I know I'm a little late to this post, but I must say, the PMDG 777 is awesome. It's my goto for cargo hauling, with my VA online. I also enjoy the PMDG MD-11, though it's showing its age. I'm a cargo dog at heart, and both of these aircrafts allow me to haul heavy loads all over.
I've never known PMDG to have a sale. If you love flight simming, you will get your money's worth out of their aircraft. Ever since I've flown them, every other aircraft I try, falls short in comparison. Beautiful flight decks, awesome FMS interfaces, accurate systems... you won't regret it, if you're looking for realism in your flight simming.
Even though many people argue that the 777 is a long haul aircraft (which it is), I am not above loading her up about 60% cargo and a few thousand lbs. of fuel and making "short" 2 hour flights. Very versatile aircraft...
In real life, visibility is not unlimited. Especially around cities. If the local weather has 10-20 mi visibility, which is common, then ASN is going to reflect that. Some days, in RL, you can see for miles. Somedays you can't. Your probably just used to not having that effect, and having unlimited visibility in the default FSX weather.