Flight Simulator,

[rodchair]

Looking for a good six channel flight simulator that's out on the market that I can buy to learn how to fly better without tearing up my real RC helicopters is anybody have any suggestions? But I don't need the top-of-the-line nor do I want the bottom of the barrel type simulator, thx

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by rodchair

Looking for a good six channel flight simulator that's out on the market that I can buy to learn how to fly better without tearing up my real RC helicopters is anybody have any suggestions? But I don't need the top-of-the-line nor do I want the bottom of the barrel type simulator, thx

Phoenix, RealFlight, AeroFly, Heli-X

[rojack]

An RC simulator is good money spent.

You'll be able to learn how to fly from simple to complex maneuvers and save yourself many real life crashes which are expensive, time consuming and confidence draining.

You'll probably spend from about $50 or $60 up to about $200 to get something that will actually help you learn how to fly. It seems hard to justify spending that kind of money at first, especially if all you have is a micro heli, but eventually you will see the value.

ArchmageAU listed the ones worth considering, and I'll add Clearview to that as well, though if you have the money, I'd recommend stepping up to the better sims right away and save some time and money in the long run.

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by rojack

... and I'll add Clearview to that as well,....

The request was for 6 channel sim.

I dropped ClearView off the list (even though i have it) as it does not separate input from the throttle and collective channels (you can program these per model and use idle-up to switch gyro settings).

Heli-X (in 5 channel mode) does not use a gyro channel, but can like Clearview, you can simulate this with the idle-up modes.

In short, get the best sim you can afford (and works on your hardware). If Windows, (or mac in emulation), read the debates between Phoenix, RF and AeroFly.

[CalRotor]

You should buy a quality sim - I'm thinking real flight or Phoenix - used on the forums for about $100. I just sold Phoenix w/o controller for $80. If you were done with it, you could re-sell it here as well. But, I don't ever plan on selling my real flight, it's very hard to outgrow it.

[rojack]

Originally Posted by ArchmageAU

The request was for 6 channel sim.

I dropped ClearView off the list (even though i have it) as it does not separate input from the throttle and collective channels (you can program these per model and use idle-up to switch gyro settings).

Fair enough. ClearView does not have a pitch channel or gyro channel, but as the original poster is not familiar with RC simulators, is he truly asking for a sim which allows adjustable pitch curves and gyro settings from the transmitter, or just trying to find a program that simulates 6-channel helis decently?

As you can map transmitter channels to both Idle Up and Throttle Hold with ClearView, you can pretty much get the basic 6-channel heli experience, including inverted flight and auto-rotation practice in ClearView. My opinion is that's what the OP is looking for, as opposed to pitch curve setting and gyro setting via the transmitter, which is far from what a beginner needs.

That said, Having flown both ClearView and Phoenix each for many months, Phoenix is the far better sim for advanced learning and will take you much further down the road in the hobby overall. Pricewise, once you add in the USB controller that you need to fly in ClearView, Phoenix does not actually cost much more than ClearView. If you're really pinching pennies though, ClearView is far better than no sim at all!

[ArchmageAU]

Originally Posted by rojack

.. ClearView is far better than no sim at all!

At the risk of a +1 post, I agree to all you have said. Especially the last point.

[neverland]

+ 1 to the above !