RealFlight G2 or Reflex 5 XTR?

[Subysouth]

Hey guys,

First off, I'd like to say it's great to be back on here. It's been over half a year since I've been on the site, but have been too busy to spend any time with the hobby.

I'm looking forward to getting the planes out for flight this spring, but it's been about 8 months since I've flown and also want to get into electic micro helis as well. I was thinking of taking the plunge for one of them such as the Hummingbird, Aero-Hawk, etc., but figure it would be best to get some simulator time in before I even attempt it.

I know I could use FMS, but would like something more realistic to prepare me for these tricky little helis. So finally getting to the question at hand, would you recommend the RealFlight G2 or the Reflex 5 XTR(taking into consideration that I would like to use my Futaba 9CH Tx for a more realistic feel) and are either of them worth the price they're selling for? I just looked on towerhobbies.com and they are both around $200(though you have to provide your own Tx for the Reflex). I'm more familiar with RealFlight, but am really impressed with the realistic looks of the Reflex XTR so far. Of course if you think I should just practice on FMS and go for the real thing instead, please let me know.

Thanks a bunch for taking the time to read this overly long thread and look forward to reading any suggestions you may have.

-Matt:)

[gregw]

See a review I wrote, comparing RFG2 versus Reflex here (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=161713&highlight=reflex+realflight). I would say that for heli simulation, the physics engine in Reflex beats RealFlight G2 hands down. With the release of XTR, even the graphics are better than RealFlight G2.

You can download two videos of Reflex XTR here (http://www.rcsim.de/dl_engine_eng/index.php?subcat=5). You will need DivX 5 (http://download.divx.com/divx/DivX511Bundle.exe) to play the videos.

[Subysouth]

Thanks a bunch for the link gregw. Plenty of info to help educate me on the two. I forgot to mention it earlier, but what about an XBR Lama? I've seen a few advertisements and read some of the threads about them; seems like it would be a great trainer to use without having to leave your living room, but have heard they are too stable, may become boring after a while due to being tethered, and have found that they are the same price as many of the micro helis on the market. Any personal experiences and opinions you may have about these tethered helis compared to the sims and micro helis would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

-Matt:)

[gregw]

Matt,

Sorry, I have no personal experience with the XRB Lama, but I've heard that it is a good trainer.. Not as cost free as a simulator, but a very good substitute.. The only micro heli I've had experience on is a Piccolo Pro. However, I wouldn't recommend this to a beginner since it's collective pitch.

For your first heli, I would actually recommend an LMH Corona instead of one of the micro helis for the simple reason that it is the toughest learner helicopter available and is much easier to learn than a micro.. Check out the Electric Heli forum and do a search on the Corona.. Also be sure to read the Electric Helicopter Beginner's Guide at http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=166178

Greg

[Jim McPherson]

Matt,
I've got Reflex ordered. It'll be in next week. Come by the apartment and I'll let you see how you like it.

-Jim

[Subysouth]

That sounds great Jim. So you decided to take the plunge for the Reflex? I'm really eager to see the sim in action and if it's as great as everyone has been saying, I'll be taking the plunge myself:D ! Anyway, looking forward to getting together and let me know when it comes in.

-Matt

[Arthur_GA]

Is there any software that plays the .DMO type video files ?

[gregw]

Originally posted by Arthur_GA
Is there any software that plays the .DMO type video files ?

Just download the demo from Reflex (http://www.reflex-sim.de/). Install the software and save the .DMO file to the /demo subdirectory.. You should then be able to play the demo on Reflex.

[Arthur_GA]

Thanks, Greg. I'll try that...

[Driftair]

Hi, I have realflight and from what I can see it appears that aerofly pro is much more realistic in 3d flying. I would like to see some videos of Reflex XTR that show its 3d flying capabilities.
I was unable to download the videos from the links found above.
Anyone reading this who has the new Reflex XTR is requested to submit some flying videos anywhere on the web so that I may hopefully find them and eventually decide which simulator I will purchase next, either Reflex XTR, or Aerofly Pro. Thank you for reading and please help if you can. Sincerely Driftair.

[Jim McPherson]

I've been playing with Reflex 4.03 for the last couple days. In my opinion it is much more realistic than RFG2 when flying helicopters. The Planes are a wash, and are about the same on both programs. Helicopters really shine in Reflex though. I've sharpened my heli skills in just 2 days of use. I just got done flying my humming bird and have more control over it and can fly it better than ever. The only disadvantage to reflex is that it requires a lot more horsepower to run. My AMD 1800+ and 32meg video card have a hard time running 4.03 at any more than 30 frames/sec. XTR should run slower and will probably require me to update. RFG2 on the other hand runs smoothly even on my older 500mhz PIII.

-Jim

[HankF]

I would suggest that the problem is with your video card. The processor probably is fast enough.

I'm running on a Duron 1.3ghz machine but it has a Geforce Ti 4200 128 (a relatively recent Nvidia powered card) which runs RFG2 at 1280x1024 with all eye candy at over 60 fps using DX8.1b.

Hank

[gregw]

Originally posted by Jim McPherson
... The only disadvantage to reflex is that it requires a lot more horsepower to run. My AMD 1800+ and 32meg video card have a hard time running 4.03 at any more than 30 frames/sec. XTR should run slower and will probably require me to update. RFG2 on the other hand runs smoothly even on my older 500mhz PIII.

-Jim

I had Reflex 4.03 running on my old PC before I upgraded.. It was a PIII 500mhz, 512MB RAM, Win98SE, with a Riva TNT2 32MB video card. Average was around 40+ FPS with v-sync on.. this was good enough that there wasn't any flickering at all.. This would go up to over 60+ FPS if I turned v-sync off and had it at full screen mode. However, I experienced unpredictable jerkiness using this mode and would usually just go with v-sync turned on..

I agree with Hank that the best thing to upgrade for your PC in preparation for XTR is your video card. That is probably the bottle neck on your system. BTW, did you upgrade to the latest video driver and DirectX? That will also help in gaining faster FPS.

[Subysouth]

Thanks for the optimistic update Jim. Refex sounds like a winner in the heli department and if it's good now, I'm sure it'll be amazing with the XTR update!

-Matt:)

[ex-racr]

I downloaded the 4.0 demo this weekend. It was impressive, but the planes didn't seem to react as naturally as I would have expected. Not a slight, they were very good though. I have GOT to get the USB cable and try it out. I told WSN I will get XTR as soon as his latest updates are added. Does anyone know where to get the USB cable?

Also, has anyone tried the G2 controller with the reflex sim?

Terry

[ex-racr]

got an e-mail from wsn. Looks like I'll have to wait until XTR is out. Can't get the cable separately nor will the G2 interface work. :(

I have patience...

Terry

[Jim McPherson]

Reflex uses the USB cable as it's copy protection. You can download the software for free, but you can't use it without the USB cable. That's why the G2 controller won't work. I bought my USB cable at Tower Hobbies and it arrived in good time.

-Jim

[ex-racr]

Jim,
Did you buy just the USB cable or the simulator package? I didn't see where you could get the USB cable.
I thought about Downloading FMS and getting a cable, but I'd rather buy XTR and have the support from WSN if something goes wrong.
I thought I would just be downloading a movie, but instead, it's the actual program. talk about a tease!:) I've made some very nice uncontrolled free-flight simulations with some of the models.:D
Wished you still lived in MD Jim.

Terry

[Jim McPherson]

Terry, I should be back in MD in June. Finally get out of school and work for a living :-). The thing about Reflex is that the software itself is basically free. If you download the "upgrade" to 4.03 from the reflex website, that is the full program. So when you buy the simulator "package" you are only really purchasing the USB cable. Sure the software is included, but it doesn't have to be. I've never seen the USB cable apart from the "package", they are one in the same.

-Jim

[ex-racr]

Thankyou for the info. That essentially makes it a $180 cable. Oh well..
XTR will have to be purchased no matter what as it is too big to download.
Looking forward to seeing you at some local events

Terry

[wsn]

May I quote from m homepage?

"XTR - the actual and most advanced version of Reflex - shipped to you free of charge and you pay whatever you want and what you think it's worth"

Cheers - wolfgang

[ex-racr]

WSN,
I don't have the USB cable, so when XTR comes out and you, or Tower Hobbies is selling the software, I will buy it and get the USB cable. I know it's free TO THOSE WHO ALREADY OWN reflex 4.0x.

tchuss,

Terry

[gregw]

Terry,

You might want to consider buying Reflex 4 now and ordering the free update instead of waiting for XTR. I remember reading in one of these forums, that Wolfgang said there will be a raise in price for XTR when it is officially released. ;)

[ex-racr]

I have heard that too. I'm not prepared to buy just yet. I just did my taxes and I'm getting a lot of money back:D :D Never the less I can't spend it before I have it. Perhaps reflex 4.0 will still be available at Tower when XTR appears. If the price difference is significant, I'll get 4.0 and upgrade.

Sincerely,

Terry

[kaptkaos]

I think FMS is fine if you are an experienced flier and want to work the rust off. The more expensive stuff is good for learners. Unless you can afford to spend the $200 without worrying about it.

[gregw]

Originally posted by kaptkaos
I think FMS is fine if you are an experienced flier and want to work the rust off. The more expensive stuff is good for learners. Unless you can afford to spend the $200 without worrying about it.

FMS is pretty much useless for practicing helis since it doesn't model translational lift at all. There is much more to a good simulator like Reflex than what FMS can provide.. IMHO, you really do get what you pay for in this case..