Project Magenta isn't the only choice you have when it comes to 737 avionics, iFly now do the 737 in a Pro version (FSX only) which is about a 1/5th of the price you would pay PM for a full avionics suite. There are other options too

Aerosystem737 has on their front page JETMAX ready. Affordable too, 60 AUS.http://www.aerosoft..../home/home.htmlProsim737 is another popular suite, free till 2012 and then 100 EUR per module and it has the overhead. Flight model in the works.FSXPand is another option, I haven't bought the lastest ver 6, so not sure what the cost.IFly has burst into the market too and it has the flight model and some big upgrades coming out soon.Honestly I beleive you can run JetMAx off one PC, Once you remove the VC and throw some external gauges client/server todays overclocked i7s can run FSX easily. My lil setup can run 6 undocked gauges and 3display at an acceptable 30 locked.I looked hard at the JEtmax too, but I love my GAs too much and didn't want a one plane setup. Not to say though that I won't be picking one up one day though.

I agree that PM is not the ONLY choice but the problem is that the others are all rubbish.Anyone serious about cockpit building will use PM. It is expensive though.

Jason, Just for your personal development pls have a closer look into the following products and their respective forums:- www.prosim737.com- www.sim-avionics.comI presume you know these tools and have comprehensive knowledge of all the functionality provided ... but it might help to revisit from time to time.Thank you.Torsten

Why ?..........................Because it is the best.

Ahh, sorry, I probably missed this fact!

I currently use pmdg 737 ngx with my home cockpit and works great. Yes you do not have all the overhead and switch logic of PM but it is about 1/10 the cost. In some ways I consider using pmdg better than PM in that you have a complete airplane. I built all my equipment including enclosed cockpit for a fraction of the cost of bought equipment. The 747,777 and 737 all use simular mcp , for me the extra money is better spent on 3 projector visuals.Percy

I wish I could but limited by budget, if I upgrade projectors to short throw I will have to. Now screen is about 16 feet but works fine for low budget.percy

For that particular FDS setup you will need Project Magenta's Glass Cockpit software running on another PC for the PFD & ND.You will need to use a different monitor output for the EICAS and standby instrument. FDS have 2 monitors in there.A 19" and 15".You will also need another PC for the CDU and a special video output for the very small screen on their CDU.Project Magenta's CDU software will also be required.The PM MCP software can go on the same PC as FSX and they all communicate throught FSUIPC and WIDECLIENT.I have no idea what their solution is for the throttle quadrant but if it has moving trim wheels then it will have to be something special.The big problem then is you still have no overhead panel !!Maybe it's something you could add down the road when you have a few more bucks to spare.You will also need another PC and PM's PMSystems to run it over the network.I good overhead projector for a big outside visual would be the best bet.

At the FSWEEKEND Peter Cos had the 737SKTQ running on just 1 computer this new product range is designed to run off 1 or possibly 2 computers.Short video featuring Peter Cos on JETMAX Product.

Would you like to have this in your bedroom ?

Project Magenta isn't the only choice you have when it comes to 737 avionics, iFly now do the 737 in a Pro version (FSX only) which is about a 1/5th of the price you would pay PM for a full avionics suite. There are other options too

It is, if you are building a simulator for professional purposes.Fred.

That's something you buy and then build the house around it...And yes, I'd love to have a real nose section (with tq, yokes, pedals & seats to build into a sim

Just kidding !........................It's not in the bedroom. It is being used as an FTD at the moment at Shannon Airport.3 years of hard work but lots of fun too.Fred.

Oke thanks all for helping me out. (sarcasm off).This is becoming a "holy war" on what is good and what isn't and you know what, there isn't a right answer.I am looking for a study room size single seat trainer.Off course this is making compromises but hey this is a hobby and i do not intend to do a professional dst trainer with instructor station and the lot.So let's get back to MY topic (i started this remember) and see what is your advice to ME.I have limited budget available (even limited means when entering into the cockpit build area you wil probably spent the amount of a nice average middle class car) and not the whole budget now.737NGx is (for now) one of the givens. FDS looks good but i do not want to buy it yet (because of the total amount and uncertainty of running 737NGx).I already own a good FSx PC and have two other PC's (one decent amd 955 with 8gb etc) so PC's are not the point.In the video Peter COS mentioned they would be flexible about installing already owned hardware into the FDS system.So the question now is which mcp/efis combination would be the one to buy now to gain knowledge about the interfacing (Linda/LUA/FSUIPC/SDK's/IOCP etc)?I guess Peter would be the best one to answer this one but given all these experts here i thought let's give it a try asking here.So back to the subject gentleman please

Does PM have a flight model yet?

VincentWhat is the relevance of this question?As mentioned i am thinking of building a cockpit around the PMDG 737NGx. Why would i want Project Magenta to have a flight model?I might be missing here something and if so i would appreciate your explanation

I'm no expert but I use FSXpand (not mentioned) I also don't have an overhead panel BUT:Using USB game devices, or USB game controller convertors and standard game devices, FsXPand/FsClient can handle the input to control all cockpit control functions usually set by use of a keyboard. Each device that is based on standard joystick technology (variable resistors and buttons) recognized by Windows as such, can serve as a control for your cockpit.You as a cockpitbuilder might want to run as little software as needed. If you choose the right controls available on the market, you won't need to run any further drivers while using FsXPand.Unlike some other suites, FsXpand has a one key, many clients policy. You can use as many displays as you want. A key will not expire, and you can use it again on another PC if you want a hardware upgrade.http://cockpitsolutions.com/