Playstation 2: RC heli sims

[andre]

All,

Has anyone played either "RC Helicopter" or "RC Stunt Copter" for Playstation? If so, are they worthwhile training sims? Comparisons to real RC helis, FMS, Realflight, etc.?

Thanks,
Andre

[Bill Glover]

As mentioned in the other thread, I haven't played these myself. But obviously they are games first and foremost, so I'm sure FMS would be more realistic (plus of course you will be using your own TX rather than a PS2 controller!). But I'm sure I remember reading reviews of Stunt Copter that said it was too difficult to control, so maybe it is realistic!

PS Grand Theft Auto 3 has r/c copters in it, and Vice City has r/c planes (plus full-size copters) :)

[andre]

Bill,

Yes, good point on the controller. Although, I am using a USB game controller now on FMS as I haven't ordered my heli radio and interface yet.

I'm sure if the PS2 games were realistic enough, someone would eventually come up with an adapter interface, from the existing commercial Tx / USB interfaces, into the PS2 :)

Does PS2 actually have the brainpower to run an RC sim with realistic physics (I don't care so much about realistic graphics), as opposed to just a fly-and-shoot game?

-Andre

[Bill Glover]

I use an Ikarus Game Commander with FMS on my PC, this is like a normal TX but with a lead coming out where the aerial would usually be. Saves wear and tear on my TX, and doesn't need charging!

I think the PS2 would have the power to run something like FMS, but probably not one of the ultra-realistic r/c sims where huge amounts of graphics are being handled in addition to the physics engine.

[will p3]

I use the rc stunct copter game for a bit of a laugh and it is actually of some use but really only for orientation practise in the mode in free flight where you can fly the chopper as if you are standing in a field, i just use for nose in practise. on dual shock controller controlls are the same as my tx, i think i fly mode 2, throtle/rudder on left.
It wont teach you to fly cause the feel to unrealistic but as mentioned good to get the eye in with the brain for cheap if you know what i mean.

[andre]

Will,

Thanks for the game review. Sounds like it won't be of much benefit to me, I've got FMS working nicely and will probably upgrade to XTR Reflex soon.

I'm guessing that we haven't seen a realistic RC sim for PS2 because lower installed based (compared to PC) might make return on investment too low. Don't know if there is such a thing as freeware for PS2, but if someone out there wants to try, you'll probably have willing beta testers :)

-Andre

[Wright Flyer]

I've got both the old PSOne R/C heli game and the later PS2 one and neither of them is ANYTHING like flying a model helicopter. Apart from anything else the left stick (throttle) on a PS/2 controller is spring loaded to return to the centre - if that happened on your Tx when flying a real R/C heli you'd be up thingy creek without a paddle!

The latest FMS 8 heli simulation is OKish but even it is too easy to fly when compared to a heli. To really know what flying a model heli is like you need to get one of either RFG2, AFP or XTR. (I've got XTR and think it is a totally AMAZING piece of software!).

Cliff

PS No such thing as freeware on any consoles - the availability (and quality!) of software is very strictly controlled by Sony (and Nintendo and Microsoft)

[andre]

Cliff,

Thanks for the insight on the sims and consoles.

I'm using a game controller with FMS ver 8, but disabled the spring on the throttle stick. Still, it does seem too easy, with no wind you could take off and hover indefinitely with only rudder input. It's a bit more challenging with the wind turned on, but I'm getting AFP or XTR anyway. Compared to the cost of the real (model) thing, seems like cheap insurance.

Thanks,
-Andre

[Hawker]

Nothing can beat Reflex XTR. It's just a blast and looks beautiful! I used to fly Real Flight until I got hold of this one.