Is RealFlight 3.0 for $100 a good deal?

[Steve Joblin]

I noticed an old dusty (but sealed) box at my LHS that is a copy of RealFlight 3.0 for $100. It looks like I can upgrade to 3.5 for free via the RealFlight website.

I currently am learning on a Blade CX/2 and will want to get a T-Rex 500 in the spring. I understand that a CP heli is quite different than my coaxial CX/2, so I think it is prudent to learn on a sim first before I make the $1500 plunge on a T-Rex 500 (and all the other requisite items like batteries, charger, transmitter, receiver, servos, gyro, etc.)

First, is RealFlight a good sim to learn how to fly a T-Rex 500? I assume there is a T-Rex 500 model I can download from Knife Edge?
Second, will I notice much of a difference between 3.5 and 4.5?
Third, is $100 for a sealed box of RealFlight 3.0 a good deal?

[clnheli]

I won't pay for it. Get the free flight simulator in 450 forum and try first.

CN

[iflymyhelishigh]

Alright, I used HeliSimRC, FMS, Heli-X, and this other random mac sim. I now use RF 3

Here is my rating for sims

1:Realflight 3-This sim is GREAT, the graphics are cool, and you can customize the models (I made a Dominion 90 3D Turbine... LOL)
2:HeliSimRC- This one is cool, but the graphics aren't as good, and I never learned as well from this as RF3
3:Heli-X-This thing is ok, it is mostly scale models though(no 3D)
4:FMS-The graphics are horrible on this one, doesn't give it the realistic feel, the physics are off (you can edit it but who wants to do that?)
5:mac sim-Alright, this thing PLAIN SUCKS!:thumbdown:

EDIT: Just noticed you asked if you'd notice a difference between the 3.5 and 4.5. The most your going to notice is graphics, but those aren't the most important, are they?



SOOOO... I would HIGHLY recommend RealFlight, you can upgrade to 3.5 for free, too, which I haven't...

[Steve Joblin]

Took your advice ifly... I was able to talk him down to $60! I installed the software and went through the upgrade process. I downloaded a Blade CX/2 from the KnifeEdge Swap pages. Amazing... it flys pretty much the same as the real thing (maybe a bit easier!). I fee comfortable that the software, laptop, and InterLink Plus Controller are all functioning properly.

So now, onto the real reason why I got it... to learn how to fly a T-Rex!

I downloaded a T-Rex 500 (from the Knife Edge Swap Page) and can get get the thing off the ground for about 2 seconds before it crashes! How the heck do you fly this thing!?! Is there a good "basic" version of the T-Rex 500 that I should be using instead?

[iflymyhelishigh]

where are you flying?

Advice from a friend (Thanks LMT)

Use the T-Rex 600N V9 model in the stickies, its great, if you want the electric feel, go aircraft, edit model, airframe I think, heli mechanics, exhaust and set opaquency to 0. Then click the model name, set the power type to electric. After that, go into heli mechanics again and set noise to whatever you want. Set No clutch Yes one way bearing. I think thats what you would do, I'm reinstalling my Mac's Windows right now, so once I get the software installed, I'll revise my instructions.

[trexflyer02]

Took your advice ifly... I was able to talk him down to $60! I installed the software and went through the upgrade process. I downloaded a Blade CX/2 from the KnifeEdge Swap pages. Amazing... it flys pretty much the same as the real thing (maybe a bit easier!). I fee comfortable that the software, laptop, and InterLink Plus Controller are all functioning properly.

So now, onto the real reason why I got it... to learn how to fly a T-Rex!

I downloaded a T-Rex 500 (from the Knife Edge Swap Page) and can get get the thing off the ground for about 2 seconds before it crashes! How the heck do you fly this thing!?! Is there a good "basic" version of the T-Rex 500 that I should be using instead?

Steve, try this (http://www.knifeedge.com/forums/downloads.php?do=file&id=5071) one. If it's too fast for you, try flying in normal mode and toggle the dual rate switch down.

Make sure you have updated to G3.5.065 PRIOR to importing the model.

[Steve Joblin]

ifly... Thanks much! I'm not quite sure what you mean by "where do I fly".... I'm sitting in my workroom at my computer ...will I fly better if I move my computer to another room in the house? :roll:

I'll wait for you to confirm your instructions and settings before I start chaning settings.

trexflyer02 - Thanks much also! It downloaded and imported fine (yes, I have 3.5.065). I haven't figured everything out yet... Can you confirm (and correct) the following... On the controller:


The toggle on the top right kills the engine.
The dial above the right joystick does nothing (right?)
The toggle on the top left sets the mode. The easiest is "normal" mode and is set by having the toggle flipped towards the back of the controller. The "difficult" mode is set by having the toggle flipped to the middle position. the "expert" mode is set by havng the toggle flipped towards the front of the controller.
The toggle above the left joystick sets the Dual Rate. When the toggle is down, the Dual Rate is "off".
Is all the above correct? I am not quite sure I have my controller settings correct... can you advise?

[trexflyer02]

ifly... Thanks much! I'm not quite sure what you mean by "where do I fly".... I'm sitting in my workroom at my computer ...will I fly better if I move my computer to another room in the house? :roll:

I'll wait for you to confirm your instructions and settings before I start chaning settings.

trexflyer02 - Thanks much also! It downloaded and imported fine (yes, I have 3.5.065). I haven't figured everything out yet... Can you confirm (and correct) the following... On the controller:


1. The toggle on the top right kills the engine.
Yes.

2. The dial above the right joystick does nothing (right?)Correct.

3. The toggle on the top left sets the mode. The easiest is "normal" mode and is set by having the toggle flipped towards the back of the controller. The "difficult" mode is set by having the toggle flipped to the middle position. the "expert" mode is set by havng the toggle flipped towards the front of the controller.
Yes, this is correct, however what you call "difficult" is usually referred to as Idle Up 1, and your "expert" mode is Idle Up 2.

4. The toggle above the left joystick sets the Dual Rate. When the toggle is down, the Dual Rate is "off".
Not off, but rather it is on LOW rates. Dual rates are assigned to a two position switch to change the "throws" on the servos ... i.e. when it is in the down position, it will behave more tame and will roll slower, etc.

[Steve Joblin]

Thanks so much trexflyer02! things are starting to make a bit of sense... where can I get more details on understanding exactly how 'idle up' works?