I know that this might chaff a few nerves but can anyone give me a fair comparison between the RealAir and ORBX Lancairs?

 

Actually I have both but was looking for the impressions of any informed owners.

 

Thanks

jja

JJa,

 

I do in fact own both, however, I did not bother to install the Orbx version on my latest FSX PC. The RealAir Legacy has received a lot of press and several reviews are published. Most boil down to thinking the RealAir Legacy is most likely the better of the two in a head to head comparison of general FSX type flying. RealAir broke a lot of new ground with sounds, vibrations, needle shakes, failures, realistic flight dynamics and especially how the various Realtiy XP units fit into the panel. I really have not seen or read any recent reviews of the Orbx but I was expecting so much more than was delivered.

 

One of our prolific posters still flies both, so maybe he will reply with his comparison.

 

The Orbx is turbocharged so it will fly higher and faster but the panel design implementation put me off and the flight dynamics never did feel quite right to me.

 

I think the bottom line is that the two are so different and have such different design qualities that they can only be compared in name alone and not appearance and performance.

 

I recommend you fly one or the other and see if you are happy. If not, then fly the other one. You have a 50/50 chance of getting it right the first time. As you already own both, you will eventually know from your flight log what we all discovered ourselves.

 

Regards,

 

Ray

For years, I've known that RealAir flight dynamics are top notch, as far as desktop flight sims go. Therefor, I never bought the Orbx version........so I can't really give a detailed comparison. Never flown a real Lancair either. But built & flew Van's RVs.

This thread came up a month ago... with many replies....

 

http://forum.avsim.net/topic/389857-which-lancair/page__hl__lancair

Yes the RA Legacy has a limited ceiling but is perfect for ORBX sceneries. All of the added effects add up to a great plane IMO. The ORBX Lancair is a noble effort but in the end it boils down to realism (AKA flight model) and the RA Legacy wins hands down in that department. Besides that I was primed to actually build a Legacy years a go so finally I get to live my dream.

 

Cheers

jja

Sure about the (FDE) downside of the Orbx Lance? I won't question preference, JJ, but that thing can fly the numbers. And you will find those numbers in the POH coming with it. Regarding the handling, you can still find the FDE dev (Alexander Metzger, who did a lot of good planes) on Youtube, where he is flying the real plane to check the behaviour.

 

As said, no question on preferences, but the folks really invested in a proper FDE of that particular plane. She isn't as tame as the Legacy. But that, to me, looks very much spot on in regard to the real plane. The IV isn't just a faster and bigger Legacy.

What I hate most about the Orbx Lancair is the bad view out of the window... ^_^ Of course Orbx didn't design the real plane, but I still don't understand that a company that mainly makes scenery for low GA flyers created a plane that blocks the view. B) Anyway, the RealAir Legacy has a GREAT view out of the window but it's also better in EVERY REGARD. It's the best. It's perfect, really.

What I hate most about the Orbx Lancair is the bad view out of the window... ^_^ Of course Orbx didn't design the real plane, but I still don't understand that a company that mainly makes scenery for low GA flyers created a plane that blocks the view. B) Anyway, the RealAir Legacy has a GREAT view out of the window but it's also better in EVERY REGARD. It's the best. It's perfect, really.

 

+1

 

Stopped flying the Orbx Lancair about 2 days after buying it, because of the very bad VC view, and really bad VC shimmering of textures.

 

To be totally honest, the RealAir Lancair is in an entirely different league to the Orbx one.

even though the two lancairs are two complete different planes and cant be really measures against each other, BUT the Realair wins by a HUGE margin in respect of flightmodel and immersion (Realair is renowned for their Flight models). Orbx lancair was not even a week on my machine, when it was uninstalled. ORBX tried but failed miserably. VC sucks big time for me

even though the two lancairs are two complete different planes and cant be really measures against each other, BUT the Realair wins by a HUGE margin in respect of flightmodel and immersion (Realair is renowned for their Flight models). Orbx lancair was not even a week on my machine, when it was uninstalled. ORBX tried but failed miserably. VC sucks big time for me

 

I haven't got the RealAir version, but I would agree with the comments on the Orbx ..... still on my machine, only because I am too lazy to delete it !!

 

G

I would agree with the comments on the Orbx ..... still on my machine, only because I am too lazy to delete it !!

 

G

 

+1

 

Apparently there is an update to the Orbx model but I haven't bothered to follow the link on the email.

The thing that really annoyed me was the view (or lack of it) on approach. It is NOT a Pitts S2A..

 

Oh and the shimmering instruments gave me a headache!

Ditto on the cockpit instruments - I've deleted the Orbx airplane. (Love their scenery though!) :rolleyes:

And you guys had antialiasing running? Still not questioning any personal preferences, but a proper mode helps every plane with analogue gauges. Even more so when there are fine lines. I'm running a sparse grid setting and can't complain.

 

 

Ray gave the best tip already. Since the OP already owns both planes, I wouldn't ask Avsim which one to like more. Doesn't make sense. I would fly both and then decide for myself. :smile:

 

I wouldn't want to miss any of the both Lancair renditions. They don't replace each other. Back then, I've applauded to Orbx for picking such a unique (and fast) model at a very reasonable price. I've paid some 36 bucks for the Orbx and close to 50 for the Realair, both including taxes.

 

The limited view on the approach is a challenge for me, I like it. Gotta keep the speed up for longer. Same for the handling, being close to fighter planes on the roll rates. No tame lady indeed. Give me more of those planes, please! Easy cruisers are nice, I have lots of those. But what about the touchy ones when being flown close to the limit? The AoA-meter is there for good reason. And works fine. Takeoff? Lots of torque. Yeah!

 

As for the details, I really appreciated the free updates from Orbx, giving you a multi stage and multi level cockpit lighting and some VC rain plus 'dirt' for example. I still like that I can read into the POH and later (try to) fly the thing as described. The limit is my poor skill, not the one of the plane.

 

By this, anything which demands flying through or over some weather or leaves the VFR planning range or mine goes to the Orbx. Me is a fan. :Peace: But it's your preference that counts. Still, why keep asking when you can actually fly them? Go for it!

Given the high rating people gave to the RealAir Legacy in the top 3 thread I went out and purchased it. So to add to my earlier comments:

 

The RealAir Legacy is fantastic, great graphics, flight model and effects. It is another improvement over the Turbine Duke, which in itself was an improvement on the piston version.

 

Comparing the two is a bit like comparing a diamond to a bit of broken glass........

 

G