rosco11
Well-Known Member
I used two different programs to help make the transition from stabilized flight to manual. They absolutely helped. Not that they respond the way your specific quad does, but they help you get the feel for the way a quad on manual behaves.
If i had to put it into words, i would say it is kind of like a boat. You turn the rudder to change direction, then have to turn it back the other way to counter the momentum to get it going straight again. There is a feel to it that becomes intuitive after ALOT of stick time. Using a simulator gets you past that "what the hell is it doing" phase to "control my over reaction" phase. And as a bonus, no broken props or legs to get there.
1. FPV Freerider. First because if you buy the original it is only 5 bucks. The cost of a couple sets of props. Also because this program actually behaves more like an actual quadcopter. The movements and responses are firm and quick. Even though the animation is not top notch, the flying characteristics and immediate resets when you crash take you though the process in the shortest amount of time in my opinion.
Cons - quirky. No where in the directions does it say it, but you have to set up a model in your transmitter a certain way to get it to work with the program. you-tube is your friend. Then you have to power up the transmitter FIRST, plug it into the computer, THEN start the program. Even then, about half the time it does not recognize the controller. And after you have been playing it a while, it starts to get buggy, not recognizing channel input and such. Probably a memory leak problem in the program. Sometimes i need to reboot the computer and start over to get it to work.
That said, it is the most realistic when flying as far as control inputs are concerned.
2. Liftoff by Immerson. Second because it is the next cheapest program out there at 20 bucks. The graphics are superior and there are more choices. It is as close to realistic as you can probably get on a computer visually.
However...there is a price beyond the cost. While the quads to behave the way they should, control inputs are "floaty." If you are flying it hard, you don't really notice, but starting out, everything is soft. Turns, bumping into things, etc. It will get you there, but i personally feel this is more designed for racers than starters. Starting out, the floaty responses to control inputs gives you a detached feeling. Kind of like flying a Phantom. Push the button and watch the response.
Cons - While a little more stable than Freerider, it is still quirky. You still have to set up the transmitter a certain way which they do not explain. you-tube. You still have to turn on the transmitter and plug it in before you start the program which they do not explain. As well, getting the program to recognize the controller is hit or miss and it also gets buggy after flying it for a while.
In addition to those problems, the camera's are pointed up for racers. Kind of sucks to learn with. I am sure there is a setting, which they do not explain, to change the camera angle, but i have not found it. The controls are super sensitive as well. Probably geared towards high performance racers. Add in the floaty feel, and controlling it is a challenge.
In addition to those issues, when you crash, things get damages and you have to repair it or reset the scenario. which takes loading time. Realistic? sure. Just want to learn? Pain in the butt and wasted time. They tried to make a marketable game out of it, including multi-player and a chat channel.
The visuals are cool, flying feels lacking in my opinion.
If there are better programs out there, i cant find one for less than 20 bucks. If you know of one, post it for the rest of us.
If i had to put it into words, i would say it is kind of like a boat. You turn the rudder to change direction, then have to turn it back the other way to counter the momentum to get it going straight again. There is a feel to it that becomes intuitive after ALOT of stick time. Using a simulator gets you past that "what the hell is it doing" phase to "control my over reaction" phase. And as a bonus, no broken props or legs to get there.
1. FPV Freerider. First because if you buy the original it is only 5 bucks. The cost of a couple sets of props. Also because this program actually behaves more like an actual quadcopter. The movements and responses are firm and quick. Even though the animation is not top notch, the flying characteristics and immediate resets when you crash take you though the process in the shortest amount of time in my opinion.
Cons - quirky. No where in the directions does it say it, but you have to set up a model in your transmitter a certain way to get it to work with the program. you-tube is your friend. Then you have to power up the transmitter FIRST, plug it into the computer, THEN start the program. Even then, about half the time it does not recognize the controller. And after you have been playing it a while, it starts to get buggy, not recognizing channel input and such. Probably a memory leak problem in the program. Sometimes i need to reboot the computer and start over to get it to work.
That said, it is the most realistic when flying as far as control inputs are concerned.
2. Liftoff by Immerson. Second because it is the next cheapest program out there at 20 bucks. The graphics are superior and there are more choices. It is as close to realistic as you can probably get on a computer visually.
However...there is a price beyond the cost. While the quads to behave the way they should, control inputs are "floaty." If you are flying it hard, you don't really notice, but starting out, everything is soft. Turns, bumping into things, etc. It will get you there, but i personally feel this is more designed for racers than starters. Starting out, the floaty responses to control inputs gives you a detached feeling. Kind of like flying a Phantom. Push the button and watch the response.
Cons - While a little more stable than Freerider, it is still quirky. You still have to set up the transmitter a certain way which they do not explain. you-tube. You still have to turn on the transmitter and plug it in before you start the program which they do not explain. As well, getting the program to recognize the controller is hit or miss and it also gets buggy after flying it for a while.
In addition to those problems, the camera's are pointed up for racers. Kind of sucks to learn with. I am sure there is a setting, which they do not explain, to change the camera angle, but i have not found it. The controls are super sensitive as well. Probably geared towards high performance racers. Add in the floaty feel, and controlling it is a challenge.
In addition to those issues, when you crash, things get damages and you have to repair it or reset the scenario. which takes loading time. Realistic? sure. Just want to learn? Pain in the butt and wasted time. They tried to make a marketable game out of it, including multi-player and a chat channel.
The visuals are cool, flying feels lacking in my opinion.
If there are better programs out there, i cant find one for less than 20 bucks. If you know of one, post it for the rest of us.
