Judging from the amount of posts I dedicate, if not fully, then partially, to the PMDG 737, you'd think I plan on buying it. Well, ys and no: I'm on the fence for this one. There are some thing I can't get a clear picture of, and one thing is the VC. Looking at the 600/700 base package, the VC seems to have an overhead filled with 3D knobs and buttons. However, when I look at the Avsim reviews which also includes the 800/900 addon package, I see the overhead is completely flat. This confuses me. So, when I buy the base package and the addon package to that (so I end up with 600/700/800/900), what overhead panel will I be getting? 3D knobs and buttons, or all flat?3D stuff on overhead: http://www.precisionmanuals.com/img/produc.../73g_FS9_04.jpg2D, flat overhead: http://www.avsim.com/pages/0504/pmdg_737ng...reen_pop-up.jpgSo, again, if I buy the 737NG full range NOW, which of the two screenshots will I see on my own setup?I know this is a rather minor point, but I find it difficult to decide nonetheless, mainly because of the NGX and the inevitable upgrade to FSX I'll probably make.

If you are going to upgrade to FSX soon you should just wait since the 737 is coming to FSX soon. My guess is it will be flat. Never owned that plane for FS9

Judging from the amount of posts I dedicate, if not fully, then partially, to the PMDG 737, you'd think I plan on buying it. Well, ys and no: I'm on the fence for this one. There are some thing I can't get a clear picture of, and one thing is the VC. Looking at the 600/700 base package, the VC seems to have an overhead filled with 3D knobs and buttons. However, when I look at the Avsim reviews which also includes the 800/900 addon package, I see the overhead is completely flat. This confuses me. So, when I buy the base package and the addon package to that (so I end up with 600/700/800/900), what overhead panel will I be getting? 3D knobs and buttons, or all flat?3D stuff on overhead: http://www.precisionmanuals.com/img/produc.../73g_FS9_04.jpg2D, flat overhead: http://www.avsim.com/pages/0504/pmdg_737ng...reen_pop-up.jpgSo, again, if I buy the 737NG full range NOW, which of the two screenshots will I see on my own setup?I know this is a rather minor point, but I find it difficult to decide nonetheless, mainly because of the NGX and the inevitable upgrade to FSX I'll probably make.

As you mentioned this is truly a subjective decision. The NG VC was PMDG's first foray into this technology. While the VC is a bit dated, IMHO I find it functional and usable. PMDG also offered a few other 2D panels which can be easily switched through using the panel switcher (ex: approach view). For me, I rarely use the VC in the NG because the other 2D panels meet my needs. I have both FSX and FS9 on my system a still use the NG often. :(If you want to get an idea of what the NGX VC will be like, take a look at the J41 screen shots.

My guess is just the opposite. The 600,700 was built for FS2002, hence the flat, dead look. It was redone for the 800,900 andretrofit the 600,700.The JS4100 was a test bed for the new VC Technology coming. Full functionality in all its 3D splendor!

Ben, I love the 737 but I only fly the NG in 2d. The VC in that vintage is not what I consider a functional VC. As stated, the JS41 is a good preview of the NGX, but I will still have the NG in my FS9 hanger. The JS41 is the most fun I've ever had with an aircraft simulation and more is coming. How exciting.

What I actually meant was the 3D/2D representation of the overhead in the VC. I didn't mean the actual 2D panel that shows the overhead panel. So, take a look at the screenshots please: If I go and buy the PMDG 737 for FS9 now, what VC overhead panel can I expect: one with 3D buttons, or one without?So, which one of these two will it be:3D stuff on overhead: http://www.precisionmanuals.com/img/produc.../73g_FS9_04.jpg2D, flat overhead: http://www.avsim.com/pages/0504/pmdg_737ng...reen_pop-up.jpgNote that my jump to FSX will not be anytime soon. It will be next year summer at the earliest.

The overhead looks like a flat plane with a bitmap overlay.

What I actually meant was the 3D/2D representation of the overhead in the VC. I didn't mean the actual 2D panel that shows the overhead panel. So, take a look at the screenshots please: If I go and buy the PMDG 737 for FS9 now, what VC overhead panel can I expect: one with 3D buttons, or one without?So, which one of these two will it be:3D stuff on overhead: http://www.precisionmanuals.com/img/produc.../73g_FS9_04.jpg2D, flat overhead: http://www.avsim.com/pages/0504/pmdg_737ng...reen_pop-up.jpgNote that my jump to FSX will not be anytime soon. It will be next year summer at the earliest.

If I get a chance tonight I will post a screen shot for you.

Thanks! looking forward to it!Dan: if that's the truth, then what is that screenshot supposed to be of a 737 VC with 3D switches on the overhead? I mean, it comes directly from PMDG's site... You're n ot gonna tell me the 600/700 and 800/900 have different VCs, right?

well, mine looks 3D, but the gauges are not usable at all, not to mention the poor resolution (VC resolution slider is set all the way to the right). Never tried before, so I might be missing something.

*sigh*That sure doesn't look great, you know... Oh well. Thanks for taking the trouble to make a screenshot for me!

*sigh*That sure doesn't look great, you know... Oh well. Thanks for taking the trouble to make a screenshot for me!

2D panel looks much better. Remember that there is a panel switcher that makes moving from panel to panel a click a way on the mouse.

Yeah, this plane is best flown in 2D and it was my first serious add-on and it blew me away (back then). It is a very fun aircraft to fly, and it doesn't hit the framerates. If you want VC then I think you gotta go to FSX IMHO.

I think what you have to keep in mind is that when the original PMDG 737 came out, it was not only the best FS aircraft you could get (and even today it is still pretty damn good), but it was also quite punishing on frame rates for the computers that were about at the time, so when viewed in that light, it is easy to understand why it is like it is.If you want a pretty 737 VC right now for FS9, then you are looking at the Ariane 737, which has a really nice VC in its FS9 incarnation. But it does not have the systems fidelity that the PMDG FS9 NG has, so you can either go for pretty, or pretty accurate, but not both, unless you are prepared to plump for the Wilco Classic 737s and forego the NG experience. The Wilco one is both fairly accurate and it has a decent VC that is mid way between Ariane's pretty one and PMDGs highly realistic systems functionality. I have all three of those 737s (and others besides) and I'll be honest with you, the PMDG rarely gets an outing these days, because that VC is showing its age, but even so, it will always have a special place in my heart that the others will not touch, for it was the first really good 737 for FS, and nothing any developer ever does can touch that. The PMDG FS9 737 was where the company's reputation for pushing the envelope was born.This is of course why everyone is waiting for the FSX NG from PMDG, since we know that once again PMDG will pick up the ball and run with it, which means you might be best off waiting for that if money is a concern and time is not. Tricky decision, but keep in mind, if you do go for FSX and the new NG, you'll still be flying whatever 737 you get for FS9 for the best part of six months, and if you divide that time between what you pay for it, that will probably be the smart way to decide what to go for.Al

I must say I am pretty sure my overhead in the 737 in VC mode looks less scrambled than that screenshot.If you have the money and want a 737 now, then perhaps get the boxed -800 and -900, which have the newer version of PMDG's 737 NG? I have started using it a lot in the last six months and it is really a fine simulation. Not quite as fancy as the 744 or the LDS 767, but still great fun all the same. The FMC is nice and trustworthy (unlike the LDS 767's VNAV descents!!). It can't do a few things like panel state saving, IRS alignment (who really cares anyway - it's flicking three switches and waiting ten minutes), and won't be able to do a VNAV approach very well (just fly it manually) but these are minor downsides (except panel state saving). Anyway, if you do decide to buy it, expect it to look a LITTLE bit older than the PMDG 747, but apart from that, it's still an awesome sim.Incidentally, a Qantas pilot the other day mentioned that they find it very useful to practise things like circuits and odd approaches in, and mentioned it was pretty valuable before a sim check. That's a pretty good compliment to the PMDG team, I must say. He did wish it had panel-state saving, and I suppose that's not far away in the new version.Cheers,Rudy