At PC Tech Guide, we have written extensively about the role of virtual reality. Virtual reality has changed the way we interact with games. It has helped flight schools better prepare pilots to thrive in their careers.
Demand for virtual reality products is growing at a tremendous pace. The Sony PS VR was the best selling virtual reality product in 2017. It sold 1.7 million units that year.
However, simulators are not without their own drawbacks. It is important to be aware of the pros and cons of simulators over actual experiences.
If you’ve ever been to an arcade, it’s likely that you’ve been on a simulator. These are machines that are meant to simulate a real-life experience but in a much safer environment. In today’s short article, we’re going to take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of both simulators and doing the activity in real-life.
Golf Simulators
When the sun comes out on a beautiful day, it’s likely you may be thinking of how nice it would be to sneak in those nine holes this afternoon. Golf can be a great sport that can help you relax and enjoy being outside. When golfing in person, you really get to see how the ball moves from your swing and adjust as such. However, golfing can only really be done in nice weather. Harsh environments like storms and rain can put a damper on your outdoor golfing experience. In addition, it can be costly to invest in not only paying for your rounds on the course but also your clubs, balls, and accessories.
Golf.com talks about the rise of golf simulators. Jason Fierro of San Diego-based Full Swing simulators told them that there are a number of benefits of these simulators that help players improve their game.
“There’s a lot of flexibility because golf simulators are highly customizable,” says Jason Fierro of San Diego-based Full Swing simulators. “But whether you’re a scratch player or a 20-handicap, you’re probably going to use your simulator in the same way.”
Golf simulators are a great way to get a golfing experience whenever you feel the urge. These simulators can help you to understand the concepts of the game better and the best part is that you can use one no matter what the weather is doing outside. With the exception of high-end home golf simulators, most versions struggle to truly replicate the real thing. While you can practice your swinging stance, you’re not going to get to see where your ball really goes until you get on the course.
Motorcycle Simulator
When it comes to hitting the open road, many choose to jump on their motorcycle to get some fresh air on their journey. There’s really no feeling like having the wind flowing against your body as you cruise down the open road. However, while a motorcycle can be a great form of transportation, it can also be a dangerous one. Unlike how automobile drivers are cushioned and restrained by the airbags and seatbelts during a collision, motorcyclists can only rely on their helmets, riding leathers, and luck to protect them from the forces of impact. Even the most affordable motorcycle insurance quote reflects this increased risk as part of the policy. What’s more, many long-term riders will tell you getting into an accident isn’t a question of “if” as much as “when” and “how bad?”
Last year, LeanGP released one of the most promising motorcycle simulators ever to reach the market. The product was released for under $1,500, which should give future riders the chance to improve their steering abilities without having to risk injury on a motorcycle for the first time.
A motorcycle simulator can give you the experience of riding a motorcycle, without the danger of an actual accident. You can get on the simulator and see what it actually feels like to sit on top of a motorcycle. With the simulator running, you can see how to steer the bike and how it moves underneath you. However, a simulator is not the real thing. You won’t get to actually ride down the open road and feel the pavement below your feet. In addition, simulators tend to only be of one sports bike model, not a real look of some of the other types of motorcycles.
Flight Simulators
Flying can be a fun experience especially when you’re the one behind the yoke. You can easily traverse up through the clouds and take in picture-perfect views that you just can’t get from ground level. However, flying can be dangerous. You’re dealing with being up in the air and relying on your plan and driving abilities to bring you safely to the ground. Without the proper training, flying a plane on your own can be a recipe for disaster.
Flight simulators have been around for a long time as a way to help individuals learn how to fly planes. While PC gamers have played flight simulators on their desktops for decades, these programs are sometimes also set up with the same gears and pedals that you’ll find in a real plane’s cockpit. These allow the users to get acquainted with the plane’s features in a safe and realistic environment. When you wreck in a simulator due to pulling too hard on the yoke, you can simply hit the reset button. However, flight simulators are not exact replicas of real flying experience. There are many things that you can encounter in the sky that you may not in the simulator, such as harsh weather or even birds. While flight simulators are a great way to develop basic knowledge about flying, they can’t give you the actual feel of being off the ground. Only a real flight can do that.
There are many different types of simulators out there to give you a semi-real experience. As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to simulators when compared to a real-life experience. There’s no denying that simulators allow you to capture an experience in the safety of a controlled environment. Therefore, you may want to consider your first step being a simulator before trying the real-life experience.