That was a rushed release to be ahead of competitors...Nothing more, nothing less.And I guess the final product will arrive after the competitors and that explains the blocks for the release...TOo bad.CJ

You name it. Please read what CS posted on their website more carefully before you buy (besides, the purchase wouldn't be a waste of money, the bird only needs to be upgraded with the remaining blocks to become fully functional).I'm in the same hardcore boat and certainly will wait until a) the full block F is released (such a plane without a fully working and integrated FMC is a ridiculous child's toy no matter how good the other systems are simulated) and :( there's enough positive user response that the thing is not bug ridden and follows the traditional patching lane and c) JustFlight or some other publisher releases it on CD/DVD so I don't need to fiddle with any of CS 's online activation.Fact is that LDS will release a 757 as well (which is already in my hangar virtually ;-) ), and taking their experience into account and comparing this with CS who never ever produced any plane with that level of complexity (and looking at CS's history where they didn't even manage to iron out bugs of not so complex planes like their 707 or 727, products that are for sale for years now), I don't hold my breath and will watch the scene very, very carefully before considering a purchase.The CS 757 needs to be a top notch product to compete with LDS, I wish the CS folks all the good (and I admit I'd buy their plane if it's worth it), but I have my doubts...Andreas

>I really don't get this whining and complaining. The website>spells out clearly what you get in each package and clearly>states that full systems simulation and custom FDE will be>included in later blocks. Yes, this is a "lite" release, so to>speak, which is actually all that many simmers need, so why>should they be forced like in the case of PMDG to shell out>over $50 for a complete product with features they will never>use requring them to read thick manuals to even start up the>darn thing? Yes, without Block F the current CS 757 is not>enough for us hardcore simmers. But nowhere can you get full>systems simulation at the price at which CS has released the>first blocks of the 757. The block system allows you to get>exactly the parts you are interested in. So if you want the>hardcore version just chill, have some patience, enjoy the>beautiful 3D model and wait for the release of block F. Have>we all turned into 4-year-olds in this forum?Yes I expected, it not to be complete, but some thing boggles the mind! For one Buy Block A get (default) 2D Panel installed no VC Panel. Ok but then Buy Block B Get no 2D Panel installed, but get the VC. If you want athe 2D panel, your expected to install it yourself. Bear in mind, this isn't a 123 default panel installation, like with freeware aircraft. You need to merge it into the Panel that is there. Then there is the ACE utility, which I bought for its preflight load function, except now I find out that function isn't included yet. The only thing it does, is to manage repaints. As for the price, if you bought Block B,C and E, you've already spent $36.97. the LDS767 was only $39.99 complete. Add to that another $6.99 for the flight model (Not available yet), and the TBD for the system modelling, which is the real meat and potatoes, and potentially, this could be higher in cost then the PMDG 744.

I suspected that betreen now and when FSX is released, we are going to see alot of rushed, parted out,we will addon laters,patches are coming products. My suggestion is to wait until user reviews come in,search the forums before whipping out the credit card.My latest impulse buy was Smugglers of the caribbean. The vc gauges act like clocks and there is only 1 mission. So much for evading the coast guard and having a bunch of scenerios to enjoy. Guess you gotta use your imagination. Also using UT,Alot of nearby coastal airports/kets/Cuba are flooded with runways floating on water. Had I waited and did my homework before whipping out the CC, I would have never purchased it.I have been a eager guinea pig before but now my mindset has changed.JIMJAMFormer addon addict,paying beta tester.

>I'm in the same hardcore boat and certainly will wait until a)>the full block F is released....Ah, but there's the catch. Will it ever be released? :)I agree with another poster's conclusion about CapSim getting monies for an unfinished product. The "Block System", as it is, really only allows CapSim to collect money immediately for various "parts" of the aircraft (and some, undoubtedly, aren't finished either) without having to make a commitment to actually finish the entire product. Note they make no promises.The traditional method of a developer wanting to deliver a complete, finished product has always been a good one; the developer has to see the entire project through in order to make money. Duh. But this new, "revolutionary" (CapSim's words, not mine) block system really negates the above system.My hunch is that Block "F" (the complete product) won't see the light of day. Why? Well... CapSim's much-vaunted 767 (note the *6*) was supposedly in development for years. Now it's disappeared. And, poof! A new 757 is on its way! Obviously, they recycled the parts form their former half-developed product and are throwing them out there piecemeal.Even the C-130 still has some problems. But you wouldn't know it if you searched their forums. Of course, that assumes you can even FIND their forums. No link from their front/product pages at all. Nevertheless, they exist; you just have to dig. But critical posts tend to lock, and then disappear very quickly there. An extremely Orwellian place, I assure you. Yesterday, there were half a dozen threads hurling bug reports at the developer. This morning? All that's left are posts containing statments like: "Captain Sim wins me over!", or "Captain Sim is the greatest!", or "Great job, Captain Sim!" The 'traitors' have been purged, so to speak.For the record, my money's on the Level-D. A complete aircraft, no "extra" blocks to purchase, no "revolutionary" additional charges for additional liveries, cockpit windows or toilet seats, an open forum where the developers deal with criticism/problems in a professional way, and -- most importantly -- a absolute commmitment to the product from launch, performed without excuses, obtuse marketing tactics, doublespeak, and Paypal scandals.

CS states that if you want to get better then 10 FPS, you will have to upgrade your Computer.

I see at least a couple of people having bought their 'blocks' are quite happy - it IS a nice looking plane. At the end of the day it's always up to the customer and their individual wants. As encouraged by CS I looked thru the manual and can clearly see that even fully blocked :) I am just too spoiled rotten by LDS, PMDG and yes PSS.To them that are interested, have fun, and all the best to CS. I hope that swinging coat in the vc will someday swing because of properly simulated LNAV, and them books by VNAV.Rotten - spoiled rotten, not my fault really, cursed Level Deeses... regards,Markhttp://www.precisionmanuals.com/images/forum/747400.jpgXPHomeSP2/FS9.1/3.2HT/1024mb/X700pro256

hey thanks for the infos!Gonna wait for the full package and also wait for the pricing!This really looks and sounds, like someone wanna do the quick dollar, sorry captain sim, but not with every potential costumer.RegardsDaniel

Thanks for your purchase and comments, but a couple of things:>The overhead panel in the VC is virtually static Static? No animations? Are you sure? Do you mean that not all systems are programmed YET, which is true.>Those raving about the interactiveness of the VC should note>basic things like wipers don

excuse me, but when I purchase the VC, I expect to be able to use "the VC"I don't want 2d panels, I want a usable VC. If you plan on fixing it, fine, but I don't expect to have to buy the pro line just to switch on the battery, lights, etc

I actually applaud CS for releasing this in blocks. As shocking as it may be, there are some of us who don't have the time nor inclination to be "real" sim pilots right now, so an express version is welcome. I would even be tempted to buy it if it weren't for the fact that the vc doesn't seem to be clickable without pop-up panels. And wing views from the cabin could be easily done. I think it would be a pretty simple matter to add your own 757 2D panel, but really one should be included for the price, even if not fully funtional (FMC).Cheers,Todd

Just did a flight from KATL to KMDW... :-hangThere's no way to turn on the Pitot Heat and the Glide Slope doesn't display on the PFD nor the HSI (the Localizer was fine but approaching 31C at KMDW was a shot in the dark because I had no Glide Slope Pointer).I found myself on approach with a frozen Airspeed indicator and no way to see the Glide Slope in foggy conditions. I could see the reasoning behind releasing a dumbed down version until the other parts were ready but the lack of a functioning overheard panel in the VC, no way to turn on the PITOT Heat, and a half functioning AP/PFD only leaves me one option and that's to hanger this bird...Even at this dumbed down stage, this add-on has problems (it could just be me which I hope). I'll hold out for the full version as I like model but I'm disappointed as of now...P.S. She's a framerate hog as well...

I tried every switch I could find in the overhead and had no problem turning any of them on and off. ce

Just wanted to thank everyone here for the reviews and opinions. I have decided to not purchase this aircraft...one of the things I find disturbing is the way CS apparently moderates their forums to "weed out" any negative posts. I had heard CS did this elsewhere, but hoped to find that it was either untrue or that the practice had stopped. I am immediately suspicious when I go to a product support forum and find nothing but positive posts...Ah well. Spent my money today on the new Commander from Flight1. Looks to be a real peach. :)Cheers!

I just took a flight from KLGA - KPIT in snow, rain, and heavy overcast. I had no problems such as you indicated. The overhead panel doesfunction; it's just a different arrangement than some of us are usedto and I also have two monitors. After landing I shut her down and opened the overhead panel and tried every switch and had no problemsturning any of them on or off. I flew the ILS in approx 3/4 mile visibility and hand flew the final2 miles with no problem at all. As far as being a framerate hog I had no problems with that either.The lowest I saw on my system was 17 at KLGA and that's with RC4 and ASv6 running with all scenery sliders set to the max and running1600x1024 resolution. As far as the pitot heat I'm not even sure the 757 has a switch for itas all the primary instruments are electrically driven and I believerely on some type of inertia system for the speed readout. As I'm not a real 757 driver I would have to rely on someone moreknowledgeable about 757 systems than I. Not sure what kind of system your running but CS had as a minimum aP4 3.0G. I read every letter in here so far and their seems to be a lot ofeither misconceptions or rumors. I read the manual(s) as soon as they became available so if somethingdidn't work it's because it didn't sink in or I just didn't understandit. I see folks saying the VC isn't clickable which is just plain nottrue. Again...no problems on the first flight. AMD64 3500+ ASUS A8N Mobo SLI 1 G Ram Nvidia 6600GT PCIe SB Audigy 2 200G HD 80 G HD FS only ASv6 RC4 CH Yolk Thrusmaster Rudders Track IR3 with 6DOF