Now that the manuals are available we should only have a few more days... While I'm waiting on PMDG, I've been spending considerable time with the Ariane BBJ (might as well since it cost so much). Overall really like this bird. It makes me really hope the PMDG 737NG series get's one last update to include the BBJ (that might not be likely since the Cargo 747 is in the works as well as the MD11). Looking at the awesome advances with the 747-400, one can only imagine what the updated 737NG series would look like... :-eek Features Ariane has slated for their BBJ in SP1 are as follows:1. HUD2. Night Vision3. Working Weather Radar4. Various fixes reported by usersThe Ariane product is a bit pricey but it's a whole lot of fun. Realistically speaking Ariane has some features that's better than PMDG and PMDG has some features that

Looks nice, but with the price tag, no community support forum, no free repaints, sub-par systems modelling, and did I mention the price? I will pass on this one.

Sorry Dillon, but I can't understand the relevance of this thread you've started (other than to try and achieve more awareness/potential sales for Ariane).Comparisons between the PMDG 737 and the Ariane BBJ are, IMO, inappropriate given the age of the PMDG offering. In saying that, do some research on comparisons of the two when Ariane attacked PMDG and a clear winner emerged, with factors that are still true today.However, you can't compare the new Ariane to the slightly older PMDG - technology has moved on a lot since the PMDG was launched (and subsequently upgraded)as I'm sure will become apparent in the feature-rich PMDG 747.And in terms of pure value for money (as opposed to 'eye candy'), I still think the PMDG 737's a better buy.In my opinion, if you want real fun before the PMDG 747's released (and a short break from the remarkable LDS 767), read and enjoy the 747 manual!Toni.

I might pick it up if the HUD looks good in the VC and those bugs are fixed. But according to PMDG, the working weather radar is impossible.

Haven't heard of these two. Are they Boeings?Mark "Dark Moment" BeaumontVP Fleet, DC-3 AirwaysTeam Member, MAAM-SIM[a href=http://www.swiremariners.com/cathayhk.html" target="_blank]http://www.paxship.com/maamlogo2.jpg[/a]

Check over in the aircraft and panel design forum. There is a gentleman who is working on integrated weather radar. It looks promising. If Dreamfleet can do it with the RealityXP in the A36 it should be possible with the 737

DillionThanks for the review.I`ll have to give Arianne a looksee.;)Troy

Thanks Troy... :-) Guys I'm not trying to boost sales for anyone. As a fellow simmer I just feel compelled to share my findings with others and let them know what my experiences are with a particular product (I own). No one can talk about an add-on they don't own. Many of you are staying away from this package based on price (which is perfectly understandable) and a biased attitude towards Ariane. I could say the same about PSS since they refuse to produce another A320 series (which was a low blow by the way). PSS's Concord is actually a great add-on which I purchased and found pleasantly realistic.I wish people who don't own a product quit acting like they know something more than the actual customers. You may not like the company nor the price but you have no idea what you

I've salivated over the Ariane screenshots; I'll have to agree (in my opinion) that the B737 visual model is better than PMDG's.But the price is simply outrageous, and as I understand it, there are no free repaints!!The upcoming PMDG B747-400, as it looks, will be a quantum leapforward, and a watershed in the history of Flight Simulator. Ifit's priced comparably to their B737NG, there will be no contest.Don't get me wrong--I've strongly considered taking a chance onAriane, but there are other products out there that provide morebang for the buck (hence your list, which I am almost 100% in agreement with.:-)

DillonPlease don't misunderstand me - of course you're entitled to share your thoughts on this and I'm sure many will agree with your sentiments.My point is that the merits etc. of the latest Ariane release were 'fully aired' on this forum very recently (a thread which you yourself contributed to), and this thread seems to simply repeat what's already been discussed (with the 'added dimension' of a comparison with PMDG's now much older product).However, to suggest that you can't go wrong when you buy from Ariane (or anyone else) is 'dangerous' - a quick look at all the many disappointed customers' comments about Ariane's earlier releases are a testamant to their background. And similar arguments exist for most of the developers on your list. If Ariane's BBJ has found good acceptance in the marketplace, then I'm delighted for those who are happy, but that doesn't mean that anything they do in the future will be of good quality - each product must be 'judged' on it's own merits (or otherwise).And please do not go down that well-hacked 'comparison to PMDG' road, because any comparison between an old product and a brand new product isn't a 'fair' comparison (except on value for money and customer service, where IMO, PMDG still wins hands down), just because they're both based on a Boeing 737.Toni.

Hi Dillon,I bought Ariane's B737-900 few months ago and despite the absurd price I accepted to pay for, I uninstalled it after one week and returned to my dear "old" PMDG 737.I don't want to enter here again into explanations and comments.(I've opened a post here and at FS.com to inform the community and both have been blocked. Never mind).But I am frankly surprized by your "devotion" to defend and help Ariane's sales for the past months. Thanks to excellent search engines in forums I have found not less than 5 posts where you explain how "excellent" is Ariane's BBJ.I also found a post, written exactely one year ago where you said: "So I'm not at the point were I'm ready to kiss Ariane and give the legitimate respect that I give other developers like AeroDesigns, Eaglesoft, and PMDG. All the undercover PR will not get me to that point unless Ariane steps up to the plate and develops the whole NG (BBJ included) series and/or lowers the price of this addon to be reflective of what other designers are charging for one aircraft with one livery and no virtual cabin".The same way I have found a recent post where you said about Ariane's BBJ just after purchasing it :"At this point guys I wouldn't recommend this add-on period, freeware has done much better work in key areas than this release..."It's perfectly your right but I am interested to know what did change your opinion?And why such a fervor to defend Ariane's products today?best regards,DavidPS: I am very happy you put DreamFleet in first position :-)

I visited the Ariane website. This is what I thought.Ariane who?How come I cant find any pictures of the cockpit and virtual cockpit?Oh great its in euros.Man thats pretty steep.Im not giving them my email in order to see a video.Ahh, just another 737, been there sone that. Dont need another one.Click

"PS: I am very happy you put DreamFleet in first position :-)"Ha, because he's a beta tester for Dreamfleet, LOLGood points David, I've seen the turnarounds at times also.Regards, MichaelKDFWhttp://www.calvirair.com/mcpics/mcdcvabanner.jpgCalVirAir International

>>And please do not go down that well-hacked 'comparison to>PMDG' road, because any comparison between an old product and>a brand new product isn't a 'fair' comparison (except on value>for money and customer service, where IMO, PMDG still wins>hands down), just because they're both based on a Boeing 737.>I totally disagree. Both are 737 products currently offered for FS2004. If I wanted to buy a 737, a comparison would be helpful and while it may not be perceived as 'fair'(to PMDG I presume), it would most certainly be fair to the consumer.PMDG continue to receive rave reviews and posts for the 737, so a little comparison can hardly be described as unfair.I agree that the original post seemed to lack any real purpose... but who cares. This is an flightsim forum who's purpose is enjoyment. If someone wants to ramble on about an aircraft that they enjoy... good on them. Hardly requires a rebuke, and certainly doesn't require two.Mike

David and Michael let's put things in perspective.First off Michael I've supported DreamFleet way before Lou put me on the beta team. Second I'm on other beta teams on that list as well. Third I've got friends on most of those teams listed so if I offer support it's not based on anything but the product in question (I'm sorry Ed, I forgot to mention Ready for Pushback). Now let's get down to the quotes David has brought up:"So I'm not at the point were I'm ready to kiss Ariane and give the legitimate respect that I give other developers like AeroDesigns, Eaglesoft, and PMDG. All the undercover PR will not get me to that point unless Ariane steps up to the plate and develops the whole NG (BBJ included) series and/or lowers the price of this addon to be reflective of what other designers are charging for one aircraft with one livery and no virtual cabin".This statement first off was written at or before Ariane released their first VCe offering (the 737-900). Even at that time I had not bought this new product and like others, heard that it was a buggy release. I then and still don't like the pricing and was appalled they went head to head with PMDG when other aircraft desperately needed attention. PMDG gave us a whole series and your selling one bird for an unreasonable price. PSS dropped the bomb at that time by saying they were not going to fully update their A320 series and the current slightly updated version never worked right on my system. I later for some reason felt curious about Ariane's VCe 737-700 (the -900 version was too large of a 737 for my taste) so I bought it and was first taken back by the sound set. After replacing the default sound set with Des Brabans' I began to explore this add-on further. I found I actually liked it and in many ways found features I wished PMDG had included with theirs. ONCE AGAIN AFTER OWNING THE PRODUCT MYSELF I SLOWLY CHANGED MY VIEW. When they released the BBJ it affirmed what I said above, "Ariane steps up to the plate and develops the whole NG (BBJ included) series and/or"... I really wanted someone to do a BBJ and Ariane delivered. They now have the 737-600/700/900/BBJ which is what I basically said from the beginning (it