Reviews (by Mike)

This is becoming one of my favorite sim models. Clearly Nemeth Designs strives for exceptional realism in their products. As noted in other reviews, the switchology required to start the aircraft certainly adds a dimension of procedural realism but can be a little tedious if one is time-constrained and seeking just a quick flight. A CTRL E function would be appreciated so that the user can opt out of the procedures when desired. However, not surprisingly the switches and procedures for the Mi-2 are less cumbersome than those required for Nemeth Designs Mi-17. Only a subset of the switches listed in the start procedures appear to be attached to some sort of aircraft systems models, e.g. though there are switches and gauges for 2 engines there appears to be only 1 engine model. If I have to sift through nearly 2 pages of start checklist I would like working systems models to be attached to the switches. However, systems simulation may be constrained by FS2004, I don't know. The manual has good systems descriptions but the procedures can be confusing in some places. I have developed my own cockpit procedural flow which expedites the start process with particular emphasis on those panels and switches that are essential to successfully start the aircraft. Other reviews have offered varying opinions on the quality of Nemeth Designs visual aesthetics, I find them to be adequate at the very least if not actually quite good. I particularly like the bee texture. I'll have to see if I can do a VW Minibus texture for it given the strong visual resemblance! I fly exclusively from the VC so I appreciate the detail and functionality in this area. The Russian version has cockpit panels in Cyrillic alphabet which adds a feel of authenticity. However, it is recommended to master the cockpit panels in English first, unless Russian is your primary language. Little details such as the working IFR or blackout curtains (?) and fans are really neat. The flight characteristics are wonderful. I've never flown a real Mi-2 so I don't know how this product compares; however, the model certainly behaves as one would expect for an aircraft with the the design characteristics the Mi-2. I'm particularly delighted with the level of realism of the autorotations compared to the auto characteristics other helicopter models, such as glide ratio and rotor inertia. Managed to pull off a successful touchdown auto from a 200 ft. AGL hover! Don't know how realistic that is, but they say that Fate smiles on the brave and the stupid so maybe it's true. So, my recommendation is this is a gotta-have, possibly my most fun helicopter sim. I rank it a 4 only for possible improvements as noted above. If FS2004 allows no further improvements, I would give it a 5. When I get around to it I'll definitely be purchasing other Nemeth Designs products such as the Ka226.

Now that I've owned this product for a while, I'm going to upgrade my review. Nemeth Designs has done an outstanding job as they strive for exceptional realism in their product design. I was initially a little frustrated with the extensive switchology required to get this aircraft model started and running, especially as many of the switches did not appear to be attached to working aircraft systems models, e.g. flies just as well whether the hydraulics switches are off or on. Nonetheless, the switches add a sense of procedural realism. The manual has excellent systems descriptions but the procedures are a bit difficult to follow in some places. After gaining some experience with the product, I have developed my own cockpit procedural flow which expedites the start process with particular emphasis on those panels and switches that are essential to successfully start the aircraft. Though I'm delighted with the procedural realism, a CTRL E function would still be appreciated for those occaisions when I'm time-constrained and would prefer to skip the procedures just for a quick hop. If I have to throw switches, I'd like them to be connected to working systems models, but such improvement may be constrained by limitations of FS2004. Other reviews have offered varying opinions on the quality of Nemeth Designs visual aesthetics, I find them to be adequate at the very least if not actually quite good. I fly exclusively from the VC so I appreciate the detail and functionality in this area. The flight characteristics are wonderful. I've never flown a real Mi-17 so I don't know how this product compares; however, the model certainly feels like a big helicopter and behaves as one would expect for an aircraft with the the design characteristics the Mi-17. I'm particularly delighted with the level of realism of the autorotations compared to the auto characteristics other helicopter models, such as glide ratio and rotor inertia. A fun addition to this product would be additional cockpit panels in Cyrillic alphabet as on Nemeth Designs Mi-2 product, though unless Russian is your primary language it would be best to master the English language panels first... So, given my additional time spent with this product I upgrade my recommendation from nice-to-have to gotta-have. I rank it a 4 only for possible improvements as noted above. If FS2004 allows no further improvements, I would give it a 5.

Too much emphasis on "switchology" but not enough emphasis on functioning systems models, e.g.: -Checklist includes clickable switches for flight data recorders, voice annunciations, hydraulics, and bank angle limiter (or SCAS of some sort). However, apparently there are no systems models attached to these switches. (Knocking off the hydraulics appears to have no effect on the flight characteristics!) -Erroneous/nonexistent instrument indications, e.g.: -No reading on the DC voltmeter when selecting & checking VU-6 rectifier function. -No fuel quantity indication (understood that power must be supplied correctly for the instruments to work). -Unable to maintain level cruise flight when the power is set to "continuous" mode on the IR-117 operation time indicator. -VHF comm selector doesn't appear to function correctly (i.e. freq. bleed despite selecting Comm 1 or Comm 2). All somewhat frustrating after having to sift through almost 2 pages of start checklist (which isn't always consistently written with the rest of the manual) just to get the thing running (with most of the instruments up). Needs a "CTRL-E" option for folks who just want to kick the tires, light the fires, & go for a quick run around the patch (or don't want to bother with checklists/switches). But having said all this: -Good autorotation sim, maybe one of the best (knock off the power and it comes down like a Simonized foot locker). -I like the "feel" of the landing gear. -Aesthetically pleasing for the most part. -Generally good fun to fly (don't know how it compares to a real Mi-17?). Plenty of room for improvement, but I still recommend as a "buy," particularly if you've gotta have a Mil...