Hello from New Zealand.

[Hasaudio]

Hi there,

Just like to say hi. Im from Auckland New Zealand(where **** of the rings was filmed. :) )

Im hoping to buy/build either a complete or semi complete simulator from either fds or fsc and would really like some help deciding. Im new to the market. Been flying a cessna 172 for around 30 odd hours now and flight sim (fsx) and would really like to get behind a 737.

Any help on quality of these companies products would be greatly appreciated.

[Matt Olieman]

Welcome aboard. Ask for help and someone will be there.... :) Lot's of advise in helping you decide. :) :) :)

Matt Olieman

[Hasaudio]

Im trying to but my new thread does not seem to want to display. .... Thanks for the interest. :)

[vybhav]

Welcome Cameron. Wow your willing to spend quite some money, most of the builders here would buy the parts, do the electronics themselves this could save quite some money. But in case you are willing to spend go ahead. Let me give you my personal views. I haven't dealt with FSC, they used to make TQ and now recently have started selling other parts of the cockpit, haven't honestly had any specific experience with them to comment.

I ofcourse have dealt with FDS. They are very good in quality and they were also very supporting during my selection phase and support too. I have had only pleasant experiences with them. I find Peter and Steven very approachable.

Besides FDS and FSC, there is also Flyengravity, another vendor with good quality and pleasant experience.

There is also one more vendor called Sim-Aviatik, again no first hand experience.

[tore pilot]

Hi

I have very good experience with FDS. good quality


Tore

[Hasaudio]

Thanks for the replies guys. Very much appreciated. The more opinions I can get the sooner I can decide. :)

[Hasaudio]

Price wise,

the FDS one is a smear over 100,000CDN. If I did the integrating myself and mounting Id save 30% due to the labor not being applied to the project. Going off my banks exchange rate thats around $148,000nzd plus shipping and 15% gst tax.

the FSC one is 63,458 euro which is around $114,000nzd + shipping and tax. It looks like you could buy all the individual components yourself and build it from the premade components. Will be building a curved projection screen with 3 projectors to the visuals. PC's well im not really sure on this one. I assume 1 for the software, fsx, and 1 for the cockpit?

[vybhav]

Ok, let me ask you a few questions:

a) Have you decided on what flight simulator you will use FSX, FS9, X-plane
b) Have you decided on the software to run the FS, like Project Magenta, Sim-avionics, etc.,
c) Have you decided or clear on how much space you have that you can afford
d) Have you decided on your budget, because it does not end with buying the simulator, you still will need screen, projector, 3-5 computers, software (PM, sim-avionics), projection software.

I think first you need to conceptualize the end and then work backwards.

Regards

[Hasaudio]

Hi Vybhav,

a) Have you decided on what flight simulator you will use FSX, FS9, X-plane
Yes I will be using FSX for the software.

b) Have you decided on the software to run the FS, like Project Magenta, Sim-avionics, etc.,
This is dependant on which system I purchase. It looks like the Flight simulator center kits are only compatible with project magenta. I really dont mind which software I use. I just want it all to work.

c) Have you decided or clear on how much space you have that you can afford
Yes I have organised a dedicated room for this. A spare garage that we donot use. Ive looked at both systems and they will both fit.
d) Have you decided on your budget, because it does not end with buying the simulator, you still will need screen, projector, 3-5 computers, software (PM, sim-avionics), projection software.
I do have a budget in mind. But I have ties with large electronic suppliers here in nz so i get fairly nice discounts on most things. I have already organised 3 projectors. Screen I will probably get from FSC because they offer a complete professionally built setup which looks good. Projection software im probably going to use th2go from matrox. I assume this is the best option available? Computers will be sorted by a friend of mine who builds them for a company he works for. :) I suppose the quantity of pc's will depend on what system I go with. I know that atleast one of them will be super powerful for the fsx software....I want the best quality possible.