After a rather lengthy telephone call up to Oregon (USA) speaking with GoFlight tech support, I was disappointed to learn that GF does not directly support PMDG aircraft AT ALL. GF was trying to suggest that using the iFly 737NG would be a better 'fix' for using the GoFlight MCP Boeing-type panel - but I am loyal to the NGX by PMDG.That said, I am confronted with now revisiting my initial plans about cockpit hardware and reconsidering VRInsight Combo II MCP. Question #1 is: Does the VRI unit come with all the buttons & button labels "pre-installed" onto the device or does the end-user (ME) have to install buttons and/or glue button decals onto the VRI unit?This will be a major consideration in my final decision. I am not artistically inclined and doing such would be a major PITA for me. Therefore anyone who purchased the VRInsight Combo II new... I would appreciate knowing thanks.Robert McDonald

After a rather lengthy telephone call up to Oregon (USA) speaking with GoFlight tech support, I was disappointed to learn that GF does not directly support PMDG aircraft AT ALL. GF was trying to suggest that using the iFly 737NG would be a better 'fix' for using the GoFlight MCP Boeing-type panel - but I am loyal to the NGX by PMDG.That said, I am confronted with now revisiting my initial plans about cockpit hardware and reconsidering VRInsight Combo II MCP. Question #1 is: Does the VRI unit come with all the buttons & button labels "pre-installed" onto the device or does the end-user (ME) have to install buttons and/or glue button decals onto the VRI unit?This will be a major consideration in my final decision. I am not artistically inclined and doing such would be a major PITA for me. Therefore anyone who purchased the VRInsight Combo II new... I would appreciate knowing thanks.Robert McDonald

You do realize that PMDG's lack of ever releasing an SDK for any of their Aircraft have hampered hardware manufactures from day one. So you can stay loyal, but don't invest in gear and expect it to work 100 percent of the time.VRi CDU2 buttons are clear with all the labels to insert underneath for many different FMC versions, but once again since there is no SDK it does not work perfectly.

Edited February 2, 201214 yr by ohsirus

You do realize that PMDG's lack of ever releasing an SDK for any of their Aircraft have hampered hardware manufactures from day one. So you can stay loyal, but don't invest in gear and expect it to work 100 percent of the time.VRi CDU2 buttons are clear with all the labels to insert underneath for many different FMC versions, but once again since their is no SDK it does not work perfectly.

EDIT: I asked about the MCP, not the CDUII- does the MCP unit come with clear labels that require somehow the end-user to configure with labels? Are the labels easily inserted with no worries about being crooked or off-line?Thanks for taking the time and trouble to respond to my inquiry. Yes, i am aware of the "SDK" issue. I think there have been some internal issues at PMDG 'behind the scenes' which lead me to believe there were non-public concerns revolving around the underlying code and "who owns what" part of their product. All of this is only speculation. I can say that in my biased opinion, the 737NGX is so far superior to the competitive product it isn't even a contest, yet the issue remains regarding the aftermarket 'hardware' to interface with my beloved NGX.Truth be told, I far prefer the GoFlight Boeing MCP over the VRInsight Combo II, from the perspective of the GF "looks exactly like the real MCP" whereas the VRI "not so much". OTOH, the VRI is 3 elements in one unit (EFIS/MCP/COMMS) as opposed to GF where I get to buy THREE pieces of hardware. (sigh)We'll see what develops...Robert

Edited February 2, 201214 yr by rsm

I was disappointed to learn that GF does not directly support PMDG aircraft AT ALL

Have you tried LINDA? (LINDA v. 1.11 and PMDG B-737-NGX v. 1.5 modules).Cheers,- jahman.

Edited February 3, 201214 yr by jahman

Have you tried LINDA? (LINDA v. 1.11 and PMDG B-737-NGX v. 1.5 modules).Cheers,- jahman.

Yes, if you look at my signature line, near the end I mention Linda 1.11 Quite nice! However, I am unsure if Linda 1.11, the NGX, and the GoFlight MCP will all play well together in the same sandbox.Robert

I never considered this VRI panel. But it sure does look nice. As I started slowly getting some hardware for simming, I've considered something else beside a yoke. PFC yoke is the first on the order now, and the most expensive.But how do these panels play along with NGX? Does it work natively? I never used Linda, so I don't know what's that about. Using FSUIPC here.

I never considered this VRI panel. But it sure does look nice. As I started slowly getting some hardware for simming, I've considered something else beside a yoke. PFC yoke is the first on the order now, and the most expensive.But how do these panels play along with NGX? Does it work natively? I never used Linda, so I don't know what's that about. Using FSUIPC here.

I went to the PFC headquarters in California to see their stuff pre-purchase, but decided to put the purchase on hold. I -did- go forward with the VRInsight Combo II which I found an attractive offer of a new one on the web for a 3-day weekend that nudged me to go ahead. The deciding vote was Linda. Linda supports VRInsight "natively", whereas the GoFlight stuff is anyone's guess as to getting it to work, and GF themselves were emphatic that "We support iFly 737, and do NOT support ANY PMDG aircraft". End of consideration for GoFlight. The site that was doing the special price I can give you via PM if you're even interested. PFC doesn't use Hall Effect sensors in their yokes to the best of my knowledge and belief. I like their stuff for how it looks, but it seems awfully expensive considering what's inside. If you look at their desktop mounted yoke with the cover off - you'll instantly see my point - and I'm just speaking honestly. Yes, there is some heavy metal - but the innard circuitboard looks like 10.00 worth of printed circuitboard with a few I/O chips on it... and a large coil spring to pull the yoke back into position... well, I'm probably over simplifying... Their warranty is a bit on the thin side too, if I remember... lifetime on metal, maybe like 1 year on electronics (?) not sure...

You are aware I'm about to pull the trigger on the PFC yoke? :Hypnotized:Everyone says PFC is basically as good as it gets.Someone said they modded their PFC yoke to fit the Hall Effect sensors.I don't know what to believe any more...About VRI, thanks for the insight. I also wanted their CDU, but then I read you need windowed screen - another no-go for me.

I have the VRI MCP 2 and love it. Yes, it's not as accurate visually as some of the others but with the EFIS and radio section along with the extra user programmable buttons it's a steal for those of use still flying with a desk. And running under Linda it makes for quick and easy programming for various profiles....

exactly. The VRI MCP2 gives you quite a lot of 'must have' functionality all wrapped into just ONE piece of equipment. It's really handy when you want to react quickly during flight as opposed to trying to mouse-click the controls on your monitor, or remembering a complex set of key commands. The EFIS gets a lot of use from me, along with the COMMS section....teamed up with Linda, it's the 3rd best FSX investment I've made, following the PMDG 737NGX and the Hotas Warthog throttle/joystick pair.

I have tried PFC Yoke and its nothing to crow about. Its way overated IMO. You may want to try it for yourself before making a commit. Same with their Rudder. Its allright. Neither of them are anywhere close to the real thing.

 

But I do like their GA throttle quadrant. Thats the only thing I like of theirs.

 

 

My Go flight MCP Pro works good with the PMDG 747 so I am totally happy with it. It also flies the Lvl D aircraft quite good.

 

I hear that some user has developed something that we can use with the new 737NG. I don't own the 737NG as yet.. so I don't know how good this one is or much about how to make the go flight unit work with the ng

 

My concern is the new upcoming PMDG 747 and if this does not work with the Go flight MCP Pro then I need to find an alternate or be totally contended with my current PMDG 747 and for go the new PMDG 747 or invest in something like the open cockpits MCP.

 

Manny

I'm sure there will be new Linda profiles made by a bunch of talented people out there for future aircraft releases...

My Go flight MCP Pro works good with the PMDG 747 so I am totally happy with it.

 

 

Is that using the FlightSimLabs payware driver, or do you have some other technique?

 

--

Bryn

Is that using the FlightSimLabs payware driver, or do you have some other technique?

 

--

Bryn

 

Its the fs labs payware driver. Initially I had the freezing problems too., But then I sent the unit back to Go Flight and got the firnware updated to something like 20 or 21. and the unique srl number is still there. So it all worked out. I did this like more than 2 years ago.

 

Manny