I looked at both the AF online renewal and the Gleim online renewal. I was all set to use the AF program, but found in the free demonstration that it was very heavy on graphics and sound. Since I have dialup, I decided I didn't want to go that route. Afterwards, someone told me that the AF program has a timer that makes you sit on each lesson for an hour, and you can't proceed even if you've finished absorbing the info.
Too bad, because I would've liked to take advantage of the free renewals for life after paying the initial $100.
I went with the Gleim course, also $100. They let you do lesson one at no charge, and if you decide to use the program, lesson one will count towards the final credit. It is 16 total lessons.
The format works like this: open a lesson, take a 30-question T/F quiz to get your brain engaged in the material (this doesn't count toward the grade), then review 10-20 pages on the subject matter (downloadable in PDF format), and finally, take a 10-question multiple choice exam...then move to the next lesson.
The only negative I found with the Gleim was the cumbersome registration process, but most of that was due to FAA paperwork. I'm assuming any of the online courses would be subject to this process.
The 8710 was mostly filled out with the information provided during registration. Only a few more lines to fill in to finalize it. I highly recommend using the $25 service for them to file the paperwork. This entails sending them the 8710, your current CFI ticket, your graduation certificate, and an affidavit proving your identity (I used a notary at my bank, took me 5 minutes). All of the necessary forms are dowloadable in PDF format, ready to print. They send it off to the FAA and also mail you a temporary certificate.
Sure, I have to pay them another 100 bucks in two years, but the all-text format was very easy (reads and tests just like a Gleim red book) and I was able to go at my own pace, no matter how slow or fast that was. I finished the whole test in one day on a long layover, but only because I'd waited 'til the last minute. It can be spread over a longer period at your leisure.
Bottom line...I highly recommend Gleim. You don't need to spend all that money on a classroom program. Whatever you choose, best of luck.
Here's the link to
Gleim's online FIRC.