking was required to keep me on the taxiway. I amsure it was purely down to way too much power and prop on my part,however, once I had the balance point sorted out, things did improvesignificantly. I did find my CH throttle quad sensitive down at thelow speed end of things, however if this is an artefact of myhardware, or the actual aircraft I am unable to say, so just somethingto take note of for prospective buyers. In all honesty it didn'treally detract that much from my overall enjoyment once I knew what toexpect. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.53.56.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.54.10.jpgReaching the runway and pushing the prop leavers to full and easingforward on the throttles resulted in a very noticeable change inpitch, emanating from the twin Continental engines. Keeping the B58straight as I launched myself along the runway was straightforward andstable, and takeoff was extremely smooth. There is a very nice 'throb'and 'hum' to the engine sound (which is responsive to changes inpropeller pitch), and you will also hear the faint whine of thelanding gear hydraulics as the gear comes up. Having never been in areal Baron, I can't really say if this is realistic or not, although Ido feel that in the recent releases of X-Plane, the sound balance isperhaps not as good as it could be, particularly when in the cabin.What I would say however, is that the action of the landing gear isvery well modelled, and fabulous to watch, so well worth taking a lookfrom the outside when you can. This is probably the sort of detailmany people miss, however if a developer is putting that much detailinto the parts you don't typically see, it all bodes well for the moreobvious areas. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.57.17.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.59.21.jpgIn The AirAs I toured around the beautiful island of Borneo (if you havenever been you should try it out), the B58 was a real pleasure tofly. The expansive view out of the cabin, the smoothness of the turnsand in combination with numerous altitude changes was to coin that oldcliche... as 'smooth as silk'. It really was a wonderful flyingexperience. I included a couple of flights using ATC, and even then, I foundcontrolling the aircraft with everything going on around me much lessstressful than some other aircraft I have flown in the past. Ibelieve this was largely down to the accessibility of the flightcontrols, and just how well everything responded to my inputs. Of allthe fixed wing aircraft types around, I fully admit that GA aircraftare by far my favorite, primarily because I really enjoy the relativesimplicity and sense of flight when aboard. The B58 fits snugly intothat category, and Carenado's version even more so. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_16.00.33.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_16.01.13.jpgCruising the skies at around 5000 feet above the ortho basedlandscape on a beautifully sunny day in South East Asia, brought thebest out of the Baron. I honestly can't remember the last time that Ifelt so relaxed when in a cockpit to a point where (with the autopilotblinking away), I was on the verge of nodding off. There really isn'tmuch else to say about the flight experience, as I could not find anyfault in the aircraft's response to my fairly average airmanship. Iam therefore sure, that from beginners right up to the moreaccomplished pilots, the B58s flight characteristics will be anenjoyable experience for all, no matter your level of ability. Virtual RealityThe Baron is equipped to run in the VR mode, and as I do have anOculus Rift, I did take a quick look inside, although as I have stillto master the whole world of VR, I didn't do an extensive test. WhatI would say though, is the visual experience is just breathtaking, andthe manipulators I tried appeared to work as intended. I shouldmention though that I predominately relied on my existing hardware tofly the aircraft, and used the touch controllers to control variousswitches etc. The combination worked pretty well. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_16.01.41.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_16.02.51.jpgVR really does add a whole new dimension to X-Plane, and if I canever just get used to the sensation, I am sure it will be the futureof the hobby. The most noticeable difference I encountered is thesense of how compact the cabin actually is when inside, and with theheadset on, just how in proportion everything is. It sounds daft Iknow, but going back to a stretched three screen setup, the level ofdistortion is way more obvious. If however you are a VR fan, even withmy limited experience, I believe the B58 does offer the sort offeatures most people are after. Final ThoughtsAs I am sure you have realised by now, I thoroughly enjoyed flyingthe B58, both in manual and with the autopilot engaged. For me, thisaircraft really ticks all the boxes on my list, mainly because the B58has been a favorite of mine since I first tried X-Plane back inversion 10. The default model supplied with X-Plane is a goodworkhorse aircraft, of that there is no doubt, and for many armchairpilots may be all you ever need. However, if you are looking forsomething that is just that little bit more sophisticated, and a stepor two up in terms of eye candy and also the flying experience, thenthe B58 from Carenado is well worth considering. /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_16.46.26.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_16.47.31.jpgCarenado quality shines through again with their version of theBaron, and I believe they are consistently one of the top teamsdeveloping aircraft for the X-Plane platform. Their B58 being anothergreat example of the quality of work they produce at a fairprice. There are many differences between the various paywaredevelopers and their products, although in my experience, generallythe majority do a decent job. So where do you spend your money? Atthe end of the day what you spend your money on all comes down to afew things in my opinion: a particular affinity for a certain type ofaircraft, the types of features you enjoy, the developer's reputation,and clearly the price being asked. From what I have experienced, this is a high quality, beautifullypresented twin engine GA aircraft. It handles well, has enough bellsand whistles to keep you entertained for hours on end, and it allcomes at a competitive price! /images/reviews/b58baron/b58-baron.jpgStuart McGregor Purchase Carenaedo - B58 Baron for X-Plane 11 Additional Screen Shots Additional Screen Shots /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_16.48.38.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.37.45.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.39.18.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.56.56.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.12.10.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.13.09.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.51.58.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_21.54.54.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.11.20.jpg /images/reviews/b58baron/t/car_b58_baron_-_2019-05-09_15.11.42.jpg
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/images/notams/notams19/rep0411.jpgCarenado released a newBaron B58made for X-Plane 11 to replace the one for XP10 (which was yearsold). Now, a new Reality Expansion Pack is ready for it. It comes withall the features that made REP what it is now. Economic Systemincluded. The package is available at the usual price of $19.99. If you bought REP for the older B58 or for Laminar's B58 from theX-Plane.org Store, you get a 40% discount for this new package. Of course, the older package is not on sale anymore but it will becontinuously updated as long as feasible, like all the other packagesnot on sale anymore. So, if you own the old package for the XP10Carenado Baron, don't worry, we're not dropping support. About Reality Expansion PackThe Reality Expansion Pack for X‑Plane 11 and 10 is an add-on thatreplaces some internal parts of the sim with custom ones, greatlyenhancing the realism. It replaces and enhances the flight & ground dynamics, the defaultpiston engine, the electrical system, the landing gear and many otheraspects of the airplane, adding things such real world physics, newstereo sounds and extra 3D elements. REP also provides a damages system, a maintenance hangar and theinteractive ground checks. You learn how to use it and become a better pilot thanks to thein-flight tips: a simple and not invasive way to let you know whenyou’re doing something wrong to the airplane and how to fix theproblem. Source Carenado - B58 Baron For X-Plane 11
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/images/notams/notams19/care0409/care0409.jpgFeaturesVersion 1.1High-end 4K PBR (Physically-Based Rendering) graphics throughout, with ultra-realistic materials rendition (dynamic reflections, realistic metal and dielectric materials, etc.)Custom Bendix King KFC 225 autopilot with detachable pop-up windowRain effect support*In-depth FMOD sound design implementation, including atmospheric distance effects, realistic prop effects, etc.RealityXP GTN750 support (with 3D panel display support)Extensive VR support with snap points in every passenger seat (all knobs, buttons, dials, handles, etc. also optimized for VR usage)End-user customizable via Manifest.json file.Goodway compatibleEngine and prop design re-authored completely for XP11.30's new engine modelFlight dynamics re-authored for latest improvements in XP11.30.Librain support also includes visual ice effects on windows*Requires downloading Librain plugin. /images/notams/notams19/care0409/baron-3.jpgIncluded In The Package4 Liveries1 Blank textureNormal and Emergency Procedures PDFKFC225 Autopilot ManualB58 Reference PDFGeneral Information PDFRecommended Settings XP11 PDF /images/notams/notams19/care0409/baron-1.jpg /images/notams/notams19/care0409/baron-2.jpgPurchase Carenado - B58 Baron for X-Plane 11
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/images/notams/notams19/care0329.jpgFeaturesHigh-end 4k PBR (Physically-based Rendering) graphics throughout, with ultra-realistic materials rendition (Dynamic reflections, realistic metal and dielectric materials, etc.).Custom APS85 Autopilot with detachable pop-up window.Rain effect support.In-depth FMOD sound design implementation, including atmospheric distance effects, realistic prop effects, etc.RealityXP GTN750 support (with 3D panel display support).Extensive VR support with snap points in every passenger seat (All knobs, buttons, dials, handles, etc. also optimized for VR usage).End-user customizable via Manifest.json file.Goodway compatible.Engine and prop design re-authored completely for XP11.30's new engine model.Flight dynamics re-authored for latest improvements in XP11.30.Librain support also includes visual ice effects on windows.Purchase Carenado - B58 Baron For X-Plane 11