I bought BS a while back and I confess it has languished both from it's complexity and because I just have far too many games on my PC.
Now I see it has a new version which is not backwards compatible I assume,
is the old one now basically obsolete? Is everyone now going to BS2? are there any Die Hards who play the original online?
if I learn to fly BS will everything still be the same in BS2, procedures, control assignments, button commands? is there a discount if you already own the first one?
..hey can't hurt to ask

BS2 is like BS1 patched. Many are complaining that ED charged customers for this patch, but that's a dead-horse topic.

BS2 allows helos to be flown alongside A10s.

Black Shark 2 is not backwards compatible with Black Shark 1: tracks won't play back correctly and a BS1 player cannot play multiplayer on a BS2 server. The upgrade is a paid upgrade. As for whether or not it's worth it to you, there's a list of updated features on ED's website here: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=81117

...and we are having a Christmas cheer Fly In on Friday December 30th, 2011. I'll post a new thread in this forum later tonight.

Wrecking Crew

Nothing says Christmas Cheer like lighting up a A-10C with a Vikhr, or spraying a Ka-50 with some CM! Ho ho ho, look at the rotors go!

lol

I might upgrade my copy if I feel like I can at least fly around and not crash, I really would like the A-10 sim but if I get that I'll never learn to fly BS so....

KRT, learn to fly with bs1, until you can do a few missions well and if you feel like you enjoy it, upgrade to 2. All the flying and controls and procedures apply equally in 1 and 2. From a single player perspective, BS2 offers improved wingman and armor AI, more comPlex radio procedures, a fast mission generator, and improved environmental lighting. None of which will matter until you learn to keep the ka-50 in the air.
But yOu may just find it's not for you. Maybe a-10c is more yor style. It all depends if you prefer to find aaa and MANPADS an annoyance or a real problem.

I fly mostly fixed wing WWII both Fighter and Mud-Mover alike. I just like to try different aircraft so I thought BS was something a little different that might appeal to me, plus I had seen Golden Ammram's videos and it looks just plain cool and it helps I've been flying a Micro 4 channel Co-axial Helo around the house, lol.

It's quite different and definitely fun when you get the hang of it. Enjoy!

The original poster asked if black shark 1 is obselete. Ans whilst most of you provided helopful content, none of you answered the question.

YES black shark 1 is obselete. Black shark 1 will not see any bugfixes, additional features or future support.