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Potential newbie flight simmer (Read 587 times)
May 4th, 2004 at 12:49pm

casarticus   Ex Member
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I see Flight Sim 2002, Flight Sim 2002 Pro and Flight Sim 2004. Which is the best package? Also what is the best Joystick on the market? I am 70 years of age and am wondering if i will be able to learn to fly? All replies would be appreciated/ Charlie
 
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Reply #1 - May 4th, 2004 at 12:52pm

Craig.   Offline
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welcome to Simv.
To answer the question of which is best for you, we will need to know your system specs as which works properly is dependant on that.
Enjoy your stay here
 
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Reply #2 - May 4th, 2004 at 12:56pm

eno   Offline
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FS2002 and PRO are much the same ......... just a few additions in the PRO version.
FS2004 ........ or in here you'll also see it refered to as FS9 is obviously the latest version and has more features that where not in the previous versions.

I would say go for any of them .... but if your system is old and creaky like mine then FS9 requires a much faster PC in order to get any real benefit ........ You'll also find FS2002 is better on the wallet, being an older sim.

Either way welcome to the forums and if you need hints tips and to learn how to fly anyway you want ... theres peeps here who will be most anxious to help.

Enjoy
eno
 

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Reply #3 - May 4th, 2004 at 1:37pm

casarticus   Ex Member
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  Thanks for your spontaneous replies.

               Computer Specification

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                                                       Charlie
 
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Reply #4 - May 4th, 2004 at 1:45pm

Hagar   Offline
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Hi Charlie & welcome to the madhouse. Looking at your specs I would go for FS2004 or FS9 as it more often referred to. As for a joystick I would have recommended a Microsoft Sidewinder with separate twistgrip rudder control. Many people here seem to like the Force Feedback sticks. I've never bothered with them myself. Someone told me that M$ no longer produce them but I'm not sure this is correct. ???

The Saitek X-45 is also popular but I've seen problems reported with cheaper joysticks & the M$ sims. It's also possible you might prefer to go the whole hog & get a yoke & pedals. This will depend on the aircraft you wish to fly & these might be a tad tricky to set up. I would try a joystick first to see how you get on.

Good luck. Wink
 

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Reply #5 - May 4th, 2004 at 2:54pm

Scottler   Offline
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Hi Charlie!

With your system, you should have no problems at all running Flight Sim 2004.  In fact, there are more than a few guys on the boards whom will be very jealous of the results you get on that system!

As for a joystick, it really depends how much you want to spend.  I've got the very popular Saitek X-45, and would recommend it to anyone who wants a great stick at a reasonable price.  (It's about $70 USD right now I think, but you get quite a bit for your money.)

I've never had a problem with the stick itself.  It's a beauty!
 

Great edit, Bob.&&&&&&Google it. &&&&www.google.com
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Reply #6 - May 4th, 2004 at 3:38pm

Fly2e   Offline
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Hello Casarticus,

Welcome to SimV!
I would say with your specs to defiantly get 2004. It has allot of eye candy and is all in all, the best of the simulator series with many things to enhance your flying experience!

Quote:
Saitek X-45

I also have the Saitek and have found after trying out a few joysticks, Microsoft Force feedback 1 &2, to be the best out there!

Quote:
I am 70 years of age and am wondering if i will be able to learn to fly?
You're never too old to fly, in fact there are a few members here around the same ripe age as you!

Happy flying and best of luck!!

Dave
 

Intel Core i7 Extreme Processor 965, 4.2GHz/8MB L3 Cache, Asus P6T Deluxe V2 Intel X58 Chipset Cross
Fire & SLI Supported, Mushkin Redline 6GB (3X2GB) Memory, eVGA NVIDIA GeForce GTX 285, Vista 64.

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Reply #7 - May 4th, 2004 at 5:28pm

BFMF   Offline
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After 4 or 5 years, my MS Sidewinder is starting to wear out, and i'm gonna have to start looking for another one soon Undecided

Quote:
As for a joystick I would have recommended a Microsoft Sidewinder with separate twistgrip rudder control.


A seperate Rudder twistgrip? I've never heard of that before ???
 
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Reply #8 - May 4th, 2004 at 6:07pm

Hagar   Offline
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Quote:
After 4 or 5 years, my MS Sidewinder is starting to wear out, and i'm gonna have to start looking for another one soon Undecided


A seperate Rudder twistgrip? I've never heard of that before ???

Unless you're using a basic 3-axis Sidewinder yours has a twistgrip rudder control. ???
This is the current Sidewinder Precision 2. http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/Prec2.asp

Quote:
Combining digital-optical precision, rapid fire accuracy and a nimble twist handle, the Precision 2 provides peak performance and superior control in flight, combat and racing games. The ergonomic design, optimized button layout and solid base make the Precision 2 a professional quality stick that feels as great as it performs.
 

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Reply #9 - May 4th, 2004 at 11:23pm

BFMF   Offline
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Quote:
Unless you're using a basic 3-axis Sidewinder yours has a twistgrip rudder control. ???
This is the current Sidewinder Precision 2. http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/sidewinder/Prec2.asp


I guess i've got the first version of the Sidewinder Precision, and it's handle twists for the rudder. But you mentioned a Quote:
separate twistgrip rudder control
that confused me
 
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Reply #10 - May 5th, 2004 at 2:26am

Saitek   Offline
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Hi Carsarticus! Welcome to SimV.
Nobody is to old to fly. Hagar here is err well.... umm pretty close... I'll let him say his age. not my place to say!
A nice running system you have, if money is not really a problem then go for FS2004. It is quite a bit better than FS2002. I'm plannig on updating to it.
I use a Saitek Rumble Force stick. It is really good, and it comes with a 2 year warranty, well mine did, insted of the usual 1 year. That is really good.... joysticks are awful for going wrong. The important thing is that it has a rudder twist whatever one you decide to get.


Regards
Ben
 

Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Intel Core 2 Duo E2180 2GHz
GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35
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2 x 22" monitors
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Be Quiet! Straight Power 650W

Flying FSX with Saitek's pro flight range:
Radio
Switch panel
Auto-pilot
Yoke and throttle quad
Pedals
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Reply #11 - May 5th, 2004 at 2:34am

casarticus   Ex Member
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   Thanks everybody for your help. You have put me on the right path and i am very grateful. Seems to be a smashing site and i am glad i have joined. Nothing like help from seasoned experts.



                         All the Best  Charlie
 
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Reply #12 - May 5th, 2004 at 2:45am

Saitek   Offline
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Great. Fill us in when your there....
This site is really good for helping people fast... though I nearly always get helped than help Roll Eyes Wink Grin

Ben


 

Windows 7 Pro 64bit
Intel Core 2 Duo E2180 2GHz
GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35
Kingston HyperX 4GB (2x2) DDR2 6400C4 800Mhz
GeForce 8800 GT 512MB
2 x 22" monitors
200GB Sata
Be Quiet! Straight Power 650W

Flying FSX with Saitek's pro flight range:
Radio
Switch panel
Auto-pilot
Yoke and throttle quad
Pedals
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Reply #13 - May 5th, 2004 at 2:58am

Hagar   Offline
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My Spitfire Girl
Costa Geriatrica

Posts: 33159
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Quote:
I guess i've got the first version of the Sidewinder Precision, and it's handle twists for the rudder. But you mentioned a separate twistgrip rudder control
that confused me

Sorry Andrew. I was trying to make it clear that you need a joystick with a separate rudder control to get the best out of FS. Obviously I didn't succeed. Embarrassed
Quote:
Nobody is to old to fly. Hagar here is err well.... umm pretty close... I'll let him say his age. not my place to say!

At 61 I'm just a spring chicken compared with some members here. I've met people of all ages from 8 to over 80 enjoying the sims. I think this is a great way to bridge the "generation gap" they go on about. In fact I don't believe this ever existed - certainly not where aviation is concerned. An aviation enthusiast is an aviation enthusiast no matter what their age. Once you're hooked it lasts a lifetime. Wink
 

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Member of the Fox Four Group

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Reply #14 - May 5th, 2004 at 7:52am

Poseidon   Offline
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Quote:
 In fact, there are more than a few guys on the boards whom will be very jealous of the results you get on that system!


...and God, I know I'm one...

Celeron 1.7, 512MB RAM, 40GB HD, GeForce2 MX (64Mhz)
 
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