Reflex or AFPD. Which is really better? [Archive]

Quacker

Dec 11, 2005, 02:01 AM

OK guys. Which is the better sim, Reflex or AFPD? My wallet is wide open, but my requirements are really steep.

Both seem to have really great photo-realism.

I want the best physics-especially for electric 3D. Real inertia and control response lag is a must.

I want glider support for both slope and tow, so I'm looking for good slope sites with realistic winds as well as very good flat ground thermal modeling.

I want a good assortment of indoor electric, outdoor electric, gliders and scale ships.

I'm going to assume that RF-G3 isn't really in the running, is it?

OK. It's all yours. Let 'er rip! All your comments will be appreciated. And please...no flaming.

MarkJayne

Dec 11, 2005, 05:35 AM

Ok Quacker this is my honest opinion. I have Reflex XTR. My brother-in-law who lives right next door to me has AFPD. I prefer XTR and so does he. There are pluses and minuses with both, and some planes and helicopters do fly more realistic than others. With helicopters XTR is without doubt the best.
The graphics on XTR also blow AFPD out the water.
So its XTR for me.

Good luck.

Mark.
www.rcflights.co.uk

Quacker

Dec 11, 2005, 05:38 PM

Thanks! --are you running these on similar machines with similar graphics cards?

Can you comment on glider support? I'm no longer moving towards helicopters, so this is not essential for me.

The AFPD add-on seems to really pump up the graphics. Have you seen this in action?

Q

MarkJayne

Dec 11, 2005, 06:43 PM

Yes both are run on the same spec machine. I have an Athlon 2.6 with 1Gb RAM and an ATI 9800 PRO graphics card and that runs XTR silky smooth with all settings on high.
As far as glider support, XTR has lots of gliders but thats something I'm not really into so can't comment on much.
I don't know if he's got the AFPD add-on, but I can't imagine it doing that much more to the graphics side, not enough to bring it to XTR standard.

I've got some video from XTR on my site www.rcflights.co.uk but you can also download the demo from the reflex site.

Good luck,

Mark.

Quacker

Dec 11, 2005, 07:04 PM

It seemed from my snooping around that AFPD got "on step" with the add-on that included photo-real flying sites. It's all new to me--that's why I'm asking...

sawicki

Dec 11, 2005, 08:46 PM

It seemed from my snooping around that AFPD got "on step" with the add-on that included photo-real flying sites. It's all new to me--that's why I'm asking...

Please let us know which way you decide to go. I'm going through the same decision process myself.

Felix

Quacker

Dec 11, 2005, 10:19 PM

It's unfortunate that both products leave many reatures unexplained on their respective sites. It's sort of frustrating my efforts to get the best product for my needs. One observation that seems valid is that photo-realism is more than just window dressing--I think it's an essential component of close altitude judgement. Without real stereo vision, the more detailed and real the ground looks, the better one can judge altitude and distance to the plane. So photo-realism matters. XTR's videos really highlight this advantage for all competitors.

Q

safebet

Dec 11, 2005, 10:23 PM

Me, too. I have read everything I can find on all 3. I have downloaded the XTR demo and it does look great even on my limited system.

AFPD does have the "trace" function which would be helpful in pattern flying.

You can record flights in all 3, I think, which would be good to track improvement over a period of time.

AFPD and I think XTR offer free downloads of new aircraft and I read G3 is about to offer the same.

I am beginning to think that whichever is cheapest and gives the best after-purchase service, may be my pick.

I really like the trace and record function with AFPD and the fact their downloads have been free all along. I guess they are trying to catch up on scenery also. I am about 95% ready to purchase AeroFlyProDeluxe.

Jim
AMA 821369

MarkJayne

Dec 12, 2005, 03:30 AM

Yes XTR does have free updates for planes, heli's and scenery. You can also go to www.rc-sim.de and download stacks of stuff for AFPD and XTR and its all free.

Good luck,

Mark.

Quacker, The photo realistic scenes are better in XTR. They seem more crisp and sharp compared to AFPD.
You must also remember that you have the no fly zone in XTR which AFPD does not. Some people like it, and some don't, but it does make your flying that little bit more challenging.

Quacker

Dec 12, 2005, 10:04 AM

So far, it seems a tough call, but AFPD seems to be in the lead for my application. Any other opinions out there?

peweepete

Dec 12, 2005, 06:44 PM

HI Quacker,
I have both XTR and Aerofly Pro Deluxe and I like to fly them both.
Yes Xtr has much better pictures but if you want to have a bit of fun with the options and games like balloon popping and pylon racing (plus you can play a 2 plane game with a friend on split screen) then you want AFPD.
My kids love AFPD much better than XTR as well, mainly due to the 'in cockpit' views and the 'follow aircraft' view.
I do like the gymn in XTR which is very realistic and good for honing indoor flying skills, and it is excellent for heli's (i know you are not leaning that way).
My advice is get both as used items to save a bit of money then work out what you like and then sell the one you don't like.
Thats what I intended to do--- but yes I still have both, and fly and enjoy both.

Sorry I know that isn't very helpful, but it's my 2pence worth.

Cheers Peter

safebet

Dec 13, 2005, 01:39 AM

I have decided to go with Aerofly Pro Deluxe after reading hours of threads. From my point of view, the concensus overall that AFPD receives the most good comments with XTR being second and G3 last.

Jim
AMA 821369
Merry Christmas

Quacker

Dec 13, 2005, 01:53 AM

safebet-that's my take as well. Going to buy tomorrow. Have already ordered my 3D wireless glasses from eDimensional.com <(;>{o>

sno

Dec 14, 2005, 09:24 PM

Hey Quacker...lemme know what ya find out about the slope'n in AFPD.
I have AFP and it does support slope gldiing...I would be surprised if it wasnt any more!?
I was kinda thinking about upgrading for xmas!

Quacker

Dec 14, 2005, 09:56 PM

So I ordered AFPD with the latest add-on. After much reading I decided that XTR has slightly better graphics (which I consider important to the experience) but AFPD has better glider support-both slope and tow as well as somewhat better flight physics. XTR is better at heli-but I don't care about heli.

There is no practical way to report on the actual difference in the contendors since the whole idea was to end up with just one- not both products. I will post my impressions when I get it running.

I also ordered something else that might just ice the cake:

http://www.edimensional.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28

I will post what these do for the experience as well!

[ o ] cap

Dec 15, 2005, 01:36 AM

just so you know ( you already may) those wont work on the photorealistic sceneries. just the plane.

Quacker

Dec 15, 2005, 02:09 AM

That might be OK. I expect it to work with with 3D backgrounds too. We'll see. They have a very good return policy so I see no real risk for having tried it. Film at 11:00

Q

sawicki

Dec 15, 2005, 07:56 AM

So I ordered AFPD with the latest add-on. After much reading I decided that XTR has slightly better graphics (which I consider important to the experience) but AFPD has better glider support-both slope and tow as well as somewhat better flight physics. XTR is better at heli-but I don't care about heli.

I'm leaning toward XTR just because of the training modes. The ability to learn to hover (heli) or torque roll (plane) by adding one control at a time seems valuable at my stage of learning.

Anyone know of a good reputable mail order source for XTR in the US ?

Thanks,

Felix

safebet

Dec 15, 2005, 11:10 AM

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have decided to purchase AFPD. I read all the htreads I could find on simulators. Based upon owner opinions I ranked them :
AFPD
XTR
G3
I have been watching the RC classfieds on this site and the "other" site and I noticed you rarely ever see AFPD for sell and XTR, only on occasion.

95% of simulator software for sale is G2 or G3.

This is another thing that convinced me to buy AFPD..

Jim
Ama 821369

Merry Christmas to everyone.

LeeU

Dec 17, 2005, 09:30 PM

Quacker,
I think you made the right choice, I love my AFP D and it is not my first sim. I'm not going to bash the ones I have had in the past as it is largely up to the user as to what he or she needs and what type of flying they do, I fly nothing but 3D aircraft so flight physics is what matters to me. Did you get the Add on Disk 1? I just ordered it and from what I have heard it raises the bar on photo realistic scenes with resolutions of 10240 by 5120. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but I read that the 3D glasses you're buying don't work with AFP D, I was going to buy the very ones you purchased before I read that some one else tried but could not get them to work.

LeeU

Quacker

Dec 17, 2005, 10:07 PM

I ordered the add-on disk from www.Ikarus-usa.com but it's not clear if they shipped it yet. I will have plenty to do when the program arrives so a small delay in getting the add-on won't be noticed.

Where did you read that the 3D glasses will not work? I'd like to read that. Perhaps I'll keep them anyway if they work on HL2DM ;>)

LeeU

Dec 17, 2005, 10:17 PM

Quacker,
I think it was on RC Universe about 9 months ago, I was bummed as I really think it would be awesome to fly with 3D glasses.

LeeU

LeeU

Dec 17, 2005, 10:18 PM

What kind of flying do you do? LeeU

Quacker

Dec 17, 2005, 10:26 PM

I fly open class gliders and electric. The electric varies from large electric scale to parkflyers with a special interest in airborne video. I frequently muse over trying 3D. How about you?