Saratoga II TC looks and flies great.

[raymar]

This model by Alabeo is based on a rw plane based in Chile.  Model year 2003.  It has a light weight starter that is suppose to weigh 10 pounds less than the one from the previous design.

 

Ray

[kdfw__]

 

it seems like one of the biggest pieces of news is that the plane is the first Carenado/Alabeo to support integration with GTN750 and RXP530, while one of the biggest disappointments might be that the second GPS isn't upgradeable from the default to anything.

 

 

 

if the rxp530 is placed, you can't place the rxp430 below it by editing the panel.cfg? 

[ryanbatc]

 

But, this is a lot of airplane for $30 bucks in the big scheme of things.

 

 

 

Ray I disagree with this.  While I enjoy the saratoga,  I've found it to be more brawn than brains.  There's not much that works other than the gauges and the fact that it flies quite well.  GTN integration is a huge plus which is why I bought it.  Still I think even with flight sim inflation (lol), it's too much for a lite single from Alabeo.

[raymar]

if the rxp530 is placed, you can't place the rxp430 below it by editing the panel.cfg?

 

You can easily modify the panel.cfg file and install the Reality XP GNS430 or anything else that will fit the in that area. The problem is the 3D knobs interfere. Of course, you can install your XP 430 and use the popup feature but, having the real deal there would be better.

 

I can't test this now because I am using P3D and the Reality XPs don't work in P3D

 

Ray

Ray I disagree with this.  While I enjoy the saratoga,  I've found it to be more brawn than brains.  There's not much that works other than the gauges and the fact that it flies quite well.  GTN integration is a huge plus which is why I bought it.  Still I think even with flight sim inflation (lol), it's too much for a lite single from Alabeo.

Ryan, as far as advanced systems and complexity I think any GA plane that meets the criteria, which is mostly a constant speed prop and retractable gear, is going to fit your description no matter who makes it. As far as Lite, I don't how what else one would code into a simulation other than maybe the A2A approach which I think is terrific and the choice of the future for many.

 

Their current price for their smaller, slower, fixed gear Cherokee without GTN capability is $100 for the two basic installers, more for the Pro P3D version.

 

I certainly hate to see the sim prices sneaking upward with every new release also. I thought the $19.95 - $22.95 range was the perfect niche for Alabeo but that didn't last very long.

 

Sigh.

 

Regards,

Ray

[ryanbatc]

Well take a 20 dollar product, for example.  Ant's T28A-D series.  There's a LOT of features Anthony puts into his products at a low cost.  They don't look quite as nice as Carenado stuff but his planes still look great imo.  Also the Realair Legacy, still on sale, is cheaper than this and it offers more features than the saratoga.  

 

I just think Carenado raises the prices because people will buy them.  I guess they got me.

[raymar]

Ryan,

 

Your comparisons don't make a lot of sense to me.  One, Ants is a one-man operation with minimal overhead. Two, a sale price of a year old model to a less than a week old introduction is not valid either.  How about comparing the Alabeo when it is on sale at Christmas next year for 50 - 60% off to the Ants that are never on sale or retail to retail for the RealAir Legacy.

 

Regards,

 

Ray

[Guest ~Craig~]

Ants that are never on sale

 

If Ant marked his fantasticly priced, high quality products down even lower in 'sales', he'd probably lose money on each one he sold.

 

It's a permanent 'sale' where Ant's Aircrafts are concerned. :wink:

 

...and I agree with Ryan.    I do think Carenado are becoming a bit 'corporate' in how they conveyer out the products (even under two different brandings now), with an ever reliable amount of bugs, no evidence of much testing, and at ever rising prices.

 

Like I said before, if you ever see Captain Randazzo gettting overtaken in his Porche 911, by two Chilean dudes in a Lamborghini; it'll be the two Carenado owners. :wink:

 

Nothing wrong with making money fairly - but we should expect rising quality, which we often don't see, in parallel to the rising prices.

[raymar]

...bit harsh, considering the extremely low cost that Ants puts his top quality payware out for.  If he marked them down even lower in sales, he'd probably lose money on each one he sold.

 

It's a permanent 'sale' where Ant's Aircrafts are concerned. :wink:

 

...and I agree with Ryan.    I di think Carenado are becoming a bit 'corporate' in how they conveyer out the products (even under two different brandings now), with an ever reliable amount of bugs, no evidence of much testing, and at ever rising prices.

 

Like I said before, if you ever see Captain Randazzo gettting overtaken in his Porche 911, by two Chilean dudes in a Lamborghini; it'll be the two Carenado owners. :wink:

I agree that Ants make great stuff. His T-28 Trojan is one of my favorites. I also have several others including his Tiger Moth , Drifter and Eaglet. But, talk to Ryan about his choices to compare prices, not quality or price points.

 

For my money, I still opt for some of the most expensive GA add ons, but also the most realistic and pleasurable flying, looking and documented airplanes - meaning well presented and mostly complete flight manuals and documentation. That would be A2A and RealAir products.

 

Ray

[awash2002]

Both A2A and Realair make the best aircraft I am flat loving the 182 in which I'm about to do a absolute climb test on and you guys get to pick which altitude I go to

[raymar]

Both A2A and Realair make the best aircraft I am flat loving the 182 in which I'm about to do a absolute climb test on and you guys get to pick which altitude I go to

How about near SL to 6,000 ft then full power cruise and check TAS. Then SL to 8,000 ft full power cruise and check TAS.

 

Regards,

 

Ray

[awash2002]

I will do that and record my findings and report back

[raymar]

OK Gang,

 

Look for the Avsim review of the Alabeo Saratoga II TC on the front page.

http://forum.avsim.net/page/index.html/_/reviews/aircraft/review-alabeo%e2%80%99s-saratoga-ii-tc-for-fsxp3d-r2664

 

Regards,

Ray

[imn2sims]

WOW that was a loooooooooong review, and I loved it all, great job!  I just bought the plane and have only gotten to fly it less than an hour but already can see it's gonna get MUCH more of my time.  I bought it mainly because it supports the F1 GTN750 which is IMHO a game changer for GA sim flying.  I do think the soundset, while not that bad, could be improved to make this a total package.  I wouldn't mind spending $ for a better one but the SkySong? didn't really sound much better to me.  I own the Carenado F35V and LOVE that sound set.  Do you think that could be used at least until a better one comes along?  Again, Thnks for a great read/review, I enjoyed all the info you dug up.

 

Steve 

[raymar]

WOW that was a loooooooooong review, and I loved it all, great job!  I just bought the plane and have only gotten to fly it less than an hour but already can see it's gonna get MUCH more of my time.  I bought it mainly because it supports the F1 GTN750 which is IMHO a game changer for GA sim flying.  I do think the soundset, while not that bad, could be improved to make this a total package.  I wouldn't mind spending $ for a better one but the SkySong? didn't really sound much better to me.  I own the Carenado F35V and LOVE that sound set.  Do you think that could be used at least until a better one comes along?  Again, Thnks for a great read/review, I enjoyed all the info you dug up.

 

Steve

Absolutely, Use the simple alias method for testing the sound of the F35V. Make sure you backup your originals.

 

I used the F33 and the A36 in my tests. I also used some twins.

 

Glad you liked the loooong reveiw.

 

Regards,

 

Ray

[imn2sims]

Thanks Ray, just tried it and fired her up........WHOA.....now that's more like it :p0503:

 

Steve