1 hour ago, willy647 said:

That is correct, but for the money you spend on the Premium Deluxe you can buy PMDG or Fenix which are (in my opinion) far better than the microsoft planes.

Premium Deluxe version, one cannot regret it in the end, with all the included planes which are getting updated too and the discount on future Microsoft planes.

2 hours ago, Ricardo41 said:

It's exactly the other way around: Premium now makes even more sense because of the AAU1 and AAU2 improvements.

All versions will get these updates - not just premium deluxe

5 minutes ago, willy647 said:

All versions will get these updates - not just premium deluxe

But previously, you paid extra for some mediocre aircraft. With the AAU treatment, they are getting a lot better, and the Longitude is excellent now. So you really get something in return for your money. 

In that sense it makes more sense now after the improvements.

I get it that not everyone is interested in these aircraft, but now they at least have a lot to offer to advanced simmers.

3 hours ago, Dominique_K said:

The 747 which comes with the Standard version is upgraded with the AAU, isn't she ?

I think that the Premium made sense early on when the 3rd party addon market  was very small. Not anymore.

True about the 747, you've also got the CJ4. BUT....

I'd much rather fly the C700 (my most flown aircraft) and the 787, over the CJ4 & 747. Personal preference. 

3rd party wise there's nothing to compare to the C700 in MSFS. The 787 is also a decent stopgap until PMDG bring out the 777.

If the cost is an issue then buying basic makes sense. OP has said it's not.

 

G

1 hour ago, willy647 said:

All versions will get these updates - not just premium deluxe

Wrong, you obviously only get the AAU1 update for the Longitude and the AAU2 update for the 787 if you have the premium version.

Edited May 13, 20233 yr by lwt1971

1 hour ago, lwt1971 said:

Wrong, you obviously only get the AAU1 update for the Longitude and the AAU2 update for the 787 if you have the premium version.

Hey Len when will the 787 AAU2 update be available...and what might it offer over Heavy Division mod?  Thanks

7 minutes ago, Noel said:

Hey Len when will the 787 AAU2 update be available...and what might it offer over Heavy Division mod?  Thanks

Hey Noel, per the latest development roadmap AAU2 is targeted for June 23rd.

I per usual am waiting till release rather than risk my current setup with beta 🙂 ... I never really few the 787 in MSFS before even with the HD mod, but from all what I can see/read WT's AAU2 treatment of the 787 seems to bring substantially more than the HD mod.

This is what WT themselves said on their discord when asked about the existing freeware mods to these aircraft:
Matt (nishmaster) [Z-5] — Yesterday at 14:23
With the absolute greatest amount of respect to both HD and Salty, because they're both amazingly awesome and have done some of the best work around, we do expect the aircraft to exceed the mods by a reasonable margin. It's just a resources thing, and a difficulty with working with encrypted files, not having access to data, etc. I'm personally super looking forward to how they'll mod the new stuff!
 

Whether the premium version is 'worth it' is obviously a personal choice so it isn't really possible to correctly answer the question in a forum that would apply to everyone. I would just say that I am happy I did just for the 172 steam gauge version especially with WT Garmin updates. The Longitude, which was very disappointing early on with fuel capacity and porpoising issues, is now very nice. Each person should see if the extras look worth it to them and then ask their wife/husband for final permission. 🙂

1 hour ago, rjquick said:

............ and then ask their wife/husband for final permission. 🙂

 

"Of course honey I got the cheapest version" (hides credit card statement) 

 

G

Everybody,

Well the score is 7 for the premium Deluxe version vs 2 for the Standard.  I guess I'll go for the big bucks version, what the hey, it's only money.  

I really appreciate everyone's thoughts and discussion of this subject.  This is exactly what makes AVSIM such a valuable source of information.

Jim Driskell

The Old Marine

7 minutes ago, jmdriskell said:

I guess I'll go for the big bucks version, what the hey, it's only money.  

Which should get you a discount on the Caribou, so that might be the first saving 🙂

4 hours ago, willy647 said:

All versions will get these updates - not just premium deluxe

You don't get the Longitude and 787, if you have the basic version of MSFS.  So any updates and enhancements to the Longitude and 787, you can't try them out unless you have the Premium Deluxe version of MSFS.

Don't necessarily want 787 or Longitude now as I generally fly PMDG airplnes and the DC-3/C-117.  but I think I'll spring for the Premium version.

Jim

18 hours ago, DaWu said:

Dubai, Frankfurt or Heathrow are terrible. Quickly made with zero details. My biggest regret is buying the useless premium package 

Here's a few shots from Premium's "quickly made, zero detail, terrible" Frankfurt EDDF, as conveyed to someone coming from FSX, pardon the compression:

 

Looks good in comparison to FSX.  My thought is an airport is somewhere to take off from and land on.  I'm interested on how well I fly the departure and on well I land following the STAR and Approach Plates.  The scenery is a bonus.  I'm going to get the Premium version.

Jim