RC Flight Simulators

[mfin]

Anyone have a real educated preference for fixed wing flight simulators.

I have owned Reflex XTR (wish I'd never sold it) - I found when you put a bit of british breeze into the equation it felt pretty realistic all round, you can see the effect of rolling a plane on long grass, short grass or tarmac and it feels quite real to look at.

I've also owned Hangar 9 FS One (wish I'd never bought it), I found it very annoying, its collision detection was absolutely appalling, rubbish, c**p. The choice of aircraft was of course, small and limiited mostly to Hangar 9's models. I think its prety important in a flight sim that its good at detecting when you've hit the ground? If you like the idea of flying through objects like they aren't there though, this could be the sim for you, go buy it.

I've now thought of buying a sim again, and am stongly considering re-purchasing Reflex XTR.

I downloaded the demo of Realflight G3.5 and was instantly put off by the fact I was flying it with the keyboard and hitting the ground quite hard without damaging the plane. No way is that part of the sim gonna realistic judging by the demo. Also the G3.5 video 'advert' shows lots of 3D generated scenery, flying through fairgrounds at night with neon lights on the plane, they call this one of the 'most impressive features', for a ten year old maybe, but I think they meant 'least impressive features', I thought it was supposed to be a simulator not a game. Anyway, any realworld opinions on G3.5??

Then of course there's Aerofly Pro Deluxe which I have not seen. Any good???

[Wes Smith]

I have Aerofly Pro Deluxe and a mate had XTR. XTR is definatly better for heli flying.

I think XTR and Aerofly are about neck and neck for fixed wing, but XTR appears to have more settings and options.

There are not many "home grown" Aerofly models, but quite a few XTR ones to download from various sites.

I think I'd buy XTR if I had to choose again.

[Martyn Johnston]

Some sims come supplied with a (cheap looking) t/x.
As a newbie I think I'd prefer one that uses my own t/x so that I get used to using it.
It ought to be cheaper with less stuff supplied, just software and a cable!

Martyn

[Martyn Johnston]

Can someone clarify something for me.
Why do these sims need to come with a cable?
Isn't the point of r/c modeling that it's 'Radio Controlled' !
Why don't they just have a radio receiver that plugs in to a USB port.

Maybe I've just invented something ! :-)

Martyn

[Antony Wright]

Sounds like a good idea Martyn.

[Essjay]

Hi Wes, I agree that Aerofly Pro Deluxe is the best for fixed wing, but I've just started using Phoenix for helis, and I know I'm not alone in saying that I think it's better that Reflex for helis. If you want more models, then go to www.rc-sim.de where you'll find over 300 fixed wing models for Aerofly Pro Deluxe as well as plenty for other sims.

[Former Member]

[This posting has been removed]

[Danny Fenton]

Martyn, the USB receiver has already been done......
http://mftech.de/index_en.htm

[Phillip Priestley]

Hello to all out there

As a newcomer what are your reccomendations on the best sim for absolute novices.

regards

Phillip

[Wes Smith]

For an absolute novice any sim is a bonus, but cheap sims like FMS and ESKY (same thing) are only really good for orientation.

For a sim to be of the best value then get Reflex XTR, Aerofly Pro Delux or Great Planes 3. Most people will rate the sim they own, but I reckon all 3 of these will be good value for a novice.

Bit like choosing a pension, the worst thing is not to have one!

[Danny Fenton]

Reflex Xtr £98
Aerofly Pro Deluxe £120
Great Planes 3 £101

FMS responds to control inputs much too slowly to simulate real model flying in my opinion, but with a free price tag you need to try it for yourself

RealityCraft PlaneMaster with USB Tx £19.99
If all a flight sim does is to teach orientation why spend so much?

Does a novice really need to know how Katana flies, or just some basic 20 or so models?

No I don't work for Reality craft LOL, I just hate to see cheap products ignored by people assuming they are worthless. PlaneMaster is not the best, but £19.99 for the software and a USB Tx, that is pretty good value for money.

[winchweight]

You missed Phoenix off your list and with good reviews and a £70 price tag, it's not to be overlooked.

[Ivor Giles]

Hello MFIN
I see you are considering buying the flight sim Reflex XTR. I have one for sale if you are interested. I paid £126.00 and advertised it in Model World for £80 but will accept £75 including postage.

Best regards
Ivor Giles

[mfin]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm gonna take a look at Aerofly as well first before I buy.

[Kelly]

Hi

I have the RealFlight G3 which I have used to re-train after 30years abscence from R/C flying. It is very realistic if you set the wind and turbulance settings and use the TX included. I thought it was a bit pricy but if I had gone down the route of purchasing a trainer its about the same if not cheaper(crashing costs nothing on a sim).
I was able to fly my Ripmax Spitfire no problem after several hours on the sim.
The helicopters on the sim are fun although I often crash them :-)
I would encourage every R/C flyer with a PC to purchase a good quality sim well worth the money in my opinion.

Regards

Kelvin.

[Simon Reid]

Message to Ivor Giles. If you still have the Reflex Xtr I am definitely interested. E-mail me on [email protected].

Cheers Simon

[Andrew Robinson]

I've got the Realflight G3.5 and have used it for about 2 years. It enabled both myself and my 3 boys to learn how to fly with much more confidence. I was able to learn how to fly different models & try out some tricks without fear. It has helped considerably with learning to land in cross winds & with unknown aircraft failures. This has already saved me one aircraft.
I believe it has been the best investment I've made, and I'm sure without it I may well have given up after my second real crash.

[Erfolg]

FMS and Reality Craft simulators, have enabled me to re enter RC flying with the minimum of fuss.

Both provide a range of aircraft (simulations) which vary greatly in their characteristics (which can be user modified within parameters, with Reality Craft) and Reality craft allows differing weather conditions.

How real are they?

I get the impression that this does vary with your processor and the resolution of your monitor.

I believe both have saved me both time and money, with these products. You can always get better (however you define better), but is it necessary?

Regards

Erfolg

[Nic Spencer]

Does any one know much about the tru-flite 3d simulator? I have a copy that i am trying to get to work and I keep getting an error message on start up about invalid pixel format with the z buffer, I'm running windows xp opperating system and have tried all the different compatability modes. If any one out there has any ideas they will be gratefully recieved.

[Martyn Johnston]

I just bought myself a USB connector, from MFTech. It connects my own t/x to my PC. I've just got it working with the 'free' FMS simulator software - very easy.
Not used it much yet but it seems to work perfectly.

[John Clarke 3]

The Phoenix sim is exelant, worked first time out of the box, aircraft and helies are very good. two of my friends baught one after seeing mine.

[Paul C]

I agree with John, the Phoenix sim is brilliant considering its half the price of the big boys - its certainly not missing anything the big guys have, there's really not a lot in it other then price.

The latest version does Internet linking too so you can fly with other people.. great laugh.. http://www.phoenix-sim.com/pages/news.htm


Paul

[Martyn Johnston]

But what does the Phoenix do that the 'FREE' MFS doesn't?
I guess it 'looks' a lot prettier, but that doesn't bother me much.
Will I actually learn any more from the Phoenix, or is it just aesthetics?

[Essjay]

Martyn,what you will find with all the "non-free" simulators is that the flight characteristics are so much more like the real models (although none will be perfect). I guarantee that you'll find it much easier (and more realistic) using Pheonix, or any of the other more upmarket sims.

[Andy F]

Guy at hobbystores recommended FMS !!!
Works well....is free...many models via web..free!

Heres the link

http://n.ethz.ch/student/mmoeller/fms/index_e.html