I think most people know the answer here, and it has never (to my knowledge) been denied, but who is representing Ariane? On their webpage, there is no "about us", there is no contact details, there is nothing to say - give me your credit card and we may give you something in return!!!If anyone is concerned over what this company is offerring, refer to this investigation:http://www.avsim.com/pages/0902/pt_again.htmlI will not be spending any of my hard earned money with this company at all. Yes, I am part of the PMDG Beta Team however I paid for my PMDG 737 NG prior to joining the time and THAT was money well spent.You don't see forum's like that of the PMDG forum here at AVSIM where not only do other simmers, and the Beta Team assist in threads but the Owner's and employee's of the company as well. Ariane can claim what they like, and I admit their website is a great marketing tool, which seems to be just that, a tool. Let's get a few "non-bias" reviews out their and see just how it stands up, including their so called support and updates.

>I'm anxious to hear more--especially from the old-timers here>who have long established credentials on the forum. All of my>payware purchases evolved out of posts I've read here... >Hopefully the thread will stay civil enough that a more in>depth review by one of the regulars will surface...I'll stand up for Mike T. He is an old-timer in these parts. He's given so much to the flight sim community and when he speaks people listen. Repect his viewpoint as both fair and unbiased.Regards,

As it relates to this sim Mike, one could argure that for any item missing in a simulator, most notably motion, it will always be a incomplete simulation. I have said it before and will say it again, the NG pilots on our team, while desiring a IRS System (I want it as much as ANY system not there) do not put as much interest into it as flight sim folks, they do not interact with the IRS any more than they would program a few waypoints for a route or adjust the MCP for TO. Sure it's no excuse for not having one but this does not limit the PMDG NG in **Total** in regards to the Araine aircraft and bang for the buck..Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4][h3]P M D G's 747-400[/h3][h4]coming to a runway near you[/h4][/font color]Caution! Not a real pilot, but do play one on TV ;-)AMD 64 3200+ | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro | Windows Xp Pro 64 |

Randy:No harm done, but I wanted to clear that up :-) Friends ? :-)I made it a point to say better AND worse. Systems shy of the IRS are modeled VERY well on the PMDG NG. Flight modeling is modeled VERY well on the PMDG. Heck, I LOVE the PMDG NG and fly nothing else (well until the 747 so I can finally cross the pond).With that said, the PMDG FMC is more complete. To answer your questions:The PMDG flight dynamics and auto-land is simply the best there is...period. Nuff said.The IRS alignment procedure and FMC coord setup is of course fully modeled in the Ariance offering and PMDG did not model that (yet). There is no ACARS in the Ariane offering...while PMDG at least has a rudemenary system in place (that I like). AFDS items, well...let's put it this way, they are VERY similar but PMDG models both the transition layouts and the full EFIS while Ariane doesn't. Function wise, they are very similar. Whatever you see in the PMDG AFDS you will see in the Ariane offering.Now with all that said, I won't say anything bad about anything or anyone. I am not here to judge, as everyone has their own opinions and each is to be respected. Some may feel that the PMDG 600/700 functionality is incomplete until upgraded (pending) and some may feel that the Ariane offering may be incomplete until they upgrade. SO to be fair everyone gets the benefit of the doubt. :-)As I said, one has to judge for themselves and make up one's own mind. Best regards,Mike T.

>I'll stand up for Mike T.I do too. In fact I still recall my sparring matches with Mike T. on the subject of MSFS-FLY!. Oh my God, how many years ago was that ?Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

Sorry Mike, it's not you sir, it's because in the past with Araine-PMDG threads many folks including myself have thought Peter might be behind them. I am sorry to have given you that impression. I certainly welcome your comments and hope all this defence does not hold to much against me.Best Wishes,[h4]Randy J. Smith[/h4][h3]P M D G's 747-400[/h3][h4]coming to a runway near you[/h4][/font color]Caution! Not a real pilot, but do play one on TV ;-)AMD 64 3200+ | ASUS KV8 DELUXE | GFORCE 5700 ULTRA @535/1000 | Maxtor 6Y080M0 SATA 80 GIG | 512 DDR 400 | Windows Xp Pro | Windows Xp Pro 64 |

Totally Agree

Nah Randy! :-)A spirited debate is no problem, we are all adults and love our hobby. I respect the work you've done and I enjoy it every day. Of course, no hard feelings.Besides, Ken hasn't shut it down yet so we must be okay! :-lolBest regards,Mike T.

>I'm really curious as well--I know there will be some takers,>although I'm surprised this wasn't released with the more>commonly flown 700 or 800.>>But also I advise "buyer beware"--I knew the package would>come in at a high price, but at 1.85 pounds to $1 U.S., that>exceeds $90...>>IMHO Bobbo is snubbing his nose at the core of the MSFS market>with that type of pricing--trying an old trick of making you>think it must be good because it's priced like a Porsche,>while at the same time making you think you'd be part of the>"elite" by being able to "afford" to buy it.>>I hope nobody comes to the decision to purchase because "it>must be good if it's $90" or "wow, I can be a member of the>elite". >>Since I know some will buy it, Here's hoping it's worth every>penny:>> :-beerchug >>-JohnI don't get it. Why is everyone quoting $90 as the selling price. I calculate Ariane's price to be $60.71 USD. Am I mistaken?Regards,

My earlier comment may have gotten lost in this very heated debate so I'll repeat it here.I don't get it. Why is everyone quoting $90 as the selling price. I calculate Ariane's price to be $60.71 USD. Am I mistaken? I guess Ariane uses a more up-to-date curreny conversion schedule than I have. If so, $90+ is too high. I'm tempted but the price tag is a little steep.Regards,

>I don't get it. Why is everyone quoting $90 as the selling>price. I calculate Ariane's price to be $60.71 USD. Am I>mistaken?And how do you get $60 ? Convert 50 British pounds to US dollars using today's exchange rate. Simple arithmetic.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

Well, it wont go ugly on my account. Im not even going to visit their web page. They might as well price this at 200.00 US or 500. I cant afford it so why waste the emotion? Eric

Even if it was $60 that's still just one plane with questionable functionality.

Ahem...you army guys.. its "alumnus" for male singular. "Alumna" for female singular...and "alumni" for plural. (minor latin lesson for the day.) :-)Eric

My calculations was based on the Euro instead of Pounds Sterling. The price is correct at $90+. Too much for my blood. Although I would really like to see this thing for myself.