Beak, Until it's on your computer and running it really doesn't matter what the videos look like. I'm not saying it won't be a good performer, but you and I both know that there are too many system variables to cover everyone. We'll just have to wait and see.

Ryan, with all due respect, this may be something PMDG requires in your forum section, (Which personally I disagree with for internet security concerns, if the purpose is to be cordial, first names should suffice) this though is the general FSX forum, and it has never been a requirement of this forum or any other AVSIM forum section to afix a full name (not even a first name) to a post. I never give out personal information in a public area of the net. That is why I don't twitter, or have a facebook account, and is why I don't post over in the PMDG forums.

He probably just forgot which forum he was in since he's so used to posting in the PMDG forum.

Pricing is OK with me, I was expecting $100 plus. In Australia, Qantas operates 42 737-800 series aircraft. Virgin Australia (formerly Virgin Blue) operates 43 737-800 series plus 29 737-700 series. So having the 800 series in the PMDG base pack is fine with me. Probably won't bother with the 700. With the ozzie dollar now fetching close on $1.10 US the cost to me should come in at something near 65 AUD - a bargain! (although I note the caveat about exchange rates on the PMDG website). Bruceb

IMHO, the price is extremely reasonable. Most people were speculating it would be $100 or more for the final product, and assuming that if the 600/700 wasn't ready at launch it would be a free upgrade. However, if you add up the 800/900 base at $70 and the $25 for the 600/700 expansion, the total is still $5 less than what the majority were expecting just for the 800/900 by itself. So I'm happy, in fact, I would have been willing to pay a max of $150 for the project, considering all the time and effort that PMDG has invested in the project, including the cost of consulting with real world pilots and engineers at Boeing. You get what you pay for, and although the iFLY is a bargain in comparison and offers the whole NG range, we are paying a fair cost for the added value that PMDG offers relative to iFLY or any other NG product: each variant has the real world flight envelope/fuel burn data embedded in their performance models (something I'm not that confident iFLY managed to do as accurately since they didn't have guidance from Boeing engineers or real world pilots). Almost every system is modeled to match real life values, including features 99% of users won't notice. Some may argue that such kind of extra code is wasteful, but you have to remember there are those who like to fly with failures enabled, or real world pilots may use this software for training, and it is imprerative that the behind the scenes framework of all the interconnected systems function as they should to make the aircraft behave in a plausible manner. Basically, the premium we are paying is for the functionality of systems, the added eye candy, top notch sounds, and the thoughtful optimization of code that the other add-ons do not offer. And that premium cost is very small compared to what most were expecting given the amount of time PMDG has invested, it's a downright steal in my opinion. PMDG can charge a lot more for this aircraft and still have a best seller on their hands, but they are smart and know that they will sell more volume at the announced pricing, and I commend them for holding the line on the final pricing. It's a no-brainer for me, I'm getting the base and the 600/700 expansion, and my iFLY is going into the virtual boneyard the minute it's released!!!

I'm one of those who feels that you get what you pay for. The PMDG quality is unmatched and they have the right to charge what they feel is fair for all the additional work they will do. I'm looking forward to all the reviews.

IMHO, the price is extremely reasonable. Most people were speculating it would be $100 or more for the final product, and assuming that if the 600/700 wasn't ready at launch it would be a free upgrade. However, if you add up the 800/900 base at $70 and the $25 for the 600/700 expansion, the total is still $5 less than what the majority were expecting just for the 800/900 by itself. So I'm happy, in fact, I would have been willing to pay a max of $150 for the project, considering all the time and effort that PMDG has invested in the project, including the cost of consulting with real world pilots and engineers at Boeing. You get what you pay for, and although the iFLY is a bargain in comparison and offers the whole NG range, we are paying a fair cost for the added value that PMDG offers relative to iFLY or any other NG product: each variant has the real world flight envelope/fuel burn data embedded in their performance models (something I'm not that confident iFLY managed to do as accurately since they didn't have guidance from Boeing engineers or real world pilots). Almost every system is modeled to match real life values, including features 99% of users won't notice. Some may argue that such kind of extra code is wasteful, but you have to remember there are those who like to fly with failures enabled, or real world pilots may use this software for training, and it is imprerative that the behind the scenes framework of all the interconnected systems function as they should to make the aircraft behave in a plausible manner. Basically, the premium we are paying is for the functionality of systems, the added eye candy, top notch sounds, and the thoughtful optimization of code that the other add-ons do not offer. And that premium cost is very small compared to what most were expecting given the amount of time PMDG has invested, it's a downright steal in my opinion. PMDG can charge a lot more for this aircraft and still have a best seller on their hands, but they are smart and know that they will sell more volume at the announced pricing, and I commend them for holding the line on the final pricing. It's a no-brainer for me, I'm getting the base and the 600/700 expansion, and my iFLY is going into the virtual boneyard the minute it's released!!!

Then you add though another $25 for the BBJ package, and your up to $120 ($125 if you wait til both packages are available before buying) to match the models IFLY includes in their package. Then there is 2 more potential expansion packs, the ER pack and Military Pack which could bring it closer to $175 when all is said and done. I do like optional approach, rather than including everything at once for a higher price. It gives you the ability to decide if you want the extra models, and giving you time to save for it, while still enjoying those from the base pack.

Not sure why you think the 700 is that much more mainstream then the 800/900 in the US? Of the Major US carriers there are 479 737-700's in operation among the major carriers 364 of that is just Southwest Airlines. While there are 415 737-800's, and 58 737-900's Take away Southwest, and there would be only 115 700's. I would say The US is fairly represented just fine with the base package. (Source airfleets.net) 737-700 Southwest 364AirTran 52Alaska 17Continental/UNITED 36Delta 10 Total 479 737-800 Alaska 58American 155Continental/United 129Delta 73 Total 415 737-900 Alaska 12Continental/United 46 Total 58

Southwest is the main airline I fly. :( I did forget about Alaska Airlies though (one of my other favorite airline liveries). They operate the -800. On a side note, I have seen a few gas references. I drive a truck, so filling up the tank is about $130. lol

Common sense dictates that there is a reason why the ifly includes everything under tbe sun for only 55 bucks whike the pmdg base pqck only includes only two varients for 70 bucks. There is a hell of a lot more simulated in the pmdg. Officially lisced by bowing means something. Everyone on these forums knows that pmdg doesnt cut corners. Everyone knows that they all want an add on to be the most realistic ever. However some people want it for free. Stop trying to justify buying a product that wont come.close to pmdg because you couldnt wait for the pmdg bird.

mwilk,

Beak, Until it's on your computer and running it really doesn't matter what the videos look like. I'm not saying it won't be a good performer, but you and I both know that there are too many system variables to cover everyone. We'll just have to wait and see.

I was talking about system simulation and visual representation of the airplane.Performance-wise, if the new ngx is anything like the 747 or md11 it's good enough for me. Talking about the gift of sight or lack thereof, you got my nick wrong.

Common sense dictates that there is a reason why the ifly includes everything under tbe sun for only 55 bucks whike the pmdg base pqck only includes only two varients for 70 bucks. There is a hell of a lot more simulated in the pmdg. Officially lisced by bowing means something. Everyone on these forums knows that pmdg doesnt cut corners. Everyone knows that they all want an add on to be the most realistic ever. However some people want it for free. Stop trying to justify buying a product that wont come.close to pmdg because you couldnt wait for the pmdg bird.

Who can't wait for the PMDG offering? It comes out in a week (probably). I bought the iFly FS9 version and LOVE it. I got the FSX version for about $15, IIRC.

My point is, all the bells and whistles won't mean squat if the aircraft doesn't perform on your computer. I just don't understand why this has to be a one or the other question. I own multiple versions of the 737,757,767, A320. I fly them all because they all have their strengths and weaknesses. My guess is the majority of the folks that buy the PMDG offering wil only scratch the surface of what the aircraft is capable of, either because they don't have the time or just don't want to dig that deep into it. BTW, "Gift of Sight" doesn't have anything to do with the iFly aircraft. It's a charity that the iFly developers are involved with.

Who can't wait for the PMDG offering? It comes out in a week (probably). I bought the iFly FS9 version and LOVE it. I got the FSX version for about $15, IIRC.

the ngx coming out in a week is not the point. The point is that everyone in april was like OMGZ the ifly is releaswd for fsx!!!! I would bet that a lot of the people who bought it was because they felt they had to have a 737 and couldnt wait for the pmdg offering. Now they realize......man the pmdg one is gonna blow my ifly one away. So they justify it by price point alone. Its obvious with some users. Others genuinly didnt want the pmdg and im not including them in this post. Its just seriously amusing seeing people post saying that the ifly is better when its obviously not. All around the pmdg blows the ifly away. Vjdeos and screenshots prove it. Pmdg did things with their sim that no one has ever done before......like implementing a sound set just for wing views. The ifly 737 was not meant to be as hardcore as the pmdg offerjng. Thats totally ok. However i laugh everytime someone was under the impression that it was going to be just as good as the pmdg ngx and then try to say it is and its obvious it isnt and they rushed to buy it. One cant even argue performance because videos of inflight stuff over add on orbx scenery while recordig in hd has shown that it rhns mkre than smooth.....all this with an early beta build with extra code that wasnt optimkzed at the time.

He probably just forgot which forum he was in since he's so used to posting in the PMDG forum.

That's exactly what happened - someone linked that comment to me and I just assumed it was in our forum - sorry.

Southwest is the main airline I fly. :(

We did do a Southwest 800 livery that will be available at release. SWA's first 800 is delivered in March of 2012, so it's not unrealistic.

I have no problem with pricing. And people have to make some money for their hard work!

If you can afford a PC that runs FSX reasonably well, the PMDG 737 should be fairly easily within reach. For the price of a couple of airport sceneries you get a cutting-edge simulation which you will be using for months if not years. The price seems to me totally reasonable when you look at it from this perspective.