So, I'm just curious why the 800/900 was released first instead of the 600/700 like the original versions in FS9. For me, I would have liked to have a choice of which pair I want, then pay for the other if I want an expansion. 90% of my 737 flying is on the -700, then the -600 (due to the fleets I use). With the original release, I did get the 800/900 package, but rarely used those products. I don't like the idea of throwing a whopping $70, then another $25 just so I can get the more common models. Perhaps on the whole it may make 'business sense', but I think something like that may also retract sales too.All I say - in this day and age and with the prices that we pay for things, we should be able to choose which package version we want. That opens the door to everyone's tastes, and may even increase sales.Just my thoughts.So is it worth it? I have the iFly 737, but $70 is a massive investment to switch to. For that price, PMDG should be releasing a trial-version (limited area/functionality/time).

Is it worth it? If you want the most realistic, highest fidelity addon airplane in existence for FSX, yes. Otherwise, iFly is fine.I agree that it would have been nice to have the option of buying only the 600/700 variants (i.e., without needing the 800/900 base pack. But, hey, it's a beautiful plane.

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by Lawyer+Pilot

In the real world, the manuals alone would run you more than $70... Quite a lot more in fact. $70 for this kind of product is the bargain of the century, no questions there. Of course, if you've only got a quarter to spend, she won't be worth it.You can't really compare the iFly with the NGX, they're two decent products for a whole different market.By the way, PMDG have said they won't be releasing the -600/-700 package as a standalone version.

As far as I am concerned, PMDG made the price of the NGX much too cheap.You then got to listen to morons talk about the "massive" price they have to pay forthe most advanced 737NG on the PC.And the 600/700 are not the most common models. The 800 is the most common model of an NG.Why not wait a few more weeks and you can play the MS Flight arcade game for free.Fred.

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by RYR738

Why not wait a few more weeks and you can play the MS Flight arcade game for free.

:(

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by benorg

This is happening more and more where you have to buy a base package in order for the remaining additional products you purchase to work.See link below to an excellent scenery selection that revolve around a base package.http://www.simaddons.comIts called good market strategy. Would i do it if i was marketing a product? Darn right i would.Regards,

I think the OP answered his own question...most people would have just bought the 600/700 and not have bothered with the 800/900. If it keeps PMDG in business so they can produce more great software, it's a small price to pay IMHO.

How many hours flying have most of us got out of the ng? Bargain of the century, as mentioned.Re: the 800/900 releasing first. Its not a conspiracy to make more money necessarily (although if it was that would be fine!). The 800 is by far the most common about 3,400 orders vs 1,500 for the 700 (approx). I think of the 800 when i think of 737s, cos thats what i fly on as a pax (flew vrigin blue and qantas 737-800's yesterday). Others seem to think of the 700 as the 'normal' ng, peception may vary depending on where you live and what you fly in fsx. 900 and 600 are much less common worldwide (100 - 200 total orders).

It's definitely worth the price, though I feel that PMDG should have offered an option buy the 600/700 as the base and 800/900 as the expansion as well as the vice-versa.

The 800 is the most common variant in the world - we figured that was the one most people wanted. It's not true that everyone wants only a 700 - not even close. It also would have increased the development time even further had we done 700/800 because the 700 has different engines. The 800 and 900 both use 26Ks. Most of the time between the two releases was spent getting those performance differences right.It's probably true that fewer people want the 600 and 900, but that number's definitely not zero and it'd be harder for us to justify doing the work (which is the same amount of work regardless of how it's packaged) if there weren't going to be many sales of a 600/900 addon. It's not a "conspiracy", it's just how it had to be for us to feel like putting in the work was worth the time. I seriously doubt there's many people who'd rather have fewer choices in the product line in the name of saving the equivalent of one meal at a restaurant..

I just remember the firt time seeing the price for this bird; I almost fell off my chair because I knew how feature rich it would be and could not believe the bargain we were all getting. It's more than worth the price we paid for it and will still be more than worth it if you were to purchase every single expansion for the NGX.

i use the 600 700 800 and 900 all the time. just mix it up. there is great flightplan for all varients. use your imagination or look up a real flightplan

The 800 is the most common variant in the world - we figured that was the one most people wanted. It's not true that everyone wants only a 700 - not even close. It also would have increased the development time even further had we done 700/800 because the 700 has different engines. The 800 and 900 both use 26Ks. Most of the time between the two releases was spent getting those performance differences right.It's probably true that fewer people want the 600 and 900, but that number's definitely not zero and it'd be harder for us to justify doing the work (which is the same amount of work regardless of how it's packaged) if there weren't going to be many sales of a 600/900 addon. It's not a "conspiracy", it's just how it had to be for us to feel like putting in the work was worth the time. I seriously doubt there's many people who'd rather have fewer choices in the product line in the name of saving the equivalent of one meal at a restaurant..

Ryan. My post was not intended to imply that that PMDG were conspiring, rather pointing out how companies can and do market their products to increase their profitability.If my post was interpreted any other way then i apologize. Whether or not PMDG does or does not use any kind of market strategy does not concern me and would point out that i am perfectly satisfied with what i payed and what i got for my money when i purchased the NGX base package.

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by wanabflyer

for the amount of detail/features and a full set of Manuals, the PMDG would work out the best value addon in the history of flightsimulation.Its not an addon, its a work of art.

I haven't posted about much lately- mostly because of the puerile nature of a lot of the posts. This one I can't let slip by- sorry! There is NO PRODUCT in the history of Flight Simulation that has delivered more for less. To prarphrase Sir Winston- "Never, in the field of flight simulation, have so many, owed so much, to so few". For a pittance, you are provided with insight into an airframe, almost equivalent to that provided by a multi-million Dollar Level D sim. In terms of documentation, you receive the equivalent of thousands as provided by Boeing. The summative experience is superlative.As Fred succinctly stated- there are other options- always.

Edited January 7, 201214 yr by lasnubes