I have to say this is the single thread I have seen go the longest on the Ariane subject without flaming. It is refereshing to see that it can happen.I agree with the original poster's review. It seems, based on other owners posts on the suhject, and my use of the PMDG NG, I think he is spot on in most cases. I don't think he is right about the hand flight characteristics of the PMDG model. However I am not a real NG pilot so I abstain from further comment.I also agree with Dillon. There is more than just eye candy and functionality to a plane. You have to look at price, and for me, the price of the Ariane offering does not seem fair considering that there are few if any innovations, and that you get a livery and a model.

I think people are overlooking this very important fact. What you get for the price is the whole problem. If it was priced farley I wouldn't have a problem looking at it. To call PMDG out is totally wrong as well in my book and those kinds of tactics should be left in Hollywood.I don't care what this guy says in his review, there is no way this product should be compared to PMDG's offering just because Ariane said so. That's an insult, it's like comparing your local Dave's Supper Deli to Wal-Mart... Even though these stores can offer the same products, one has a much larger selection and way more options. Sometimes at lower prices...

I think the reviewer genuinely tried to be objective and fair. His intent was sound. However as mentioned above, the comparison on price was missing and that is an important omission.

>I think the reviewer genuinely tried to be objective and>fair. His intent was sound. However as mentioned above, the>comparison on price was missing and that is an important>omission.Are you sure? I think the reviewer tried to give the IMPRESSION of being objective and fair. Not the same thing at all, and particularly from someone with little or no posting history in this forum. I don't think what I read was a review, it was more like a preview or a glimpse. A review is the kind of thing that Avsim regularly carries on its front page, from names that are known and trusted in this community, with illustrations and justification for comparisons made. Sven cannot be a 737 pilot, or else he would surely have told us this before, yet he seems able to make comparisons between flight models, without ever telling us his system specifications or the controllers he uses, or their settings. And he `forgets` to mention a couple of important points, it seems. I'm sure we can all draw our own conclusions.What are Ariane afraid of, that they refuse to provide forum-based support, refuse to provide reviewer copies, refuse to actually tell us WHO they are? Yet expect us to believe their completely over-the-top marketing hyperbole, NONE of which seems to be true?We clearly have the PMDG apologists, and the Ariane apologists. All I can conclude from all this fuss is that neither is worth the money - or the hassle if one were to try to objectify a complaint. As Ariane is a commercial product, supported by a commercial site (but not a forum) can't we just ban the discussion and posting of Ariane topics? That would acheive the best result in all this, as the carping would be eliminated at a stroke.Allcott

Hmm, I don

Uwe, really listen at the point you just made here: "Imagine I want the -900 only, and want to use ALL the features PMDG offers. I

Great review and good replies. I've got the whole PMDG fleet (a lot of beer money!) and, although I have thought of buying the Ariane product, I guess I'm committed to PMDG because of the investment! The cost of these addons is such that you have to make an initial decision and just stay with that line. Bottom line is that I'll always be curious about the Ariane product but can't justify the outlay - so thanks everyone for doing the comparison.KFD

"We clearly have the PMDG apologists, and the Ariane apologists. All I can conclude from all this fuss is that neither is worth the money - or the hassle if one were to try to objectify a complaint. As Ariane is a commercial product, supported by a commercial site (but not a forum) can't we just ban the discussion and posting of Ariane topics? That would acheive the best result in all this, as the carping would be eliminated at a stroke."Bravo, Allcott.Greg

"Arian-[sic]Well known in the community for making good air files and splendid models,they do not fail at this one either"I can't disagree more with this statement. My previous experience with flight dynamics on Ariane's earlier 737-300 was quite unhappy. The model was massively overpowered...fuel consumption was off by a country mile...the list goes on and on. If they've actually gotten their flight dynamics even close, it'll be a first in my experience with them, not a continuation of any long-standing trend. I refuse to give them credit for having a reputation...errr...well a good one, anyway.The blurry panel texture issue was a huge downside of the first generation Ariane panel as well. They never fixed that one.Finally, Ariane has a long-standing track record of promising releases...then missing them repeatedly. I'd take any promise of a patch with a huge grain of salt...again, based on prior experience WITH ARIANE...not with Papa Tango or any of Tishma's other previous and/or bankrupt business incarnations. People waited months and months for Ariane to produce a promised and supposedly imminent release of a v2 merge with the Dreamfleet panel, for example. Again, the list of broken promises was long and well-documented. They lost my trust long ago.Caveat Emptor!RegardsBob ScottATP IMEL Gulfstream II-III-IV-V L-300Washington, DC

Nice dicussion.First of:-No you dont have to reactivate it with the 10$ admin fee.I thought so first at the beginning.But after contacting Ariane i found out there is a simple solution by saving some files,and reinstall the files in the new installation.(Was that clear,or confusing?):)-Second.Sorry,but the pricing should be mentioned.Forgot that.(Too many things i tried to include,so some slipped.)It is of course a big minus,several people i know of would buy this addon if the price was lower.Ariane has choosen a not too good approach on the price tag.As of today i feel that product is overpriced,and not "worth" the price tag.This could easily turn the other way around if it gets some decent patching in the future.To all others,no, im not a real pilot.I've been working 5 years as a line mechanic on the 737-600/700/800 series in Scandinavian Airlines.Thats all.Also i stated that the point of handflying is more or less subjectiv.I have no background flying the NG,and many of us havent.I think the "feeling" of the characteristics in the air file,more or less has to be subjectiv as because of most users do not have any background to compare against.And to those stating the background and history of ariane.Yes i am aware of many of them,and i'm still learning.Ariane,Papa Tango or Peter Tishma has not any good reputations going their way.Im reviewing the product of as it is,and what may become if it is to be patched.Leave it to Ariane to decide.I think the review clearly state of what the aircraft is as of today.And if the patch should not be released,the aircraft is not worth the price.No arguing on that,i totally agree.Then there could be another hot thread:):):)

Thanks for clearing that up Svein... It was sounding a little scary there for a minute. I was actually starting to think people were under the impression this package was worth the asking price...

Sorry for missing all details regarding this.There are many features to review upon both addons and some slipped my mind.Please correct my on my mistakes:)As of the model,i've read many posts during the past regarding the previous products of ariane.Most of them on other forums than this,obviously:):)There are people out there enjoying the fligth models indeed.If people disagree on this.No problem,i clearly respect them for that.Unneeded to say,though.Is that people speculating upon me trying to bring an impression that is false,is beyond my grip.Sorry to hear so:(Otherwise i appreciate everyone answering upon this thread in a professional/non professional:) matter regarding the topic.

Ariane wouldn't have a venue either and that would be a good thing....

Yes, handflying the PMDG is great. I don't see any problems with it...

>I was actually starting to>think people were under the impression this package was worth>the asking price...Well, if Ariane's package is a "level D simulator" then it is definitely worth the price and even a whole lot more. So we need Eric Lunston come back and give us his review ;-)Michael J.