Now say I want to fly a helicopter, or learn how, I hear that by buyin a simluator your chances of crashing slim down. How do simulators like the g2 work and why are the so much? are they like flying the real thing???

In a nutshell, simulators do just that. They simulate a situation and give you a chance to react as if it were a real scenario. In our case, the sims out there today give you a chance to get your hands and head together to form that all important picture in your mind. You can build confidence, memory skills and it's good therapy. A big part of our hobby flying is memory.
To me being on the sim is practice and not a game. I happen to use G2 because it can grow with me and what I happen to be dealing with at the time. Whether it be aerobatics, rolling circles or hanging on the prop, it gives me a chance to react in a way not unlike being at the field. NASA is a wonderful example of the importance of simulation. Use it as a tool. I Turn off the flaming farm animals, picket fences and fancy flying fields and concentrate on improving some skills.

If you use the sim as a tool it will help you develop reflexes needed fro flying.

I started learning without one and wasn't getting on very well. I bought a sim and couldn't believe how much it helped me develop my flying. I practiced all last winter on it doing loops, rolls, and flips. When I went out last spring I was able to start doing them for real immediately and know it was all due to the sim practice. I couldn't believe how close it was the doing them on the sim. I now practice all my moves on the sim before putting my $1000 machine in jeopardy.

I wouldn't recommend that anyone start without one. It's one of the best items on a beginner, or experienced pilots must have list.