No question MSFS looks better graphically. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, though, and I think P3D looks fine. Even during a GA flight from Palermo to Sigonella I’m impressed. And for airliners, unless something is just ugly, I am not going to notice it. But, I will admit that it takes much more investment to get P3D looking the way I want it to look. So that means Orbx has gotten more of my money to get P3D there. So, yes: MSFS looks better, and P3D requires add-ons to get it looking good enough for me, which is still not as good as MSFS.

But the flip side is I think MSFS sometimes lets down the experience in its own ways. For a map-based terrain system, it would be nice to fly from my home airport and recognize my local area (Southern Illinois). You know, plug in your zip code and get a download of local details, maybe? I suppose my expectations were raised too high by the hype. And flying into Manama, the “flat” satellite images of ships at the pier are a real eyesore I’d rather do without altogether. Anyway, until the equipment I want to fly is available in MSFS, the issue is moot for me. LM may (help) put the first woman on the moon before that happens or fix EA. Who knows?

Mark, I admit I just haven’t put enough time into MSFS to learn how to get the controls I carefully set up to “stick.” I think I get them saved; either I don’t or don’t find them. So, I’ll concede that objection is invalid. I have health issues that limit my flying time so fooling around with two different sims is more challenging for me.

I’m not anti-MSFS at all, and can’t predict the future any better than anyone else. The huge big difference is that Captain Sim is developing jetliners for P3D, not MSFS. If that changes, great. I confess to being a CS-onlyist, and not because I don’t own “study level” sims, a phrase that always cracks me up. This is the highest-quality “survey sim” company in my view. They have a house style I like so I know what to expect, and I can now fly a 737-300, 757, 767 and an L1011 (don’t think I have the 777 yet and I hope there will be more true classics). One is a true classic, one is I guess I’d call “transitional,” and heck, the others are not exactly fresh off the assembly line. In other words, they not only tick my personal boxes, but I like the CS aesthetic and just enjoy having a fleet that is from the same developer. Maybe that’s just me.

There’s also the intangible “loyalty” factor, I suppose. I’ve taken my share of guff for liking CS, think the community is great, and have a weak spot for the underdog.CS had always treated me more than decently as a customer and my