I've just installed the Majestic Dash 8 - Q400 on my system. (Not an easy process, as I had all sorts of issues and had to uninstall and reinstall FSX to get it working.)

 

Now I find there's no 2D panel view. Apparently, that's standard for the Pilot edition, though not made clear on the Just Flight website until you delve deep into the product reviews.

 

I hate flying with a VC view - too much time and effort spent adjusting the viewpoint, zooming, panning etc. rather than just operating the aircraft. With a 2D panel, most of the switches and gauges are there, ready to be seen and used, and a simple kb shortcut brings up the rest, which I can then send to my other monitor if I want them available. I know the virtual cockpit is supposed to be more realistic, but in the real world I don't have to press keys or operate a mouse to look in a different direction!

 

This is the first add-on I've ever owned where there's no 2D panel as standard. I wonder if they wanted to grab a share of the market and got this software out before it was really finished. Or, more cynically, I wonder if they decided they'd have no 2D panel in the entry-level version so that people like me would be bounced into paying the extra €25 for an upgrade to the Pro version, which has the 2D panel. (Not that it's available yet anyway...)

 

So, just a word of warning to you if you're thinking of getting this!

This information was very clearly pointed out on the Majestic Q400 website here (http://majesticsoftware.com/mjc8q400/products.html).  The trend away from 2D has been ongoing for a few years  (no 2D in the NGX or 777).  I would strongly suggest you get EZDok, you can set up an unlimited number of views that zoom in just the way you like to the various parts of the VC using the number keys or buttons on your yoke.  Once you do this (yes I know its more money to spend) I think you will find that any issues you currently have with the VC will dissapear.

Most of my best addons don't have a 2D cockpit and if they did,

I wouldn't use it.

Each to their own perhaps but the visual quality of virtual cockpits

has improved out of all recognition.

I simply move the view with the joystick top hat.

It becomes second nature after a little while, those who

have Track IR swear by that instead.

As to its installation, I found it was seamless.

It is in the top few of quality addons, opinion is the only thing that divides the very best.

Its real purpose is as a training aid, the idea being that you can go to a switch or control in the virtual aircraft and then find it in a real life one.

I doubt if many real world aircraft have a flat 2D panel with all the switches in a row.

I have to say, applying caveat emptor might have been a better choice than advising it after the fact.

 

Regards,

Nick.

 

 

 

This is the first add-on I've ever owned where there's no 2D panel as standard. I wonder if they wanted to grab a share of the market and got this software out before it was really finished. Or, more cynically, I wonder if they decided they'd have no 2D panel in the entry-level version so that people like me would be bounced into paying the extra €25 for an upgrade to the Pro version, which has the 2D panel. (Not that it's available yet anyway...)

So, just a word of warning to you if you're thinking of getting this!

 

@Matthew_B

Our intentions for each edition of the Majestic Q400 were very lucid from the beginning of our project and the product page on our website clearly states what each edition of the MJS Q400 comes equiped with.  Also the Just Flight page does make it clear on their site in the "Detailed Description" section:

Virtual cockpit and external models

 

Highly detailed external and cockpit models with HD textures and special effects are included:

• Hundreds of custom animations, all controlled by the aircraft systems
• Unique 3D propeller simulation featuring variable disc thickness
• Smooth gradual lighting in virtual cockpit
• Complete custom lighting system with proper light splashes on the exterior model and ground. All lights are functional in the cockpit
• ‘Intelligent’ pilots with behaviour linked to the aircraft state (exterior model)
• Complete multi-stage icing visualisation
• Window mist/demist simulation
• Frame-rate friendly model
• NB: Virtual cockpit only; no 2D panel is included

MarkW, has posted on this topic and offers some good advice in order to effectively manipulate functionality within the Virtual Cockpit.

 

Cheers

My apologies. The person who bought it as my Christmas present obviously missed that, as did I. But then, they probably wouldn't have been interested in the section headed "virtual cockpit and external models", since the virtual cockpit was of no interest.

 

I've probably not been aware of the trend away from 2D panels, as my preference is for FS9 over FSX as I've invested so much money in add-ons for that version over the years, so I've had no reason to explore products such as NGX aircraft. All the PMDG aircraft I fly regularly in FS9 have the choice of 2D or VC panel arrangements, and I see them as my benchmark for quality.

 

I promise I'll make a determined effort to convert to VC operations, and apologise for being in such a tetchy mood yesterday!