His latest review takes us to an utility that manages a almost forgotten device, the force feedback joystick, called FS Force by Dirks Software:

“Hello fellow sim-pilots!  Today’s review is another different type of review.  It is along the lines of my last review.  It’s an add-on, but not mission based nor scenery, but it goes a very, very long way as far as immersing you in the FSX experience.

In my last review I asked a question, wouldn’t you love to be able to make your simflight experience much more realistic without spending hundred or maybe thousands of dollars on a home made cockpit?  I guessed then as I would now that the answer is yes.  I mean if you can afford full motion, triple monitor fan blowing through your hair type accessories…good for you!  Myself…not so much LOL.  I found 5 dollars in an old coat pocket the other day and did a four minute happy dance LOL.

This product is called Dirks software FS force feedback for FSX (It can also be purchased for FS 2004 and 2002, (which unfortunately I did not have access to the two later versions at the time of this review, so this review is based on the FSX version).  I will give you some good news right now as well, if you are lucky enough to own all three versions, you can save EUR 15 right now at www.simmarket.com if you purchase all three versions at the same time.

Now, needless to say, you must own a force feedback joystick.  If you are not sure if you have one….you don’t.  Force feedback simply means you receive tactile responses felt through your joystick during different events or “feedback” from a game or simulator.   So if you lower your landing gear, you feel a thump as you hear the gear safely being stowed away below the plane.  Or a strong vibration if you are half asleep because you can’t stop playing with your new feedback program and taxi onto a field instead of the runway LOL.

Once again if you read my review on the Multi Crew Experience, I again was completely blown away by how much more satisfying, and immersive this program makes FSX.  It does not cost a lot of money, and the extra sense of the vibrations of the runway, the shudder you feel as you are about to stall, the extra hard thump when landing a little hot….or a lot hot and your joystick will let you know that this was not your best landing.  The most amazing part is just about every single part of his program is adjustable to your own personal tastes.  Again this just amazes me for the cost.

I hate to keep referring to my last review, but again, The programmers of this product are aware that there are several different types of joysticks out there, and any number of computer configurations, for example I use a Saitek EVO force feedback joystick, but there are so many more, so you are STRONGLY advised to download the product, try it out, see how incredible it is LOL, no prejudice here huh? But honestly I loved this product, and once you are satisfied that it works properly on your system, then you purchase your activation code.  Again, if you look above now is a great time to purchase because you can make all three versions of flight sim extra immersive for a very small investment.

Now just because you have tested the program, and it worked, and you bought the licence, that does not mean you will not receive top notch customer support.  In fact, if for some reason it does not work or you feel something is just not right get in touch with Dirks software’s customer service.  This is another very good reason to invest in this product.  The support is excellent.  They responded to my first question about a tiny mishap I had in less than two hours.  I obviously can’t guarantee that time frame for everybody, but come on folks, that is pretty darn amazing.  They never once made me feel computer illiterate, which I have admitted before, I am not totally illiterate, but am pretty close J.  They will do their very best to make sure you are satisfied, but still, please make sure you test before you buy.  It’s software and we all know that software simply is nonrefundable due to the nature of the beast.  (And I say bonus points to the programmers for allowing us to try before we buy by the way, how many times have we bought a product, that either doesn’t work, doesn’t live up to what it claims etc, and guess what it’s all yours. Take advantage of an honest developers offer and try this out, you won’t regret it.)

Okay back to the review part…I guess the reason I am so excited about this new type of add-on is that it makes flight simulator feel brand new again.  You find yourself re-flying missions you accomplished a very long time ago, because you want to experience it with the new feedback. I even flew completed missions with different airplanes to see if they would feel different, and yep, they did!

I would even go so far as to strongly suggest getting yourself a force feedback joystick (Sold separately) if you don’t already have one just so you can buy this program.  I have personally always felt that Microsoft completely dropped the ball when programming in the feedback for us force feedback owners, but Dirks software has fixed that problem and did an incredible job in the process.  You can even set and save your own retooled settings and make this program your own as you have choices from heavy’s right down to small planes and everything in between.  You can change the strength, frequency, friction, cornering forces, touchdown force, and so very much more I won’t mention because you should experience the multitude of choices and so many different strengths of forces for yourself.  You know, even though it isn’t mission based, there is a sort of replay value with this.  Set it to full, set it to middle, whatever you like the most and of course each time you change the feedback values, you change your flightsim experience.

I can only hope that Dirks software has some more tricks up their sleeve or some new ideas they are working on because I know I would love to feel this kind of feedback in the CFS series as well.  Hint, hint, nudge, nudge, LOL.

So in conclusion, you will need this program and a force feedback joystick.  If you are anything at all like me you will also need to say a quick goodbye for a few hours/days….to your wife/girlfriend, boyfriend, etc. because this program sucked me right in and while I thought I was just sitting down for maybe an hour to see how it felt…..I looked up at the clock and almost five hours had passed.  My wife wasn’t exactly my biggest fan that night, but between you and me…..it was worth it LOL.  (Again a look into the mind of proud sim pilot geek, I better be careful before someone does actually get emotionally scarred witnessing the depth of geek I am capable of J LOL).

Okay…once again I will stop gushing about this excellent product and give you the breakdown so you can get over to the web site and see for yourself what a great program this really is.

1. At a glance:  Fantastic value for the cost.  Just try it and if the extra immersion doesn’t affect you, I don’t know what will.
2. Installation:  EXE.  No problems with installation, and if there were the customer support is excellent.  Again, try before you buy!
3. Documentation:  Good.  Everything is explained in simple English, with several suggestions on how to adjust the strengths for different feedbacks provided by this program.
4. Textures and presentation:  Not really applicable as far as graphics.  Presentation they also get an 11 on a scale of 1 to 10. Oh no now I am recycling jokes.
5. Extras:  You can adjust just about everything, making this even more of a bargain because of the replay value.

The only other thing I can say is, if you don’t have a force feedback joystick, see if you have a fried who does.  Ask to borrow it because if you are a true flight sim fanatic, this program falls into the must have category.

Doug Zabizewski
zmanff

P.S.  I welcome opposing views, suggestions, comments, recommendations, etc.  In that light I would like to make myself available at the following web site, which also happens to be a good news source, and has a pretty interesting forum.   I will do my best to respond to any and all comments. Also please keep in mind, I am not paid to review any products.  These opinions are mine and mine alone.  J (You can find me under either the name Doug Zabizewski or zmanff, it kind of depends on my mood J).

www.simflight.com

At a Glance:

============

• Developer: Dirks Software
• Installer: EXE – Easy installation. Great support if any problems.
• Documentation: DOC – Good. Lots of suggestions.
• Modelling: FSX Format – Not really applicable.
• Texturing: BMP – Not really applicable.
• Extras: Complete immersion, makes the simulation feel fresh and new, excellent support.  Oh and did I mention….it’s on sale!!! At www.simmarket.com
• Download Size: 193 Mb
• Price: EUR 29.69 without VAT EUR 24.95 (Don’t forget to check out the sale as well)
• Purchase Link: http://secure.simmarket.com/dirks-software-fs-force-for-fsx.phtml
• Test System: Intel Core2Duo E2220 @ 2.40 GHz-2.40 GHz, 4Gb RAM, Nvidea Geforce G100, Windows Vista Home Premium SP2 (DX9), Saitek EVO force feedback joystick.

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That is going to be the FSAddon Publishing stand, aka Its Your Plane stand, aka simFlight stand, aka FSLabs stand….. since I’m involved in so many things and companies….. oh, and we give away simMarket bags, if you’re interested !

Clearly visible on this picture is the unexpected invasion of  our display space by some bunch of flightsimmers pretending to be the KLM Dutch Airlines. I hear they are going to fly all through the night on Friday and Saturday…. pitty, now I don’t have a chance of pushing them towards the toilets and get my space back.

Read more about this in the ‘Mystery of the Lost VA’, soon in this bookshop.

A shot from behind, still a lot of work to do. Looking towards the reception desk and entrance. My neighbours are PC Pilot, like every year.

Notice in the fast approaching darkness and just behind the rental van, a DC-2 ! Flanked by a DC-3. How cool is that ? Must go out for a bit tomorrow to get you some better pics.

People are assembling entire cockpits for this show. Only to be disassembed again 48 hours later. Urghs ! I wish I had one in my office… wouldn’t mind taking it a bit longer to build than 4 hours !

Will be full of fanatic air controllers and virtual (networked) pilots tomorrow, and hopefully bristling with visitors again!

One of the hobbyists rooms. Here’s you’ll find IVAO, a group of Belgian clubs, Rob Cappers with his DC-2 !

Our Belgian friends seem to have bought the inventory of an entire garden centre. They all have these nice garden tents. Good idea actually !

Well, more news when we have it… hope to see you there tomorrow !!!

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The previous Cloud9 support email address will still be usable, and  questions sent to this email will be answered by FSDreamTeam support.  
However, we suggest start using the FSDreamTeam support address for  Cloud9 questions right now, because it might result in faster reply  
times.
The Cloud9 web site and forum will be active until January 31th, 2010.  However, starting from today, the Cloud9 forum will not accept new  
registrations and new posts: if you don’t have an account on the  FSDreamTeam forum already, you are welcome to register and post your  
questions there.
This agreement will also have the following effect on product released  by Cloud9:
- Over the next weeks, all Cloud9 installers will be updated to use  the same installation routine as FSDreamTeam. This will fix any  possible compatibility issues and remove any requirement on the order  of installation for products released by the two companies which might  
have existed in the past.
- FSDreamTeam will be able to publish fixes for any issues that might  be found in Cloud9 products, or to improve compatibility with newer  Operating Systems.
- Cloud9 has agreed to give FSDreamTeam the rights to use part of the  previously released Cloud9 products, to create entirely new versions,
to be sold by FSDreamTeam…”.

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Now, I have friends who stubbornly maintain that this is ONLY happening to ME and that I must be the cause of all the trouble. Me and my questionable PC skills. Well, maybe so.
Fact remains that after 30 years of tinkering with these things I would think I have built a reputable knowledge and experience in doing so. Seen every brand model and make, and had every operating system from good old CP/M, through PC-DOS, MS-DOS, OS/2 and a few hundred I forgot already. I even programmed them. From the old IBM mainframes and HP mini’s, through all sorts of microcomputers and PC’s. In all sorts of languages too, although having started with clean and modular PL-1 wasn’t really helpful in debugging Z-80 and 6502 ‘machine code’. Or spaghetti Cobol source for that matter !
Just to show you… been there, done that. Admittedly I was a lousy programmer. I guess that’s why I soon wound up in management, and I am sure my former employees would agree.

But think about it. What tool that you have in your house NEEDS you to ‘tinker’ with it for more than 30 years and still not get it right?
Just sayin’.

So no wonder then that there are literally hundreds of Flight Simulator support forums full of posts by bewildered users, asking the weirdest questions about the most baffling problems. And many thousands of PC support forums to add to it.
There are just way too many variables I any PC system. The hardware already presents us with a couple billion varieties, add to that the many (versions of)  (MS!) operating systems, all the software people acquire. And oh yes, for some reason most PC users are real packrats ! ANY customer I go to these days has stuff on his/her PC that he/she has never ever used ! But I digress. Much like your PC does on a daily basis, and much as you do browsing the Internet every day. Right?

The final touch to the misery of not-working PC systems comes from Flight Simulator add-ons of course. That’s what you wanted to hear, didn’t you? Got to stay on topic here !
Yes, FS add-ons come in all sorts, sizes, flavors and (non-)qualities. And they can really f..k your PC, beyond repair and beyond belief! But truth be told, a lot of the blame goes to Windows and its dark inners. Oh, and FS itself… I don’t think anybody at Microsoft really knew all that went on inside anymore… and now certainly there’s nobody left to know. So how can you blame add-on makers for the mess they sometimes create on your desk ?

I mean, even reputable add-on programmers and publishers regularly blow up my FS installation and sometimes even the PC! It happens when two bits of program apparently don’t want to live together.
And NO, there is NO WAY you can find every problem through beta testing. See for WHY above. Just too many ‘options’. But it makes life of the ‘support departments’ hell. Especially when you know that most of these ‘departments’ are usually made up of only one person and his dog, no matter how many different email addresses you receive from them!

Finally, did I mention the PC owners? *cough*. I think about 80% of the global support time is spent on problems that find their origin between the back of the chair and the front of the keyboard.
But as much as I would urge people to NOT TOUCH ANYTHING, because I know they will mess things up, how can you credibly tell them with a 30-year tinkering industry behind you?

Oh, and yes, I hear you… the ‘Mac fans’. “Never a problem, no need to tinker, always works out of the box…”. Yeah, yeah.
Well, if Steve Jobs had done a decent job, he’d have bought X-Plane and made a good flightsim out of it running on a Mac. Capice?!

Yes, on a clear day, I could very well do without my PC’s………

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“Like the Indian braves of the old southwest whose favourite in battle was the small speedy Mustang, young fighter pilots today, with their newly won wings, almost without exception want to the fly the namesake of that sleek and powerful warhorse. And no wonder. For the P51 is truly a pilot’s airplane. It ranks with any fighter in the world.”  P-51D Pilot Training Manual, 1945….”.

“…… Specifically developed from the ground up for Flight Simulator X, Aeroplane Heaven has made no compromises with the modelling of this wonderful warbird, which represents the actual aircraft ‘factory-fresh’ as in 1945.

Real-life pilots have been involved from the start of the development to ensure accuracy inside and out. WWII-era flight manuals have been followed to ensure that everything works as it should, from start-up to shut down.

Once in the air the help of restorer and experienced P51D owner-pilot Maurice Hammond has ensured this P51 flies just as good as she looks. Choose to fly Maurice’s own aircraft – ‘Marinell’ and ‘Janie’ – and you’ll even get to see Maurice in his distinctive helmet at the controls. Don’t forget to give him a wave when he taxis past!….”.

Available to download now .

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The BELL 412EP (Enhanced performance) is a medium sized civilian helicopter that can trace it’s heritage back to the Bell Hueys originally designed in the mid 1950s. This modern helicopter is power by twinned Pratt Whitney PT6T-3D turboshaft engines with a cruising speed of approximately 140 mph. It can be configured to seat up to 13 passengers or converted to carry cargo by removing the passenger seating.

Installation
The installer is simple to use, click on the executable and follow the prompts. The only input required is your registration number.

Configuration and set up
There is no set up needed. The next time you start up FSX and open up the aircraft selection menu you will be presented with your choice of 6 repaints under the heading Bell and Cera Simaircraft.

Documentation
The only document included is a Pilot Operating Handbook. It gives some technical specs, a breakdown of the switches, indicators, controls and instrumentation for each panel as well as checklists that take you from prestart to shutdown. A word of caution, Ctrl+E does not work to start the engines sufficiently for take off. My suggestion to those unfamiliar with helicopters is to read the manual before you find yourself wondering why you can never get off the ground. The manual can be found in the \Cera_Simaircraft directory created in the root of FSX

Visuals
First impressions were very positive. Both inside and out you can tell that a lot of work has gone into this helicopter. Throughout the cockpit and passenger compartment you can see that they have taken the time to add lots of little extra details, the hydraulic lines in the bulkheads and foot pedal linkages stood out for me. The panel instruments are easy to read and needle movement is fluid, for the most part all of the clickable buttons and switches are functional. Zooming in close from the outside it was possible to read the instruments through the glass.

As much care has been taken on the exterior as the interior, panning around the exterior you see the detailed riveting and weathering effects. Exterior lights are realistic and not overwhelming in there brightness. Moving my foot pedals I watched how those movements were realistically mimicked. Other animations include working wiper blades and windows that can be raised and lowered. All of these small touches add to the general appeal of this package.

There are is a separate animation panel that lets you access some added features such as opening and closing various doors, hatches and covers, removing the passenger seats to convert to a cargo carrying configuration and enabling a GPU while on the ground. Again all of this adds to the overall immersive factor of this product.

Sounds
All sounds seem very realistic and of a high quality, especially the exterior engine sounds. As you pull up on the collective and the main rotor starts to dig into the air and you begin to take off it is as if you can feel the power.

Flying
Now on to flying the 412EP. Not being a pilot I cannot comment on how the handling and flight characteristics of this package compare to the real world equivalent. I will assume that the authors have strived to reproduce them as best they could within the constraints of FSX.

Flying this helicopter must done from the virtual cockpit as there is no 2D cockpit. It should also be noted that the autopilot system and moving weather map have not been modelled. I found that reading the labels for the switches on the overhead console to be difficult because of the angle when sitting in the pilot’s seat; however once I went through the checklists a few times and was familiar with them it was no longer an issue. I will mention again that to start the engines you need to follow a set procedure and it is very well detailed in the included manual. Certain aspects of flying helicopters are difficult. The art of hovering or landing softly on target are two that come to mind and this helicopter is no different. Practice, practice, practice in my opinion is the key here if you want to master them. With this helicopter once you get her off the ground you have to do the work keeping her straight and level in flight. There is no autopilot so it is up to you to fly this helicopter to where ever it is you want to go. That is what made this so much fun, the challenge presented to me to do exactly that.

Final Thoughts
This Bell 412EP is a joy to fly. You can’t help but love this bird; the graphics, sounds and handling are all first-rate. Anyone interested in flying helicopters would not be disappointed. This will make a wonderful addition to any pilot’s hanger.

My Ratings:

• Installer: Very good
• Documentation: Good, includes checklists
• Modelling: Excellent detailing and textures. Bitmaps were not optimized
• Extras: Paint Kit included and found in the \Cera_Simaircraft\Paint_kit directory
• Download Size: 89 Mb
• Price: EUR 21.99
• Link: http://secure.simmarket.com/cera-bell-412ep-fsx-sp2.phtml

Test System: Intel i7 920 @ 2.66Ghz, 6 Gb RAM, 8800 GT 512Mb video card, Win XP x64 SP2, FSX SP2

Richard Desjardins

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“…. MyTraffic X Version 5.2b Professional is a giant step forward compared to previous versions and a huge leap towards fully using FSX multitude of new possibilities. All included airports and schedules are in the FSX-format. The majority of the included aircraft types is already in the new, highly optimized FSX Service Pack 2 format, pairing top optical quality with ultimate performance…..”. Here on simMarket of course!

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A short video presentation highlighting the opening ceremony presentation of Prime Minister Balkenende on VSTEP’s Ship Simulator Professional will be available later here. For a firsthand experience and a more in-depth look at VSTEP’s maritime simulator solutions, visit stand 4.111 at Europort. For more information about Europort 2009 visit www.europort.nl…”.

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