I'm wanting to buy a Lancair. I've looked at Orbx's and RealAir's versions. Both look like really solid options and I probably can't go wrong no matter which one I choose. I'm looking for opinions for those who own both. Which is the better option as far as features, flight modeling, hits to frame rates, etc.

 

Thanks,

Dave

I have both and your right about you cannot go wrong.

But,

The Orbx's Lancair is based on a version that imo looks and feels to plastic. I only did around 6 flights in it and lost interest.

I bought the RealAir Lancair and deleted ever other small GA I had in my hanger and I did have the lot. I even deleted Baytower RV-7 and that untill the RealAir imo was the best.

 

The RealAir has everything and I do mean everything if there was just one GA to buy that is the one to buy over all else without question.

I've tried both. Go with the RealAir.

I am unable to compare them as I only own the RealAir version.

 

However, I can say that the RealAir is an absolute joy to fly. The PMDG NGX of the GA world.

 

Please don't hesitate to buy it.

2 different birds... The Orbx Lancair IV-P is a larger, 4-seater, pressurized so you can hit the flight levels and get somewhere quick. Think luxury sport sedan... like a Lexus. The RealAir Lancair Legacy is a smaller, 2-seater, unpressurized... great for screaming through the lower VFR airways. Think kick-butt sport coupe... like a Ferrari or Corvette... They both are excellent planes in their own rights, and have got a spot in my hangar, depending on what I feel like flying on a particular day. That being said... the RealAir Lancair, being from RealAir, has got more realism features going for it, and will probably blow your mind a bit more than the Orbx offering.

I am unable to compare them as I only own the RealAir version.

 

However, I can say that the RealAir is an absolute joy to fly. The PMDG NGX of the GA world.

 

Please don't hesitate to buy it.

 

Ditto that.

I've tried both and the RealAir is miles better IMO.

RealAir for sure.

 

Bob

I actually like both of them.

 

I think they're for different missions.

 

The IV-P is better for longer trips, high altitude etc. The Legacy is best around 8000 ft and is not pressurized nor is it a turbo (not sure if the IV-P is either). The IV-P will do around 280 ktas at lower FL's... where the Legacy does 240 ktas at 8000.

 

Avionics-wise they're both comparable with default options. Reality XP GNS support is (more) native to the Legacy, with 3D gauge bezels etc. The IV-P has options for RXP but from my recollection they were only 2D gauges in the panel. I'm partial, however, to the VM1000 in the Legacy,simple to read and use. I also prefer the ASI in the Legacy, which has a function TAS calculator (redundant if you have RXP GNS530W/430w - but I still enjoy that feature). Additionally the Legacy has delicious large gauges while the mip mapping on the IV-P panel leaves much to be desired (meaning the gauges are small and lettering sometimes hard to read).

 

Lighting-wise I really enjoy the interior VC's at night, but possibly the IV-P has a leg up with it's dimmable section panel lighting. The Legacy has a one click that controls both knob/gauge backlighting and panel lighting. For exterior they're similar again, both have the "Lotus" landing lights - but the Legacy's LL's look better from external view.

 

Sounds I'd say the Legacy wins easily, especially with the little sounds you'll hear on touchdown, with flaps, speed brakes, wind across canopy when uncoordinated, and I'll leave the rest for you to discover.

 

Exterior/Interior modeling... Legacy wins easily, the exterior is amazingly smooth, interior does the same for me hehe. Seeing the Legacy in FSX makes me want to own one.

 

Flight model.... a lot of people dislike the "twitchiness" of the IV-P but I like it. I love the fm on the the Legacy, maybe a little more stable than the IV-P. Both have a nicely done AoA indicator. The Legacy seems more refined than the IV-P but I've never flown either in real life.

 

Both sites have adequate screen shots and I'm sure you'll find a few videos on you tube.

 

Good luck.

 

p.s. oops you asked about frame rates... Both are similar. Perhaps the Legacy is a little harder on fps because it's newer than the IV-P and has more features. The Legacy also comes with a nice config manager so you can use the lighter model if you choose.

Bought the Orbx Lancair. Flew it twice. Now uninstalled. Hopefully they'll stick with just doing scenery.

 

RealAir Lancair is fantastic. Only small negative is that it can be heavy on FPS on older systems.

It's a bit like asking "Which is best, the A2A Spitfire or the A2A B17?" They're two different animals. The only connection is the name 'Lancair' :rolleyes:

Me is another fan of both. I'd even say the features on the cabin temp and individual lighting in the cockpit are a system-wise pro of the Orbx Lance. She's also the faster one but that's from being planned to be another type of plane, the one which can go high and keep the cabin at low altitudes.

 

A huge thumbs up for the Realair way of integrating the RXP though. Beautiful, same goes for all the gauges. Although I'm missing an electronic display like the Orbx has, while the Orbx misses a flight director. Yeah, I'm a soft pilot, I know. -_-

 

And, as others said, the Orbx is a very alive plane. Both feature the AOA-meter, but I fear the one of the IV-P the most as I think the real plane will really bite you when you are flying her close to the limits. I saw that Lancair has stopped the production (for the kit) a while back and only sells the Evolution and the Legacy now.

 

If a dev would make a turbine Evolution :wub: , nobody would fly jets anymore. :lol:

Visually (in the cockpit) - no contest.. RealAir.

Thanks for all of the feedback guys. Looks like I'm getting a Legacy.

Make sure you throttle down early in the Real Air. She'll come in too fast. But what joy to fly!!!!

 

 

Stan