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Post by Sandy on Aug 24, 2015 22:30:30 GMT -5
I'm not overly sold on this twin... Yet. And the recent review on ADX leaves me somewhat cold. Was wondering if anyone here has bit into this latest peach from Alabeo (nee Carenado) ? ADX Review here: www.airdailyx.net/adx-firstlook-alabeo-c404-titan/Looks to be $35 USD for this ship. |
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Post by pivo11 on Aug 25, 2015 2:04:22 GMT -5
Frankly, I've given up on Alabeo/Carenado. Too many things missing or just wrong. For $20, maybe now and again. For $35 or more, I'll pass. Just my opinion, of course.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 5:45:14 GMT -5
I can try and get you more later as I'm a bit rushed at the moment, but the review isn't too far off the mark. However, one major item he didn't mention was the ADI. Originally, it was 5 degrees nose down in level flight! That made it to the release version. In other words, they either didn't ever actually fly it themselves, or they saw it and didn't care because "nobody will notice". They did eventually patch it. Now it's only 2 degrees nose down in level flight. Curious since most of these planes (in this class) cruise very slightly nose up.
The HSI is just plain wrong. It's a slaved unit. It shouldn't precess. It does. On ALL "Carabeo" airplanes. They have been told about this on virtually every slaved HSI model they have released, and one guy at Avsim even sent them the fix, but they refuse to put it in. They simply don't care. So you have to watch it in cruise, especially if on HDG mode on the autopilot (but it will screw you up even on NAV mode if you leave it too long before hitting the "D" key - which is the only way to reset it because there is no gyro adjust knob since it is slaved - at least they got that part right).
They have a loadmeter instead of an ammeter on this airplane, which is good. These guys don't know the difference so their ammeters in most of their aircraft indicate that the airplane has a dead battery in flight (constant 20 amps to the battery). At least the loadmeter will tell you what you are drawing system-wise.
Forget painting their airplanes. They use a small program which randomly splits up all the pieces and sticks them anywhere and everywhere on the panels so there is no hope of reassembling it to do your own livery (they've had more than a "couple" of complaints about this via email and on their forum and on the facebook site - the latter usually get deleted rather quickly I might add).
Of all the recent aircraft they have done (and I'm including Carenado in this), this one is probably one of the better ones (sadly). They do seem to have some dimming control over the lights in this one (a relatively new feature for them), although their night lighting still sucks. I've heard tell their graphics are the best in the business. BS. Not at all true. But it is the best for the class of airplanes they do (i.e. this is the best Titan graphics out there - read into that what you will) but generally they are sloppy and lazy in many places.
Most people here know I have a hate on for Crappybeo. It's true, so read all this for what it's worth. Why? Because they don't give a rat's ass about their customers. They make their airplanes unpaintable and refuse to even apologise or offer an explanation as to why. They build in bugs from previous models to current models, only to patch the same bugs yet again. For example - the ADI reading 5 degrees nose low? Same deal when they released the Navajo. They then patched that one - also to 2 degrees nose low as in the Titan. In the Navajo, the engine sounds have zero sound reduction from 40" until all the way down to 30". In the Titan it's almost immediate upon reducing power. I'm sure that means they copied the sounds from another airplane into the Navajo. I complained about that too them and they said it's (wait for it...) "an FSX limitation"! Yeah. Somehow it's not in the 404, but it is in the Navajo. I hate being lied to. Their HSI issue I've already mentioned. The dimming ability for the instruments in the Titan did not carry through to the Navajo. That night lighting is almost unusable and because the airplane they looked at had one red bulb swapped for a white one (not legal to do in NA), that's what they modeled and looks totally and completely stupid. That's ok though - they don't care and the customer will never notice, I'm sure. Oh, wait... .
But, it is the only game in town. You don't have a lot of choice if you want this class of Twin. For the record, Air Caribou will be deep-sixing the Navajo in favour of the 404 shortly. For as many faults as the Titan has, it pales in comparison to the Navajo.
That's what I have for you now. If you have specific questions fire away - I'll try to get you answers ASAP, although I'm a little busy and preoccupied at the moment (more on that in a week or so). Now, as I said, I have a hate on for "Crappybeo". That doesn't mean that if you decide to get it I'll be sitting here thinking you're an idiot for doing so (if I do, you'll have plenty of company - starting with me!). Like I said, it is the only game in town and if you need a light twin for your ops, then you have few choices. I'd highly recommend this one over the Navajo, unless it's the Navajo you really want because of how many there are out there IRL (my reasoning - sorry I did that now). In terms of it being worth the money though? Not even close. Graphics take it out of the freeware category, but only barely. However, your choices are limited.
Hope that helps a little.
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Post by Bushpounder on Aug 25, 2015 9:00:42 GMT -5
It's a good thing he didn't have much time to tell you how he really felt!!  Anonymoose |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2015 9:43:31 GMT -5
You have no idea how right you are on that Do... err, Anonymoose  . By the by, the flight dynamics are quite good, if a little "sterile". That's not a weak point on the airplane. Now, shall we get into a discussions on systems??? Naww, didn't think so. Do yourself a favour though - if you get this, and if you don't already have it, get the GTN750. That will overcome a lot of issues. Oh yeah, remember you just have a 2 axis autopilot, if that matters to you. It didn't work coming out of the factory, but it was patched when enough customers complained. Guess he never tried that function either before release. |
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Post by Sandy on Sept 5, 2015 10:36:29 GMT -5
Appreciate the input. I think I'll let this one slide off to the side, and look forward to the release of RealAir's Duke B60 for P3D2. Not the same class of aircraft in general, but RealAir has a much better grip on systems. Not perfect, but better.
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Post by pivo11 on Sept 5, 2015 12:12:51 GMT -5
The RealAir Duke is certainly an excellent aircraft in FSX. I only have the piston one, mind, but it is outstanding. |
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Post by Sandy on Sept 5, 2015 22:16:04 GMT -5
I have both of RealAir's Duke models, but only the Turbine Duke is "officially" sanctioned for use in P3D2. Though I do have them both installed, and enjoy cruising with both. The power of the turbine model can't be overstated, but the normally aspirated engine model is also very fun to fly.
I guess the bottom line is that I like Beechcraft airplanes. They're not the best in every category by a long shot, but I like them. I find myself in a Beechcraft more often than Cessna or Piper or annything exotic.
Heck, my avatar to the left is a Beechcraft.
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Post by olderndirt on Sept 6, 2015 10:58:46 GMT -5
The MilViz KingAir 350i should be released in the near future. I've been flying the 'Alpha' model and it's very much a Beechcraft.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2015 11:56:50 GMT -5
I'm looking forward to that A/C. Dave.
Carm.
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