Is there a difference between all the simulators? Are some better than others? Is so, are there any thats about $10-$20?

Yes there's a big difference. A good one is a couple of hundred.

That being said it will save 10x its cost in parts (or more)

Andy
AMA 77227
http://www.jaxrc.com

There is a huge difference between simulators, some of them are cheap, even free but remember…you get what you’re paying for. Check out Realflight 3G or Reflex, they’re on the expensive side, but some people are happy just flying these simulators.

Or you can look for a used Realflight G2 with the interlink controller. It would be a little bit cheaper and runs better on slower computers. I tried Reflex and I didn't have a good enough video card on my computer to run it properly, but the RealFlight G2 runs just fine. I have heard that the newer G3 version also requires a better video card.

Mr.Green

If you are serious about getting into helis the simulator is an invaluable tool for learning. I would get Reflex or G3 if your computer can handle it. If cost is an issue there have been a lot of people selling there G2's on the Misc section for pretty cheap.

What is the difference between the good simulators and the cheap ones?

Noobie kid I don't know what the diff is in the cheap ones. I have a G2 and it has payed for itself hundreds of times.
I am on about my tenth gallon of fuel with no fubares. If I didn't have the sim I would probably be on my tenth heli still using fuel from my first gallon.
I got good enough with the G2 that I learned to hover my Raptor without training wheels
I spend at least an hour a night on the sim.

Nanuk

Noobie Kid

The biggest difference between a "real" simulator and one of the cheap (or free) ones is in the controller. No matter how the program renders a simulation of a heli in flight, it'll be useless unless you have a radio-like user interface.

Simulators that use joysticks, keyboard input or mouse movement as their user interface won't teach you the finger-control that you need to operate a RADIO controlled heli.

In addition, the good simulators do a pretty decent job of simulating the flight characteristics under different weather conditions, orientations, etc. While not perfect (nothing like the pucker factor of taking off a $1000 death-machine for the first time) they are an invaluable tool for anyone serious about learning RC helis.

$20 will get you a nice font collection.... not much more.

Leif

I have been using FMS a freeware sim that I got from Helihobby.com I purchased an interface cable for my radio there as well. It works well because I use my actual radio for the sim. The total cost was about 50.00 for a usb port. If you have an older computer with a serial port it would be about 25.00. The sim is not as good as reflex or g2/g3 but it's free and it's not totally worthless.

E

XTR all the way. I have also heard that you can hook up G3 over the internet and go fly with mates anywhere in the world.

I have been using FMS a freeware sim that I got from Helihobby.com I purchased an interface cable for my radio there as well. It works well because I use my actual radio for the sim. The total cost was about 50.00 for a usb port. If you have an older computer with a serial port it would be about 25.00. The sim is not as good as reflex or g2/g3 but it's free and it's not totally worthless

I have the same set up, FMS with a USB interface for my JR radio. I have never flown a G3 or Reflex simulator. Can anyone comment on the difference between FMS with USB interface and a G3 or Reflex other than the graphics?

are there any thats about $10-$20?

Here is a $10 flight sim...

Welcome my son, Welcome to the machine

If your just getting started and don't have help at the flyin field, then the G3 or Reflex are the way to go. Sims have helped me a lot as far as having an idea of the heli would react with the different input and tryin different manuver first on the sim before trying at the field.

Saved me a few crashes so far.

I tell everyone that want to get into RC flying to get a flight sim first. Like Solidsnake and many others have said start with a good FS. I have the G3 and I love it and yes it save my butt many times so far. I got my machine out of shape the other day close to the ground, I didn't have to think what to do with my fingers, they just reacted. The cost...About the same as a few real crashes, crashes on the sim FREE and funny sometimes!

Welcome my son, Welcome to the machine

As others say, the sim is unvaluable to learn or practice, if you can plug your Tx in it.

I use easyfly, as it says, it's easy. And it is realistic enough to practice the hoover and then the easy figures.

I know it's cheap, but so far it has enough features for me. Maybe I'll need a better one when I will be able to fly the 3D figures... boh, no maybe not, sometimes I do some nice 3D figures, uncontrolled but what? We have to start somewhere...

Thomas

The likes of FMS and some of the other sims are very unrealistic, thay are far to easy to fly which will give you a false sense of security when it comes to the real deal, there good for learning the basic stick directs but beyond that they are not accurate enough to be of any help

I used FMS at the beginning with a PlayStation pad. It was good for learning the basic controls and orientation.
Then when I felt I was good enough to get bored, I bought Reflex (just my choice, I'm sure RealFlight or others will do fine) and use it with my 9C tx. The difference is huge.

So to begin you may go the cheap way, and if the heli worm bites you hard, buy any of the good sims available.

Is there a life outside the sim?

I use Aerofly Professional Delux which has helped me tremendously. Anyone else use it?

I started with Aerofly, but it kept crashing whichever PC I used. Some problem or other with OpenGL.

I use Aerofly Professional Delux which has helped me tremendously. Anyone else use it?

I've got it , but I also have XTR and G3 , so AFPD and XTR don't get that much use .

At the end of the day , it gets dark .