I did my Instrument Proficiency Check yesterday. My insurance company requires me to do it annually even though I almost never fly actual imc, just to keep insured, and it has to be the full check with an instructor, not just me flying 6 approaches during the year.
So we did it in the simulator in two days. The FBO had a half price deal on the sim this month so $25 vs $50 per hour so my 4 hours saved a bit not counting wear on the plane.
Two good things about the sim: it is really all the instruments ,there is not much realistice feel or engine noise feedback like a plane, and it prints out a track on the control unit so you can review where you flew after you pause or finish.
It is harder than the real airplane, and in particular the sim doesn't have an autopilot like the plane, so I can't put it on auto when I have a cruise portion. In the sim, ever time I looked away to do something the pitch would change and it was a struggle to get back.
It felt not so great to me, but the CFI was complimentary and the track showed better than it felt at the controls.
So, I passed, and am good for another year.