Despite the plug, this is one of the all time debating topics.
I used sims for years before my first real lesson and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it helped me in every area (apart from stacks
)
Aside from VFR, during my first IFR stint, I was executing 180's +/- 20ft, within balance. As I always used to set the sim conditions to minimums (a base of usually 500 ft did the trick), there is no way that I could have accomplished this without the hours and hours of prior instrument monitoring sim experience. (BTW, this was achieved in lesson two).
Yes, I do agree that nothing beats the real thing but you just have to look at the amount of FTO's that now use FRASCA sims to train IFR students. IFR renewals are also now accepted via these sims, and as for line training...................
Cheers,
Craggenmore