Clearview or RealFlight

[Deflord]

I got to play with RealFlight 4.5 and I got to download the Clearview demo. Granted both were very impressive. But it looks like RealFlight has more options in airplanes than Clearview. But Clearview is easier on the pocketbook than RealFlight.

Which would be a better investment for a RC Noob like me wanting to learn how to fly planes? The graphics and etc looks awesome on my pc (for the Clearview) And I can see that I can get a Radio - for about 25 bucks as well.

So just out of curiousity - your thoughts? Start off with Clearview then later move to RealFlight or ? I would like a simulator that would closely simulate what I could potentially do on the airfield.

Thank you!

[Lukethedude]

I use Clearview and am very happy with it. I have flown Realflight many times and see no reason to spend 200 for it. It is a better then CV for graphics although that would only slow my PC down, planes and helis seem to be easier to fly on Realflight, IMO Clearview is closer to real life.

[Deflord]

What kind of controller do you use? I'm running both demos on my pc with a keyboard - but I would rather use a controller. I have no problem with any graphic issues or whatsoever - I have a high end pc so those kind of stuff are not really an issue for me.

Suggestions are appreciated! Thank you for your tip though! But from a keyboard standpoint - I found Clearview easier to fly than RealFlight. But both are great in graphics wise.

*But Im only flying the RealFlight 4.0 not 4.5* (Demo version)

[Montag DP]

schmooglemabews

With Clearview you get free upgrades for life.

[Deflord]

schmooglemabews

With Clearview you get free upgrades for life.

Now with Clearview - would the controller that you can purchase aka the one
that Clearview recommends E-Sky USB controller - now if you are using lets say a Spektrum Radio in real life - how does the difference reflect. I am trying to keep it as close as realistic as possible. I'm new to the hobby - so my first plan was to buy a simulator first work on it first then eventually buy the Super Cub.

Thanks again for your inputs

[clayb62]

DEFINETLY REALFLIGHT!!!! I have had G3.5 and now G4. It's worth the money. I wouldn't go with anything else if I were you.

[Montag DP]

Now with Clearview - would the controller that you can purchase aka the one
that Clearview recommends E-Sky USB controller - now if you are using lets say a Spektrum Radio in real life - how does the difference reflect. I am trying to keep it as close as realistic as possible. I'm new to the hobby - so my first plan was to buy a simulator first work on it first then eventually buy the Super Cub.

Thanks again for your inputsWith Clearview, you actually use your own transmitter to control the simulator. That's what I'm doing with mine. I usually recommend one of these USB adapters (http://www.allerc.com/index.php?cPath=91) with part number FM002- (choose the correct one for your radio). However, that page doesn't list one for the Spektrum, so maybe someone else will be able to help out with a link for that.

If you can't find an adapter for your transmitter, you could use the recommended Esky USB controller. It wouldn't feel exactly like your real transmitter but all the skills you learn with it will transfer over just fine. It's kind of like how once you learn to ride a bike you can ride any bike, but a new bike will still take a little bit of getting used to.

EDIT: The following paragraph is incorrect. See post 11. On the other hand, Realflight comes with a proprietary controller that would probably be about comparable to the Esky controller you were talking about. The difference is that Realflight doesn't allow you to use your own - if you don't use the one that comes with the sim you won't be able to play.

[nexgen]

Clearview + my JR xp7202 = GREAT! The sim ROCKS, especially for heli's. I can use most of the existing functions in my radio, I just made a model in the tx memory called 'Sim" and flip to that when Im on the sim. There is another piece of software called smart propo plus that you can run so you can use any controller you want (even a PSP joystick if you really wanted to). That's my setup and I couldn't ask for anything more.

[huckleberg]

IMHO there is no reason to get any sim other than clearview. Get the 20 dollar esky controller off ebay or wherever and pay the 40 bucks for clearview ... awesome support here on this forum and email, free upgrades forever, several models for free download ...

realflight is nice but no reason to pay 3x as much ...

norm

[Double D]

On the other hand, Realflight comes with a proprietary controller that would probably be about comparable to the Esky controller you were talking about. The difference is that Realflight doesn't allow you to use your own

You are mistaken, the Elite controller comes with adapter cables in the box to hook up your own TX.

[Deflord]

Well I guess due to this post

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=978758

I will end up going with Clearview - apparently according to this particular post it indicates that the RealFlight 4.5 will NOT work with Intel Chips. Which is what I have. 4.0 works okay with Intel Chips but not 4.5 -

Thanks everyone for your inputs! Now time to go BUY!

[ironbadge]

Well I guess due to this post

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=978758

I will end up going with Clearview - apparently according to this particular post it indicates that the RealFlight 4.5 will NOT work with Intel Chips. Which is what I have. 4.0 works okay with Intel Chips but not 4.5 -

Thanks everyone for your inputs! Now time to go BUY!

I don't use G4.5 but I doubt it won't work with Intel chip. The majority of the computers on the market are equipped with Intel chips. I don't think Knife Edge has a reason to program G4.5 to use with anything else except Intel machines.

[Montag DP]

You are mistaken, the Elite controller comes with adapter cables in the box to hook up your own TX.Oh OK, my bad then. Some of the other leading sims are like that and I just assumed Realflight was as well (bad assumption).

[Deflord]

Alright Clearview has been purchased - wow all those planes :)

Now just waiting on the controller which has also been ordered.

[huckleberg]

I don't use G4.5 but I doubt it won't work with Intel chip. The majority of the computers on the market are equipped with Intel chips. I don't think Knife Edge has a reason to program G4.5 to use with anything else except Intel machines.

I believe you are confusing the CPU with the video card. Many intel graphics chips do not support higher end graphics APIs and thus don't work with higher quality graphic intensive programs ... for example, my laptop cannot run heli-x because the intel graphics chip won't support Open GL.

[Ubu]

I run RealFlight 4.5 on a notebook with Intel Core2 Duo processor, Vista 64, and an Intel 965 Express graphics chip with no problems.

[huckleberg]

I run RealFlight 4.5 on a notebook with Intel Core2 Duo processor, Vista 64, and an Intel 965 Express graphics chip with no problems.

that's a higher-end graphics chip ... my craptastic dell won't run squat ...

[ironbadge]

I believe you are confusing the CPU with the video card. Many intel graphics chips do not support higher end graphics APIs and thus don't work with higher quality graphic intensive programs ... for example, my laptop cannot run heli-x because the intel graphics chip won't support Open GL.

I read this post (http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=978758), that I quote below:

Realfilght does not work on a intell chip you have to use 4.0 version as of 1/03/09

I thought he was referring to the Intel CPU which is also called "Intel chip." If he said "Intel graphic chip" (GPU) then I would think differently.
My Thinkpad X61 has an Mobile Intel GMA X3100 (Mobile Intel 965 Express) video chip, using share memory (768MB out of 2GB). I do not use this laptop for gaming but I can run G3.5 (full) and G4 (demo) flawlessly. I do not have/try G4.5.

[huckleberg]

I do not use this laptop for gaming but I can run G3.5 (full) and G4 (demo) flawlessly. I do not have/try G4.5.

I like the graphics of realflight better but i have not been overly impressed with the physics ... i had 4.0 but ebayed it pretty quickly ...

[ironbadge]

I like the graphics of realflight better but i have not been overly impressed with the physics ... i had 4.0 but ebayed it pretty quickly ...

Hi,
So how would you compare/contrast the two sims?
I have not tried ClearView but I would do it today or tomorrow...
The graphics is kinda individual preference of tastes. After all, yes, the most important/helpful feature should be the physics.

[Warbirds Rule]

Wow, I have G4.5 and to me the physics are super realistic. If Clearview is that much superior I've got to try it!

Thanks for the comparison.

Sean

I like the graphics of realflight better but i have not been overly impressed with the physics ... i had 4.0 but ebayed it pretty quickly ...