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Update Review : Evektor EV-55 Outback v1.2 by Auctusdelineations


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Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Header.jpg

 

Update Review : Evektor EV-55 Outback v1.2 by Auctusdelineations

 

An ever quick improving developer will always get an audience, but also the respect that purchasers of their products can be reassured that the purchase they invest in will be improved and developed to a finer and better degree. This is certainly a more important factor if it is the developers first or early designs to build up confidence on both sides of the same equation. And so it is with Auctusdelineations first aircraft for X-Plane in the Evektor EV-55 Outback.

 

After the initial release only a few months ago here is an already significant update in v1.2. You can read X-PlaneReviews original release review here: Aircraft Review : Evektor EV-55 Outback by Auctusdelineations

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Head 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Head 2.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Head 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Head 4.jpg

 

My early comments were that the EV-55 was a great and nicely developed aircraft, certainly in the modeling quality as the aircraft does look very nice in any light with that PBR reflective metal and transparent glass feature.

 

But it was a little rough around some edges and hence the lower-introduction price of US$14.95. The EV-55 was also very favourably received and users liked it a lot and there is no reason to see why not, but there was a few areas that could have been improved, and in this v1.2 most of those points have been addressed.

 

The first point to make is that the Evektor is still a prototype developmental aircraft by Evektor-Aerotechnikand from the Czech Republic, and Auctusdelineations first initial release reflected that design, with an empty rear cabin with just the exposed prototype airframe for comfort. So there is no reference on what the EV-55 would actually look like inside with a developed passenger or cargo version.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Proto 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Proto 2.jpg

 

This original layout is still included in the package as a separate aircraft noted as the "Prototype". But there is now a new version as well called under the older name of "Outback" and this version in v1.2 comes with both a passenger and cargo layout. All versions also now have opening rear doors as well to enhance the overall dynamics of the cabin area of the aircraft.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Pass 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Pass 2.jpg

 

And very impressive the passenger cabin it is as well. There is lovely blue molded seating which is modern in design and looks very well laid out in two single files of four seats on the left and a row of five seats on the right for a nine seater aircraft. Set out behind is a baggage area held in by netting and the bags are literally thrown in on top of each other, but it is all very well done.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Pass 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Pass 4.jpg

 

The Cargo version is just as good.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Cargo 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Cargo 2.jpg

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There is a wrapped pallet of goods centre and a palleted box, drum and smaller boxes set out in the rear by the opening doors, in the real back baggage area there is more stored boxes of various sizes and the three sets of netting separates all the various areas. It is all really well done but the cargo is not weight dependent on you setting the aircraft weights, in other words you get the full cargo load at any aircraft's set weight.

 

Doors

The front pilot(s) doors opened on the original release aircraft but they were only a last minute addition with no time for the rears. 

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Doors 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Doors 2.jpg

 

In v1.2 that has been fixed with the rear doors being in two sections and now opened out for one a two up and down passenger entry and a second door to open up the entry space wider to load in the cargo. These doors have been added into the "prototype" version as well, and I really like the modern material used on the internal areas.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Doors 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Doors 4.jpg

 

There are two new opening nose baggage compartments as well, that adds in even more baggage storage and they are filled out with light bags and a briefcase.

 

The door(s) animation can be activated three ways. One by touching the door handles inside, but this way is quite tricky in closing them again. Second is slider settings from slider 1# to slider 6#. A third way to access the animation is via a pop-up menu that is disguised as a "Log Book".

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Log Book 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Log Book 2.jpg

 

It took me a fair while to find the Log Book as it is positioned on the left of your instrument panel and not in the door pockets were I thought it would be sited. Once pressed it hangs in mid-air for access and the door animations are located in the lower framed area. The passenger and cargo configuration change can be done via the right side checkbox and to close the pop-up again you press the "Dismiss" box lower right.

 

It is actually really well done and looks authentic, but you can't use it as a real log book...   but it does leave it open to any other animated or static ideas later.

 

Instrument Panel

The instrument panel has had attention as well. Those weird yokes are still with us? but the rest of the panel is now looking pretty good.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 2.jpg

 

The panel's layout has been changed around a bit to accommodate the larger GNS530 and a right positioned GNS430, where as before there was a stacked two GNS430s together centre panel...

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 4.jpg

 

...    far right now also includes in the co-pilot's instruments a VOR dial, I would always prefer the VOR pointer version, but it looks good.

 

Two other items to be noted is first the "Altitude" setting knob for the S-Tec Fifty-FiveX autopilot has been added mid-panel...

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 5.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 6.jpg

 

...  which many users asked for, and the mid-screen compass has been completely remodeled with a 3d internal dial and it looks far better than the original version.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 7.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Panel 8.jpg

 

A few of the instruments were a little blurry and this has also had attention in this v1.2 update. They do all look far better and more sharper and thankfully more readable, but the Artificial Horizon is still a little bit more blurry than the rest up closer, in the normal eye position it is fine, but it does stand out now as the only instrument that does now noticeably stands out than the others.

 

The Heading Dial/HSI instrument Bendix King Ki825 instrument is still very small but very good and has been made more distinct. You do however have to still work out your heading before you adjust the dial if you are doing 90º turns as the heading pointer goes off the display, a trick is to set your course pointer and use the pointer and dotted cross as a reference at each 90º angle to the runway. The course and heading adjustment knobs are also now the right way around. The built in ILS alignment is very good as well if only a little on the tiny side.

 

Although there is an external power source (switch), you don't get any GPU (Ground Power Unit) yet.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Flying 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Flying 2.jpg

 

FMOD Sounds

Like most of all recent updates the Evektor also now gets the FMOD 3D sound engine.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Flying 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Flying 4.jpg

 

Although the application of directional sound is certainly better. The sounds are not great or better. In cruise there is an annoying high hum that hurts your ears and the speakers had to be turned right down so it doesn't hurt your drums with all its thrumming. Change the throttle position and in the lower speeds the sounds change not gradually but in a significant jump, same with throttle application and you go from idle to full sounds in a blink. So instead of a range of sounds they are quite stepped in certain parts of their range, mostly in the lower. I think they could be good overall, but they need more tuning to the FMOD engine.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Flying 6.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Flying 5.jpg

 

  It is the same with the flight model. It is a great aircraft to fly but it has a few quirks that you need to adjust to.  I did find however the more you fly the EV-55, then the more you tune into it, certainly in its throttle ranges and power positions. You also have to set the VOR2 directly and not in the local map and the autopilot has to be double-checked to make sure it is not on for takeoff and after landing or at any point you need manual control, and that means everything lit on the display has to be off including heading and altitude or any set positions.

 

Liveries.

 

The original EV-55 had two liveries and are both faithful to the two original prototypes.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Livery default White.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Livery default Chrome.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_Livery OK-DRM White.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_Livery OK-DRM Chrome.jpg

 

The four choices consisted of both white or chrome spinners (white is better)

 

Three new liveries have now been added to the package with: Forward (wavy lines), Camouflage (Very nice) and "The Raven" which is quite arty striking.

 

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Livery 1.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Livery 2.jpg

Evektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Livery 3.jpgEvektor EV 55 Outback_1.2_Livery 4.jpg

 

Summary

This is a significant update for the EV-55. It fills in a lot of missing spaces (mostly in the rear) with passenger and cargo versions, and puts in the required animated doors in the rear and bonus front baggage compartments...  all items have been really well executed and certainly rounds out the package to far better degree.

 

Lots of nice updates that certainly means the developer is listening to their customers in a better GNS530/430 arrangement, altitude setting for the S-Tec Fifty-FiveX autopilot. Instruments have had attention to make them more clearer and less blurry but the Artificial Horizon still is a little on the blurry side closer up.

 

The new FMOD sounds are however a mixed bag and needs more fine tuning as does the flight model in a few areas (the Flight Model has however come a very long way since its first release, it is just a little bit more of that fine tuning is needed) but to note that definitely the ground handing which has been addressed in this update is now far better. But as users note, the more you fly the EV-55 the more you tune yourself into it.

 

The Evektor EV-55 started off as a quirky aircraft that didn't really fit into any category. It is aimed at the Caravan, Twin-Otter and Brittan Norman Islander markets and it is a great evolution of that small regional feeder aircraft.

 

It does seriously grow on you the more you use and fly the EV-55. And in this more active v1.2 role it is now than just being a prototype aircraft and you do find yourself with a very capable aircraft and one you really can get a lot of great flying in and with a lot of fun thrown into with the bargain. Yes there is slight price increase, but you get a far more rounded aircraft for your money and also three versions in Passenger, cargo and prototype as well with three new excellent liveries.

 

In a short time the EV-55 has come a very long way, it is a great fun aircraft and worth the investment, it is different...  but in a great and nice way.

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________
 

X-Plane Store logo sm.jpg

 

The Evektor EV-55 Outback v1.2 by Auctusdelineations is NOW available! from the X-Plane.Org Store here :

 

Evektor EV-55 Outback

 

Your Price: $19.95
 
Features:
  • New 3D Sounds using FMOD Technology (X-Plane 11 only)
  • Accurate flight model
  • Detailed, animated 3D model inside and out
  • High quality textures
  • Animated pilot
  • Fully functioning cockpit
  • Cabin doors open/close
  • Wreckage model
  • PBR reflective metal and transparent glass
  • Start-up sheet and control map included
  • 5 liveries

 

 

Requirements

  • X-Plane 11 or X-Plane 10
  • Windows, Mac or Linux
  • 2GB+ VRAM Video card
  • Current version: 1.2 (last updated October 13th 2017)

 

Installation and documents:

Download for the Evektor EV-55 Outback is 274 mb and the unzipped file is deposited in the "General Aviation" X-Plane folder at 366.90mb in size.

 

Documents provided are:

 

  • EV-55 CONTROL MAP (panel diagram)
  • EV-55 spec sheet
  • EV-55 Startup Procedure (checklist)
  • Startup checklist
  • EV-55 painkit (gimp)

 

Changelog v1.2

 

Added customized 3D sound via FMOD

Improved the interior of the aircraft, adding lots of details and enhancements

Now includes 2 variants, passenger and cargo. Cargo and passenger interiors are both included in the main .ACF file, switchable dynamically

Also including an empty interior version true to the initial prototype's avionics. It's a separate .ACF file called "EV 55 Prototype."

Animated the rear passenger door, cargo door, and baggage doors in the nose. Doors are mapped to Door #1 - Door#6

All doors have manipulators, and when open allow the cockpit-camera to move outside the aircraft to manipulate doors from the outside if desired

Added a "log-book" object that when clicked brings up a menu that can be used to open/shut all the doors and switch between cargo and passenger variants

Added three new liveries


Avionics:

Added a Garmin 530.

Added a altitude preselect for the autopilot

Added a 2nd VOR display, on the copilot side

Magnetic compass totally remodeled and animated in 3D


Fixes:

Fixed the DME off switch.

Removed glare from some screens

Fixed some intruments getting blurry at lower texture settings

Improved readablity of the HSI

Added green glow to Garmin dials

Reversed the HSI controls and displays to better match the real
instrument

Improved the accuacy of the COG, especially along the vertical axis

Fixed a typo that made the horizontal stabilizer less effective

Improved the accuracy of the hydraulics

Adjusted the flightmodel to imroved handling at low speeds and during the landing phase

Adjusted fuel consumption to make it more accurate, especially in the X-Plane 10 version

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

Review by Stephen Dutton
16th October 2017
Copyright©2017: X-PlaneReviews
 
(Disclaimer. All images and text in this review are the work and property of X-PlaneReviews, no sharing or copy of the content is allowed without consent from the author as per copyright conditions)
 

Review System Specifications:

Computer System: Windows  - Intel Core i7 6700K CPU 4.00GHz / 64bit - 16 Gb single 1067 Mhz DDR4 2133 - GeForce GTX 980/SSE2 - Samsung Evo 512gb SSD 

Software:   - Windows 10 - X-Plane 11.05

Addons: Saitek x56 Rhino Pro system Joystick and Throttle : Sound - Bose  Soundlink Mini

Plugins: Environment Engine by xEnviro 1.7 US$69.90 : WorldTraffic 3.0 Plugin - US$29.95 : XPRealistic Pro v1.0.9  effects US$19.95

Scenery or Aircraft

- KRSW - Southwest Florida International Airport by Aerosoft (X-Plane.OrgStore) US$24.99

 

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