While the J41 is a sweet little plane, with the usual PMDG graphics bells and whistles, it sits way in the FSX past. The FSX2Crew addon revived its value but overall for me it is a bit outdated.

On a personal note I never really liked it, although it does feature some interesting turboprop engine operations aspects (specific solely to the J41). The sound set is just OK, the ground handling is acceptable but nothing striking, it's fun and challenge to fly around... FMS is really simplified version of the real thing, and if you want to have a weather radar, you need to purchase the addon from RXP.. Good point to consider, both the plane and the FS2Crew have matured with the service packs released since and now the tandem runs very nicely together (actually after 2 years of break I re-installed the J41 couple weeks ago, and I might say I enjoyed the few flights I made). All in all, nice plane, well presented (in fact much better that what other developers are releasing) but nothing special. Now that the Q400 is out will I fly it again? I don't think so...

 

The Majestic Q400 is a new release which revolutionizes FSX in many ways, some not even considered by PMDG. The ground handling and flight model is custom made and executed very well in fact, overcoming many of the FSX limitations. And that's the sequel of the Dash-8 300 for FS9 - the only addon bringing real turboprop operations to our computers. Everything that was missed in the 300 series, is now implemented in the Q400 on a quality level at (if not beyond) the current PMDG presentation standard (NGX). Note this addon features things not being implemented in NGX for various reasons. Last but not least - this addon was released bug free (disclaimer - it runs perfectly fine on my PC). I'm sure that all quirks will be soon ironed out by the team, but to compare  - PMDG also releases at least 2 service packs for its planes, before the storm is calmed down.

 

The only thing that plane is missing is a nice FS2Crew package, and then it will definitely take the first spot in my chart. 

 

Bottom line: if you've got the J41 already that's quite fine, buy the RXP radar and FS2Crew package to complement it, it will improve the overall experience. The Q400 is the hottest release though, so you should consider it in a near future.

Gotta have both.They are amazing.  However, the documentation in the Pmdg j41 is 10x better than the Dash 8 which is rather poorly done.  I hope they improve it.  Otherwise, the Dash 8 is stunning inside and out.  Thank you Majestic for creating this for us!!!

 

 

I can see that i also will buy the Q400, but i will wait until i master the J41. I am reading a lot on the J41 right now, and i like the atmosphere in the cockpit.

 

I have taken it for a little spin on cheat-start :-) What i don't like, is the impact on fps, i have no problems with NGX or any other plane for that matter, so i am a bit puzzled....

 

Maybe i have to turn of external icing effect and passengers?.....

 

It just dont feels smooth...

 

If i can't get this running smoothly, maybe i should jump to the Q400.

 

Thanks for all your responses!

"Sadly, Realism of addons these days are judged by young teens(without knowing technical aspects) sitting on there computer ,that kind of ruins the well simulated airplanes ."

 

I'm a real airline pilot with more than 5 years of experience, I have flown md, boeing and airbus, and I still purchasing this kind of products just to learn how others planes operate and fly. Believe me, there is a lot of real pilots in this hobby.

 

I,ve flown the pmdg j41 for one year, its a good add on, and a challenge talking about turbo prop engine operation. But the dash8 is just amazing, the fde, all the systems are modeled. I recomend you both but if only money for one: the dash8.

Whats the icing bug that everyone is talking about?

 

I have both.

 

The J41 is a very nice plane to fly on short hops and the direct drive engines require baby sitting like nothing else in Flight Simulation...you are always a bit on edge in the start and when encountering ice when you fly it. The price is good vs. the Q400 and the sim is very well done, despite a few small bugs.

 

The Q400 is certainly very good, although I really don't know how good because I am still learning how to fy it properly..it certainly lacks a good tutorial at this time, although I know a thorough one is on the way. It is more expensive, missing the FO callouts, however, at least you can find it used by a lot of airlines where the J41 is not flown by any airlines I want to fly in FS.

 

As others have said, probably best to get both, although if I had to get just one I would probably go for the Q400 as it is 2 years newer and offers the latest and greatest for Flight Sim.

I have both airplanes. From the get go, the q400 is a better all around airplane. I'd have to say that graphically, both airplanes are the same inside the VC. The j41 does show it's age in some aspects though.

 

On the outside, the q400 wins in all aspects. I was somewhat disappointed with the outside modeling of the j41 I felt it was half done at best. The q400 gives you outstanding animations and one of my favorites is how you can see the props change pitch as you go from disc to max power.

 

The fee on the q400 is the best I have ever seen in fsx. The j41 is four years old. It isn't anything special as far as flying goes. However it is still very very nice to hand fly and feels about right. The engine modeling is outstanding on the j41. However, the q400 wins at this as well. The whole engine modeling from start up to max thrust to beta to shut down is astounding on the q400.

 

Systems wise, the q400 wins but by default. What I mean by this is that the j41 is not meant to do what the q400 will do in the future and therefore it will never be better. The j41 however does everything the q400 outside of the fms. Both are not able to simulate failures....yet. Both have all the systems working from a normal line flight stand point. However, the q400 does it better in the sense that it seems smoother in simulating its systems.

 

 

What I have noticed with both if these aircraft as well as the NGX is that all three were astounding and revolutionary when they released. However, they were always "not good enough" once something else came out. Common sense prevails here. Once a company does something revolutionary in any regard, other companies follow suit and match said aircraft. Then, not only do they match it, they surpass it because they have the opportunity too while the older aircraft is what it is and is already out. Therefore it won't be worked on again. Make sense. That being said, you are wanting to compare a week old aircraft with a four year old aircraft, you do the math and see which one is going to do cooler stuff and be more up to date with technology in this niche market. Your comparing apples to oranges. So take all the advice from everyone with a grain of salt.

Sadly, Realism of addons these days are judged by young teens(without knowing technical aspects) sitting on there computer ,that kind of ruins the well simulated airplanes .

That's true in some cases and sometimes by pre-teens, but there are also some real airline pilots that post and give opinions as well. The problem is knowing who's who and what their actual age and pedigree is when you read the opinions.

What a ridiculous statement!

 

Rich

 

I have to agree with you.  Apparently he didn't view the Avsim forum demographics poll a few years back.  The majority of simmers were over 30 if I recall.  A large chunk of them were 40-60 yrs old.  Of course these are only the simmers on avsim.

I own both. I recommend both.

Size and speed says it all about comparing the two. You really can't.

 

For short smaller fields the JS4100 is my go to girlfriend.

 

I have a feeling that for faster regional and larger airports the Q400 will me my other go to girlfriend.

 

Both great developers with great addons to offer. These two are a safe buy either way you go.

 

Have fun either way.

 

 

Sent from my Apple communications device.

 

 

For short smaller fields the JS4100 is my go to girlfriend.

 

Yes, that had been my method for years.  In honesty though, approach speeds are very similar for the Dash 8 (about 120-125 kts fully loaded), so the difference isn't as big as I might have expected.  She's a heavier aircraft, so needs bit more braking distance.

 

The kicker for me is the Dash 8 works much better on steep approaches that I seem to like (KASE, LOWI, etc...nothing like being surrounded by mountains).  The direct drive on the JS41 makes her a bit slippery...if I recall correctly you still get about 20% thrust at flight idle.  The Dash 8 is proving much easier to handle on these approaches.

Sadly, Realism of addons these days are judged by young teens(without knowing technical aspects) sitting on there computer ,that kind of ruins the well simulated airplanes .

Wow, I have never heard such discrimination. Driving a car is one thing, but this is another.

I got both. I take the J41 up once every blue moon and always get a kick out of its VC graphics, but this Q400 is becoming addictive! BTW can someone help me out on where the anti skids are on the Q? Thanks!

Wow, I have never heard such discrimination. Driving a car is one thing, but this is another.

This explains the near misses I've been having  :rolleyes: