North Country Air Ambulance - A LAST Look Perhaps?

[Deleted]

Well, I've run into a really big "oops" with my new ops. This "oops" turns out to be Flysimware's updating policy. You see, when you buy one of their aircraft, they are frequently updating it. However, the only way to obtain the updates is to redownload the entire aircraft. That's ok I guess, they aren't the only ones who do that. What is NOT ok though, is they seem to have a pretty tight cap on the number of downloads they permit. Twice within a week I've had to send them a ticket to ask that my account be reset so I can download the latest update. This is starting to become a serious pain (and problem). If the only way you are going to have people update your product is to redownload the whole package, it makes no sense to put severe limitations on the number of downloads you are allowed! Worse, they don't tell you how many downloads you get. You find out when you suddenly can't download anymore. Now I tend to think that there is a glitch in their systems because I only downloaded the aircraft a single time from the last time my account was reset. Tonight (the second time) I got an immediate notice saying that I had exceeded my allotted number of downloads, and sent me back to the product page. So something isn't right, but I'm also thinking now that something isn't right when you get over 9 updates in about 2 weeks. That's a polite way of saying that this airplane was not ready for release.

Now, I'm eating some serious crow here because I've expounded on these guys as being very good to buy from. This after dumping all over them for a lousy attitude towards their customers. Well, it's true - they don't dump and run, and that's good. But 9 updates in 2 weeks is starting to raise some alarm bells. The Lear is very good at this point. But, I think I'm going to park it for a few weeks until the updates of slowed down because it would appear as though I'll have to submit a ticket and wait several days in order to download said updates. And frankly, they are on my "I don't even want to think about them" list right now. Not a happy camper.

Caveat emptor

[pivo11]

Yeah, well, I bought the Lear and the MU-2 from PC Aviator and they didn't even know about the updates!  When I got the Lear it was at v1.5 and when I asked them how to get v1.7, they said they would contact Flysimware and get the latest model put on their server.  Then they thanked me kindly for "pointing this out".  As of now I have only v1.6.  Now you tell me that there are even more updates!  As you say, this is becoming a pain.   

[Deleted]

Yeah, we're actually up to V1.8 now (x2 - V1.8 had to be patched, thus the repeat download on that one). This is absolute BS. Here's the report I sent to them:

Good Evening,
Back again with a repeat problem. I see on the forum or site you are advising people to re-download V1.8 of the Lear due to a corrupt file on the previous download. I clicked on the file to download it again (from your store where I originally purchased it) as instructed and instantly I got the message saying I've reached my maximum allotted downloads. Now if you will recall, you just reset my downloads so I could download the first V1.8 file. This was only a few days ago. This is not a case where I have a slow download speed because I got the message instantly before the file even started to download. The previous download came in at over 2 MB/S, exceeding what you suggested was a good download speed. And besides, a slow download should not cause more than a single download count against your total unless there are aborted downloads. I have had no aborted downloads as a result of slow downloads (or even any slow downloads, as I said).

Please, if the only way to get updates is to redownload the entire aircraft, you cannot limit the number of downloads to the point where one can't get updates. Can you please reset my account again asap so that I can get the updated version (and all future updates!). I'm sorry, but this is getting rather tedious and is starting to cause me to rethink future purchases at this point.


And here is their reply:

Dear Customer,We reset every ones limit when there is an update. We have to have a limit for security. The reason it limited so fast was due to a timeout from slow connection. I reset your limit. Here is some more info and tips............If the download times out it will use up all of your DL limit very quickly. This means your internet is too slow causing timeouts during the download. Try to download at a later time and not during peak hours when your internet provider is busy. This usually works. We just recently updated to a dedicated server and the DL speed is now 2MB a second. I have had emails where customers who had slow speeds confirmed the speed is now fast and their issue no longer exists. Please try these tips below. I have reset your DL limit.

1. Try using non peak hours.
2. Try using a different browser.
3. Try using another internet source

So, I need to change my ISP? And 12:30 in the morning is a peak hour? I did try using both IE and FF - both with the same results. Right.

The real problem is that their system doesn't work. But, they're laying it on the customer, which seems to be a bad habit of theirs. They say you need a DL speed of 2 MB/S. I was getting 2.5. But it's my download speed that's the problem. Well, I've got a suggestion for them:  How about you finish an airplane first so you don't need 14 bazillion updates instead??

Anyway, I'm done with these guys (again). I got this latest update and now I'm turning off my update notices. If this one doesn't work, I'll consider it a bad purchase and move on. If they release something else down the road that I'm REALLY interested in, then I'll wait until it's been out for several months before I get it. This is not just a pain, but insulting to boot (the OOM's were also my fault, and I was the only one with those too, except for the other 20 people that posted with the same issue).

Enough already.

In your case Fritz, you'll be ok. PC Aviator has a good download system so if you need to D/L more than once, you'll be fine. While it's a pain to wait, you may actually be ahead of the game. Anyway, hopefully that all goes ok for you. One VERY important thing though, is when you do update, you MUST uninstall the old aircraft first. That includes removing any remaining folders that the uninstall program doesn't remove. Otherwise it may not work. FYI.

[pivo11]

Dec 6, 2015 7:31:29 GMT -5 @bushpilot said:

In your case Fritz, you'll be ok. PC Aviator has a good download system so if you need to D/L more than once, you'll be fine. While it's a pain to wait, you may actually be ahead of the game. Anyway, hopefully that all goes ok for you. One VERY important thing though, is when you do update, you MUST uninstall the old aircraft first. That includes removing any remaining folders that the uninstall program doesn't remove. Otherwise it may not work. FYI.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that.  I haven't installed any updates yet.  Been waiting on a final version. 

[Deleted]

HAH!! The "final" version is probably several months away . The MU2 has been out for at least 6 months and it just go updated! I'd get 1.8 when it comes out, but then I'd just wait. I'm doing that, and will see what the updates are before I even think about trying to get them. As for removing the old aircraft entirely, they don't tell you that. Until something doesn't work and then they tell you that. Hmmnnnn.

[scottb]

Never be an early adopter in this hobby, I've been learning . It still won't stop me from spending stupid money again sometime I'm sure!

-Scott

[Bushpounder]

Patience, Grasshopper. Lesson from a long time ago - wait. I would fly it as-is for a couple of weeks or so before updating it. Remember when MILVIZ was updating the 310 HOURLY? Not worth fixing it right away. Let them hammer it out and then check on an update. Be glad they are trying to fix it. Others would/will not.

BP;)

[olderndirt]

Dec 6, 2015 20:16:26 GMT -5 Bushpounder said:

Patience, Grasshopper. Lesson from a long time ago - wait. I would fly it as-is for a couple of weeks or so before updating it. Remember when MILVIZ was updating the 310 HOURLY? Not worth fixing it right away. Let them hammer it out and then check on an update. Be glad they are trying to fix it. Others would/will not.

BP;)

That's very similar to how I feel about P3D - when they get through with this 'update for cash' kick and admit 'this is it', I'll put them of my list of recipients.

[pivo11]

P3D will have to get to 64 bit before I'll byte, uh, bite!