USA Extreme Landscapes for FS2004 & FS2002

by Abacus

Product Features

• Add-on for Microsoft Flight Simulator
• Transforms American landscapes into highly detailed, magnificent views
• Boosts detail 15-fold and replaces elevation data with 38 and 78 meter info
• Experience pre-planned tours in the Piper Dakota from Carenado

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0001F0XGU
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: CD-ROM
• Release Date: April 20, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,063 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Flight Simulator lets you travel to places that many of us only dream about. What better way to visit the USA? From the craggy heights of the Rockies to the plush, green Appalachians and from the majestic Pacific Northwest to the rugged Southwest. And by simply adding USA Extreme Landscapes you'll instantly transform these places into even more magnificent views.

Based on Flight Simulator's adaptable elevated mesh terrain technology, we've boosted the detail 15-fold. We've replaced the default elevation data with super refined 38 and 78 meter info. The result is an incredible scenic accuracy bringing the Flight Simulator experience even closer to reality.

For your "flightseeing" pleasure you'll fly our pre-planned tours in the superb Piper Dakota from Carenado.

Additionally, noted writer Doug Horton recreates his real-life summer vacation as he flies from Chicago to Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons where you'll see these extreme landscapes up close from the Piper Dakota.

Enjoy your flights.

Product Description

The beauty of Microsoft Flight Simulator is the boundless geographic places you can visit. You can just as easilyfly over the vast unexplored desert or the rugged remote wilderness. To borrow a phrase from the famous DrSeuss with Flight Simulator: "Oh the Places You will Go".Drop in USA Extreme Landscapes and we'll transform thesemagnificent places into even more visual spectacles. This new adventure package delivers an extreme level of scenic accuracy that you'll have to see to believe.How do they do it? Using Flight Simulator's elevated mesh terrain technology we've replaced the default elevation data with higher resolution 38 and 76 meter info which increases the detail 32-fold. The detail is "so real it's unreal!For your "flightseeing" pleasure fly the pre-planned tours in the venerable Piper Dakota from Carenado. You'll be able to fly "low and slow" and have a chance to see the new landscape up-close.You'll enjoy the new landscapes with new adventures from noted writer and private pilot Doug Horton. Doug outlines his recent cross-country flight from the Chicago area to Mt Rushmore Yellowstone and Grand Tetons as well as other adventures that explore the grandeur of the USA.Format: WIN 9598MEXP Genre: ENTERTAINMENT UPC: 090869555469 Manufacturer No: S546

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good package for FS 2004, July 20, 2006

By 

J. Turner Jr. (Titusville, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: USA Extreme Landscapes for FS2004 & FS2002 (CD-ROM)

I purchased this product before I knew about "World Extreme Landscapes." Given a choice, I wish I would have gotten "World Extreme Landscapes" instead because it covers most of the globe for about the same price as "USA Extreme Landscapes" and therefore is a better value. "USA Extreme Lanscapes" is still a good value when you consider that it also includes a very nice 'payware' airplane (a $17 USD download at Carenado's site) and some preplanned 'adventure flights' to exotic locations. The terrain mesh is produced by Justin Tyme and FSGenesis so I believe it is the same mesh that is offered at FSGenesis' website (except without a membership to get updates).

The "USA Extreme Landscapes" CDs installed without a problem to my computer and run well in FS2004. There is a small performance hit from adding the higher resolution mesh, but it is very slight and can be easily compensated for by turning down options like autogen density if necessary. I sent in the registration card to get the bonus Hawaii and Alaska meshes but I never received a reply from Abacus.

The new mesh improves FS2004's topography and makes VFR flying possible. I feel the most dramatic change comes to areas with rolling hills and ridges; I am able to explore my home region of Northwestern Pennsylvania and navigate by ridgelines and river valleys. Unfortunately, the default FS2004 placement of rivers, lakes, towns, highways, etc. is somewhat generalized and improved terrain meshes like "USA Extreme Landscapes" tend to highlight the base product's inaccuracies. Also, "USA Extreme Landscapes" is not a landclass makeover and it does not alter the existing terrain textures or add new/improved ones. Coastlines, etc., are not made more accurate. To understand what this product will do for FS2004, simply look at the terrain you currently have and then imagine more contours in the landscape.

One effect that I had not anticipated is that some of the airfields and airports now sit on tables, cliffs or mesas instead of being flush with the outlying terrain. In some instances this anamoly might actually be more realistic than what is portrayed by the default mesh -- I'm thinking specifically of the international airports at Great Falls and Billings, Montana, that are located on ridges overlooking their respective cities.

Overall, there are other products that will give you more territorial coverage or offer landclass improvements for equivalent money, but "USA Extreme Landscapes" is a good addon package for the casual FS enthusiast who wants ease of installation and a few 'extras' like the Piper Dakota.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flight simulator enhanced landscapes, March 3, 2006

By 

C. J. Bernas - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: USA Extreme Landscapes for FS2004 & FS2002 (CD-ROM)

I have both Microsoft FS 2002 and FS 2004 installed on my computer. I first installed without trouble this Extreme landscapes to my FS 2004 and it works well, giving much improved detail for USA landscapes. However, I was not able to install the program to my FS 2002 program, which as mentioned above, is on the same computer. I emailed the program vendor (USA Extreme Landscapes) for support, but received no reply. Bottom line: a good program, with the caveat mentioned.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Maybe I wanted too much, January 13, 2007

By 

Louis E. Willhauck "Just the facts, Ma'am" (Mesa, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: USA Extreme Landscapes for FS2004 & FS2002 (CD-ROM)

I got this and put it on... hard to really tell that much of a difference, but perhaps I am just not flying in the right areas... It does seem like the mountains are a bit more realistic/true... but still a middle type item that I am glad I bought 'used' at a cheaper price.