Lord Farringdon

I concur. I noted this shortly after purchasing Sydney Cityscape (immediately prior to the WU coming out) and kind of hoped that the World Update would sort it. Sadly it did not. Like you Adam, I didn't raise the issue since the Sydney Cityscape is an awesome product and I had read somewhere that joining bridges is an issue for MSFS anyway, so I guess I gave Orbx a pass on that LOL. But it would be nice if they could fix it. Cheers Terry

Thanks John. I have purchased and downloaded. Will check it out tomorrow night. Thanks again. Cheers Terry

So if I now wanted to buy Sydney landscape while you have it on sale, for all the reasons you mention regarding all the extra coverage that the Landscape title gives, will it work with WU7 out of the box or do I have to hold off placing it in my community folder until Orbx advises it has been updated and is now compatible with WU7?

Oh Man! What have I done wrong now?

Hi Guys, Just following up regarding my earlier request to see Bean Rock Lighthouse included in Orbx's next Auckland Landmarks update. I flew over this area low and slow when I first downloaded the product and I did not see it there. So maybe I missed it somehow or maybe Orbx have in fact just updated the file. If you have just updated the file team Orbx then another well done guys. This is a superb and detailed model that accurately portrays not only the lighthouse itself but also the iron lattice work and the access ladders. Excellent work. Two thumbs up! Cheers Terry

Hi Guys, I just re-read my comments above and probably need to clarify that I didn't mean Orbx hadn't modelled any buildings in Manukau because they have, ie 1 taller building, the colourful Rainbows End tower and the Vodaphone events centre at the very least!! All excellent models too. I guess I just mean that in reality there are a number of tallish buildings in that area along with the large Westfield shopping centre and all associated lighting that together represent a far more conspicuous landmark and visual reference point for the approaching pilot (especially if cleared for the visual approach) than the smaller number of buildings and landmarks currently modelled. Cheers Terry

Hi Guys, Just purchased Auckland City Landmarks Pack. Verdict?...Outstanding! The water masking that shows the low tidal flats with all the mangroves is so cool because that's just what we see most of the time flying over Auckland, not the full tide version everywhere which as you know is short lived in reality! The mangroves and estuaries are such a Kiwi thing too well at least I grew up with them where I lived out at Laingholm as a kid. But for those for whom Auckland is just another place to look at, let's just say Orbx have modelled this particularly well and you can be assured that what you are seeing is very close to realism. This of course is about landmarks and the Devonport Naval Base (HMNZS Philomel) is always visible across the harbour to workers and visitors who may be relaxing on the waters edge of the CBD. It was good to note the HMNZS Taupo (a small Loch Class frigate) and a few of her sisters were berthed there along with an unknown Anzac Class frigate either HMNZS Te Kaha or Te Mana. Moving along past the Naval Base we get to Bayswater Marina, just one of a number of Marinas modelled by Orbx in the Waitemata Harbour including, the Outboard Boating Club, Half Moon Bay Marina, Orakei Marina, and West Harbour Marina to name just a few. It's not surprising. Auckland is known as the City of Sails and the Waitemata Harbour is the gateway to the Hauraki Gulf and all the beautiful Islands, beaches, fishing and diving spots you could imagine, so there are a lot of boats that need a home! The harbour bridge is a good but not necessarily excellent rendition of the real thing. Cant really put my finger on it, maybe its scale? Maybe its the size of arch, but one has to avoid being supercritical of something just because you have seen it all your life. In fact, I'm so old I actually saw the harbour bridge being built!! So I don't take anything away from Orbx's representation of it which is still very good. And, on the the top of the bridge, Orbx haven't missed modelling the New Zealand flag flying alongside the Rangatiratanga or Maori flag representing the two peoples of our nation. Turning past the bridge and back toward the Auckland City, the morning sun glints off the glass high rises and the Sky Tower reaches above everything as the most visible Auckland landmark. As we approach the city we fly over the well modelled West Haven and the Viaduct Marina's before passing the historic ferry building, the downtown waterside venue called the Cloud (which has some superb night lighting effects) and then the container wharves aptly modelled with all the cranes and straddle hoists. Do take a drone ride and wander the streets a little and you will see the Millennium Hotel, the historic Town Hall, and equally historic Civic picture theatre and of course the beautiful St Matthews in the City church, all very good renditions. There is lots of other detail around to find as well but you will need to do more than one trip. And, let's not forget Eden Park stadium, Mt Eden lookout, One Tree Hill and its monument and of course the Auckland Domain with it's beautiful museum, all modelled in this wonderful pack. Night lighting is very spectacular too! It's a pretty city at night in real life and it is in the Auckland Landmarks pack as well. Nothing is perfect but Orbx have come close. But as always there are things that can be improved. In real life, the lights and buildings of Manukau city are just slightly off the centreline for RWY 05/23 NZAA and if they had been modelled, it would of made a nice link between Auckland Landmarks and the Auckland Airport. I used to fly with the RNZAF many years ago (non-pilot) and we did many training circuits in C130's out of Auckland and many B727 VIP flights. Manukau city both day and night was not just a land mark but also a turning point and a visual reference point so maybe in a future update, Orbx can lift that area just a little. It would be a real boost to the immersion. Another chap on another forum mentioned some missing hospital buildings and I noted there were some conspicuous apartment blocks missing in the centres of New Lynn, Glen Eden, and Henderson, although I note those on the North Shore are there and look very good! That said, I guess there is a point where Orbx aren't going to do every building in Auckland and the focus has to be about Auckland CBD, waterfront and the nearby areas otherwise it gets a bit obscure unless you are an Aucklander like me who has flown over Auckland city much of his life!! So I am saying Orbx you have done an excellent job and as an Aucklander who has a birds eye view image of Auckland from flying over it so often, I can say the product looks pretty damned impressive both day and at night! However, there is one glaring omission . Bean Rock! Its an historic lighthouse first lit in 1871 that anyone who has ever been on the Waitamata Harbour will have seen or sailed passed. It's right there at the entrance to the harbour and is very much a landmark of Auckland. A must for the next update please Orbx. Finally, how about an Easter Egg. I would like to see the statue of the famous mayor of Auckland Sir Dove-Meyer Robinson. For someone so famous it seems strange in reality that his statue is oddly small and in an obscure position in the city. But he was a enduring personal landmark of Auckland so next update Orbx let us all search for Rob and see him on display. "If only we had listened to Rob" was the oft heard phrase. So far as install was concerned, well I had a few problems with the download but I'm pretty sure that was my crappy internet. Steve at Orbx patiently dealt with a frustrated me and got it all fixed. So, great support Orbx and a shoutout to Steve. Auckland City is a jewel poised on the edge of the Waitamata Harbour which in itself is the gateway to our maritime playground the Hauraki Gulf and its beautiful islands. To repeat a byline from the past that means more now than it did then, the combination of MSFS as a life like simulator and Orbx's excellent interpretation of Auckland City, creates a scene and an experience that is "as real as it gets". 9/10 guys and I highly recommend this product. Cheers Terry PS, I am no manner affiliated to Orbx in any way, shape or form. But in this case they just deserve a good old fashioned pat on the back for delivering a good job on a city I have lived in all my life and one that I am very proud of.