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Overview &
Background
Let me say from the start this review
is not intended as an in depth exploration of this product. There are
those who are far better qualified to tell you if this product stacks up
to the real world aircraft than I who either have, or will be providing
in depth reviews of the PMDG 737 NGX. Instead I want to provide an
average Jo layman's perspective. I'm no real world pilot so embarking on
a journey with a product like the NGX is always going to be based around
curiosity and passion. Its also quite daunting because this seems like a
pretty realistic add-on, but of course all of PMDG's products are
popular for that very reason. I have their 747 and J41, so I hit the BUY
button with high expectations.
I think its fair to say that the FSX
flightsim community waited with anticipation for this latest release,
the Boeing 737-800/900 NGX. From the start accurate modeling, systems
and flight modeling were the talking points, and then of course how
would it actually perform in sim and who could realistically fly this
bird if it actually did do all that was said. In the second half of 2011
all the questions were answered when PMDG (Precision Manuals Design
Group) released the 800 and 900 models of the 737 NGX series. Available
as a download, it was immediately met with praise with many flightsim
enthusiasts claiming it to be a benchmark product that redefines 'as
real as it gets'.
Pacific Blue
737-800 ZK-PBA
NZWN -
11/04/2004
Photo Credit: J
Murchison
Pacific Blue
737-800 ZK-PBM
NZWN -
14/06/2009
Photo Credit: J
Murchison
I'll be honest here and say I wasn't
an early adopter. From my point of view time restraints in my real world
life, along with a fairly hefty price tag (around NZD$90 when I bought
it) put me off. After speaking to a few mates who had it, watching some
videos and reading reviews I decided to take the plunge over Christmas
2011/12 and buy it. Because I had waited the second service pack had
been released so I was getting the SP1b version. The 600 and 700 series
expansion packs had also been released, so I added them as well. While
they downloaded I looked through the free repaints available on the PMDG
website. There was a good selection so I grabbed a few of those as well
assuring myself of many hours of flying ahead.
Installation
&
Documentation
At time of writing the boxed version
of the 800/900 NGX had just been released however I purchased the
download version directly from the PMDG website. 647MB later I had my
file and started what you would expect from any modern download software
these days, an easy and quick install process. As with all PMDG add-ons
an online activation is part of the process. With the install complete I
discovered several operations manuals covering the aircraft in super
detail. I have scanned these and am impressed if not somewhat
intimidated by the amount of information they contain. If you want to
fly seriously, they are an amazing resource. There are also two files
installed. The first is the livery manager that allows files provided in
the correct format to be easily added and removed. The second is a
performance manager. This is primarily focused on the cockpit and allows
you to adjust texture size and modeling detail to suit your PC specs.
There are no liveries included other than the default PMDG blue scheme.
This is good because it helps keep the file size below 1 GB, and with
the freebies available allows you to select those you really want rather
than use HD space on those you wont use.
You wont die wondering how to fly the
PMDG 737 NGX series.
The Livery and
Performance Managers included in the install
Performance
in FSX
To be honest I was happily surprised
as I was worried I may not get the best from the NGX on my system. To
run the NGX series really well you need a good processor, ram and GPU.
For best performance PMDG recommend the following:
Processor:
Intel Core i5 or i7 (Sandy Bridge core) or better, RAM:4GB+,
Video
Card:NVIDIA
GTX560 Ti, 570 or 580 with 1GB+ of video memory or better, Monitor:Widescreen
1920x1080+ and
OS:Windows
7 64-bit.
My system exceeds these specs and in the main I
experienced a very smooth ride with dips attributable to the volume of
REX clouds rather than the NGX. This said one of the real strengths of
this product is the ability to adjust settings that impact on
performance. As mentioned above you can use performance manager to
adjust the VC and the FMC also provides menu options to turn off
displays and add or remove various aircraft features. With this
flexibility any good current i5 or i7 based system should give you a
good result. Naturally scenery, AI, weather etc all have an impact so be
prepared to adjust settings and find your own sweet spot. The fact I
could have all 4 models on screen at the same time for the screenshot
videos probably says alot about this aircraft from a performance point
of view.
The Visual
Model
Nothing short of outstanding. This is
typical PMDG quality. Enough said really. Instead of posting lots of
screenshots I have compiled them into a few videos that looks at the 800
and 900 and in the second the 600 and 700 models. These videos were made
using FSRecorder so all the aircraft would appear together, and then
recorded with FRAPS. Cameras are by EZCAR. I recommend viewing these
videos in 1280x720 full screen for best effect.
Aircraft
Panel & Systems
From a visual point of view the
panels that make up the 737NGX are all very accurate. Look at any photos
or videos of the cockpit in the NG series and what you see in the real
world you will find here, typically in 3D goodness as opposed to flat
buttons. The vast majority of systems are replicated as well, so if you
flick a switch expect an appropriate outcome. The downside of that for
novices like me is we don't know what the outcome will be, so often
there will be alarms with no obvious reason simply because the systems
in the aircraft are so accurate stuff you would never dream was
included, probably has been. An example of this is I am always getting
an alarm just after TOC (top of climb). It wont go away and I cant find
what its for or why its happening. I'm driven to look through the
manuals and for someone like me who resists such things and relies on
the seat of his pants, it can all be a little to much. Kidding aside,
this is a complex beast for the newbie or technically challenged.
Personally I am enjoying learning about the systems and how to operate
them properly, but if this is not your thing then you need to think
seriously if this is the add-on for you, because just push and fly is
not really going to work that well for you with the NGX.
The VC is duplicated with excellent
2D panels. Without a real co-pilot 2D panels can make life easier and I
find I am using them quite a bit during particularly busy times in the
flight. A couple bits of kit I want to mention in particular is the FMC
and HUD. The FMC is fully functioning and once mastered is a great
addition to the sim. It also acts as the control to add/remove external
components such as ground power cart, chocks, air stairs and the like.
It also allows you to configure the variant of 737 by covering all the
customer choices Boeing gives its real world clients. You can easily
import flight plans through the FMC as well. The HUD is not only
functional and fun, its an amazing in sim technical feat. Move your
viewpoint and the display shifts to follow. The HUD folds down at the
click of a button and presents the pilot with all the information they
need to fly the aircraft without having to dip your eyes. In this
example its a great implementation and something I have used
allot, particularly when landing.
I recommend viewing this video in
1280x720 full screen for best effect.
How Does She
Fly?
I recommend viewing this video in
1280x720 full screen for best effect.
Sound
Like everything else about this
aircraft the sound tops things off nicely and the video above
demonstrates this quite well. I am particularly impressed with the
engine spool up sounds from the VC and the APU on the outside. I've had
to walk to the rear door of a few NG's for boarding, clearly this and
all other sounds in this add-on have been recorded from the real thing.
Like most things the altitude call-outs in the VC can be defined right
down to individual heights using the FMC. This level of flexibility is
great meaning your 737 can be tailored to mirror your favorite airline.
Final Words
The PMDG 737 NGX is one of those
add-ons you need to own. Of course your system will ultimately dictate
things but if your a Boeing fan, can afford the $$'s you will not be
disappointed with this add-on. The level of detail may be one thing that
puts some people off. I know the first time I wanted to fly it took me
30 minutes and a few YouTube videos to figure out how to start the
engines (its all in the bleed air you know) and I thought I knew a thing
or two. One person summed up flying the 737 NGX as like peeling an
onion. I think this is a very accurate description. Every time I fly I
learn something new, try and perfect what I got wrong last time and
discover what I forgot this time. Its a great challenge and one I'll
enjoy for some time to come.
