I only partially understand the complaining about having to have a lock-on type product installed. This was the case for FC2, and it was always known that it would be this way for FC3. In this instance, at least it works with just Flaming Cliffs installed, so if you have FC2, there's no need to hunt down a copy of LOMAC.
In the UK, you can pick up Lock On at Maplin, and in places like PC World (where I got Black Shark of all places). I think it's cheaper than TFC's website.
I don't yet know if I'll buy FC3. It's not a question of value or anything like that for me, as it seems pretty much as expected in terms of price and content. I bought FC2 a few years ago, and that persuaded me to build my first PC at the start of 2011. I installed FC2, Black Shark and Warthog, and even though I was new to sims (I would say I still am), the only ones I found myself feeling the love for were the DCS products.
It seems I needed high fidelity right from N00B status.
In short, I'm not sure I'll buy it, because I'm not sure I'll play it.
DCS modules for me mainly.