Hi, guys!I have just read AVSIM review of this airliner and I have mixed feelings. On the one hand this is very advanced and in-depth MD-82 recreation at PMDG products level but on the other hand this is also FS2004 portover causing bad FPS and mainly Maddog-2006 copy lacking two VC panels and with some still unfixed bugs like unreliable AIRAC/TP handling. Moreover LSH team support is now practically non-existent as I read on their forum and no new service packs are announced or even responses to customers' questions are posted there. So it looks like Maddog development and maybe support is essentially over.Can you confirm that and if you own this plane tell me whether it is worth buying or not?

Hi, guys!I have just read AVSIM review of this airliner and I have mixed feelings. On the one hand this is very advanced and in-depth MD-82 recreation at PMDG products level but on the other hand this is also FS2004 portover causing bad FPS and mainly Maddog-2006 copy lacking two VC panels and with some still unfixed bugs like unreliable AIRAC/TP handling. Moreover LSH team support is now practically non-existent as I read on their forum and no new service packs are announced or even responses to customers' questions are posted there. So it looks like Maddog development and maybe support is essentially over.Can you confirm that and if you own this plane tell me whether it is worth buying or not?

Why not get the CoolSky MD-80 Pro?

Isn't it too simplistic?

...if you own this plane tell me whether it is worth buying or not?

In short, yes it is worth buying, IMO of course. It is an indepth addon that has some outstanding features even beyond the airplane itself, like Multi Crew and the Control Panel, both of which can be used over a LAN. I use the 2D panels in a multi monitor setup; I don't use VC. There are plenty of undockable panels that are a delight for my setup.I don't see much involvement on their forum from Leonardo, but the users are a very helpful lot and seem to be able to answer most questions.I don't seem to have problems with using the Navigraph data. There's a process for importing it that works on my rig.The FPS are not as high as some, like the PMDG MD-11 or Coolsky Super80. For my system, they are middle of the road, which is to say, quite acceptable (low 30's on T.O).I've spent a lot of time around the real MD-80, and have a soft spot for the airplane. The sounds that Leonardo employs are just like the real thing, they have included so many subtle sounds in the flight deck that really bring things to life. I use noise cancelling headphones when I fly. And there are some neat aspects to the handling, like on the ground, where it doesn't require T.O. EPR to just get it rolling (like some other addons). Overall feeling in flight seems just right. The workload is understandably higher in this earlier generation airplane. And I find it very satisfying to fly, as there is almost always something to do. It is obvious that a *lot* of time went into producing this software. It's a very complete, polished software package.Noel [email protected] / 8800GTX with TH2go / 4Gb / Vista 64 / FSX Deluxe SP2

I must compare Super-80 Pro and Maddog-2008 Pro in details...any hints?

Ok, I have them both... And I only fly the Maddog today because IMHO it's much better : I mean it better suits my personal tastes. Maddog 2008 Pro+ Incredible system simulation. I mean REALLY INCREDIBLE! Besides Dial A Flaps and ABS I can really think of something that's not there... The Maddog is incredibly DEEP. + Really beautiful photo realistic 2D panels+ Amazing FDE on the the ground and in the air+ Incredible sound set. You really are in a cockpit... (You hear the APU on ext view. If you open the window or the cockpit door the sound is different. Stuffs like that)+ Multi crew is fantastic and something to experience at least once+ Failure/MEL module+ Run on FS9 and FSX for the same price+ Load manager, fuel planner, flight plan editing and many options customizable in the manager+ Nice documentation+ Every ext model animation is logically linked to its system+ Very reliable software- Better have a powerful rig, especially if you plan to use the VC (Everything is in 3D and the textures are NOT optimized)- Lack of support and news from the dev team. This REALLY sucks... - 2D wide panel only for the Captain side- Little naggy bugs here and there (because LSH team disappeared) - Not DX10 compatible - Not for VC fliers and night textures and lightning could be better. Super-80 Pro+ Fair system simulation+ Very FPS friendy (ext, 2D and VC)+ Good support+ Bunch of beautiful liveries (You can even have UHDT liveries from McPhat now... )+ Integrated Cockpit Training System (ICTS) : Good for newbies+ Interactive checklist is a good idea too- No FO side simulated- Ext model animations NOT linked the panel's systems- Systems are MUCH MUCH simplistic compared to the LSH's offering- VC : Flat overhead. This is really UGLY and outdated (I mean come on!! We're in FSX and the year is 2009. Not 2003-4!)- So much power needed to start taxi and keep her rolling... I personally really dislike that In short, this is what I can think about right now...

Ok, I have them both... And I only fly the Maddog today because IMHO it's much better : I mean it better suits my personal tastes. Maddog 2008 Pro+ Incredible system simulation. I mean REALLY INCREDIBLE! Besides Dial A Flaps and ABS I can really think of something that's not there... The Maddog is incredibly DEEP. + Really beautiful photo realistic 2D panels+ Amazing FDE on the the ground and in the air+ Incredible sound set. You really are in a cockpit... (You hear the APU on ext view. If you open the window or the cockpit door the sound is different. Stuffs like that)+ Multi crew is fantastic and something to experience at least once+ Failure/MEL module+ Run on FS9 and FSX for the same price+ Load manager, fuel planner, flight plan editing and many options customizable in the manager+ Nice documentation+ Every ext model animation is logically linked to its system+ Very reliable software- Better have a powerful rig, especially if you plan to use the VC (Everything is in 3D and the textures are NOT optimized)- Lack of support and news from the dev team. This REALLY sucks... - 2D wide panel only for the Captain side- Little naggy bugs here and there (because LSH team disappeared) - Not DX10 compatible - Not for VC fliers and night textures and lightning could be better. Super-80 Pro+ Fair system simulation+ Very FPS friendy (ext, 2D and VC)+ Good support+ Bunch of beautiful liveries (You can even have UHDT liveries from McPhat now... )+ Integrated Cockpit Training System (ICTS) : Good for newbies+ Interactive checklist is a good idea too- No FO side simulated- Ext model animations NOT linked the panel's systems- Systems are MUCH MUCH simplistic compared to the LSH's offering- VC : Flat overhead. This is really UGLY and outdated (I mean come on!! We're in FSX and the year is 2009. Not 2003-4!)- So much power needed to start taxi and keep her rolling... I personally really dislike that In short, this is what I can think about right now...

I dont have the MadDog but do have the Super80-Classic and Epikk is 100% right on about the Coolsky version. Sounds like you cant really go wrong with either.

Many thanks! Well, it looks like a hard choice...how can I summarize your hints? I try this way:1. Maddog 2008 Pro has:- much better aircraft systems and avionics simulation- advanced failure module - good 2D wide cockpits aside of F/O (however CoolSky Super-80 Pro does not have it at all)- better sound package- acceptable FPS with 2D pits- bad frame-rate in VC and external views because this is FS2004 port- small bugs with some FMS problems being the most annoying- bad or even non-existent producer's support2. Super-80 Pro possesses: - less detailed systems simulation- good learning module- very good FPS due to native FSX-SDK origin- better external model and many beautiful liveries- extensive support- bugs in engine management and systems-graphic interaction- small graphical bugs and outdated solutions- lack of F/O cockpit- 30% cheaper than Maddog-2008 Pro (its price is comparable to Maddog-2008 Standard)All in all I still do not know what to choose. I think Maddog-2008 Pro is much more realistic but less graphically polished and more FPS hungry. Besides it has failure generator at expense of Super-80's interactive aid system. I would say Maddog is my first choice but I must check if my rig can run it at satisfactory frame-rate level even in 2D cockpit view only. My rig's spec is as follows: C2D 2.4 GHz, 4 GB RAM, GF 9600GT 512 MB, Vista 32-bit and FSX SP2. What do you think?

Your rig should be just fine... Especially in 2D. With the Maddog you can adjust the quality of the gauge for better performance by the way. This package is REALLY COMPLETE.

Great! What do you mean "really complete" referring to Maddog 2008 Pro version?PS. Is it more smoothly to buy this plane in the Simmarket or on developer's website?

Great! What do you mean "really complete" referring to Maddog 2008 Pro version?PS. Is it more smoothly to buy this plane in the Simmarket or on developer's website?

If the developer has a retun policy I would buy it from them. Simmarket will not ever return your money for any reason, trust me! If you decide to buy the Coolsky version, it can be purchase via Flight1, and we all know about their return policy. If you dont like it just return it within 30 days.

OK I'll take it into account and check Leonardo E-shop.However I have one more question as for Maddog-2008 Pro: Is it possible to enlarge EFIS displays in 2D cockpit and VC modes? I suppose they are quite small and therefore rather unreadable from normal view.

Is it possible to enlarge EFIS displays in 2D cockpit and VC modes? I suppose they are quite small and therefore rather unreadable from normal view.

Perhaps you are asking this because it is a feature of the Coolsky Super 80. As far as I know, this cannot be done with the Maddog. But, I don't have problems reading the ND as it's pretty clear. I run the main panel on a 19" widescreen at 1440x900. It takes up most of the screen.This feature is available in the Coolsky Super 80, and is very handy. (I have it as well.) I do popup the V/S indicator, move it up slightly, and enlarge the ND for a nice big display (which covers where the original V/S indicator goes). The Coolsky is also an excellent addon. I'd recommend buying them both!Noel W

It is very helpful because I play in identical resolution! Simply I am not sure if PFD and ND screens are readable in such reso.