FS2Crew Voice Edition for the Majestic Dash 8 Q400 was released today. If you are purchasing it (http://www.fs2crew.com/cart/products/FS2Crew%3A-Majestic-Dash-8-Q400-Voice-Control.html), don't forget to use Intercity's exclusive discount code (http://viaintercity.com/forums/discounts/fs2crew-30-off-all-products/) to get a huge 30% off ;D The retail price is €29.95/£24.75/$41.19 but with Intercity's discount it's €20.97/£17.39/$28.50 (prices correct as of 30th March).
As part of this release, Majestic have updated their Q400 to 1.00803 (http://majesticsoftware.com/forums/discussion/1296/imminent-patch-release-for-upcoming-fs2crew-release) which is pre-requisite to running FS2Crew. The update has to be installed over the MJC8 Q400 Pilot edition versions 1.008, 1.00801 or 1.00802. Majestic do not supply updates/patches directly, so your Q400 vendor should provide you with details of how to download the update from them in due course.
PS: As always, don't forget to backup your mjc84.ini, aircraft.cfg and any repaint textures before installing the update.
Just downloaded the hotfix (mjc8-400-Pilot-hotfix_100803) I hope it's the correct one it's only 30Mb (approx) not 500Mb! Which one have you got Chris?
Haven't got it yet, I was just guessing the size based on what Majestic said (sometimes they're a bit ambiguous)! If it says 1.00803 on it, then it must be. I'll update my original post to reflect this.
Yeah I've just checked the Majestic Doc info page and it has updated correctly....come on Chris get yourself up-to-date man ;D
Sadly I'm out all day today and most of the weekend so I'm not sure I'll get the chance to update, buy FS2Crew and use it until next week :(
It looks good though:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQl3MIZpSXk&#t=30s (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQl3MIZpSXk&#t=30s)
Nice vid Chris but I'm going to hold until you and the rest of the senior pilots give it a try and report back. As you say it looks great.
I use FS2Crew all the time with the Jetstream 41 and love it (I've tried the PMDG NGX version too, which is also good). The learning curve is steep but once mastered it's a great assistance and adds immersion too, although I would highly recommend everyone learn to fly their aircraft without FS2Crew first.
FS2Crew takes care of many mundane and time consuming items like setting V speeds for takeoff and faffing with the lights and control surfaces after landing. Also frees you to hand fly more as you can voice control the radios, autopilot, flaps, gear and icing systems.
You will need to able to set your Windows speech recognition to English (US) and spend 10-15 minutes training it a bit first.
Quote from: Chris Liu on Mar 28, 2014 12:03
although I would highly recommend everyone learn to fly their aircraft without FS2Crew first.
I agree with that Chris so I will hold off until I'm much better at flying this beast first, cheers
I'm sure you're better than me with the Q400 Steve, I'm rusty as I've been in the J41 more lately.
I wish Chris this beast is still a challenge to fly in the best of weather...add some icing wind etc and it is any ones guess what happens next. But that is what keeps me at it...I think :-[
Thanks Chris :)
Downloaded & installed latest hotfix, and just downloading FS2Crew now ;D
Will let you know my thoughts when I've had a good play with it, hopefully over the weekend ;)
Quote from: Sean Donno on Mar 28, 2014 20:21
Will let you know my thoughts when I've had a good play with it, hopefully over the weekend ;)
Cheers Sean, I'm very much looking forward to read what your opinion/comments are on the software. Happy flying over the weekend.
Early days still, but I am really enjoying this add on so far :D
It adds another realistic dimension to the sim experience, and definitely makes the workload easier, but you do HAVE to read and understand the manual, and learn the keywords and responses to give to ensure it works as it should. This involves a bit of learning, which takes time, so be prepared for this if you go for it.
The purchase, download & install is a breeze. I had to install and apply the English US language pack from Microsoft, but this is explained well in the manual and didn't take long to do (I'm using Win8.1). If you don't use speech recognition, and I never have, then you will have to do the speech recognition training on your computer. This trains the computer to recognise your voice. I will have to do this again, as when using FS2Crew it misses a few words I say. Easy to work around by just saying skip, and the co-pilot moves onto the next check, but another run through the speech training will probably fix these anomalies.
If you start it from boarding, you even get the flight crew chatting away and greeting people in the background, as well as the authentic noises of the passengers embarking. It automatically opens and closes the doors also, and you can request ground power and pushback by voice. The Copilot's seat is a bit noisy too! I even had to pan around the cockpit to see if anyone was there ;D
You can skip this and go straight to pre start checks, if your in a hurry though. I did a flight from EGCC to EGLC using it, and other than still having to refer to the manual at the moment to give the correct responses, would say it only took 5 minutes longer to get airborne. It is very cool to be able to call "after take off checks please", and a voice comes back and goes through them with you 8)
I haven't noticed any deterioration in computer or FSX performance, and to open, it is simply a press of a key. It loads in a few seconds and away you go.
So to sum up my initial impressions; I think it's a great value addition which adds another level of realism to this wonderful aircraft. The manual is well written and easy to understand, it's a breeze to install, open and in use, but will take a few flights to learn fully to get the maximum out of it. Very immersive and great fun ;D
Great info Sean, that was very much my experience when first trying FS2Crew on the J41. Hoping I'll get to try the Q400 version tomorrow night :-) By the way, Bryan has released some bugfixes, so the latest Q400 FS2Crew is now v1.1.
Great write-up Sean, thanks for letting the rest of know what yout first thoughts are with regards to this add-on.
Quote from: Chris Liu on Mar 30, 2014 23:21
Great info Sean, that was very much my experience when first trying FS2Crew on the J41. Hoping I'll get to try the Q400 version tomorrow night :-) By the way, Bryan has released some bugfixes, so the latest Q400 FS2Crew is now v1.1.
Your welcome Chris, and thanks for the update. It's not showing on FS2Crew site yet as any updates available, but I assume there will be a notification sent out.
Quote from: Steve Prowse on Mar 31, 2014 14:00
Great write-up Sean, thanks for letting the rest of know what yout first thoughts are with regards to this add-on.
Your welcome Steve :)
Quote from: Sean Donno on Mar 31, 2014 17:31
Your welcome Chris, and thanks for the update. It's not showing on FS2Crew site yet as any updates available, but I assume there will be a notification sent out.
Probably in a few days, but to obtain it now just redownload it from FS2Crew's website and install it over your existing FS2Crew Q400, details at http://forum.avsim.net/topic/438197-fs2crew-for-the-mjc-d8-q400-updated-to-v11/#entry2954927 (http://forum.avsim.net/topic/438197-fs2crew-for-the-mjc-d8-q400-updated-to-v11/#entry2954927)
Just got my copy now so I'm off to play!
To add to what Sean already wrote, I've just had my first flight with FS2Crew in the Q400 and it's great, although I am currently using a cheat/crib sheet to help me with the captain's flows and checklist responses, which is available from https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwk4xd6s32ybkti/q400flows.pdf (https://www.dropbox.com/s/vwk4xd6s32ybkti/q400flows.pdf)
One thing to note however is that it doesn't reduce your pre-flight workload as much as in the J41 or 737NG, mainly because the Captain/PF has more items in their pre-flight flow. For example, as the speed bug control is by your left knee you'll have to set all your takeoff and landing speeds, and on originating flow Captain/PF does all the audio/visual alarm tests. However once you are taxying the FO/PM does lighten your workload a lot and as ever it's very useful during approach as it allows you to keep your hands on the controls and eyes on the PFD and outside.
Setup was very easy as I've already configured and trained Windows speech recognition and set up my mute keys, I just had to add a command for Autofeather (which lets you open and close the FS2Crew panel). But I think a good wonder through the manual/tutorial is a must for those new to FS2Crew, the learning curve is as steep as ever.
Time to hammer the credit card again!
If it is as good as the previous versions for NGX then this sounds like a must have.
Quote from: Steve Prowse on Mar 28, 2014 13:47
I wish Chris this beast is still a challenge to fly in the best of weather...add some icing wind etc and it is any ones guess what happens next. But that is what keeps me at it...I think :-[
Well judging by your last logged flight in to LSGG with a -25 fpm touchdown rate, I'd say you've cracked it :)
Version 1.2 of FS2Crew Majestic Q400 Voice Control has been released.
Quote
1. PDF and on-line manual updated to clarify and correct certain voice commands. Please print out the current V1.2 PDF manual!
2. Bleeds Off Takeoffs - FIXED
3. Improved audio device handing. You should no longer have to select your headset audio device before pressing "HS" on the main FS2Crew panel.
4. Ground Crew commands and conversations - FIXED
5. FO will now only discuss ice detection to a maximum of two times per flight.
Version 1.1
1. Descent Checklist if Headset selected - FIXED
2. Set Cruise Power command (both engine modes should now change to MCR instead of just one) - FIXED
3. Shut down hang if Headset selected - FIXED. (But it's still good practice to deselect the HS button prior to exiting FSX should you ever experience a hang on shutdown.)
HOW TO GET THE UPDATE:
Login to your FS2Crew account, go to 'COMPLETED ORDERS' and re-download and re-install the product. There is no need to uninstall FS2Crew.
More details: http://forum.avsim.net/topic/438197-fs2crew-for-the-mjc-d8-q400-updated-to-v12/ (http://forum.avsim.net/topic/438197-fs2crew-for-the-mjc-d8-q400-updated-to-v12/)
thanks for the update notice Chris :D