One thing to consider as dbcisco and opjose have brought up is how "good" the software performs "out of the box". RealFlight has had some issues with G4.5.


Directly from the KnifeEdge Software site:

10/28/2008 RealFlight G4.5 goes Public:

RealFlight G4.5 adds a number of often requested features, including:
- New aircraft
- New airports
- Improved ground handling with realistic sounds and ground terrain
- Improved aircraft detail using normal mapping
- New multiplayer with live voice chat and the ability to block other users
- Depth of field feature keeping your aircraft the visual focal point
- Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced physics settings with unlimited custom settings
- Many new user-interface graphics and features


10/31/2008 RealFlight G4.50.024 available;

FIXED BUGS:
Fixed a crash bug related to collisions
Splash sounds do not cause a crash when too many other sounds are playing simultaneously
The heli rotor speed governor allows a faster spoolup for some throttle curves, and is more consistent on resets
Electronics components and servos reset properly when the aircraft is reset
Smoke servos do not get stuck on
Quick Select airport selection gadget tab is disabled during multiplayer
Disabling normal maps reduces the amount of RAM used
Helicopter rotor blades take their strength modifier into account when determining when to break off
Aircraft parts that break off are affected by the wind
Scrape sounds stop playing when the airport is changed
KEX Import Wizard does a better job auto-detecting the type of object being imported
Imported windsock objects display properly
Pylon Racing event ends after being completed successfully in single player mode

along with some other “upgrades” and non-bug fixes.

11/03/2008 RealFlight G4.50.025 available;

FIXED BUGS:
(Changes marked with an asterisk are new in .025 vs. .024
Fixed a crash bug related to collisions
Splash sounds do not cause a crash when too many other sounds are playing simultaneously
*Fixed two potential crash bugs related to a large number of sounds playing simultaneouslyThe heli rotor speed governor allows a faster spoolup for some throttle curves, and is more consistent on resets
Electronics components and servos reset properly when the aircraft is reset
Smoke servos do not get stuck on
Quick Select airport selection gadget tab is disabled during multiplayer
Disabling normal maps reduces the amount of RAM used
Helicopter rotor blades take their strength modifier into account when determining when to break off
Aircraft parts that break off are affected by the wind
Scrape sounds stop playing when the airport is changed
KEX Import Wizard does a better job auto-detecting the type of object being imported
Imported windsock objects display properly
Pylon Racing event ends after being completed successfully in single player mode

And it continued;

12/17/2008 RealFlight G4.50.031 available

12/17/2008 RealFlight G4.50.032 available

12/19/2008 RealFlight G4.50.033 available

01/09/2009 RealFlight G4.50.035 available

01/13/2009 RealFlight G4.50.036 available

02/20/2009 RealFlight G4.50.038 available

03/16/2009 RealFlight G4.50.043 available for testing

03/25/2009 RealFlight G4.50.045 available for testing

04/07/2009 RealFlight G4.50.046 available for testing

04/08/2009 RealFlight G4.50.047 available for testing

04/10/2009 RealFlight G4.50.048 available for testing

04/17/2009 RealFlight G4.50.049 available for testing

04/21/2009 RealFlight G4.50.050 available for testing

If my math is correct that's a total of 15 version upgrades designed primarily to correct “bugs" over a six month period.

I think we can all make our own determination as to whether or not G4.5 was a “buggy” piece of software.

Although I do think it’s commendable that the issues were corrected as quickly as they were.

Please don't misunderstand my comments ... RealFlight G4.5 had issues and people need to be aware of that. But, comparing FSOne with RealFlight? In my book there's no comparison, RealFlight wins hands down! But then it's twice the cost of FSOne ... RealFlight as also taken a huge step changing their upgrade policy to allow owners of previous versions to upgrade for a minimal cost and not have to buy a whole new program. (By the way G5 will be out in a few short weeks.)