Kodiak vs Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Improvement Mod

[Wakner 14]

Hey Folks

Quick question given both aircraft fulfill similar roles:

For those of you who have used them both, how does Magraina's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Improvement Mod (https://flightsim.to/file/16350/cessna-208b-grand-caravan-ex-improvement-mod) stand up in comparison to the Simworks Kodiak?

Not after flag-waving opinions please - just objective observations to help me decide whether to invest in the Kodiak when there's a freeware alternative.

Thanks in advance!

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[flyinpilot212121 724]

3 minutes ago, Wakner said:

Hey Folks

Quick question given both aircraft fulfill similar roles:

For those of you who have used them both, how does Magraina's Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX Improvement Mod (https://flightsim.to/file/16350/cessna-208b-grand-caravan-ex-improvement-mod) stand up in comparison to the Simworks Kodiak?

Not after flag-waving opinions please - just objective observations to help me decide whether to invest in the Kodiak when there's a freeware alternative.

Thanks in advance!

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This is the only thing holding me back from purchasing the kodiak, pretty similar to the C208..I’ll be following! 

[Bobsk8 12,723]

I think the problem with this question is this. Most users, including myself, that purchased the Kodiak, frankly wouldn't waste their time flying the C208, when they could be flying their Kodiak. So you are either going to have C 208 users, or Kodiak users for the most part, and flying comparisons in my opinion, will be pretty rare. 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Bobsk8

[Wakner 14]

Fair enough - I was sort of expecting that! Just asking on the off-chance that someone has done both.

[6297J 692]

There's a C208? (Just spend the money 😀)

[Wakner 14]

I'm desperately trying to fight that urge, especially how I've written the Twotter off!

[ckyliu 1,749]

Avionically there's no difference, both use the G1000NXI from WT. And the default's C208s appearance is not to be sniffed at either. Obviously the Kodiak being smaller means it can operate from shorter runways.

So the core differences would be the way it handles, sounds and if there is more in-depth systems modelling (although the systems are fairly simple on a Caravan I believe, just some quirks like power loss and ITT/EGT increase when using the centrifugal seperator).

Edited January 19, 2022 by ckyliu

[Redge 241]

I bought the Kodiak a couple of weeks ago, not having spent any time with the 208 — but the recommendations from everyone had my interest piqued.

Two weeks later, it feels like the best 29.99 I've spent on this sim. The visuals are excellent, the sounds incredible but it's the flight model that is so good, that I can't bring myself to fly any other aircraft at the moment.

The way the aircraft behaves in turbulence, cross winds, headwinds etc is just sublime and I noticed last night that I can now reliably tell the wind direction and relative strength just by the feel of the aircraft and looking out of the window rather than viewing the wind data on the NXi itself.

The aircraft has so far appeared to perform by the numbers in the provided POH excerpts in the manual (and is pretty close to the POH I have from the previous gen Kodiak from online).

In one flight the other day, I used an advanced Foreflight profile to plan my trip (including W&B, wind forecasting and fuel etc). It's probably a lot of luck, but after landing I went over the numbers and found that my flight time was on the money, and I'd burned 1lb less than estimated.

This thing is a beaut!

[6297J 692]

3 minutes ago, Wakner said:

I'm desperately trying to fight that urge, especially how I've written the Twotter off!

Oh, I bought the Twotter and instantly regretted (and deleted) it but as I would have been happy to pay twice the amount for the Kodiak I think I can live with it. 

[liamp51 541]

They're both really good. I flew the C208 mod extensively before picking up the Kodiak. Honestly why not both? They're different enough, especially in the way they fly - plus, the C208 mod is free! Give it a try. 

Edited January 19, 2022 by liamp51

[Bobsk8 12,723]

11 minutes ago, Redge said:

I bought the Kodiak a couple of weeks ago, not having spent any time with the 208 — but the recommendations from everyone had my interest piqued.

Two weeks later, it feels like the best 29.99 I've spent on this sim. The visuals are excellent, the sounds incredible but it's the flight model that is so good, that I can't bring myself to fly any other aircraft at the moment.

The way the aircraft behaves in turbulence, cross winds, headwinds etc is just sublime and I noticed last night that I can now reliably tell the wind direction and relative strength just by the feel of the aircraft and looking out of the window rather than viewing the wind data on the NXi itself.

The aircraft has so far appeared to perform by the numbers in the provided POH excerpts in the manual (and is pretty close to the POH I have from the previous gen Kodiak from online).

In one flight the other day, I used an advanced Foreflight profile to plan my trip (including W&B, wind forecasting and fuel etc). It's probably a lot of luck, but after landing I went over the numbers and found that my flight time was on the money, and I'd burned 1lb less than estimated.

This thing is a beaut!

I have about 600 hours in real life piloting, and the Kodiak is the sim aircraft that makes me feel like I am actually back in the cockpit again. The developer did and excellent job with this aircraft. 

[flyinpilot212121 724]

I’m think I’m gonna go ahead and pick the kodiak up, seems like generally pretty good reviews across the board here at avsim. 

[ryanbatc 12,854]

There is also a Kodiak flight model mod out there.  https://flightsim.to/file/26513/ccm-s-definitely-wrong-kodiak-flight-model-mod

[MrBitstFlyer 3,873]

55 minutes ago, Bobsk8 said:

I have about 600 hours in real life piloting, and the Kodiak is the sim aircraft that makes me feel like I am actually back in the cockpit again. The developer did and excellent job with this aircraft. 

I would normally buy every new aircraft that looks to be above average.  By now I should have the Cessna 337 and Twin Otter, but the kodiaq is so good I have not purchased either.

[fppilot 4,371]

55 minutes ago, liamp51 said:

They're both really good. I flew the C208 mod extensively before picking up the Kodiak. Honestly why not both? They're different enough, especially in the way they fly - plus, the C208 mod is free! Give it a try. 

I agree. I have logged significant time in both.  My flights are purpose-driven and I find a place for both. The 208 feels heavier and can carry more load.  I used it to fantasy fly a basketball team from  Indiana to a tourney in Bermuda, imagining I could fit in 12 seats (2 +10) as can be done IRL.  Couldn't do that with the Kodiak.  However I will be using the Kodiak for a month-long trek back to the Caribbean as can carry 8 of us (2 +6) and luggage/gear and it is purposeful for hops into smaller island airports. 

The Kodiak is smaller. lighter, and has a more nimble feel.  And I cannot wait to try out a new Kodiak mod that is up today on TO.   
https://flightsim.to/file/26513/ccm-s-definitely-wrong-kodiak-flight-model-mod