Abacus Helicopter pack

[Guest progrmr]

It's been released - After getting ripped on SkyRanch I have since refused to buy anything from them but this package has my interest.If anyone gets it post if it's any good or not. I might consider it if it gets some good comments.

[Guest adevins]

I wont say anything but heres what other people said a while back on hover control.Alanyou will have to copy the full link to go to the exact post.http://www.yoboworks.com/cgi-bin/ib3/ikonb...ct=ST;f=1;t=777

[Guest progrmr]

Nobody has bought this thing YET?!! hahaOK, if I see it I will buy it an review it for everyone.

[blave]

I am very curious about this product - like others I bought "Sky Ranch" (actually my wife bought it for me as an Xmas 2001 present while I stood there in the store 8^) ) and was very disappointed. So I'm quite reluctant to give Abacus any more money that might be better spent on actual flight time 8^).The main reason I would buy it is for the R44. I'm also interested to know if the "Antti Dauphin" is different than the freeware product. (Which IMO should be payware anyway - it's that good!).Thanks,Dave Blevins

[Guest IanP]

Dave,From what I have seen on Abacus' site, the Dauphin looks identical.I looked hard and decided not to get - my primary interest was in the newer Bell aircraft.Ian P.

[Guest]

I have received the Abacus Whirlybirds pakage 3 days ago. I did order it specifically for the Dauphin . I have allready the Freeware copy of the Dauphin , the "Heli-Link" version 1.2 with sound and updated GPS and Gauges files. I was hoping that a Payware version would be the latest or even an upgrade of the existing 1.2 . The Abacus pakage is an earlier version ; it is based on the AS 365 N2 , not the N3 used in the Freeware . It has sound . I have briefly tested it . It did work on the stick but I could not get it to fly on the auto-pilot and flight director . May be my fault , will try again . Beside the Trimble GPS , the standard GPS used in FS2k2 is accessed on Shift+8 ; this may be better than the Trimble , I have not cheked . So I am generally disapointed by the Abacus pakage .I think that Antti Pankkonen did a great job with the Dauphinn and should keep improving it.I had a quick look at the other birds in the pakage : the Bell's and R 44 appear OK , the S76 dont have a virtual cockpit. I did not investigate the additional scenery or pre-saved flights .RegardsMichelC

[Guest Airprox]

Although I don't have this package yet, I am friends with both Antti and Steve Chase (who did the oil rig scenery). The Dauphin used is not an older version than the current versions, both N2 and N3 freeware versions were released at the same time (AS365bh and AS365hl), the difference between the 2 freeware versions is some changes to the external models (emegency beacons etc) and the BH version has a slightly different panel. As for the version included in the Whirlybirds package, I believe the main (only?) diffence is the addition of passengers in the back.As for the scenery, well, if you've downloaded any of Steves rig scenery, you know what to expect... although, the ones included in this package are custom designs for the package and can't be found elswhere...and from what I saw of them they were pretty nice.It has been said before, but I'll re-itterate here... Yes, most of the things included in this package are available on the net for free, or at least similar versions are available, and those of us who fly helicopters all the time (or a lot of the time) know where to find them... but alot of people who have FS have never tried to fly the helicopters, or have heard horror stories about the default Bell (which is rubbish, take a look at the video at Hovercontrol!). This is one of the first commercial packages available for FS2002 to feature Helicopters, and OK, it may not be perfect (I'm not saying it is or isn't), but what I hope it does do is introduce more people to FS helicopters and maybe then there will be enough public interest that MS may cater for helicopters more in FS and more commercial products become available, thereby perpetuating the helicopter culture in general.Just my two cents worth!!!Alun

[Guest]

The only problem with that theory is that if their introduction to FS helicopters, besides the Bell, is a half-hearted effort of (interestingly, and I'll leave it at that) repainted and reworked collection of freeware/other payware items, that wouldn't leave a good impression of FS helicopters.The people that already do fly FS helis and know where to find them are not thrilled about the package for various reasons, some of which have been mentioned here and on other forums. The people that want to learn about FS helicopters may be disappointed if they think that this is the best there is, because, if its payware, I would think that it should be better than stuff you can get for free elsewhere. (that is a whole other can of worms that is being beat to death right now, and I don't even want to get into that.) FS helicopters and scenery are not that hard to find - they mix them in with the regular new releases on AVSIM!That said, I hope that it works the way you (and Abacus) hopes it works, by drawing new people in and opening up the market for new commercial (and freeware) releases, thereby perpetuating the helicopter culture in general. Sorry for the paraphrase.Brian

[1mikel151]

Excellent point Brian, and that is kinda how I feel. While I agree with Alun that the "attempt" to bring a rotory wing package to the general Fs public is needed and way overdue, this one is not a very good effort and I think it is a poor representation of what there is to expect from the rotorty wing community in terms or aircraft It is to bad we don't have a commercial sponsor in our community that would back a quality project (Flight1 if you're listening). An addon that included the dauphin and EC-130, the HC erickson aircrane with scenery and flights to match, Al Devins alouette and bell longranger (with new MDL) with some added eyecandy (opening doors, pax, etc) with appropriate regional scenery and flights to match, Cyril's gazelle with appropriate regional scenery and flights to match and the GMAX Bell 47 with same regional scenery and flights to match all packaged in a commercial way is something I would pay 430 to 440 for and it would be an exceptional way for a general simmer to get into the rotory wing world in FS, AND it would put our community in a very, very good light!!!Now before everyone goes, but "we" already have this, it is proven we are a small majority of users for the FS product, most simmers use the defaault and have no clue as to this online community. with proper advertising this would open a ton of doors to the general public and enlighten many to the existence of the online FS community!We could even thow in Holgers AI helis with the mix, what a deal!!! Regards, Michaelhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

[Guest jordan]

Although I wished they would have consulted with the helicopter community a little more before finalizing the product, I felt the same way you did. To try and help bring new or uninformed users into our community and realize the possibilities that exist for them (usually for free) I sent Abacus about 1500 full color postcards to let their buyers know about Hovercontrol. They put them in the boxes. Even though they have referred to it as free advertising for me, I didn't really look at it as advertising, because I wouldn't choose to advertise that way normally. Its not very effective (in terms of reach) when compared to word of mouth, or announcements on the avsim or flightsim home pages. Both of which have worked very well and are more cost effective considering everything Hovercontrol provides is free.