All Thumbs,
I've been thinking about buying AFP. Do you have the version with the controller, or just the interface version? If you have the version with the controller, can you use your own transmitter? I have a JR 8103. Also, isn't there a security device that plugs into a serial port? Is it 9 pin or 25 pin. Is it a pass-thru device allowing a serial device to be plugged into it?

Hope you or someone else can help answer my questions.

Thanks,
Bobby

kk5zc, I have the interface version. It plugs into a regular 9-pin com port. You could plug into a 25 with an adapter...it doesn't care. I'm using my Futaba T8UAF with it and it works like a charm. To my surprise, I could also use my G2 controller...and in fact, I can use them both at the same time with a split screen (for same-machine multi-play). You could actually use a regular joystick (as if you'd ever want to).

I'm going to say that the connector cable itself is the security device. When you first start the program it checks for the com connection as soon as you move the mouse to attempt to use the program. This happens whether my transmitter is plugged into the interface cable or not. The program starts regardless. Since I'm too lazy to unscrew the com connector I won't check whether the program is halted if that's off...but that's probably what should happen. There is nothing else attached. The interface cable itself ends in a "Y" that has two different types of plugs. I believe you'd use the one different from mine but the manual says its ready for both Futaba and JR (along with others).

I had a lot of concerns myself prior to getting this...especially with what I listed above. It all works just like I wanted it to, and hoped it would (whew). It's no harder to install than G2 (assuming you have a free com port and don't have to mess with that). Hope this helps and feel free to post again or send me an email if you have any more questions. I'm having a blast with this thing.

Chuck

Edit: Ok, curiousity got the better of me. I had to see if the program would run with the com connector off. It will not. It's not a pass-through device, it's a little bigger and must have a little circuitry in it (it can be taken apart...it's bolted together). If you get the version with the controller, it must have this device simply as a plug with no wire coming from it.

anybody.
What the heck is flying in 3D?
I thought all flying was in 3D.
Boating is 2D to me unless you have a submarine.
Don't know the lingo!
Tom

In a nutshell...because you can get better answers in the 3D forum:

The simplest definition is flight below stall speed (that's NOT comprehensive). This includes things like hovering and harriers, where you're not using your wings for lift (or much lift). Most 3D manuvers rely on engine power to make them happen and your propeller becomes a major lifting agent...instead of just being used for propulsion.

I have my own definition of normal flight...I call it 2 1/2 D because you move freely in two dimensions (like you would in a boat), but fight gravity in the third. You "climb" and "dive" more so than just going "up" and "down".

Hope that helps, but like I said, there are more complete answers in the 3D forum if you do a search.

Chuck

I have the version with the controller. However, the package also comes with a serial cable that connects to your transmitter's trainer jack. I'm currently using my own JR XF631 with the sim without any problem. I also tried it on my JR 8103, and it worked just fine. You can't be in PCM mode though, so you have to switch to FM (PPM) mode, and your radio has to be turned off.

By the way, I really like AFP over G2. The physics is better, the scenery is better, the view is better, and the planes just feel more realistic.

And it is cheaper

gp g2---best thing since buttered bread.

I've spent many hours with GP G2, and it doesn't even come close to AFP.

Check out this [link=http://63.246.139.60/ikarus.wmv]awesome video[/link].

The thread where the video can be found is [link=http://www.joeycomputers.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=479&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start =0&sid=b6116e19a4c70807824076ad91e9d62a]here[/link].

Realflight G2 with the USB controller and all the Add-on volumes. I use it all the time and couldn't be happier with it!

[link]http://www.cafreestyle.com/3dflying.htm[/link]

Very nice videos !

HOW can you beat G2??!! Still can't hover a damn heli though.

Give me a big enough hammer and I'll show you!

AMEN!

I've said it before, I'll say it again. RealFlight G2 allows me to sharpen my flying skills when the weather is bad, allows me to try out new maneuvers without worrying about crashing my plane and to practice hovering a heli without worrying about replacing a bunch of expensive parts if I crash.

It's worth every penny I paid for it.

Just my 2 cents.......

Best regards,
Mike

PS - I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year........!

I was curious, and added everything up. here it is:

RF-G2 19
AFP 7
FMS 6
RCFS 3
RCPlanemaster 2

Summary:
Nearly all who fly both RFG2 & AFP, prefer AFP. The popularity of RFG2 seems to be from its good graphics/sound. I would add, RFG2's sucsess is also due in large part to an aggressive
add campaign. And, yes I bought one too. I'm happy with it, but it's limited by my computer's ability as much as my ability.
Phred

Great synopsis Phred! RCU should hire you to clean up every thread .

Believe me, preferring AFP in no way puts a black mark on G2. And G2's popularity goes way beyond the graphics and sound (AFP's aren't far behind by the way). It really works and does an excellant job of simulating and teaching RC flight. It also does a better job with the field of view, and therefore ground reference manuvers, if you use the "look at ground" feature (IMO). If you're starting out and you want to learn how to accurately fly landing patterns...G2 is the tool. For 3D and advanced stuff, there's just no comparison with AFP for sharpening those skills. Honestly, I'm glad I have both.

If your machine is limiting you, remember: For learning to fly on G2 you don't need any of that eye candy. Turn off all trees and such. All you need is the ground and runway. Trade the "extras" for the best resolution you can get with a decent frame rate. I run both G2 and AFP in 1600x1200, but just go as high as your computer will handle. You'll learn more quickly by seeing detail in your plane, rather than the ground, and developing a better feel for it's orientation.

Chuck

Anyone have Realflight G2 they would loan or lease, don't want to invest $250 to learn that I am never going to fly, I have a Heli and dont want to try to put it in the air without some experience first. Please help.

You could try getting a used one of the trading forum, or ebay.

I'll sell you my RF-G2 system w interface for $189.00 + shipping.
Very little use and I am the registered owner so the support is transferable.
Tom
937 788-2456
[email protected]

Well, you already have a helicopter so it seems to me that you ARE going to fly. But beyond that, you obviously have some interest so I'd just like to say that these sims are fun on their own merit. Even if you were never going to fly I think you'd enjoy using them. It's not necessarly the case that if you'll never fly for real, they're worthless. I have a friend who will likely never get into this hobby, but believe it or not, he loves to fly on my G2 program, and keeps bugging me to do so. I still think it's worth the money, and it'll give you a nice little feel for the R/C experience...even if it's all you ever do. You'll get a feeling of accomplishment learning to tackle the sticks with the program (not to compare too much with the real thing...that experience is phenomenal...stick with it!)

Chuck

I think helihobby offers the best price now on the interface version http://www.helihobby.com/html/aerofl...simulator.html at $129

Don't worry about the expansion pack as it is not such a big deal. I have the expansion pack and I don't really like it. There are enough good planes and helis in the original volume and I am pretty sure the models and sceneries in the expansion pack will be downloadable for free soon

Soundman,

RealFlight helps, but you have to learn to fly the heli. There is nothing like trying to hover the real thing. I am in the process of trying to learn to fly a helicopter too. I can fly a racetrack pattern when I'm flying on RealFlight, but I am still in "hover mode" when I fly the real thing. It's harder than it looks!

Get with one of the guys at the field that flies helicopters and ask him/her if they will work with you. I'm sure they will.......

As I've heard it said......... "if you aren't flying, you aren't trying!"

Best regards,
Mike

Yes you can get AeroFly Pro right from OMP or AeroFlyPro.Com. We are also including the Addon pack at no extra cost.

We have a couple videos you need to see. One is a TOC pilot using AeroFly Pro and he videotaped it with his home video camera. If you don't think AeroFly Pro is not the best you may want to check it out. You can see the video on the front page at www.aeroflypro.com There are 2 videos, look for the one with the text link. IT ROCKS!

Thanks