Which aircraft should I buy? So many good choices I've ended up buying none

Discussion Hub Aircraft
1

I have allocated myself a budget of £1000 per year for aircraft/addons or possibly up to £1200 (£100 per month limit but can spend a bit more one month and less the next).

I’m in that sort of zone where I have had a good look at a lot of the best rated (according to these forums and youtube vids etc) and can’t make up my mind. There are plenty of pros and cons to each.

The planes I have been looking at are as follows:

Milviz 310 (Purchased)
FSW 414 (Purchased)
Maddog
PMDG 737-800 (Purchased)
Just flight Bae 146
AeroSoft DHC-6 Twin Otter
BBS BN2 Islander (Purchased)
SWS Kodiak 100 (Purchased)
SWS Kodiak Amphibian (Purchased)
Black Square King Air (Purchased)

I bought the Milviz 310 last week and have really been enjoying that. I wondered if there is enough of a difference to the 414 to justify buying it. I really do enjoy twins so obviously that also brings the twin otter into play. I’m not sure of the current state of the aircraft in MSFS but I did note there were issues previously.

I’ve also really been fancying a decent airliner of late as I have been having some issues with the FBW A32NX in the SU10 BETA. I do like the look of the PMDG 737 range but, I am put off by their pricing structure for essentially the same plane but with different lengths, weights and range etc. Also the lack of EFB (Which I have read is coming).

Obviously the 737-600 is well priced but, I keep thinking if I buy that I will end up wanting the 737-800 so it will be money wasted as the 600 will end up left in the hangar. Would you guys buy the 800 over the 600 and do you feel that it represents good value for money at this point when compared to one another?

The Maddog I really like the look of but from some of the older vids I have watched some people flagged up the sounds and textures. I’m not sure what the current state of the aircraft is and wondered if anyone could shed light on it’s current status and whether you consider it a good investment.

Watched a couple of vids on the BAE 146 from Just Flight and I am really tempted with this one. It seems to have got a lot right and seems to be very well optimised which is really important to me in MSFS. I’ve also read that PMDG 737’s are very well optimised too so I’m kind of stuck on the best option to go for out of the 737 range and the 146. Any thoughts from you guys on personal preference and why?

I really want to pick one at this stage but, I want to make sure it’s the right one. Because I am being so finicky at this point, I have ended up not buying any. I thought I would create this thread to hopefully swing me in one direction or the other.

Your input and experiences would be warmly welcomed and gratefully received. Happy flying all !!

3 Likes
2

Get the 737-800. You don’t need the other variants.

Otherwise you should have a look at the other thread where people post their top 5 aircraft. It should give you an idea.

5 Likes
3

I’ve had a look at that thread. That’s what led me to looking at the aircraft mentioned above. I’m tempted by the 737-800 in all truth and I think if the EFB was good to go, it would probably already have been purchased. The PMDG team are saying possibly September on the EFB beta and an October release but, I’ve read comments from others that suggest that is probably unlikely.

4

737-700 PMGD or the 800

1 Like
5

Is there any reason why not to get the 600 at half the price? That would mean I might be able to add another aircraft for this month. I will be flying for a virtual airline so I am wavering on the 600 because the 800 will obviously incorporate far more real world flights. It’s just a price thing at this point. I could essentially get the same aircraft in terms of systems etc at half price. Shorter range obviously but largely the same experience in the cockpit.

6

To be honest I have never felt the need for the EFB in the 737-700. They integrated the EFB functionality into the MCDU and it works well.

I don’t know if you need the 414 if you have the 310. All I know is that I have the 414 and it’s one of my favourite planes. It’s just so well modelled and fun to fly. Big recommendation.

I would hold off on the Maddog and Twin Otter. They are pretty good aircraft but they lack in the sounds department quite a bit. The Maddog is also not the most polished product when it comes to the visuals.

2 Likes
7

Stay away from the Otter, with the aircraft as it is and the current water physics it’s not a good buy, I don’t even have it installed and I bought it.

2 Likes
8

I did watch a vid on the features incorporated into the MCDU and it certainly seems to be fully featured. I just like the visual aspect and popping out an EFB to another monitor for easy reference.

I really do like the look of the 414 too and it has received high praise in nearly all quarters so it’s certainly a big temptation. I just don’t know if it will be too similar to the 310 that I end up with one or the other gathering dust in the hangar.

I hear you on the Twotter and Maddog. I’ve kind of read a lot of the same. I just didn’t know if there had been sufficient updates to address the issues as some of the vids I’ve watched are from a few months back.

9

10-4. You seem to be confirming what I have read elsewhere. The fact you have purchased it and not even installed it is a pretty good metric to measure it by. Shame as I really like the aircraft itself.

10

I have it too and I actually like it a lot. It’s wonderful to fly and it’s perfect for STOL operations in remote places.

The reason I’m not recommending it is because most people think it sounds too bad, especially the startup, reverse thrust and shutdown. If sound is very important to you I would suggest the BN2 Islander instead. It’s the Twotters smaller brother and it’s more polished in most ways.

1 Like
11

A PMDG and the 414. Brilliant.

3 Likes
12

The sounds matter but they are not the defining feature for me. Optimisation is probably number 1, followed by functionality/fidelity. I’ve seen the BN2 mentioned somewhere else but have not checked it out. Will certainly go and have a look now.

1 Like
13

Which PMDG are you flying?

14

I only got the 690 and 700. But I use the 414 a lot more.

1 Like
15

I think one of the reasons I am considering just opting for the 600 is that I could then justify adding the 414 and getting 2 great planes for the price of the 800.

16

They give a really wide range of flying which is why I like them. I like the Fenix as well but I’ve always had a soft spot for the 73x.

I tend to find auto pilot boring which is why I like the 414 a lot.

Sure we can fly airliners manually but 30 to 60 minute flights requires to much setup and mucking around it we fly with any realism. But in the 414 I can get in the air a lot quicker while maintaining realism. The smaller aircraft also let me fly more like how I used to for real so for me it is more “personal”.

3 Likes
17

Oh you have certainly thrown a spanner in the works with the BN2 :grin: Especially given it’s major August update and its fair price. I was thinking about doing a Scottish mainland and Islands tour of late and was looking for a decent STOL aircraft. This really looks like it will fit the bill very nicely indeed. Now I’ve got even more to think about in addition to the aforementioned list of mine. :laughing:

1 Like
18

I concur with most in the forum, get the 737-800 its the best airliner IMHO. Get the C414 Chancellor as a great GA Twin. The Piper Warrior is the perfect single engine trainer. If you like Fast Mail Jets, look at the F14 or F15 from DC Designs. If you like warbirds, the F6F Hellcat just dropped, it’s my favorite….

Of course if you are limited to the marketplace, you should also check out the Stearman as a good slow and low trainer…. :). So many choices, so little time and money to enjoy them all….

Ugh, Flight Sim is the new Pokémon…. Gotta get ‘em all!!!

2 Likes
19

Islander is very good. You won’t be disappointed :slight_smile:

Also I had the same question about the difference between the 310R (which I already owned) and the 414AW. I got “persuaded” to get the 414 too (and as it has ended up at the top of my charts thread, I thought it deserved my purchase. That’s my excuse anyway and I’m sticking to it!) and it is actually definitely different enough in character and feel to the 310 to warrant having both - especially if as you say you have a fondness for Twins.

Goose is another great Twin (my top plane atm).

Can’t comment on the 737’s but grab those two and a 737 and that’s still within your monthly budget, right?! :smiley:

I could spend a lot more of your money for you, if you want!!

Ryan ST-A Special is very cool. The new Hellcat that released today?

And it needn’t be Aircraft in your budget ?! :slight_smile:
How about general enhancement mods!?

3 Likes
20

Therein lies the problem. :rofl: The only thing is you need to keep to a limited hangar as you never get enough time to fly them all. Not to mention the cost.

2 Likes