Help! Turn Me On!

[OodleyBoodely]

Hi, Y'all! I'm planning to buy my Dad a computer flight simulator package for Christmas and since I don't want him to know anything about this, yet, and, I am not a modler myself (read: totally ignorant in this field), I need some help and some links for the best online prices.

Here's what I've been looking at and I think this is what Dad mentioned wanting; Ripmax RC Simulator.
I've seen this advertised thru Tower Hobbies, but, it appears to have a lot of 'add-on' programs that really bump the price up. What would be a basic package(any other brands?) that would actually get Dad going? What is needed to run this program-any special equiptment needed for the computer, can he use his radio controller with it, or, does one come with the program?

Dad's radio controller is a System X Flash 5, digital proportional radio control system, Ch31 72.410tf. The computer is a Gateway Performance 800, 800MHz PIII processor, with 128MB with Win ME. (I hope this info is right-I really don't know what I just typed! :D )

What are the pro/cons of this program? Is there something better out there/ as good but less $$? Any help is greatly needed and appreciated. Thankyou in advance for any and all replies.

[rcski]

Hi Oodley, and welcome to the board. First off, I have no clue what is the best simulator to buy. My only advice I can give is Take into consideration what your dad wants out of a simulator. To learn or just as a game. I have a aerochopper sim. by ambrosia I paid about $200 for it about 7 yrs ago. and it does all I need, to learn how to fly and do differrent menuvers. Theres great simulators out there that have pretty graphics. houses and trees rocks and hills. you can even set it so your plane or heli allways faces a certain way when you take off, heck by now they might even have auto pilot. I have no Idea how thats going to really teach you how to fly in the real world. what I'm saying if your limited on money. To pay big bucks for one with all that stuff won't help you learn to fly if thats what your dad wants it for. I'm sure someone will give you some advice on the different ones out there soon. just keep checking your post out. I do know when I bought mine I checked out the Dave Brown sim. out. I dont know if he still sells one or improved it, but back then, that thing sucked. Take care and good luck

[OodleyBoodely]

Thanks Rcski,

He is definately interested in it to learn to fly. He is not interested in computers or computer games, otherwise.