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| Posted by davidallen on Wednesday, October 18 @ 16:53:06 EST
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Since its release back on September 1st 2006 the latest version of Zinertek Technologies complete night texture enhancement for FS2004 entitled Ultimate Night Environment 2007 has received several glowing reviews from both users and industry commentators.
We thought we'd hand it over to our resident ATPL and expert reviewer David Allen to see what all the fuss was about. In this review David gives us his thoughts and a few tips for getting the most out of this night environment upgrade.
Introduction
This is a very quick review... because there is not a lot I can say. This is an enhancement patch that just makes night VMC flight.. Fun and entertaining
This is a product directed totally at those who like to look outside the aircraft and fly VFR at night over populous areas.
It is a scenery enhancer that takes the night environment and sparks it up to a very high level.
Once again... very much hardware dependant, but if you have a good graphics card, good monitor and set the scenery generations to highest settings......WOW.
For the purpose of evaluating this software, I loaded and spent the night playing around the skies of Australia and various American cities at night in a Cessna 182.
The manual suggests that you fly this at night, in a low lit or darkened room to gain the full effect... and I totally agree. As dark as you can get the room... the better the experience will be.
If anything... the enhancement was a little too bright and gave the impression that light generated on the ground was the prime function of the entire program rather than flying the aircraft.
Has the Software Translated to FS9?
Yes, the graphics and views outside the aircraft particularly if flying on partial panel are mind blowing...
The documentation provided is good in what it explains and must be printed and read and used, not to run the program, but to make sure it is set up properly.
Documentation comes in the form of an Adobe generated manual and has some interesting points. As you would know from other things I have written for AusFlightSim, I am always less than impressed with accompanying documentation... this time it is precise and well worded and is actually helpful.
Mention is made in the notes that for best performance, wind cockpit view back to either 0.75 or 0.5 to get the best out of the system.. I totally agree but would add the comment... or as a check captain... the command... On approach and landing... remember to wind the view back up to 100% so the final phase is realistic.
Summary
This is a good product. There are some hitches.
Installation totally over writes scenery generation files within FS9 and does not come with an uninstall facility... so ALWAYS make a back up of your original system. That way you can revert if you do not like it, but I think that's probably not an issue.
On installation, read and comply with the instruction regarding set up of your video card particularly in relation the phasing. For best results ..load as much dynamic scenery as your system can take ...and enjoy the view ...I did!
OK some points scoring and my thoughts.
Realism......Hard to Define
Graphics......10
Sound......N/A
Documentation......10
Bang for the Buck......10+
Would I buy this......DEFINATELY YES
This is one well worth buying.
The Zinertek Technologies website can be found here:
http://www.zinertek.com
Ultimate Night Environmment 2007 by Zinertek Technologies is now available for instant download at The FlightSim Store.
Review by David Allen
(casperda)
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