"All those flash toys are well and good, but if you can't recall the info in the exam hall, then it'll be for nowt."
Using the hardware helps consolidate the information, which is what we use our humble sim for (it's only a 206, but you can start turbine engines on it). I can stand there all day in the classroom wittering on about EFIS, but 2 hours on flight sim using the stuff is worth more than that.
Our other sim is an Me 109, but that's another story
