I know this forum will be about as objective as the cows on the Chik Fil A commercials, but I'm sitting on $90 trying to justify buying this add-on. It's not as much about the cost as it is I don't know that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread that everyone says it is. I've watched YouTube video after YouTube video, and read all of the accolades on the PMDG Facebook page. I went ga-ga over the NGX last year for the same basis, and $70 later I flew the plane like 5 times. I was never a big 737 fan to be honest, but I do like the 777 and "love" the 77w, so I want to give it a shot. But i'm also not a "one hour preflight setup, flip every switch" type of simmer, so the realism of the flight deck is not the strongest selling point for me. I have 2 monitors, 1 for flight deck and one for external views and like to watch my flights from outside mostly. I just don't want to feel like I tossed away $90 that I could have used on something more practical(which most people would say is just about anything).

The 777 takes much less time to setup and fly than the 737.  Much more automation,  find a route, start at the runway guesstimate the fuel and fly.  Having said that all airliners are interesting because I want to know the systems.  It's boring to some, interesting to others.  At cruise time, like in real life, it's pretty boring but the time compression feature helps.  I am not sure about your level of interest in the 777 but if you find the 737 boring, chance are you may have the same felling with the 777.  The airliners simulation, in my view, you either like them or you don't.  Good luck.

Look at your computer specs. If you can run the NGX fine, expect lower performance. Take that I to consideration also. That is the biggest.....not worth it to me. That, and the fact it was/is way more automated then I expected.

 

 

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If you can run the NGX fine, expect lower performance

 

I do have the NGX but the 777 performs phenomenally better.

 

To the OP, I was a bit hesitant to spend 90$ on just one add on as well but after a lot of 'back and forth' in my head, I finally purchased it and to me personally, I think this is worth more than what they are asking. The automation in this thing is exactly what you need for the kind of flying you're looking into. Don't take that to mean that there isn't any work involved, there is, but you can get it set up and ready to hit TO/GA within 5 minutes, if needed.

Look at your computer specs. If you can run the NGX fine, expect lower performance. Take that I to consideration also. That is the biggest.....not worth it to me. That, and the fact it was/is way more automated then I expected.

 

 

Sent from my Apple communications device.

 

Your mileage may vary, but I get noticeably better performance in the 777 than the 737. I've seen many others report this, but some people do claim to get worse performance.

While the software IMO is worth 90 dollars and I'm glad I spent it; I'm not sure the PMDG 777 is for you by the sounds of your simming style.  PMDG is about system depth and some would call it a good study sim for beginners of a Boeing platform.  Once you've learned what you need to know you still can always learn something new long into its use.  And once you've mastered it itself you can move into following how real world pilots setup, prepare, and execute a flight.  Most us us hardcore PMDG users also are big into planing our flights in all aspects.  If all that dose not interest you then IMO PMDG's software is not for you and that's no big deal.  Also if you've only flown the NGX a handful of times then I would say you'd fly this the same amount.  Not to mention time (has time acceleration however).  For me to enjoy the 777 as it was intended you should be doing long haul or ultra long haul flights.  So if you're just doing very short hops you'll find the plane shoots off the runway from the massive engines and light loads witch is unrealistic.  This can be countered with De-rating the thrust and even programming new speed and altitude restraints in the the FMC.  But back to your simming style and/or knowledge, it might be over your head or just not worth your time setting up.   

 

Also reviews are good but whats better it understanding yourself.  When you say, "greatest thing since sliced bread that everyone says it is".  You have to understand the person whom might be saying it.  If I say strawberry cheesecake is the best and you never had it or don't even like cheesecake then you can't totally invest into what I say.  Just like taste, simming interest will very.  If you don't enjoy airliners, system depth, etc then just because a portion of the FSX community are raving about the 777X and PMDG software it doesn't mean its a must have for everyone or that everyone will enjoy to its utmost. 

 

Take a hardcore VRS Superbug user.  They might not say the 777X is best thing since sliced bread, however they can understand the hard work put into it and appreciate it and never buy.  It just may not be their cup of tea and that's cool.  While someone like myself who also owns the VRS and only have flown that a handful of times (10-15), it's just not for me.  Its really well done with tons of system depth, immersion, a study sim in its own right I just never got hooked.  But I do love airliners, so for me PMDG software is the 'the bees knees'. 

 

So don't let that 90 dollars burn a hole in your pocket it you down-right know airliners are not for you or that you doubt you'll get your 90 dollars worth out of it you are likely right it you know yourself more then the reviews.  If general aviation is more your style then maybe some ORBX scenery and/or the A2A C172 would be your style and enjoy more as well use more then PMDG software.  I own the A2A C172 and its really well done if you don't already have it.

Another with better perf than the 737. If the systems depth doesn't interest you very much, then there is not much to say. The external model looks great, the sounds are awesome, but whether they alone are worth $90? Your call.

 

I will say this: by not taking much interest in the systems fidelity, you're kinda missing the point.

 

Best regards,

Robin.

 

 

I will say this: by not taking much interest in the systems fidelity, you're kinda missing the point.

+1

Precision is not in PMDG  for nothing B)

I was one that had a hard time forking out that much on a simulator plane but decided to give it a try. Like many have already said, it's about your sim style. I like to simulate airline flying and love the MD-11 type flying. The NGX is a great airplane but it just doesn't draw me to it. The 777 is excellent. I will admit I was initially disappointed with the amount of automation. I had to take a break from the sim (school and travel) but after getting back into the 777 cockpit, I'm loving it more than ever! But no, it's not the greatest thing to happen to FSX (in my opinion anyways) but it is still in the top 5! 

 

I'm also not a 1 hr preflight guy and I honestly don't have time for long flights. I've been keeping my 777 on 1.5-2.0 hr flights. The PMDG allows you (like the NGX) to set up in a short turn config. This will take you about 15 minutes from gate to engines running and most the switches are already set for you. 

 

We can't tell you what YOU think is worth $90, since we all value our money different, I still wonder how I came to dropping that much... but I'm glad I did now. It will give me a lot of enjoyment in the coming years! (I hope this post isn't too scattered, writing it as I'm getting ready for bed after being on the move for more than 24hrs, sorry!)  :Sleepy:

My advice would be not to buy it especially if you have only flown the NGX a few times.  VLJ510 points in my view are true and as he says maybe the A2A Cessna 172 would be a better bet. If you must have an airliner then Aerosoft's Airbus Extended is worth looking at. It can be set up quickly, looks good and has a virtual first officer who does lots of things for you. If after a while you want to do more for yourself, you can switch him off. After flying that for a while then maybe you might be tempted to use the NGX and even buy the T7.

It's all about what you want out of a product and does this expensive product give you more of what you want than that less expensive (or even free) product. No brainier right?

 

If somebody offered me a "Titan" video card or a "GTX780" both for free, for me a no brainier. I would take the 780, regardless of the fact that some people would say I am nuts.

 

Regards,

I know this forum will be about as objective as the cows on the Chik Fil A commercials, but I'm sitting on $90 trying to justify buying this add-on. It's not as much about the cost as it is I don't know that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread that everyone says it is. I've watched YouTube video after YouTube video, and read all of the accolades on the PMDG Facebook page. I went ga-ga over the NGX last year for the same basis, and $70 later I flew the plane like 5 times. I was never a big 737 fan to be honest, but I do like the 777 and "love" the 77w, so I want to give it a shot. But i'm also not a "one hour preflight setup, flip every switch" type of simmer, so the realism of the flight deck is not the strongest selling point for me. I have 2 monitors, 1 for flight deck and one for external views and like to watch my flights from outside mostly. I just don't want to feel like I tossed away $90 that I could have used on something more practical(which most people would say is just about anything).

 

Never mind the fact that PMDG have not modeled the 77W, you sound like the perfect candidate for Captain Sim software. For people who want to simulate airplane spotting and passenger flying.

It's all about what you want out of a product and does this expensive product give you more of what you want than that less expensive (or even free) product. No brainier right?

 

If somebody offered me a "Titan" video card or a "GTX780" both for free, for me a no brainier. I would take the 780, regardless of the fact that some people would say I am nuts.

 

Regards,

 

There is no comparison between the 780 and the Titan, you are just justifying spending less and trying to make your cheaper card seem better to feel better about your purchase. Like the kids who buy cheap Hondas and desperately try to compare them to fast expensive supercars.

 

There is no comparison between the 780 and the Titan, you are just justifying spending less and trying to make your cheaper card seem better to feel better about your purchase. Like the kids who buy cheap Hondas and desperately try to compare them to fast expensive supercars.

On the contrary, the Titan is complete overkill when it comes to FSX. I only use my rig for FSX. Not to mention that you have totally missed my point. Why spend just about double the cost on a product I will never use to its potential when there is another product that offers exactly what I want for half the price.

 

No brainier for me.

 

Regards,

Well, that's a lot of good feedback. VLJ510, I failed to mention that I love airliners and the only plane I fly now is my QW757. I do a couple of trancons each weekend. I only got into simming because I love airliners so much, and the 757 is my favorite plane of all. If PMDG came out with one, there would be no reluctance to buy it. But I do like the 777 for long haul and had a few Opensky 777s in my fleet back in the day.

 

Gear Up, I know the 77W isn't released yet. I'm just pointing out that I like them, and would only get the LR to familiarize myself until the ER comes out.

I'm not a 1-hour of setup person also. I don't believe in starting from Cold&Dark because that's highly unrealistic in the real world unless it's the first flight of the day/other time frame.

 

I bought it, spend less than 20 minutes setting up and takeoff generally within 10 minutes afterwards.