Hi,
I tried using for the first time the real time weather updating for FS X.  I tried flying a C130 Weather plane during hurricane Dean.  I wanted to semi experience the high winds effects etc.  My updates did not give me anything but clear skies. Any suggestions. Thanks in advance.
johnnp in ocala fl

What about X Graphics is that worth the cash too just wondering as thay have a discount i you buy both Addons togeather at the moment

That's what is keeping me from getting Active Sky X. Even the default weather in FSX has smoke rolling off my processor. 

I think the quality of the updates has more to do with the Jeppesen service and the rate at which it acquires information, or polls, the various stations worldwide.

I have just bought and installed the Active SkyX and X graphics and the quality is extraordinary.  What this bundle does is to install textures that match the sky conditions, so the ground looks more like the real thing when you are flying under overcast, or in rain.

It is a transformation for me, and I haven't yet begun to select alternate themes to suit my view of reality.

I haven't tried to fly into Hurricane Dean.  I'm glad that we can press escape on the keyboard - anyone flying into it for real would have a hard time.

Stupidly I once took a Seneca, real world, into a squall line at night. (it had no weather radar, except a swinging ADF needle). The vertical currents up and down were absolutely violent. Zero throttle and a steady descent in the updrafts, and full climb power in the down. And then I was spat out into clear air behind the line - so smooth the previous ten minutes were like a bad dream.  I was too busy flying to be scared at the time, but I sure had a big whisky when I got into my hotel.  A Category 4 hurricane would be fatal to small planes I suspect.

What a fantastic experience!  I would worry that at 500ft AGL it would be impossible to recover in a severe downdraft. 

Last night the east coast of Australia was suffering severe weather.  Using Active Sky X I set up a flight from the Gold Coast (YBCG which is some 60 miles or so south of Brisbane YBBN) and flew to an airport north of Brisbane (Bundaberg YBUD).  The Active X map facility, which opens as a window showed intense rain over the Brisbane region.  I used the FSD Navajo, took off in 25knots wind and low cloud and flew into the cell.  The simulated thunder, lightning and turbulence was impressive - I think a force feed back yoke and pedals would work well with Active Sky.  The flight ended in a GPS arrival into Bundaberg.  But I few Navajos in the real world, and I would not have wanted to be in that system last night.  In fact I think ATC actually suspended departures and arrivals for some time until the cell moved away.

I normally use Weather Maker for my real-weather experience. It's very accurate and the RX version even provides an early warning radar system. However, it does have its high operating requirements.