While in no way wishing to decry flight simulators, indeed I acknowledge many people have 5-figure quasi-'professional' home simulators (one of my instructors/former examiners being a case in point-his is fabulous), there are old fa rts like me that don't/never will/ 'get' simulators.
Indeed I gave my entire system to my grandson may years ago after a few boring circuits of Chicago and landings at Meigs' Field (RIP).
I actually blew £5k in a matter of weeks ten years ago doing my IR on a FNPT2 simulator down south which was allegedly state of the art and used for CPL/ IR training (when it wasn't catching fire) and learnt precisely nothing. It was not for the lack of my fantastic instructors efforts.
It did not help that the FNPT2's simulator's brakes were faulty so every Sim sortie began at 2000ft with no taxying for takeoff......
I think its a state of mind thang: Just like there are people who cannot/will not allow themselves to be hypnotised, I just could not convince myself I was turning, sat stock still in a sweaty noisy portacabin with the HSI sweetly banking left and right.....
Abandoned the sim and completed the IR in a real aeroplane.
(Though I did find RANT almost essential for tracking/planning/revision, that did not require a 'sim'.)
Might feel differently in a full-motion sim, but that ain't gonna happen...........................
Horses for courses I guess.
Interestingly, my laptop specs seem to match people's wishes/requirements above: Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA Getforce GTX....., oodles of RAM, whatever that is etc
.
Hmmm.................................
Nope I'll just have to sweat it out till restrictions are lifted.
(Ducks and runs)
Peter