AFP - Serial Port Connection
 

Quick question - I have the G2 simulator that came with my NexSTAR and am looking at upgrading to more aircraft. So I have the choice of buying G2 lite or the less expensive AFP = both look like good simulators, but I am worried about the connections required for AFP - While G2 requires a simple USB connection, it looks like AFP requires a Serial Port - Serial Ports are ancient technology long since replaced by USB - in fact, my new Sony Viao desktop computer does not even have a serial port connection. Does this prevent the use of AFP?

RE: AFP - Serial Port Connection
 

Interesting forum - I see tons of messages from various users of various Sims stating one is better than the other. Thousands of messages that are so simular to Microsoft Word Vs WordPerfest or PC vs Apple that it is laughable...

But someone asks a simple question about one of the programs hardware requirements 5 days ago and nadda... No one has time for that...

FYI...just ordered G2 since I couldn't get an answer in this forum or the AFP site.

RE: AFP - Serial Port Connection
 

Don,

I have both G2 and AFP and have also used the Nexstar G2 interface.

The standard G2 USB controller will work fine with AFP. But, you must also have the AFP cable plugged in to your serial port (even if you are not connecting anything to it). So, you need a serial port to use the USB G2 controller. :eek:

I suspect you could have some problems using the Nexstar G2 connector with AFP ... simply because it is not a "joystick" like the regular G2 USB controller. AFP can use any joystick, and the G2 controller is one of them. If your Nexstar controller shows up in the game controller window then it woll probably work with AFP.

That said, you do not need the Nexstar G2 controller interface ... just plug your radio into the AFP interface and you are good to go.

You will like G2 ... happy landings. :D

Carl

RE: AFP - Serial Port Connection
 

LOL!!! Hehe that's funny...sorry I couldn't help it.

RE: AFP - Serial Port Connection
 

I just went through this with my computer. It has no serial or game port since everything is going to usb. I found a reference that stated you can get a game port to usb adapter and a serial port to usb adapter at Radio Shack. Sure enough, I went to Radio Shack and found both of them. You just need to use two usb ports, one for each of the adapters. Hope this helps.

RE: AFP - Serial Port Connection
 

Thanks for the answers - as I stated, I went with the G2 - played with it last night and had loads of fun - lots of configurations to play with in the future. Liked the simple, single USB interface and the included controller is not as bad as I had expected. I had planned to hook up my HiTech Eclipse, but the included controller has enough features to make that not necessary.

Look forward to exploring the G2 over the next few weeks (while flying my NexSTAR for real on the weekends)!