Poll: What Sim Is Best?

[Aros]

Which RC Sim do you think is the best?

[Konrad]

Phoenix as it has the best physics engine of the Sims I've flown. This is particularly true with the heli functions. I'm dated as I haven't updated my sims in 5 years.

[xviper]

I have older versions of Realflight and an undated version of Phoenix (plus a few other lesser ones). IMO, Phoenix is my favorite as it was more realistic. I found Realflight not very real once I started flying the real models. I don't use the sims much anymore as I fly all winter.

[Ron1950]

friend of mine flys helos and says the phoenix has the best helo sim but if flying the warbirds the realflight 7.5 seems pretty good to me

[bradl4648]

I have found that the best flight physics and graphics is aerofly is amazing followed by reflex then phonix and then realflight. Aerofly is a German company which produces a full scale sim. They took that and made a rc simulator out of it and is truly one of a kind. They are not as popular do to they do not use much social media as realflight does and that is the issue why allot of people never heard of it. Once you fly a plane on it like a AT-6 don't get to slow it will snap spin on you and do not even think it is going to float either unlike real flight this will drop right now. The graphics is extreme so a good vid card is needed but on a monicoate plane you will get a mirror image on the side of the plane of what is behind you. If you never tried it check it out on youtube I realize that looking threw a camera can give distortions but you will like this program. Their is so much more this can do!

[Elbee]

Hey Y'all, are we talking flight sims of planes we've flown and would like to have flown or flight sims for r/c training? Or both? For example, I have MS X with downloaded supplements for flying everything from Piper J3 to CJ3 and 4s and the MilVis F-4D and F-4J for recapturing the good ol' days. Is this forum for talking about those types of sims? Best, LB

[Aros]

Hey Elbee...At least for this poll specifically we are talking about R/C Simulators. I am an avid Flight Simmer and have FSX with all the bells and whistles....Rudder pedals, the works. Love it!

[Elbee]

Roger that.

[Bluebird]

Caution when downloading Aerofly RC7. I just attempted downloading this program for my Macbook Pro. After pressing the download button I got a request to update Adobe which seemed to go ok but then was presented with a page promoting a cleanup of my Mac and telling me there were issues with it. After struggling to get that off my computer I then had a search engine ( Search it now, I believe) take over and present itself on Safari whenever it was opened instead of the Top Favourites as per normal.

To make a long story short I called Apple tech support and we loaded an anti Mal Ware program onto my computer which cleaned up the mess.

I must say i was disappointed because I had hopes for a good Sim for the Mac. In the meantime I will continue with Clear View 1 on my old Windows 7 laptop.

Has anyone else had an experience like this with Aerofly RC7

[xviper]

Stick with the known store bought sims like Phoenix, RealFlight. Those "free" online things are not so free afterall. Like those stupid roll playing apps for your phone that are supposedly "free". They are only free for the first level, then when they've hooked you, they start charging your credit card to continue and the malware that's embedded in those apps will show you just how "free" they really were.
A couple years ago, I tried to download the free fighter aircraft game onto my PC. They had ads all over the internet. It froze up my computer. I had to use a backup copy from a previous backup to get rid of it all. That tank game was from the same company. I don't click on any ads anymore nor do I click on those "the most costly divorces in Hollywood". All glitchy and full of malware. I hate Google for shoving those ads on every page I visit. And when they say, "We'll try not to show you this ad anymore" is a LIE. I haven't seen many of those game downloads much anymore. I think most people have wised up to them by now but there are always newcomers who fall for them.

[Bluebird]

The Aerofly program is $39.99 so I was really surprised to be attacked like this when trying to download it. Interestingly they hadn't asked for any money yet at that point. It seems other people have downloaded that program successfully but perhaps that was awhile ago and the site is not properly maintained anymore.

You make a valid point though about free stuff. Maybe it's time for me to bite the bullet and spend some money. My Clear View 1 is not bad and has got me pretty far but I'm now looking at 3D flying etc. and need something with more realism.

Safe flying viper!

[xviper]

I didn't realize Aerofly was something you pay for. Thought it was one of those "free" ones. I've had the Clear View from a long time ago and it worked well even though I didn't think it was very realistic. I've recently dumped all my sims, even the ones that I bought and installed via a disc. They were all slowing down my PC and I haven't used any sims for some years. Phoenix was one that I considered the most realistic. RealFlight got too expensive with all their new versions. Old versions didn't update for free. Had to buy the new packs. Phoenix, at least, gave free updates.

[Bluebird]

Well xviper maybe I'll try Phoenix if it seems like the better one. Re ClearView, I just paid $39 for the latest version that with more planes and flying sites but the graphics and performance have't improved at all. I really just wanted to get the Yak54 on there, which I did but, otherwise I don't think it was a good investment, plus the software is even more quirky.

Here in BC surrounded by smoke and hot weather our club was grounded cause we were too close to the fire fighting effort and now we're grounded again for fear our lipo batteries could start a fire. This is the other reason for upgrading the simulator. It's just about all the flying we're getting these days except for a bit on floats.

Thanks for the tip re Phoenix. I have a dedicated PC, wiped clean and used just for running the simulator but it's not portable like the Mac.

Cheers, Bluebird

[Whizzer]

Just installed Aerofly 7 on my MacBook Air w/no problem downloading. I do have Bitware, an anti-virus program and it keeps a lot of the crap ads out. Not all but does reduce them. Back to Aerofly, the program sucks in the respect it is very, very limited in what they offer in the initial program. It is a "come on". They suck you in with the minimum to make you buy the more expensive programs. I can't download a manual or other aircraft and must use the keyboard for plane movement. I have Phoenix on an old HP Presario CQ56 but the processor cannot keep up and the image is jerky and stops. It is not the program but the computer. I have been unable to download any updates offered by Phoenix or new planes and whenever I try it keeps timing out. I read somewhere Phoenix is no longer available and the only place to get one is to find a used disk for sale. I'm looking into RealFlight 7.5 after having viewed several videos on youtube.com. and will have more information in a day or two. For now I'm bummed out because I was hoping the Aerofly for Mac was the answer and it cost forty bucks to find out it isn't unless I spend more and I refuse to spend any more money with the "hope" it will work on a Mac. I'm thinking it best to go traditional and get a computer with Microsoft OS and all the necessary bells and whistles. Then I can use other sims like auto racing, etc.. Us old guys gotta have something to do with our spare time if we don't play golf or drink.

[Aros]

Wow, I can't relate because I am strictly PC when it comes to my main computer. I use Steam to download a lot of my games/sims and Aerofly is one of them and there was absolutely no issue. Man I am sorry to hear about problems with trying to download it on the Mac!

[xviper]

Well xviper maybe I'll try Phoenix if it seems like the better one. Re ClearView, I just paid $39 for the latest version that with more planes and flying sites but the graphics and performance have't improved at all. I really just wanted to get the Yak54 on there, which I did but, otherwise I don't think it was a good investment, plus the software is even more quirky.

Here in BC surrounded by smoke and hot weather our club was grounded cause we were too close to the fire fighting effort and now we're grounded again for fear our lipo batteries could start a fire. This is the other reason for upgrading the simulator. It's just about all the flying we're getting these days except for a bit on floats.

Thanks for the tip re Phoenix. I have a dedicated PC, wiped clean and used just for running the simulator but it's not portable like the Mac.

Cheers, Bluebird

Get opinions from others about RealFlight. My bias towards Phoenix may be just me. It was a long time ago (nearly a decade) but I don't remember paying anything for my ClearView and I really liked it for many years.
We've only just in the last couple of days, cleared our skies of all the BC forest fire smoke. It was terrible here, so I can imagine what it was like in BC.

[Bluebird]

Ya Aros, not really sure why my Mac was attacked but now that I have an Anti malware program on it hopefully I will have similar success as Whizzer at keeping the computer safe.

Really sorry to hear of your disappointment with Aerofly Whizzer. That's why this forum is so good, we can share our experiences, good and bad to help each other.
Your idea of a dedicated PC is a good one as it still seems there is more selection available for games etc. if you own a PC.
Please let us know what you find out after doing your homework on this subject.

Thanks guys! Bluebird

[Whizzer]

Aros, I watched videos on youtube.com before trying to download Aerofly on my MacBook Air and was satisfied with what I saw. There are a couple of issues, the first being the least expensive program is very limited. Another problem is it makes my laptop run very hot. Hot to the point where I have a pair of fans under it to help try to keep it cool. And lastly, had I realized before I downloaded the program it would not even support a transmitter but utilizes only the use a mouse and keyboard for operation, well, you get the idea. I possibly overlooked where AeroFly posted full disclosure in the initial program but that doesn't negate, justifiable or not, the bitter taste it left after spending forty bucks. I might be getting older but I'm past using the keyboard to fly r/c or any action type sims.
BTW, to any and all, as you can see, I'm a newbie, not only here but to the hobby of r/c flying. I really appreciate the website and opinions offered. Thanks all!!

[Whizzer]

Ya Aros, not really sure why my Mac was attacked but now that I have an Anti malware program on it hopefully I will have similar success as Whizzer at keeping the computer safe.

Really sorry to hear of your disappointment with Aerofly Whizzer. That's why this forum is so good, we can share our experiences, good and bad to help each other.
Your idea of a dedicated PC is a good one as it still seems there is more selection available for games etc. if you own a PC.
Please let us know what you find out after doing your homework on this subject.

Thanks guys! Bluebird

Howdy Bluebird!
I ended up getting a new Lenovo - https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-...?skuId=6203018 - from BestBuy and had them install an Radeon RX 550 graphics card. Last week the cpu was marked down $80.00 from the usual price.

In the past two years, I kept dumping money into used computers trying to save a buck and finally got disgusted after the lap top fiasco and before that a used desk top that was supposed to be a "gaming computer" that was purchased with the false declaration, "it will run any newer game w/o a problem." At that point I called my son-in-law, who knows computers, and asked him for his thoughts. His thought was, stop screwing around trying to get quality results on the cheap and buy new w/a good graphics card. And that is what I did.

It is now one week and I've been using the RealFlight sim daily trying to improve my skills and it is helping, especially with direction of the controls. It runs smoothly, has great graphics and seems realistic. I haven't loaded the Phoenix as yet but plan to do so although first I want to get better conditioned to the controls with Real Flight before I go messing around with another flight sim.

What I can say is this, for the first time in my life of owning computers, it is good to have one that works properly and does what I want and what it should do. Costly but sometimes trying to be thrifty can be more costly in the end. I would be remiss if I did not also mention the aggravation factor multiplied several times over after each expenditure and very unsatisfactory results.

Would I recommend RealFlight? The answer is, "yes." So far I've been pleased and have spent several hours using it and flying the Piper Cub in Alpine Meadow for background. The Piper Cub is, and I'm guessing, the most likely to be the closest thing to the Carbon Z Cub.

Now I want to find a download for Real Flight of the Carbon Z Cub and if there is one out there does it have the characteristics of that model. Anybody know?

[Aros]

Yes computers are something you don't want to go cheap on if you are needing a certain level of performance, especially with video/graphics. As you learned, it pays in the end to invest in a higher-performance computer. These simulators are getting better by the month with their incredible graphic engines/renderings/frame rates, but it comes at a price. Trying to run newer gaming/video software on an old computer is a classic example of an exercise in futility. The flight dynamics are extremely good with most of these simulators. Some models are more realistic than others but they really are incredible tools to learn on.

For download add-ons, try Knife Edge Swap...It's a forum filled with customer-built add ons from models to liveries to scenery. There's a lot of hit or miss but there are some real jewels to be found. Especially look to the highest rated models for realism. I am sure you can find you Carbon Z Cub there...Good luck!

http://www.knifeedge.com/forums/downloads.php