Is this just the biggest rip off?

[oktorn777 0]

The A350-800 (and A350-900) are in development by airbus.Here's the link to the official site: http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfamilies/a350/index.htmlcheers,C.G.

[John_Cillis 2,406]

"I'm amazed no-one has mentioned those awful repaints.It doesn't even fit! Hence all the lines around the aircraft.Shocking stuff."Again, going back to what I mention above, let's not go overboard in making a fuss over this product. The best reply describes it as targeting those seeking "entertainment"--certainly sums it up better than my reply. People can decide whether it's a value to them but lets keep the observations in context. The lines around the aircraft aren't caused by the repaints "not fitting". Those are part of the textures, and many authors have them to some extent if their paints are drawn off of a template created with the design tool. -John

[Guest bdg]

Never bought anything from abacus. So who keeps them in business?Bob

[Guest yarvelling]

Whilst I'm certainly not a fan of Abacus products, I think it a little unfair to say that this Airbus is using all default guages; there appear to be several custom guages present, showing possibly TCAS, much like those from Eric Marciano, and there does appear to be some form of FMC present, although only one mounted centraly on the pedestal which is obviously incorrect.It looks as though Abacus are trying to get a little more 'deep' with their releases, but it must be said that they have a fair way to go, by all appearances, to catch up to the likes of PSS, or even an IFDG/Marciano (excellent freeware) combo as far as this Airbus goes!

[Guest TWVA395]

> (I still haven't found a good one for an A320 yet - any panel>which needs fssound.dll is NOT an FS2004 panel).Huh? Tell that to MAAM-SIM! ;)http://www.kthxdone.com/images/kw_ft.jpgKen Weik [link:maam.org|MAAM-SIM][link:library.avsim.net/search.php?CatID=root&SearchTerm=kenneth+weik&Sort=Added&ScanMode=0&Go=Change+View]My AFCADs

[Guest ha5mvo]

>Show me a freeware panel anywhere that even comes close to what's >offered by PMDG.http://www.protu-154.com/index_e.html

[Guest IanP]

Where's the full flight management system? :-)I'm sorry, but a fully analogue panel with limited autoflight capabilities - no matter how nice, and how complete - is not a patch on the amount of programming, development and integration required for a LDS, PMDG or PSS standard panel.That said, I really like that TU154.Ian P.

[Guest ogeva]

Obviously, Ian, you are unfamiliar with the Project Tupolev Tu-154B2.Ok, there's not an FMC on board this plane. But the NVU Navigatiobn system is something unheard of in the FS world, very interesting, challenging and authentic.The Flight model and scope of systems modelled in this plane exceed by far any payware product I have seen.http://online.vatsimindicators.net/825051/142.png

[n4gix 4,947]

>It looks as though Abacus are trying to get a little more>'deep' with their releases, but it must be said that they have>a fair way to go, by all appearances, to catch up to the likes>of PSS, or even an IFDG/Marciano (excellent freeware) combo as>far as this Airbus goes!Everyone seems to be missing the point. They have absolutely no desire to "catch up" with anyone. They have their own "target market," and as far as I can tell they are the only players in that market!However, you are right in your observation regarding an improvement with their gauges. There are some rather well known folks who're building these for them, and they are frequently "slightly dummed down versions" of the original gauges that were coded... ;)

[n4gix 4,947]

>Never bought anything from abacus. So who keeps them in>business?The 95% of the flight sim user base who don't know or don't care about all the terrific freeware available, much less these wonderful on-line web communities, to say nothing about the fabulous "payware companies" that feature value-rich addons!Surely the concept of "instant gratification" isn't such a mystery! If the fellow (or gal) buying FSxxxx for the first time sees Abacus' product(s) sitting on the same shelf at their retail outlet, they're more likely to make an instant decision to purchase them?How about Aunt Susie and Uncle Fred who want to send their nephew Johnny a birthday gift? They know that Johnny received FSxxxx for Christmas last year, so wouldn't it be lovely to send him a bunch of aircraft? :)Arnie is brilliant! He's got a virtual monopoly on the mass market distribution of low cost addons all to himself... :)

[Guest QFA001]

Oh I'm so tired with you whiners... Why is EVERY single product must be flamed by someone? Come on get a life; if you don't like it then don't buy it. It's so pathetic when you whine over something unimportant such as add on. If you think it's not worth the money then don't buy it. Because everyone beats you up in school or you are just at noone at your work why do you think it gives you power by flaming people who actually make living out of this business (ie: they business model actually WORKS). If you know it better than they are then why are you whining here, why don't you make money with your knowledge instead? I'm so sure these developers laugh at you and thanking for the advertisement. Even you never heard of it; there is no such a think as bad advertisement.I really wish one day ALL developer would shut down their forum thanking you for making their life miserable. Or even better post a 900 number and chrge you $2/minute whiule holding for an answer. Ask yourself; if you would meet the developer and you'd realise he/she's about the age of you or your father would you talk to him/her this way?ql

[Guest ha5mvo]

Ryan,>You've apparently flown the Tu-154 and the payware planes in real life>to be able to make such a comment?a couple of weeks ago a meeting took place. It was attended by the PT Moscow developers and specialists from "PSC Tupolev" (the company).At this meeting, the Tu-154B2 and the Tu154M (not released yet) were presented to those specialists.As a result, starting oct. 17th the software (and the 3 developers) was endorsed as a training tool for the companies training/learning center.I believe that speaks loud enough.It is namely the system simulation - not the graphics, that is the Forte of this package (although that too will be improved once the M version is released).yes, it has its fuel system logic (which does effect CG)with an automatic and manual fuel managment. Yes, the engine performance is weather dependent.Yes, its breaking performance is weather/condition dependent (dry/wet/ice)Yes, it does include 3 different navigation systems (the KLN90B GPS is still in public alpha, but even so its by far the best representation of the real thing)This is only to name a few features.No, it has no FMC - neither does the real plane.But does an FMC tell quality from non-quality.is that the sole criterion?It's hard to compare it to the 744 simply because they are such different creatures.Would you be able to say that your 744 is better than the DF 727?an impossible comparison - apples and oranges.I can tell you this much - in terms of raw quality,IMO this freeware easily stands in line with the best payware out there.Best regards//Michael

[mgh 89]

Yes - there is an A350-800 - a quick google would have told you that.No - it isn't a rip-off. According to the Abacus site the $29 package consists of 6 aircraft and 11 liveries - that's about $5/model. PMDG charges $55 for its 747 package. As others have said, Abacus are aiming at their own market - presumably quite successfully. Do you think Ford cars are a rip-off because they don't have the same features as a Rolls-Royce?

[Guest yarvelling]

Not every post here is from a whiner...mine certainly wasn't, and went on to point out that others here have been a little harsh in the innacurate condemning of 'default gauges', when a little more than a cursory glance would show that the majority of the gauges are in fact custom designed for this project.As for missing the point...I don't think so!Loking at more recent Abacus releaases DOES indicate that they are attempting to become deeper, and more involved. This Airbus package has an FMC, as does the A380 package, and also the Commuter Xpress package before it....OK, not upto PMDG/PSS/Level D standards maybe, but certainly now moving beyond the standard GPS/Nav Microsoft default navigation system, so they are obviously aiming at a more advanced customer than someone who just wants to fly a nice looking plane in the same way that they'd fly the default heavies.I'm sure that these aircraft will fly just like the Microsoft defaults (I don't know, I don't own any of them), but they at leaast now seem to be attempting to become more advanced, and realistic, for those that wish for a little more depth; they may be a good bridging stage between default and the PSS/PMDG style. I may well give this Airbus package a look if the price for the CD isn't too silly; with a little judicious readjustment of some of the gauges and their positioning, they look like they could be pretty good....Oh, and yes, tidy-up some of the external textures too... ;)

[Guest IanP]

"It's hard to compare it to the 744 simply because they are such different creatures."That comparison was made when this package was brought up.The B744, B763 and Airbus series aircraft are very easy to fly. Why? Because they have fewer crew - everything is automated. That automation has to be programmed directly into the FS equivalent aircraft.In the Tu154, you select when to do things. The same with a B707, B727 or DC9. In a glass cockpit aircaft, the system makes all those decisions for you. It decides when to turn, how and why. The same with climbs, descents, fuel flow changes, electrical system changes... The programmer has to recreate all of those decision making processes, in addition to the integration and gauge programming involved in a steam driven aircraft. That makes them more difficult to develop.That's all I'm trying to say. :-)Cheers,Ian P.