I think I want to fly the heavies. I looked at PMDG's 737NG because I was pointed to that direction by FS2Crew which excited me to no ends. However, to get to the FS2Crew it would cost me over 90.00 with shipping & handling. That is, I would have to by PMDG's 600/700, 800/900 or something like that with FS2Crew. I refuese to submit. So, would anyone know of a program that comes close to the PMDG 737. I will wait for FS2Crew's compatibility.

>I think I want to fly the heavies. I looked at PMDG's 737NG>because I was pointed to that direction by FS2Crew which>excited me to no ends. However, to get to the FS2Crew it would>cost me over 90.00 with shipping & handling. That is, I would>have to by PMDG's 600/700, 800/900 or something like that with>FS2Crew. I refuese to submit. So, would anyone know of a>program that comes close to the PMDG 737. I will wait for>FS2Crew's compatibility.Willi:there is NOTHING that comes even close to the products you mention above. It's well worth the money. Save up and eat Ramen Noodles for a month if you have to.PMDG's 800/900+ Tim Metzinger's tutorials = you'll actually learn WHY things happen not just "push this push that button."Later, add FS2Crew, which is outstanding. Great support, too. I suppose you could always make do with the default FS9 737ricardo

Thanks Ricardo.I'll give it some serious thought. Capitalism, it's a real Bit_h sometimes.

I know the feeling and share your hesitation:I have been trying to convince myself to get the PMDG aircraft you mention for quite some time. I thought $60-$70 was high, but now over $90???? I always end up looking at all of the other combinations I can get for that amount of $$$ regardless of whether it is worth it or not, and it goes back on the bottom of my wish list? I also wonder what FS2Crew will offer that FDC does not if anything. Guess I will stick with the old Dreamfleet/FFX merge along with FDC for a bit (and still await the new release from Dreamfleet).In time (Maybe?)Happy Flying:RTH

i dont know much about the pmdg plane, but ive been satisfied flying idfg's a320 + others. its also been important to have a really good panel. am I missing something by not considering payware?

Hi RTH;I feel so much better knowing that there is another who shares my sentiments. Perhaps I will wait for a better future PMDG or FS2Crew deal. It pains me that such a great product is limited by a collabative scheme which prices it out of reasonable reach. Its not that I can not afford it; its that I can not justify the purchases. I will check out Dreamfleet. Thanks again.

If you don't want to lay out the Money for PMDG but you want to fly something that is really realistic for about 1/2 the price, , get the Flight 1 ATR. It is the most realistic flying I have done in MSFS.

>>Capitalism, it's a real Bit_h sometimes<

Paul: (and all of you PMDG 737 faithful users)Please do not interpret that my reply is bad mouthing this product at all. In answer to your question, yes, I think you are missing something if you have no payware at all. The catch is making decisions as to what, and how much. I have many of the Dreamfleet/Flight one, PSS, FSD, Eaglesoft, Capt.Sim, Carenado, Bill Lyons, Realair etc.etc. offerings in aircraft. In addition to aircraft, FSGenesis, Peter Dowson's contributions, FDC, fsmeteo, quickgoto, active camera, fsnav, SimFlyers, Fly Tampa, USA Roads, ADR, Manhattan and a mess of other utility items are almost a necessity to me personally (bought over a long period of years going back to 5 1/2" floppies). I just bought Misty Fjords which I love (both real world and the FS Scenery) but in all honesty if I did not have a personal love for this region of the world; due to the price of this item for such a limited area i probably would not have purchased it. Border line even with my feelings.As I said, the catch unless one has unlimited finance resources, or wants to go wild with the plastic you can't have everything. When I see an item in a price range so high that I can purchase two, three, or possibly four other very good items for that one price, I have difficulty in shelling out the $$ for that one item. From the overwhelming replies and posts by those that have them, for example the PMDG 737's I take no issue with the quality, and that it is probably well worth it (and will probably eventially purchase it if by then it is compatible with the next FS version). It is quite possible one would be better off to simply pay the big bucks for the 737's and omit some of what I have got, but that was my decision (so far) so I will live with it. I would recommend that you take a crack at some of the great payware offerings. Simply peek at the posts for the most popular items that are recommended by so many. Be careful and don't get hooked so badly that you want all of them (unless you are rich).I hope anybody reading this can understand what I am saying and find some wisdom in it somewhere.Final ignorant word: Ain't it wonderful to have such a problem! I know of no other hobby that offers so much from so many that make fantastic contributions both free and in payware. Compared to any other entertainment I know, it is still the best bargin in town. If you don't believe me, go book your first real world flying lessons (and I highly recommend this as well).Happy flying:RTH 1585368CFI

If you are stretched for funds can I suggest you look at FDC Live Cockpit from http://www.aerosoft-shop.com/. This offers a lot of the functionality available with FS2 Crew, but can be used with any aircraft. I have both and prefer to use FS2Crew, but FDC Live Cockpit is brilliant.It terms of aircraft, you might want to look at the RFP 747-200 (www.panelshop.com). This IMHO is one of the best aircraft available for FS. However, there is a large learning curve to get it going.RegardsRussell Jourdain (NZL007/ZK-RHJ)

I have the PMDG and the RFP 742 among others.I have to say these two are probably the best addons you can get (I don't have the ATR, yet), but like you said $70 just for the PMDG is a lot, so the RFP would be an easier desicion. In my case I wouldn't have bought the PMDG if it wasn't because I bought the PMDG v1 for $ 40 and after some months I went for the v2 paying another $ 30. Just the panels of these two ACs are well worth the price, and both of them need a lot of reading and practising before mastering them. As per the visual models and FDEs, although they are better than the available freeware we have today, the difference you will find does not justify the price. Just keep in mind something very important: Any of these addons require a lot of PC resources. You need a processor not smaller than 2.6, Ram not less than 768 and a video card not smaller than an Ati 9600. You could fly them with a smaller PC, but you will need to set your FS sliders well to the left if you want to have decent fps.You have a lot of very good payware at a cheaper price than the PMDG. Maybe not the same quality but very good anyway. Take a look at: Ready for pushback 742, Wilco CRJ and ERJ, Wilco PIC A320, PSS A330-A340, PSS Concorde, Captain Sim 727 and 707, Flight1 ATR. If you wait a little also PMDG 744 and PIC767.Leo

i use a laptop and currently get about 20 fps with all settings on max realism, lots of ai traffic, extra weather and scenery. however, my computer isnt up to the standards you listed, is this a problem. - the centrino chip i have is only 1.8 ghz but it runs a bit like a mac chip, so it processes in larger chunks, making it comparable to a 2.5-3.0 chip. any advice on the feasability of large add-ons

I dont really understand your reasoning? I would if it wasnt for the fact that your list of commercial addons is large.Usually (not always) You pay for what you get and the PMDG aircraft are at the top of the tree for reality.If ultimate reality isnt your thing or for that matter heavies then yes I would understand your reasoning.The other points to consider is that FScrew is a seperate programme and a seperate purchase descision so slightly unfair in making out the PMDG $90 tag.You might buy an inferior alternative to the PMDG 737 but that itself will cost money so at the end of the day your actual saving wont be that much.I was always taught that if you try to cut corners it never pays in the end.The PMDG package is not overpriced for the quality of the programme. People hardly think twice on spending money on an expensive new harware addon.If what you are really saying is that you are not into heavies or that your not too fussed about ultimate realism then I take your point.Peter

HelloI would suggest that the origional poster wait for a bit and opt for the LDS/763.This way he could have excellent systems fidelity and not have to pay extra for features.I would also be willing to bet that FS2Crew`s next release will be for this liner(If they`re smart ;)) as well so in short order it would fulfill all the poster`s needs at minimal expense.From what I understand the LDS addon should be along shortly.TroyBy the way the NG is excellent at this point and I`m just offering a lower cost option to the original poster.

Well, I will admit that plunking down $70 for the PMDG is a bit taxing on all but the most wealthy of us. As I see it, you can either save the money over a period of time or, you can choose from the other great offerings out there:The Flight1 ATR, and the RFP747-200 comes to mind. They're both as good as the PMDG737 in terms of immersion and they both have a rather steep learning curve. Both are also perfectly priced.You could also wait for the LDS763 which will most likely be as good as if not better than the PMDG737, since its these guys that started the revolution in the first place. :)