Phoenix Rc Flight Sim Review

[ATIS]

HORIZON HOBBY
PHOENIX RC FLIGHT SIM
REVIEW


http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=576


http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=577




The new Phoenix RC Flight sim comes in two options, with a DX5 or without a DX5. I picked up the version with the DX5 as I can use it for the indoor fun flys with all my BNF planes and helicopters.


Whats in the box:


- Sim CD
- DX5 TX
- TX to computer USB cord
- (1) cord adaptor
- (4) AA batteries


Computer requirements:


- Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- DirectX 9 or higher
- 1ghz Pentium III/4 or AMD Athlon/64 compatible processor
- GeForce 4200/ATO 9800 with 64mb memory
- 256mb system RAM
- 750mb free disk space
- CD-Rom/DVD drive
- USB 1.1/2.0 port


Installation:


Installation is easy, simply put in the disk and follow the prompts. Total install time is about 6 minutes. Once installed it will walk you through the calibration steps for the controller. I noticed in the drop down menu for the controller calibration that they list JR, Futaba, Spektrum and a few other manufactures so it looks like they support all the major TX manufacturers.


SIM functions:


The entire sim works on drop down menu's just like any windows program. If you can work Windows Office Word you can easily navigate this Sim.


Updates:


When I first opened the program it checked for updates, I picked up what looked like 10 more planes for free. Its a nice feature as it will keep you up to date and free additional planes is always a nice touch, no expansion pack purchases means you have more money for real planes!! (see pict)


http://www.horizonrcflyers.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=10&pictureid=578


Summary:


Its a SIM, not much to really post picture wise so I decided to record my first flights on the sim...the planes handle well and you will need to do a little trimming just like the real thing. Damage looks real as parts fly all over the field and the crunching noise of balsa makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. The Blade 400 flys just like the one I have in the garage, a angry bull trying to throw me with a complete lack of mercy or respect for me....what can I say, its as real as I have ever expereinced compared to my other sim. If you want photo realistic backgrounds and flying fields with a great selection of aircraft, watercraft and heli's this is the sim you have been waiting for. The video is a little long and I recorded it in HD to try and show the quaility of the graphics. On a side note... the flying site "lake side" is awesome, seeing your planes reflection on the water as you fly over the lake is impressive.


For those that dont like to fly alone, the sim also has a multi-flyer capability so you can fly with friends around the world... giving new meaning to "Fly In".


http://www.vimeo.com/9169899

[dbcisco]

Do they have a demo of it?

[FlyNC]

Thanks for the review. I've downloaded and played that free sim off the internet but it's nowhere as chock full of features as that one. I think a sim would help me as long as I treat it as a REAL plane!

I know some of them will allow you to create your own field. You can take a digital panorama of your flying field, send them the files and they'll compile it into a selectable flying field for the sim. Then you can fly at Creekside w/out leaving your living room.

Anyway, great video and great effort with that Osprey! :clapping:

Howard

[ATIS]

I think they do on their website...what did you think of the video? I am having a blast with the Osprey...the transition is the difficult part.

Here is a link to a demo:

http://www.phoenix-sim.com/downloads_demo.htm

[FlyNC]

Do they have a demo of it?

Hey dbcisco, I was born in Lansdale! :thumbsup: Small world........

[FlyNC]

I think they do on their website...what did you think of the video? I am having a blast with the Osprey...the transition is the difficult part.

Here is a link to a demo:

http://www.phoenix-sim.com/downloads_demo.htm


I was wondering how you made a live recording of the sim from your computer.....until you zoomed out with your camera. Great job, very good quality! :thumbsup:

[rcdude07]

I was wondering how you made a live recording of the sim from your computer.....until you zoomed out with your camera. Great job, very good quality! :thumbsup:


FRAPS is generally the choice of computer screen recordings.

http://www.fraps.com/

[ATIS]

I was wondering how you made a live recording of the sim from your computer.....until you zoomed out with your camera. Great job, very good quality! :thumbsup:


Thanks, I couldnt do a review without posting real footage as it wouldnt be fair to you all. The video is unretouched like all my videos and photos. Its a little different trying to fly a sim while leaning around a camera thats sitting between your legs. :opto:

[WJCJR1]

Great Job Bryan with getting this put together. The graphics look great, very real looking. As a matter of fact, besides the crashng part I thought for a moment I was wathcing you flying in real time.

Moreover the software is quicker to access for model changes etc. I like it.

P.S. Got those hairs raising when you smashed the Deuces.

Wayne

[ATIS]

Wayne,

I picked the DW soley to tease you since your is sitting waiting for the weather to break!!

The graphics between this and my G2.5 is like comparing the XBOX 360 to the N64!!!

[WJCJR1]

I like the fact you can see individual blades of GRASS!

[ATIS]

the planes reflection on the water is awesome as well...gotta try the snow covered field next...with a plane on floats! :)

[tkrahlin]

I’ve had Phoenix Sim for over a month now and this is the closest I’ve got to seeing it.

For want of the back ordered $2.99 DX5e Adapter, mine has been sitting in the drawer all this time. [RTMASPMDX5E]

I just checked Horizon Hobby’s web site and both sims packages (with and without the DX5e) are on back order.

I appreciate the fact that Horizon is cranking out product like crazy. The selection is great and they’re the only manufacturer that list so many replacement parts. However, this constant back order is very frustrating.

[ATIS]

Tim, thats interesting...did you check with your LHS (or other ones in the area)? HH normally ships new products on to their LHS's first before they stock them themselves. Sorry to hear you havent had a chance to use her yet. I just flew the autogyro around the lake...I need to get myself an autogyro...they are a blast.

[dbcisco]

Checked out the demo. All I can say is it is pretty.
Looking over the model list, it is a vast improvement over FS-One.
If I ever get into aerobatics, 3D etc. and got any of the planes they include I would definitely be in the market for this over RealFlight.

Sadly, I don't have anything close to any of the aircraft they have for it.
Of course mine are mostly WWI electrics (most custom built) which puts me in the minority. On the bright side for us electric WWI nuts FMS is enough (except the "pretty factor") and has loads of WWI planes already made that match many of mine.

[exit44rc]

I'm a huge fan of the Phoenix flight sim. I'd like to add to the discussion here by saying that it also works great on the Mac computer. I run it through VMWare Fusion on the Mac and it works great.

[brianfp_400]

your a cruel dude ATIS....smile Teasing poor Wayne with that DW ! LMAO

[ATIS]

I know...I am jealous of Wayne's DW so I felt the need to give him a hard time :opto: ...but this sim is going to cause me problems...its more addictive then my XBox 360!!

[ATIS]

Here is the link to the "tech help" for Phoenix. It has the instructions for taking photos of your plane and how to submit it for them to create and then release as an update...not sure on the turn around time but you can "request" new planes of your choice this way that will be shared with everyone.

It also has a link for making a 3d panaramic flying site for use with the sim...so you can fly your normal park even when its snowed in (read: Wayne you could be flying the DW at your field right now!! LOL)

http://www.phoenix-sim.com/technical.htm

[WJCJR1]

[QUOTE=tkrahlin;8437]I’ve had Phoenix Sim for over a month now and this is the closest I’ve got to seeing it.
For want of the back ordered $2.99 DX5e Adapter, mine has been sitting in the drawer all this time. [RTMASPMDX5E]
QUOTE]

There is a Product Bulletin on a part for the DX5e adptr;

From Horizon Hobby:
Bulletins

Phoenix DX5e Adaptor Bulletin

Horizon has recently updated the design of the DX5e adaptor used with the Phoenix flight simulator. We will provide this adaptor free of charge for customers who purchased Phoenix R/C Pro Flight Simulator 2.5 w/DX5e.

For Full details visit: http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Support.aspx?ProdID=RTM25R5500

Is this the adptr you refer to Tim?

Wayne

[tkrahlin]

There is a Product Bulletin on a part for the DX5e adptr... Is this the adptr you refer to Tim?

Yes...

I've had the Phoenix Flight Simulator sitting in the drawer since Christmas Eve 2009 waiting for the stinking DX5e adapter.

Now it's been 're-designed'?

Great!

I have three or four DX5e’s around here I can use, so I bought the flight sim package WITHOUT the DX5e.

I didn’t order the adapter at the same time because the site said, “Needed to Complete – Transmitter.”
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=RTM2500

By the time I found out that I needed the adapter, they were on back order and have been ever since.

This is the part number I've had on back order since 12/19/2009.
(RTMASPMDX5E) http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=RTMASPMDX5E

Oh... and also a cowl for the PT-17 Stearman (but I guess that's another thread).
.

[WJCJR1]

I am unsure how to answer your reply, the bulletin states HH will supply FOC this adapter for SIMs ordered W/DX5e. Yours was without the DX5e so unclear to me if the adapter in the kit w/DX5e was wrong and the one that was recommended for copletion was the right one.

Any date as to time of arrival?

Wayne

[WJCJR1]

Just checked our sponsors inventories and they're out of stock as well, both items listed above.

Tim I certainly hope you get to use this awesome simulator soon as it does look fantastic!

Wayne

[WJCJR1]

The Fly-In option ROCKS what fun. Once again it is a tremendous time to be in the R/C Aircraft Hobby. Starting to sound more fun to fly the simulator then the real thing :laughing:, at least you'll always have a world full of peope at the Fly-Ins.

Wayne

[tkrahlin]

I am unsure how to answer your reply, the bulletin states HH will supply FOC this adapter for SIMs ordered W/DX5e. Yours was without the DX5e so unclear to me if the adapter in the kit w/DX5e was wrong and the one that was recommended for copletion was the right one.

Any date as to time of arrival?

Wayne

I just emailed them and asked.

[ATIS]

much to my dismay... my adaptor has crapped the bed. Sadly, I am away on business and snowed in at the hotel so I cant even fly (which is why I brought it to help pass the time) so I just sent an email to HH requesting a new adaptor.

[Wattman]

Maybe you should have taken your MCX or MSR with you ......................its what I do on trips for motel room confinement time :happy bounce:

[ATIS]

Or the micor 4-Site, I could dip the tail in the toilet....

My adaptor broke, the metal end cap is missing. My opinion is that despite a great SIM, the adaptor is cheap. I am going to try to get to radio shack today to pick up a stereo to mono adaptor ( 1/8 ) as that should work...

[ATIS]

ADAPTOR QUICK FIX:

Radio Shack P/N 274-368 Stero to Mono audio adapter (18" to 1/8")... trim a little off the inside edge of the TX housing around the plug, trim a little of the black pplastic off the adaptor along its edge that plugs into the TX and your good to go...works great and its a better built adaptor then then stock provided one.

[liquid1]

Atis, great review..you flying the Heli's and Osprey is priceless..:thumbsup:

[ATIS]

thanks...everyone has to start somewhere...and now you all know why I fly planes!! :)

[liquid1]

thanks...everyone has to start somewhere...and now you all know why I fly planes!! :)I just hope I can do a better job at flying planes than I do at my Heli. The collective pitch was the wrong heli for me to start on. But it has learned me stick control and its a blast with every flight..:clapping: The pheonix sim looks great..:thumbsup: