Hello ,

I am looking for a RC Flight Sim s/w which will work with my futaba 6exa with ease. Is there one?

My only concern is money ! If there is a cheaper SIM which comes with a SIM and Transmitter, I 'll go for that.

As this is just SIM software with no wear and tear, can I get used SIMs? If so where??

In short which is the best RC Sim for the least money?!
Thanks
--747

I do NOT suggest a "cheap" sim at all. Please do yourself and those flying around you a favor and buy a real sim. G3 you can catch on sale for $175, AFPD is around that I think if you buy without the TX.(not sure though) Both are great choices. Also there's Reflex which might be around the same price.

the best value for money is the phoenix sim
go on rc groups or runryder where plenty of people agree

Have you ever flown a real sim?

just wondering...


50%

i only fly model simuators [reflex/afpd etc...]

The best sim for the money has to be FMS ... because it is free. Personally, I use G3. The sim will pay for itself when it saves you one crash. Just spend the $$

Seriously, good luck. This is a great hobby.

Carl

Best Cheapest one in Clearview at http:\\rcflightsim.com looks nice and realistic, but unrealistic crashes

You can always use FMS with an USB interface.
They are sold on www.rc-devices.com
Regards

My guess would be Phoenix. I'm using it for some days now and it runs great. All the planes I have in real are also in the sim ( Extra, Ultimate, trainer ...) and they feel like just the real thing. Cost me about 130€.
No problems installing it. Even the connection and calibration with my FC-16 went very easy.
I would recommend it to everybody.
I have never used G3 but if you asked me which is the best for the least money, every one will agree its Phoenix. It only costs half of G3.
Good luck

I own G3 and have for well over a year. I've tried FSOne and Phoenix and of the 3 of them Phoenix is the best. My only problem with it is that you must use your own transmitter. I like the fake transmitter that comes with G3. The fake one that comes with FSOne is awful.

I think it comes down to how they "feel" and this below is completely my Opinion.

1. FSOne is decent for airplanes but helicopters are atrocious. There is a reason you can't find any manufacturer videos of the helis. Wow are they bad.
2. RealFlight G3.5 (with the latest update) is a very good simulator. The physics are getting to be very good but it's taken a long time to get there.
3. Phoenix is a new kid on the block and still has a few issues but physics wise I think it is just a step above realflight for both planes and helis. Graphics wise I think it's a bit behind and as I said I don't like the fact that I can't use a fake transmitter (that's personal preference)
4. I have only ever tried the Clearview Demo and I do check it out from time to time still. For the money it is leaps and bounds better than FMS. It's not on par with the more expensive sims though but is a very good training tool for those that can't afford $150+ for a simulator.

I think 50%plane made the right comment at the outset. " I do NOT suggest a "cheap".... ".
747, what are you using the sim for? Your kids just to play with in passing, to actually learn certain realistic characteristics about model airplanes or Heli's?
Are you just looking to learn the basics to see if this controlled flight thing is for you or are you trying to learn certain techniques in your flying.

I could keep listing the questions but as was said before, do yourself a favor and spend the $$$. Around $200+. There is no substitute for the value of learning on a SIM at equal cost of your first plane with the unlimited savings per crash over and over again each time you try to learn something new.

If landing, torque rolls, recoveries 1 mistakes high etc. is relatively easy for a new flier..... the SIM may not being doing all that it should. You'll end up learning the reality though on your first, and forth and... real crash.

If you're serious about it, why waist the money on something that doesn't fully teach you basics and advanced stuff as you move along to transition to actually getting out there and flying. Plus with a good SIM you can still use it over the winter months if you can't get out and fly as much.

Don't get me wrong; OLD school, there was no such thing as SIMs for RC. So Ya! You can still learn on Cheap but the better the SIM and the more practice on manuevers, the better the pilot.

Choice is yours. Pay now or Pay later!

I like FMS in that it is freeware and there are several sites with free models and landscapes to download. I paid $30 for a USB adapter for my Futaba and have a descent sim for price...it gets the point across without breaking the bank. I've tried Clearview, but the demo was very limited, had unrealistic sounds (and crashes) and I didn't see much information on expanding the model selection. I've also tried RealFlight at my LHS - I liked it but the demo PC they had it on didn't do it justice. I wish RealFlight offered a cheaper, scaled down version of the program with expansion packs based on experience....I'd pay for a "real" sim that had practical application on not all that extra fluff like night flying, streamers and ferris wheels. just my 2 cents

FMS is quite adequate for learning the point of view that a RC pilot has. The planes fly pretty OK (some of the models that you can find on the neat are not that good). It is not that realistic but it is good enough to help you a lot on the way to your first solo flight.

Yea any sim is better than none if youre just starting out so that you can get the thumbs working right especially with nose-in orientation. I mean a colorful stick figure plane sim would be priceless and save money. However you kinda get what you pay for when it comes to the bells and whistles.