Best flight simulator?

izit

izit

izit

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I'd like to start on 1, I've always given up on them in the past not being bothered to learn how to do it.

Can anyone give me some pointers to start me off for example the best software and what basic peripherals/joystick I should get.

I'd like the best software, but just cheap peripherals for now.

Thanks
 
I've just gotten into DCS: A-10C (First sim I've given a serious try), I'd really recommend it. I only have a cheap joystick, it's the 3D Pro from Logitech but it does the job if I use the keyboard with it too.

In my opinion I'd go for DCS: A10C as it's one aircraft to get familiar with the basics of flight instead of getting confused with multiple.

Just my 2p :)
 
You can also give Rise of Flight a spin, it's almost always available in a trial format and I believe they even do a baby/light version for free now too. Will give you a different flight taste to many of the others as it's older WW prop planes. Other than that, certainly happy to offer a seal of approval for DCS: A10C too.
 
I dont think A10 is the best sim for someone starting out.Its a great game but maybe something alittle less taxing to start out with.Rise of flight is maybe the most accessable for a beginner.Also the fact that its free with limited planes makes it ideal if you cant get into flight simming.
 
No folks mentioned about joystick, I saw this one incidentally on YouTube

http://www.thrustmaster.com/product.aspx?ProductID=221&PlatformID=5

It's very expensive as far as the price of a joystick is concerned. Also, if you are not really into serious flight simulation, this joystick might not be what you want since after all, it's as heavy as a real F-16 flight stick. That means you will have to exert more than light force to move it around.

I chanced on this joystick when i was watching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgy88KGDX-o

That is IL-2 Sturmovik Cliffs of Dover. IL-2 series is quite a good game, you can beat the AI at least. But it's still buggy. So you may like to check out another one which is a WWI simulation, Rise of Flight: The Great War Iron Cross Edition. I have ordered it and is waiting for its delivery.

So you have a few more choices apart from A-10C Warthog.

By the way folks, does A-10C Warthog comes with a mission editor so that I can make any missions myself?
 
I have both FS2004 and FSX running on my system and I use them for different things, so it depends what you want.

FSX is great if you want to fly around nice scenery in a Cessna and do a few tutorials and missions.

I prefer 2004 for more 'procedural' flying like commercial jet flights by the book because it runs faster, but you will need some add-ons, the essential ones being FS Global (elevation data), Radar Contact (Improved ATC), a decent traffic package to populate the skies and airports, and possibly an airport package for more realistic terminals.

And most importantly, a decent third party aircraft, I mostly fly the 737PIC, but I love Lago's Mad Dog MD80 too.

As for joysticks, I still use an old Saitek Cyborg 3D which suits me fine, I don't know what the current equivalent is but as long as it's got a twist axis, a throttle lever and about 6-8 extra buttons it's all you'll need.
 
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Peter Tsang said:
By the way folks, does A-10C Warthog comes with a mission editor so that I can make any missions myself?
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It most certainly does, and a very, very capable one at that.

Another vote for DCS:A10C from me, although I may be considered biased. Yes it's conplicated for a benginner and does take work and dedication to master, but it will give you years of enjoyment if you put the work in.
 
I reccomend Traffic X by Justflight if youre going down the fsx route.

It populates the game with a smorgasboard of ai planes, it makes the game feel much more vital and living than before.

You can even "tune in" and hear the pilots communicating with atc which is awesome.

On my pc its a bit of a framerate kill, but your spec should easily handle it.

http://www.justflight.com/trafficX-home.asp

There are other traffic addons by different publishers but I'm new to fsx and this is all I have experience with.

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18172358&highlight=fsx

The giant fsx thread on ocuk, contains information about addons to get the best visual experience!
 
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Depends on what you want to fly, thought Rise of Flight can be played free now so that always a good option, from there decide what sort of flying you want to do and choose from there.
 
The two DCS games are very complicated for a first timer. If youre not dedicated you could easily lose interest in flight simming if you cant even blow something up!

I would suggest Lock On for your first modern combat sim, its not as complex as DCS but still retains a good level of complexity within its flight system and avionics that will satisfy everyone.

Put it this way, in lock on I managed to lock on to a target and blow it up on my first go. In DCS Black Shark I had to read a step by step guide and then the target blew me up.

And get Flaming Cliffs 2 for lock on, it makes the graphics look new and for me was worth the price for that alone.
 
I think DCS A-10c is a great game, admitadely i havent put in a great deal of hours but you have to with any sim and I think theres more to dcs then say something like fsx

an x52 is a great stick.
 
Try:
Rise of flight (free)
FS2004
FSX

A-10C / Black shark is VERY complicated for the novice

Decent stick would be the X-52
 
izit said:
I'd like to start on 1, I've always given up on them in the past not being bothered to learn how to do it.

Can anyone give me some pointers to start me off for example the best software and what basic peripherals/joystick I should get.

I'd like the best software, but just cheap peripherals for now.

Thanks
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A-10C + black shark are awesome, get your self a nice joystick.
 
A-10C is just 100% awesome but very, very involved. I've just done the training and a few quick action missions and not even scratched the surface.

If you've always given up learning or get distracted easily then it's possibly not the best sim to start with.

FSX is fun, nice amount of planes and some good tutorials. The smaller planes are pretty easy to fly with too.
 
izit said:
I'd like to start on 1, I've always given up on them in the past not being bothered to learn how to do it.

Can anyone give me some pointers to start me off for example the best software and what basic peripherals/joystick I should get.

I'd like the best software, but just cheap peripherals for now.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I'm a huge flight sim fan and personally Flight Sim X is a good one for all round skill levels.

It is a lot of fun and you can proberbly get the Gold Edition very cheaply these days.

For peripherials, not spending too much i'd recommend the Hotas X joystick, its about £30 on Amazon. I've not looked at the joysticks from OCuK but it may be worth a look

You can also spend more and get proper rudders and flight yoke but if your not sure you'll make a hobby out of it then not worth your money.

There are many addons for FSX, some free some paid, if you do get into flight sims, get some addons.

If however your looking for combat flight sims, if you want one thats easy to pick up and play, Wings of Prey is one of my favs, if you want realism then IL2-Stormovik is apparently the top of the class
 
You could go for FSX for civilian stuff. IL2 1946 for WW2 and DCS A10C for modern. Be warned, DCS is incredibly tough.
 
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