RE: PC simulator vs the real thing?
not to be a nay sayer but I don't really like the electronics, the radio (tx and rx) are good but the servos and gyro are not. if you want to get the most out of the blade 400 you'll end up replacing all the servos and the gyro with better.
I doubt that the blade 400 will be the last heli you own if you really start to enjoy it.... it's ok but really is meant as an entry level trainer which can be upgraded to fly pretty well.