Roadkilt said:
For a bit more than cost of software simulators, Phoenix is $79, you can by a cheap RC quad which gives a better experience. Blade mQX or others are small and crash resistant, can fly inside without issues of wind and rain, and are a great learning tool for the delicate sensitivity of quads.
I agree that mini quads are very useful as a training aid and I have bought myself a Hubsanx4. However they are themselves susceptible to damage, they still need to be charged, flights are sub 10 minutes at a time and they are not ideal for your initial training for nose in training etc. The biggest advantage they do offer though is the risk of a crash which ensures that you concentrate.
I think the simulator represents much more value for money. Of course though you have to use it realistically. Anyone can fly a quad or helicopter in a sim if all they do is apply power and dash about the sky. If you do that in a sim you will find it quickly becomes boring. No, to get the maximum value from a sim you need self discipline. DJI supply a pilot training guide that has a number of useful exercises to master which will massively increase your chances of successful flights. All of these can be mastered in the simulator. Instead of flying for ten minutes or less with a quad, you can fly for hours if you want, perfecting these skills to where they become second nature.
I am not against the mini quads they are great fun. However for people new to the hobby I say save your money on a mini quad and invest that in a simulator, any simulator that you like the look of. I only bang on about hell-x because it has a good phantom model which helps train your visual orientation skills as well. Flying a model that does not look like the phantom can't really help your recognition.
Last but not least I would not throw too much money at a simulator unless you can afford to. Your skills are going to improve very quickly indeed and therefore your going to move over to flying the real thing more and more.