Old mans b-day coming up soon which sim to get?

[Flyhigh2016]

Hey guys,

I am sorry if this is the wrong section i entered it due to recognizing the name of the flight sim "Microsoft X" if this is the wrong section let me know and i can happily move the post.

That being said i can remember when i was a lot younger one of the first PC games i ever played was a Microsoft flight simulator I'm not sure which one but we had a joystick and everything at the time it felt like the real thing, some good memories. These days my old man has more time on his hands and he is still into gaming and keeping up to date with the latest computers and software. For his Birthday it's about time i got him something that he would actually like i have been looking for decent Joystick and peddles for sale and i have come across a few that i will list below and if you could help me out on which are better it what ways please. Also this is where i really need you guys i have no idea on which is the best and latest flight simulators out at the minute, which i'm sure you all have this under control.

Joysticks
1. Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick
2. T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick (personal favorite)
3. Saitek X52 Flight Control System

Flight simulation games
1. Flight gear
2. google earth flight simulator (what is this)
3. Microsoft flight 2004
4. X-plane 8 or 10
5. Prepare 3D
6. And then of course Microsoft X

Out of all the above what advice could you all share with me on the joysticks and the flight simulators? your experiences with the different games, which are more realistic and which have better game play?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!!



Thanks guys

[Azframer]

I have the Saitek X52 Flight Control System and like it very much for the 5-6 years I have had it. I have FSX and now I am new to FSX Steam Edition and I am liking the FSX SE better by far. My frame rated doubled over what I get with regular boxed FSX Gold with Acceleration pack.
I get to fly online and I can download current weather to fly in without running a 2nd program. I can now fly online which I never figured out how to do it with FSX, I guess they shut down the game spy that it had to work with.
I met with FSX Blue Angels and was able to fly on their server and watch their practice and captured this shot of me in traing BA with them doing verticle break just under me.


Rick

[Sinkrate]

Here’s my twopenneth for what it’s worth (probably about1/2p):

I have Tflight Hotas on my PS3 and find it way too wibbly-wobbly for accurate flight simming. I use CH Elipse yoke (for civil aircraft) and Thrustmaster HOTAS Warthog (military) on my PC. The accuracy (resolution) of the HID is of paramount importance for the enjoyment of a serious flight sim IMHO. Also, you want as many buttons / switches as possible as it’s a PIA to have to keep looking away to the keyboard to operate flight controls. Of your list, my favourite would be Saitek X52 (or 56 if you can stretch to it). I’ve had a plethora of cheap HID’s over the years and I can assure you that they are a waste of money in the end.

As for the sim, it depends what your OM is into, but I would suggest FSX / P3D and XPX as staples, and for military sims, the DCS range is worth a look. I have DCS A-10C, DCS Black Shark and Lock On FC2, which I use with my Trustmaster HOTAS. Not cheap but inevitable in my case!

Regards to your OM and recommend he joins this site as it’s one of the best out there!

[garymbuska]

I use foot peddles by CH and have the Saitek Cessna yoke that comes with throttles. Of course they yoke is a little pricey
The Cessna flight yoke is at least $400.00
But Saitek has some flight sticks that are awesome here is the link http://www.saitek.com/
below is a link for the CH- rudder peddles
https://www.amazon.com/CH-Products-Peda ... 18cc7ea1d4
The price is not to bad under $200.00

[Hawkeye07]

Hello Flyhigh2016,
I suspect you have just opened a Pandora's Box of personal preferences. Each of us here at Simviation has that personal favorite that we feel is the best suited to our needs.
So my question for you is: How deep do you think your old man will want to get into a flight sim? Perhaps it would be best to start out more mid-range and see how much he uses it.
Rick's comment about FSX SE sounds very good. Good frame rates is always very important for keeping you interested. I have the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro joystick which I think is
a very good mid-range product. It has 12 buttons for whatever functions you want to program into it and a comfortable joystick for those long, intense flight ops.
I've actually just bought a second one because I wore out my original one. It had several THOUSAND hours on it.
Here's another thought for you. If he really gets into flight simming then later on you have options for future gifts such as the higher level joysticks and peddles. Hope this helps!

[Fozzer]

My recommendation for a beginner...or anyone else?

FS 2004 or FSX, and a simple, low cost, twist joystick (for the rudder) with a throttle control and few buttons, (mine is a Saitek FLY5!).

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Saitek-MCB4330 ... B001EYU1VO

That's all I have ever needed for all my Flight Sims for the past 15+ years!

Fancy stuff (more expensive!) comes later.

Paul.... ...!

[OldAirmail]

I've tried X-plane 10, FSX Gold/Acceleration? (original boxed version), and Prepar3d (v3.x now).

From what I've heard, FSX:SE (Steam Edition), is probably the best way to start.



.... which are more realistic and which have better game play?

None.

You're sitting in a chair, gripping plastic, and watching a monitor. So, especially at first, don't worry about realism. Just make it enjoyable.

Hawkeye has it right for a general joystick, the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick is a very good place to start. Especially if you aren't sure if he'll like flying a simulator.

Depending on the type of aircraft that'll be used the most, a yoke helps to give you that feeling of controlling an aircraft. I use the Ch Products Yoke, but any that you buy will become a favorite.


A warning and a suggestion

When I first started with FSX I thought that the scenery was pretty bad. It took a while to decide if I were going to continue.

My suggestion is to buy & install several scenery enhancements -FTX Global Base Pack and FTX Global Vector.

Yes, they are expensive. But the improvement is very noticeable. Also, Orbx has some VERY nice free scenery downloads. Some freeware scenery depend on other Orbx purchases.

The Orbx FTX Global openLC North America & FTX Global openLC Europe make it better and better.


Another program to purchase, perhaps later, would be a real world weather program. Two of the best are the Active Sky Next series, and OpusFSI. I have OpusFSI.

Talk about generating a feeling of realism? Taking off from any airport in the world and experiencing the actual, real-time, weather can make it more real. That's the way that I feel, anyway.

[Flyhigh2016]

It really surprises me on how many different games there are now and all the addons/upgrade to go with them, it has really developed since back in the day!!! I am going to have to download some trial versions by looks of it give them a go my self and see what i think, my pops should like the same... i think.
As for the joy sticks some good advice to start out on a simple inexpensive stick thanks guys. I am going to give steam a try see what i can find on there and get back to you all

Thanks again!!!

[Flyhigh2016]

Hey guys,

I am sorry if this is the wrong section i entered it due to recognizing the name of the flight sim "Microsoft X" if this is the wrong section let me know and i can happily move the post.

That being said i can remember when i was a lot younger one of the first PC games i ever played was a Microsoft flight simulator I'm not sure which one but we had a joystick and everything at the time it felt like the real thing, some good memories. These days my old man has more time on his hands and he is still into gaming and keeping up to date with the latest computers and software. For his Birthday it's about time i got him something that he would actually like i have been looking for decent Joystick and peddles for sale and i have come across a few that i will list below and if you could help me out on which are better it what ways please. Also this is where i really need you guys i have no idea on which is the best and latest flight simulators out at the minute, which i'm sure you all have this under control.

Joysticks
1. Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick
2. T-Flight Hotas X Flight Stick (personal favorite)
3. Saitek X52 Flight Control System

Flight simulation games
1. Flight gear
2. google earth flight simulator (what is this)
3. Microsoft flight 2004
4. X-plane 8 or 10
5. Prepare 3D
6. And then of course Microsoft X

Out of all the above what advice could you all share with me on the joysticks and the flight simulators? your experiences with the different games, which are more realistic and which have better game play?
Any information would be greatly appreciated!!



Thanks guys

After a couple of days and many of them hours playing it is going to be a tough decision to make the flight simulator X stream edition turned out great but the FS 2004 is also awesome... it might have to be both!!

I just want to say thanks to you guys for helping me out!!!!!!

[Fozzer]

Well done!

You wont be disappointed with either one; FS 2004 and/or FSX!

FS 2004 if the computer has a low(er) spec Processor.
FSX if the computer has a high spec Processor.

Both will depend on the Simulator selected settings for SMOOTH flight!

Paul....with BOTH Sims!.... ...!