Should I get the FSLABS A320?

[Sartanius 399]

Hi Simon,

I'll chime in here and agree that the FSLabs A3XX series aircraft are top of class for Airbus add-ons, and specifically for simmers interested in all the nuts and bolts.  I will add, though, that with my setup (see sig below) the performance definitely struggles more than all the mentioned PMDG birds, and especially in heavy weather.  In my specific case, my numbers are more like what some1 posted here:

6 hours ago, some1 said:

FSL A-320: 32-35 fps

PMDG B-748: 41-43 fps

PMDG B-737: 43-47 fps

I don't believe you'll be disappointed with the A320, but as you state, you may have the adjust some settings to get the max enjoyment.  Have fun!

[edpatino 1,964]

29 minutes ago, Chock said:

The exterior modeling of the FSL is not its strongest point (it is the best simulation of an Airbus, or any other airliner in P3D/FSX for that matter), but there are others which are better in their visuals...

Many thanks, good to know.

Cheers, Ed

[Skywolf 992]

1 hour ago, w6kd said:

The FSL docs, to be honest, appear to be something of an afterthought.  Very sparse and underwhelming...definitely not anything comparable to what PMDG provides for its add-ons.  It's especially problematic, because anyone not already conversant with Airbus technology and terminology (e.g. MCDU vs FMC, green-dot etc), managed vs selected mode, normal vs alternate vs direct control laws may not ever come to appreciate what is actually built into the add-on.

I tend to rely on knowledge gained from using previous ScareBus add-ons.  A pity when you have to go to 12-year-old PSS docs from an old FS9 add-on to answer a question.

Regards

Thank you Bob, for sharing your thoughts about the manuals.  Very grateful for your insight, and looks like I am just going to save money for PMDG 747+Expansion for now.  I need the manuals/detailed tutorials, paying top dollar for this ultra expensive addons.  I will reconsider FSLabs once the manuals are there.

Thanks to the Op for asking questions about FSLabs and allowing me to tack my question to this thread.   

Edited November 14, 2018 by Skywolf

[Zimmerbz 168]

1 hour ago, Skywolf said:

Thank you Bob, for sharing your thoughts about the manuals.  Very grateful for your insight, and looks like I am just going to save money for PMDG 747+Expansion for now.  I need the manuals/detailed tutorials, paying top dollar for this ultra expensive addons.  I will reconsider FSLabs once the manuals are there.

Thanks to the Op for asking questions about FSLabs and allowing me to tack my question to this thread.   

As mentioned above, there are VERY detailed (free) manuals on the internet like Smartcockpit.com.  Additionally, there are extremely good tutorials from Blackbox711 on Youtube that you can search and get everything you need regarding your questions.  I haven't had the need to open the manual with all of the info that is out there. 

[RudiJG1 172]

2 hours ago, Skywolf said:

Thank you Bob, for sharing your thoughts about the manuals.  Very grateful for your insight, and looks like I am just going to save money for PMDG 747+Expansion for now.  I need the manuals/detailed tutorials, paying top dollar for this ultra expensive addons.  I will reconsider FSLabs once the manuals are there.

Thanks to the Op for asking questions about FSLabs and allowing me to tack my question to this thread.   

There are good tutorials, as mentioned (see Blackbox711 on YouTube), including a good pdf-based tutorial that comes with the aircraft itself. There won't be available the kind of manuals that come with the PMDG Boeings, simply because Airbus hasn't made them available to FSL.

[ZKOKQ 984]

One of the best FSL A320 Guides around https://www.mudspike.com/chucks-guides-fsx-fslabs-a320/

[Dreamflight767 312]

I really love it.  I still haven't perfected ground handling though.  It always pulls to the left for me.

[Daniel Baker 20]

I'll chime in a bit here, just to add a slight wrinkle on this;

It is an amazing plane, to be sure.  For me, however, I am plagued my micro stutters that have actually mostly driven me out of the FSLabs cockpit.  I think there are a few of us out there with similar problems, too.

I have it since the beginning and found - very much unlike most people - that the more the added into the plane the worse it became for me.  The last update - 266, I believe - was the first update that slightly reversed the trend.

 

i8700k overclocked to 5.1, Windows 10 Home 64, P3Dv4.3. 970GTX

 

Cheers,

 

Daniel

[pilot10112 4]

Oh my gosh thank you all so much for the help. I wasn’t expecting this many responses at all! I have decided I am going to wait till Black Friday/Cyber Monday to see if there are any flash sales if not though I for sure need this plane. I have done loads of research and already own the as a320 pro. And it’s a great plane but I need faliures and immersion. I am also super excited because I have a super old Thrustmaster T. Flight HOTAS X as my joystick and am soon upgrading to the Warthog HOTAS. super excited! Once again thank you all so much for all your help it’s been great. I will report back about performance once I get the new stick and bus. THANKS!!!

Simon S.

[speedyTC 195]

One thing that you'll get with the FSL Bus, Simon, is immersion. Tons of it. From the moment you attach the GPU and power it up. The sounds on this thing are very, very good indeed. It really has spoilt me for pretty much anything else unless I'm in the mood for a long haul jaunt.

[anden145 2,285]

27 minutes ago, speedyTC said:

One thing that you'll get with the FSL Bus, Simon, is immersion. Tons of it. From the moment you attach the GPU and power it up. The sounds on this thing are very, very good indeed. It really has spoilt me for pretty much anything else unless I'm in the mood for a long haul jaunt.

+1

I have never experienced an immersion factor and sound environment as is present in this addon. Absolutely superb!

[pilot10112 4]

Thanks so much. This is making me want it so much more. Well at least it’s only a week or two away