Paul, I agree with Marty, that is a well balanced review. l decided I had to add my 50 cents worth as recently I logged up approximately 4 hrs flying as a spotter in the right seat in a '66 185 with a 300Hp Continental. As I have some previous GA experience (Cessna 172) but not a PPL, the pilot was happy for me to have some stick time of just over an hour as we were doing a lot of low level stuff as the attached pics demonstrate.
I was highly impressed by the performance, so as soon as I got home I purchased the Carenado 185 (I have the Carenado 182Q already) and was generally not disappointed. The performance was similar (no real plane handles exactly the same as in the sim, there are just too many variables). My key points from flying the real deal are as follows:
1. The sim is a bit innacurate for climb with a load on. I calculated the weights for the fuel we had on plus the passengers, and the real plane climbs a lot faster. This may just be a parameter adjustment in the sim.
2. Less rudder input is required on a steep turn to keep the real planes bubble centered on the turn and bank.
3. The real plane is more stable in pitch trim, although it is quite heavy on the elevators, especially around 140MPH
4. The real plane gets away on you pretty quickly for speed in a shallow dive, its a slippery little bugger, especially compared to a 172!
5. I find the the eye relief with my Track IR slips down by itself in this model. In reality, visibility is good over the front, but as you correctly identify in your review, vis is limited to the sides until you are airborne.
I have recently purchased a Logitech G940 to replace my ageing Thrustmaster stick, and having the rudder pedals makes a world of difference to flying this model, and with FFB, it gives some idea of what the elevator forces are.
Bottom line is that it is a great aircraft, even with the naff split package of the standard and bush versions. I just got the standard as it had a ZK paint with it
Hope this helps others to decide about this payware package. It was a real pleasure to recreate my real-time flying with a pretty accurate sim
On the runway
Our shadow low over the forest
Trying to recreate the Dambusters!
My sim version at Tekapo
Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 8:34 am
Great review Paul.....balanced and interesting as well, unlike a lot of the "back of the box" reviews that are sometimes seen. 
