I had G2, but updated to AFPD. I don't fly 40%'s so I turn the sim speed up and add weight to the plane to get them to feel like my 25% ers. There are a couple planes out there that are a hand full when sett-up correctly (Black Extra and Katana). I like that there are new planes available all the time with no additional cost.

Kyle W, still uses G2 and can do all the 3D stuff on it, but I could not get the planes to act right with it.

I cannot imagine learning to fly without a simulator. The stick time on a sim wires your brain so you don't have to think about the sticks when you fly(there are plenty of other things to think about when flying). About 4 years ago I picked up a cheep sim called RCpilot from Tower for $60.00. I put about 30 hours in on that flying the most challenging plane with crosswind, practicing only take offs and landings. The first time out I soloed in a 10mph wind with my trainer.

I think of all the stick time I have, at least 75% of it is on a simulator. If you only get air time once a week it is a great way to wire your brain so that your field time is a lot funner.