Aerosoft AES VS FSDreamTeam GSX

[Ben Cap 89]

Just wanted to know....

[ZachLW 37]

I'm still using AES for jetways at supported airports. Otherwise, GSX is a massive improvement as far as animations and sounds. The problem is that GSX isn't hand tailored to individual airports like AES is, so it can make for some strange phenomenon. ie vehicles driving through fences. That's been rare so far, though. It's great to have at default airports!

[Ben Cap 89]

so it can make for some strange phenomenon. ie vehicles driving through fences.

Elaborate more on this. I don't really understand how this could happen.

[ZachLW 37]

Elaborate more on this. I don't really understand how this could happen.

Check out C1. Southwests' gate. Last night I called the catering vans, only to watch them speed around through the east wall and perimeter fence. This can happen at sceneries with obstacles near the parking spot. Also, push back out out of that area was obsurd. The push back vehicle had no clue where to put me. Obviously this is due to the generic nature of GSX (it's meant to work anywhere off of the AFCAD) and really shows when in confined areas like the example I gave.

[Ben Cap 89]

Ahh I see.... I am hoping to see some of these kind of bugs fixed in the next update. I will hold on to my money for now.

[ZachLW 37]

Ahh I see.... I am hoping to see some of these kind of bugs fixed in the next update. I will hold on to my money for now.

It's also worth mentioning that AES's latest update has provided some nice model updates. No more circa 2000 rectangles with squares for wheels. Again, AES is a program you should use for your favorite AES supported add-on sceneries. I'm not dumping it yet, but I have been using my non-AES airports more the past few flights thanks to GSX.

[Ben Cap 89]

It's also worth mentioning that AES's latest update has provided some nice model updates. No more circa 2000 rectangles with squares for wheels. Again, AES is a program you should use for your favorite AES supported add-on sceneries. I'm not dumping it yet, but I have been using my non-AES airports more the past few flights thanks to GSX.

If you have the time, post some screen shots in the screen shots forum! I'd love to see it!

[ZachLW 37]

If you have the time, post some screen shots in the screen shots forum! I'd love to see it!

Good idea! I'm preparing for a flight right now.

[alepro 15]

Hi,I just thought I'd share some of my impressions of GSX and compare it to AES:I have been waiting for GSX impatiently ever since it was announced on the FSDT forums. I own all other FSDT products (with the exception on POI) as well as many Aerosoft titles, and have used AES for 5 years now (first on FS9 then on FSX). When GSX came out yesterday I was probably one of the first non-beta people to install it, and I have tried it at a number of FSDT sceneries as well as the Aerosoft Munich scenery.My first impressions were really good - the animations and models look pretty good, although I have to say that I prefer the AES models that were updated in the latest version (2.21 I think). Unfortunately after bit of testing I am no longer so sure. What follows is a direct comparison between the two contenders (in the spirit of this thread).GatesGSX: n/a: Probably the biggest issue I have with GSX is that it doesn't do a thing about the gates. My experience with the FSX gates is erratic at best. Either they sink into the ground, connect in some wired sideways angle, or stop meters/yards away from the plane. Yesterday when testing GSX in FSDT's KFLL I even had a gate of the position to my right respond to CTRL-J and launch itself through my beloved NGX . The other big issue is of course that some of the best scenery designers don't bother with FSX animated jetways at all (Flytampa, some (all?) ORBX sceneries, plenty of Aerosoft one...the list goes on).AES: Full marks here, this is ASE's party piece. Oliver hand makes each one, and provided the intelliscene.cfg is correct all will work well. I haven't had memorable issues in 5 years.Advantage: AESParking Guidance (Systems)i.e. automatic docking guides or marshalers.GSX: As far as I have seen automatic docking guides are only added to FSDT sceneries, and it's a one size fits all. In reality there are many different systems. GSX models one (fictional) system.I also noticed that if a scenery comes with automatic docking guides (Munich) GSX will ignore that an still put a marshaller behind it as well.What is nice is that GSX gives you some simple parking feedback as was the case with the YouPark feature FSDT had previously. As far as marshalling is concerned, I'd say that both programs work equally well, although the animations of GSX are smoother in my eyes.AES: AES seems to model whatever is used at an airport in reality, wether it's a radar guided system with dot matrix display (Munich) or simple mirror system (some terminals in Heathrow).Advantage: AESServiceGSX: Well animated vehicles will interact with your airplane (tell you which doors to open when, open the FSX fuel and payload dialog when the fuel truck arrives). All vehicles have animated drivers. A paint kit will be available soonish apparently, and one can specify which repaint will appear at which airport and even gate (uses FSX AI parking codes apparently). I also love the bag loading animations and the fact that vehicles don't spawn directly next to your plane in plain view, but use the AFCAD to drive to your position. That gets a little wired when vehicles drive through taxing aircraft though. I also noticed that there isn't a whole lot of variety in the vehicles, which shows when you are in Europe. That U.S. style fuel truck and the roundish bus just seem out of place here.AES: Until very recently this is where ASE showed it's age - vehicles were poorly animated and the textures were just a little grainy. AES was of course a FS9 only product until version 2 came around. The new upgrade has fixed this issue just in time it seems (competition is a good thing, right?): Vehicles now have animated drivers (mostly anyway, the rest is apparently coming in the next updates), and even a paint kit is supposed to be coming. Unfortunately the updated vehicles also mean that some of the vehicle variety that existed until recently now is gone. I have only seen 2 different bus types as of late. Apparently more will come back with more updates. What is still a little ugly is that vehicles will just pop up close to you and disappear after driving only a few meters. I can live with that though. Also worth mentioning is that AES has deicing trucks. Nice for those cold winter days.Advantage: Tough call but I'd give it to GSX if you are in North America and to AES if you do most of your flying in Europe. Generally GSX has the smoother animations and better looking people though.PushbackGSX: My first attempt of a push back in GSX went very well and I love the way the aircraft tires and the nose wheel steering work. Strangely the truck and ramp agent will stand in the aircraft path until you release the parking brake well after engine start. Pretty daring ;-)Unfortunately I came across some issues. It seems that GSX will push you into the terminal building if you are parked right along side it. I have not come across a situation where GSX offers a "pull on blocks" manoeuvre or pulls me (forward) away from the terminal so far, but I haven't been everywhere yet.AES: Rain and sun on this score: AES always did something strange when it comes to pushback: The plane moves, but the tires don't spin and the nosse wheel stays straight at all times. It seems to me a kind of "slew" rather then actual push. Also I ofter came across planes that jumped erratically up and down during pushback. There is a setting in the aircraft.cfg that can be tuned to fix that, though.What is very nice though is that AES will push fairly realistically: If you are to close to a terminal building you will be pulled forward until you are in no danger to blast equipment and people around when you engage taxi thrust. Also you will be offered a "pull on blocks" manoeuvre, where that is applicable in real live.Advantage: GSX on looks, AES on function - a tie.PriceGSX: All FSDT airports as well as Arerosoft's Munich and Flightbeam's SFO are free! That is excellent customer service in my book. The rest of the world will set you back $40. The rest of the world you say? Yes - every airport in the world will have GSX support. Nice. But there is a little catch. FSDT have done something to their scenery/GSX configs to make sure that they work well together. I'm not sure what they have done, but they mention it in the manual (or their forum - not sure right now). There is no promise for some of that detailing to come to other airports. The airports AFCAD will determine how GSX will interact with you. I'm not sure just how big of deal that turns out to be, but the example of the marshaller guiding me in right under the automated docking system in Munich shows that some airports require adjustments. Will you get those? I don't know. Still it is pretty cool to finally get some service at ORBX's airports (all-though they are apparently working on their own "service system") and some of the other places AES hasn't touched.AES: The credit system means that you can be anywhere from 0 to 5 credits. With 10 credits costing $17 to $19 (inside the EU) that can get expensive fast! Sure you get some bonus credits when you own more then 3 credit packs, but If you wanted AES support in all supported airports you'd be looking at hundreds of dollars. Mind you if you really owned very supported scenery you'd have spend several thousands already. Nonetheless: If you only plan on flying to a place rarely and/or the scenery is not a favourite purchase, you'd think twice before dropping up to an extra $9.50 for AES support. The other issue is: The list of supported airports is long and ever growing, but most airports in the FSX world are not on it. Most good pay ware and some very good freeware is though. see: http://www.aerosoft....sairports.html.Advantage: GSX!Conclusion:GSX has some great potential and is you only option in many places, but I have to say that I will keep AES and buy more credits (which I have held of doing because I knew GSX was coming). Where is is available I just prefer it. I'm still on the fence wether I'll buy GSX, but I'm happy that my FSDT airports are supported out of the box, at no extra cost.

Edited February 2, 2012 by alepro

[ZachLW 37]

snipsnip

Reflects my sentiments exactly. Very, very good write up, alepro. Al. allen? Al. Perhaps you could share in the review section of the forums so more people can be exposed to it?http://forum.avsim.net/reviews/ Edited February 2, 2012 by ZachLW

[alepro 15]

Reflects my sentiments exactly. Very, very good write up, alepro. Al. allen? Al. Perhaps you could share in the review section of the forums so more people can be exposed to it?

Hi Zach,Thanks a lot for your feedback! I really should have signed my post, but I ran out of time, which is also my excuse for the atrocious spelling I just noticed ;-) If I get some time to fix it up I will post it in the review section; thanks for the tip I hadn't even seen that forum.Cheers,Alex

[Tomaz Drnovsek 440]

No jetways, that's the major problem for me. I think I'll stay with AES.If I use AES for jetways only and GSX for everything else.. do I still get this guy walking besides my airplane when pushing back from AES? Are than two guys if using both products?

[tf51d 284]

No jetways, that's the major problem for me. I think I'll stay with AES.If I use AES for jetways only and GSX for everything else.. do I still get this guy walking besides my airplane when pushing back from AES? Are than two guys if using both products?

GSX works on the 95% of FSX detailed default, and 3rd party airports, that support FSX animated jetways, vs the 3rd party static/AES airports in the remaining 5%. So if you ask me, It's these that are the odd man out now! It's going to be very hard for Aerosoft to keep up now, and I don't know how they'll be able to maintain the pricing structure for AES much longer! While I understand from the developers standpoint the amount of work for each airport makes it necessary, from many consumers standpoint AES just isn't cost effective anymore, at current pricing!! Edited February 2, 2012 by tf51d

[alepro 15]

do I still get this guy walking besides my airplane when pushing back from AES?

You'll get a marshaller walking out with the push back truck in both products.

[tf51d 284]

You'll get a marshaller walking out with the push back truck in both products.

Worse, would you get 2 push back trucks as well?