Havent flown XTR but if graphics are what you are interested in then IMO it wins hands down. I was a hard core 3D learner and wanted to crash into it head first after buying RF G2 and add ons 1-5 i realized for 3D it was nothing more than an overpriced video game. Nothng of what i read about 3D flying was consistant with RF. As you know RF and addons are very expensive and I was very disapointed in learning that even the down loaded planes dont poses the physics to simulate a real 3D plane at the field. As I know now NOTHING really does but I figured there has to be something closer than RF for 3D. AFP hands down best 3D sim on the market IMO. I love it and I can relate it to the field there were some suprises when transitioning a plane from the sim to the field but they wernt monumental enough to make it a learning experience all over again. If general flight characteristics is your thing and getting the planes attitute adjustments down is still new to you then go for any of the sims they will all do a good job. But if 3D is in your future and price is a factor AFP is the one IMO.