I actually have the Leonardo md80 also. I didnt like the airfile much so i modded it to perform as the real aircraft does.

Another firm vote for the Maddog here. The VC graphics - actually the switch levers only, really - are very slightly "blocky", but that might be my only complaint, as the systems fidelity is breathtaking, when compared to the average payware: only the NGX comes close. There is an exceptionally good failure module: a reasonable load manager/flight planner - that needs to be used: animation of all entrances; independent instruments; a perfect shared flight deck.. and so on... others have posted the link - go there and read about all of the features, there are way too many to post here.

 

However - all that being said, my friend - your system doesn't have the resources to run the Maddog. At an overclocked 3.2 GHz - you can barely run the aircraft at an airport, let alone with some AI, cloud, detail - and some smoothness, and so...

I share your exact sentiments over the Flight1 super80 instrument panel - unusable. It's in your face, constantly reminding you that it's flat - simply a picture. I don't know anything about the CLS machine, so my recommendation is - save your money and - a little down the road, perhaps, build a PC that will give you the FSX experience you want, and then you'll find "that happy place". :smile:

I own the Flight 1 / Coolsky MD-80 Pro and the current Maddog version. I fly the Flight 1 version 90% of the time as cockpit functionality isn't really very far off from the Maddog at all, and FPS are about 80% higher on my rig.

 

Also, I think the F1/Coolsky has far better sounds than the Maddog.

 

I really can't understand what Paul is saying about the Flight 1 MD-80 Pro's VC .... it is not up there with the NGX but it is perfectly reasonable, and I would say (purely looking at VCs) on a par with the Maddog. It is certainly not "unusable". You can also assign keyboard commands with the Flight 1 / Cooksky, albeit using a slightly fiddly .INI file in the aircraft folder.

 

All things considered, my vote would firmly go with the Flight 1 model; but make sure it's the "Pro" model, not the old "Super80" product.

She isn't that easy on the fps. I was just looking into your list of addons and couldn't find a comparable (in fps terms) plane. So my guess would be that your system will take quite a hit. :mellow:

 

I'd say she definitely is the top notch MD80 when it comes to systems, tools and package value. The model detail derives from the FS9 plane, so you have a downside in that chapter which also affects some repaints.

 

Thank you guys so much for all the feedback so far. FPS isn't too much of an issue, a new computer with a 660TI and a 3770K is in my not too distant future. I have the cash, I just need to make my mind up, perhaps an X-mas sale would be coming. Having said that, I would like to see decent FPS performance, she will probably be flown into ORBX areas.

Fly Geordie, does the Pro version have any VC improvements?

Maddog is the NGX of the MD80s, or as close to that as is possible. Many books and instructional videos have been made about it, since it is very complex.

The Flight1 Super80Pro is also a great and enjoyable simulation from Coolsky. The VC is a little outdated, but is very functional. They are supposed to build a new one sometime in the future.

Actually the Maddog's VC is nothing to write home about, compared to today's standards.

I really like the user interface that Coolsky makes with their aircraft sims. It makes it very easy to set up your flight.

As far as complexity of systems, the Super80Pro is a little below the Maddog, but has enough complexity to be a challenge to fly.

You can see, I like them both. Either one that you get, add Turbo Sound Studio's sound product to get much better engine sounds.

Avoid the Leonardo Maddog at all costs:

 

- broken VNAV -> does not follow descent profile

- broken loader -> aircraft does not get the fuel you enter in the loader -> you need to ESC the flight and reload it

 

If you are having those issues, you either don't have it installed correctly or don't know how to use it correctly. Both work fine for myself and countless number of other users.

If you are having those issues, you either don't have it installed correctly or don't know how to use it correctly. Both work fine for myself and countless number of other users.

 

Really?

 

1. I have a lot of experience with all PMDG aircraft (737NGX, 747-400X, MD-11X), and "I don't know how to use it correctly"?

 

2. Go at their forums and see a vast amount of posts about this, unanswered-ignored from the developers, even after 5 years.

Altitude constraint works for Maddog, i don't know if speed constraint is added(it was planed, i didn't checked, i allways set speed manually). For altitude constraint use this format:

- /10000 or /FL100 or /100 “ AT FL 100 “

- /10000B or /FL100B or /100B “ AT FL 100 OR BELOW “

- /10000A or /FL100A or /100A “ AT FL 100 OR ABOVE “

- /8000A10000B or /FL080AFL100B or /080A100B “ BETWEEN FL80 AND FL100 “

 

Everybody have right to opinion, but I wouldn't say anybody to avoid at all costs the best flight model/system simulation ever maded for fsx. Maddog have a very few bugs in fsx(nothing serious), but you can't compare maddog with coolsky, CLS or any other MD80/DC9. They are toys in comparation with maddog.

He has better system simulation than NGX, even circuit breakers are functional!

As i said, maddog is for those simmers who wants realistic simulation, and who want to read guides and learn system and procedures, with minimal use of automation

Get the Maddog, forget about the Coolsky. Honestly

Ive also heard the SGA MD-80 is good quality