So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

So i am getting a new flight sim for x-mas.

Mrs. Claus says i can pick anyone.

So please recommend the best one possible.


Also, i am mostly getting this for helis, and eventually 3D flight.

Planes would be cool too. I have a nice computer.

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Airjunkie

I've got the Real Flight G3.5. It does a nice job.

I can't fly the heli's but the planes are a blast.

I have seen vids of the FS One sim. I'm not sure, but it seems as though the graphics are a little better and when the plane is on grass it bounces as if it were real. G3.5 does not do this.

There are other planes for G3.5 that can be downloaded from Knifeedge.com. You'll have to register with Knifeedge to download them. Some may need the expansion packs from Real Flight to work.

I know that good sims are expensive, but I'm seriously considering getting the FS One. If I do I'll probably give the G3.5 to the grandchildren.

FS One and Real Flight G3.5 are both good sims.

Anyone else know of any other good offerings?


Yngwie

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

For helis, I've heard Phoenix is the best. I bought it for planes and love it. It is a little less expensive and upgrades are all free. I don't fly helis other than on the sim, but have heard it is the preferred choice of many heli pilots.

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

would just like to add phoenix has released a stonehenge scenery and a trex 600 in red yesterday
...haven a blast trying to land on the old rocks!

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Looks like FS1 is the one to get.....see all the posting about it. Lots more than others. I can tell you one not to get. just PM me. Capt,n

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I have h9 fs one and G3 ,G4 and reflex xtr

PER clubmembers the reflex xtr flys like the real thing
fs one is good
g3 is good also
G4 21 days to wait, kids got me

all are good I like the fs one for helis reflex xtr the only thing with the reflex xtr you vse your own transmitter they have a new one comming out not sure when
the version i have is 3 years old .still up to date (real life like) fs one all round best ,G3 have alot of fun with

hope this helps

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I have G3.5 it works great. Although their that new G4 which I've heard is awesome. I'm hoping for G4 for x-mas. For price its expensive (about $200) but, its supposed to be the best thing out their on the market. I recommend the G4 but, if that $200 really is too much G3.5 is good too. Either one you choose will help you a great deal. I've been sim training getting ready for buddy box training in the spring and the G3.5 has helped A LOT ! G3.5 has lots of helis, for G4 I assume they have some I saw some in the ad's in magazines and online.



-- TakingFlight96

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I have reflex XTR (the latest) from MRC with the "slimstick" so I can use my airtronics transmitter.

When it works, it works fine. The problem is getting it to work. Rarely will it run at first try. More often, it takes 3 to 13 restart attempts removing the slimstick from the usb port, reinserting, trying a different usb port, etc. It is most unsatisfactory.

The computer is brand new, with multiple usb ports, none of which are on a router. All other devices using the usb ports work normally.

I returned the first slimstick at their suggestion. I have tried the unit they sent with the same pattern of results.

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I have used Real Flight G4, and it is a great one. Well worth the money. Allso you can download models from KnifeEdge.com.

Harry

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

hey navy flyer

does your reflex start at all? if so is the problem when you go to fly your planes ?
the IVOL VERSION ??
I have the old version had problem on startup , turns out i had to program the radio and save it .
have you tried another TX ?

hope this helps
falcon

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I've got the Phoenix sim and love it.

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I would suggest to go to http://rcflightsim.com and try ClearView. You will get some trial time. If you like it, you will save some $$$. If you don't, and decide to spend a little more and get one of the $200 sims, just by trying ClearView you will know what to look for and what is important for you. So it is win-win.

Stefan

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

It will start eventually, though on a recent attempt I got tired after 11 attempts.
I do not use the IVOL. I use my transmitter. When I get the program to start, all 7 channels work fine.
I have version 5.04.1XTR.
I did try another transmitter. Same results

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

go navy

When you thy to start does it go back to desk top???
I need to see what version I have ,post later
when you get it to start try to redo transmitter setup, I had A problem and i think i did this to fix
if possible can you try another cpu???
will look at mine get back later

sorry for delay falcon

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

It does not go to desktop. It skips the "reflex" title page, goes directly to the starting field shot, and displays the "no interface detected" warning. Selecting "retry" in that box does nothing. Closing the program and opening it again does nothing. The only means to get it to start requires you remove the slimstick from the usb port, reinsert and try again. Most often it just gives you the "no interface detected" warning again and the cycle repeats until, wonder of wonders, it decides to start.

Sometimes, after removing and reconnecting the slimstick, you get a "usb device not recognized" message, and you can't run the program then. Once again you remove then reinsert the slimstick and hope for the best. You must always close the program before reinserting the slimstick.

I'm not sure what you mean by redo the transmitter setup. (When it eventually runs, the program functions as it should. There is no need to recalibrate, indeed, who would want that hassle everytime?)

Let's say I had the program running. I go to end the program. It reminds me to turn off the transmitter. I do that.

If I do not shut off the cpu, I can reopen the program and it will run. If I reboot the cpu, or just turn it off until the next time I use it, I will have to go thru the same fandango of "no interface" or "USB device not recognized" over and over until I get lucky and it runs.

Changing usb ports does not seem to make it more reliable.

Oh, the slimstick sent recently was labled on the invoice to have been checked and found to be good.

No, I haven't tried a second cpu. This is a top quality brand new machine and the only program with issues is Reflex.

P.S. On the lighter side, have you experienced the "automated jumping crash"? If you land short of the runway in Nevada, with a little roughness, a second or two after the plane comes to rest it springs wildly back up into the air, repeatedly, for a good 15 or 20 seconds; It's a stich.

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Hi Airjunkie82,

Guess your getting your wish worth of replys, suggestions, and opinions.

Personally I have 4 simulators right now.
Realflight G4/G3.5 is nice with the Futaba interlink controller it comes with. (No real downloads for G4 yet.) (Requires a powerful CPU and Graphics card to take advantage of all features.)
Because RealFlight is kind of biased towards the planes & helicopters that company sells they are narrow in selections provided.

AeroFlyPro can be purchased with a controller for about the same cost. It does everything pretty well.
For over all planes, fields, etc variety and such AeroFlyPro Deluxe with controller is the best option in my opinion.

Phoenix is very nice looking (Lots of quality effects), you may have looked at the demo. I am told that it does Helicopters very well, but may not be so accurate with Planes. (No contrller with it.) (Not many downloads yet.)
Except for the lack of variety and controller I like Phoenix and would lean towards it.

Reflex XTR is the most expensive if purchased with controller! But it is fairly nice and has lots of free downloads. I think it was the first to come out with realistic fields and planes.

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

NAVY flyer
same problem I had
the problem is to get the tx to be saved
go to and save channel assignments and save your tx there also

the problem is to get the tx saved ((the last post helped alot ) is where the problem is at ( even though it works ,and then it does not after reboot))
the cpu is good
the reflex xtr is good

falcon

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Get the G4, just make sure that your computer can handle it. It takes a lot of memory and Video memory....

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Well, I just brought home my "Real Flight G4" today.
Of course as my wife pointed out I will not open the box untill Christmas morning.
I previously tested a friend's G4 on my computer last week.
with 1 gig of mainboard ram and a PNY 5900 ultra video card (256 ram on videocard) there was minor frame rate lag, so I installed a secong gig of mainboard ram .
cost $59 from TigerDirect.com arrived in only two days. (I did not expect that).
I allso downloaded a Trex 600e from KnifeEdge.com ( both the dry land skids model and the floats model).
So I am quite ready

Harry

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I was a little disappointed with the lake scene.......I don't know what I really expected, except it's like flying off of plate glass.

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Sounds like you need more RAM or a more powerful video card. Loaded my G4 and my video chipset on the motherboard (Celeron 2.00GHz processor) wouldn't support it. Bought a new video card w/ 256M and no problem (NVidia GeForce 6200 OC AGP bus type). My planes are bobbing around with wakes behind them. I actually need more RAM to get better graphics for water, but still not bad. I have 640M of RAM now.

LD

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

I run my G4 on my "Frankenstien" computer in my basement.

It has a P4 processor, 2.4 ghz. it came with 256 MB RAM.

the guy across the street gave it to me because he has some files crap out and didn't know how to fix it.

I then paid $20 for another 256 stick of RAM ( 512 total RAM) and then added an old ATI Radion 9000 pro video card 128 mb that was given to me for free because it's preivous owner bought a new card.

Sound blaster audio card and a 17" Gateway monitor that was given to me by a friend that moved out of state & didn't want his old computer. He planned to buy a new laptop instead.

this is not what I call a powerfull computer.

tell me if you think it is.

Harry [8D]

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Hi Sloppy,

You have 2 postings that seem to indicate 2 different machines?

Your "Frankenstien" system is not a 2 core duo but it looks like a reasonable system except for the small amount of memory!
If it can handle 1Gig sticks, then I would recommend you check out NewEgg to see what the fastest memory your motherboard can handle is, and compare prices.
Then buy and install at least 1 - 1gb stick of RAM.
What OS is running on that system?

Are you happy with how RealFlight G4 is running on it?

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Yes, I have a upstairs computer.

19" Hatachi monitor.

RAM is 400 mhz

It's my main computer.

Then I have a basement computer.

RAM is 133 mhz.

So I can work on my heli and do computer too.

both computers have RF G4 loaded on them, I just have to carry my controller with me.

I keep reading threads about how you must own a supercomputer in order to run RF G4.

I feel my basement computer is not a high end computer, yet it runs the simulator just fine.

O.S. is win XP professional. and yes I am happy with the simulator's performance on both machines.

I have settings cranked way up on my main computer, the water effects are amazing, I have settings turned down (just a little) on the Frankenstien machine ( so there is no video lag) so the water looks kind of smooth. (no waves).

Harry [8D]

RE: So i am getting a flight simulator...
 

Hi Sloppy,

Which graphics card is giving you the best results?