I'm ready to purchase a simulator and I'm thinking I'm going to get G3 since I've read that the updates make it pretty decent and I like the multiplayer modes, but before I hit the button, I just want to make sure that G3 is the right choice. I am looking to practice my hovers, torque rolls, and other 3d maneuvers without risking my plane.

If I purchase G3 I should do it tonight since tower has $25 off right now.

schu

I bought G3 and have few complaints, really, and I don't know if the issues I have with it would be different with one of the other sims. It's also possible that the issues will be fixed with the upcoming patch/update, (unknown ETA).

I wish that G3 had more accurate snap & spin characteristics but otherwise the flight model appears to be pretty darn accurate most of the time, (I have about 18 yrs of R/C airplane experience and have also flown full-scale aircraft since I was 14). I've successfully learned some good hovering and 3D techniques with the help of G3 but have not yet learned the art of torque rolling in the sim.

A lot of people are going to post after me to complain or endorse G3, but the bottom line is that, like the other two leading sims, it has its pros and cons...

Oh, and you can get that discount often using Tower's ad codes that they email and advertise frequently, sometimes in addition to free shipping.

Good luck =)

Do you know of any codes right now besides the $25.00 off or a place to get codes from for tower?

Well I went ahead and purchased. I hope I made the right choice. I read a lot, and it seems you have people in all 3 camps. G3 was the cheapest option, and after the updates it has nice features like multiplayer which sounds pretty cool.

schu

Sign up to be on their email list if you want the Tower discount codes.

Tower won't usually let you combine discount codes, one per order. But if you join their club, I can't remember exactly what it's called Super Saver or something, you get free ground shipping or discounted expedited shipping on all orders over $150. It costs about $15 a year or so, but I've more than made that back with the shipping discounts...

I bought the G3 earlier this week and i have been very impressed. The interlink controller seems to work as a normal gamepad on the pc and a friend gave me a copy of AFPD so i will try them both out soon. But honestly the main selling point was G3 is in very high demand on ebay all of them being sold between $140-$170 so i figured if i only needed it for a coule months or didn't like it i could get almost all my money back. Hobby town has it for $199 also thats where i got mine.

I'm looking for a flight sim to buy also. Are the Realflight and the AFP,AFPD around the same price? I really like the graphics of the Aerofly, but still have yet to check out the Realflight graphics.

I bought G3, based purley on the fact that G3 has multiplay. AFP has great looking graphics also (I think they both look equally good) AFP has free downloadable planes, helis etc. G3 charges you through the nose for add ons. It really is a toss up.

I think the planes in G3 look better. They all have sharp photo scenes, but those are just pictures. G3 has much nicer looking 3D fields, moving leaves, clouds, ect. This does take some computer power to appreciate. If you like to experiment, G3 is great. Very detailed with complete lists of actual OEM products to choose from. Say you want to try converting a that gas edge 540 to electric? You can do it by choosing from a list of motors, batteries, props, and more. See how that big AXI works in there. Or try a Hacker instead. It'll show you the performance numbers including current draw. During flight, the battery output level will decrease as the mAH's drop. You'll feel the planes performance change as you continue to fly. The display will show you the remaining battery power. There's really allot to play with here.

As far as G3 not having free planes, YET, like AFPD, well that doesn't bother me. I had Reflex, and there were plenty of planes available. But 90% of the time, I used just a favorite few. The rest was just fluff. Reflex also had lots of photo scenery to download, but most of them were just pictures w/o any collision detection. You'd see an object in the background that you could never hit. The plane keeps getting smaller as it flies towards it, but never hits anything! Maybe AFPD is better in this regard. I also like the view choices better in G3. I think the Always Show Ground view helps at times to keep orientation for aerobatics.

OK, rant (rave) over. From what I've read and seen, they're both pretty good. Each camp has their opinions. Keep in mind the G3 does need more computer/graphic hp to run in the 3D airports. You'll get 2-3 times faster frame rates on the photo fields (depending on settings). I think AFPD's performance is supposed to be slightly better on their 3D fields, but they don't look as good, less going on there. If you need a control, AFPD offers one, but people say G3's Futaba control is much better. It's nice, probably not as good as your real radio, but you can also connect your radio through it as well if you prefer. Or use them together for split screen action. ( Dam I'm still ranting!) sorry.

Hope you enjoy whichever one you choose!

Good rant...er...rave.

oops. I didn't see this post until after I asked. Sorry for the unnecessary post. [:@]