This place: http://www.tti-us.com/sim has some decent deals, and good support. I got a JR 631 radio, buddy box, USB Sim interface, and FMS with 700 planes and landscapes for like $139 or so. I think he also does Backyard sim for the same price? It's a good little store for learning newbies, and maybe instructors also. No G2 on there, but no big prices either. - Joe

It looks like this interfaces, despite being USB, only works with FMS (and may be the crappiest piece of software--Cockpit Master).
Is it worth spending money on FMS-only interfaces?
For people willing to live with the simplicity of FMS, there are plenty of free or almost-free solutions: interface schematics, freeware XP drivers, etc.
[X(]

Can you point me to a free/almost free solution that is compatible with XP and a JR tx?

That seems to be a difficult combination.

Thanks

If you've got a radio to control it, FMS is one good way to go cheap. Actually, you can use the keyboard, but that's not going to help you fly an airplane later on. FMS is free, and if you dig around in this forum you'll find Serial Port > Radio interface plans that work with XP. That's as cheap as I can think of.

G2 is really nice, but (and I may be wrong!), it comes with it's own non-radio controller so you can't fly using the same sticks you will be using with your plane. It's landings are a lot more realistic than FMS. But it costs $200...ouch!

The guy at the LHS almost sold me Realflight G2 when I bought my trainer and didn't know anything. I'm very happy I didn't get it. FMS taught me how to steer coming back at myself, the basics of landing, turning, and such. I get to use either of my radios with it, and can be had with 700 planes and landscapes and a usb interface for about $50 I wonder how much 700 planes would cost you for G2 with their little expensive add-on packs? - Joe

P.S. Is FMS the only Sim you can fly Mary Poppins with her umbrella, and go really slow over yourself to see up her dress?

i have a website that i sell Interfaces from. each interface includes a free copy of FMS on a CD. i also make an XP/2000 interface. the win95/98/ME interface is 16.00 and the XP/2000 interface is 19.00 shipped. The XP/2000 interface works as a joystick in windows and works with almost all sims not just the free one.

http://www.mattclement.freeservers.com/fms/fms.html

Does the one that works with XP also accomodate a JR tx? You say that it will also work game sims like Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 3?

If you have one that does this, I will have funds on the way!

Thanks,
Brad

The above is from buckeyes1997's website. Looks like a great FMS bundle using serial and parallel cables for the Futaba type interfaces though! I don't know why a JR interface would be harder, it's only 2 wires, but then, maybe it's digital or something that makes it complicated?

I was surprised to find out the JR buddy box cable is nothing more than a straight through 3.5mm M/M mono cable (walkman headphone end, non-stereo). They sell 5' ones at Radio Shack. 5' is kinda short, but they have M/F extensions. Heck, if you need a JR buddy box in a hurry, it's probably like $10 for one at Radio Shack with the extension. Has anyone tried this? I don't guarantee it! - Joe

> I don't know why a JR interface would be harder, it's only 2 wires,
> but then, maybe it's digital or something that makes it complicated?

JR uses the same PPM signal format (albeit different voltage).
If some vendors don't sell interfaces for JR, this means that they don't know $h1t about RC!

What's the point in buying a parallel or serial interfaces for FMS when you can do it yourself? Go to FMS forum (there's a link on FMS fite to their forums) or search RCUniverse--there's plenty of info for parallel and serial interface schematics, including JR.
[>:]

I've never found one, but I'll keep looking. If someone finds one, could you do us a favor & post it here?

Thanks