Please note that this is an updated review of the previous one that was available at FSNews.
PMDG is a developer known in the flight sim industry for over two decades. They are responsible for many Boeing aircraft for FSX, FS2004 or Prepar3D such as the famous 737, 777 or 747. Today, we’ve got our hands on the PMDG 737-800NGXu, that has been released back in November 2019. First of all, I would like to thank the PMDG for making this review possible.
I’ve been flying the PMDG 737 for quite a while, as Boeing 737 is probably my most favourite aircraft. I mostly fly for airlines like Ryanair or KLM, which are huge 737 operators.
Now something about the aircraft itself. The development of the actual aircraft has started back in 1964 and the first flight happened in 1967, 3 years later. The initial model was a 737-100 which first entered service with Lufthansa in 1968. Nowadays, there are four generations of the Boeing 737 aircraft:
- Original (-100; -200)
- Classic (-300; -400; -500)
- Next Generation (-600; -700; – 800; -900)
- MAX (7; 8; 9; 200)
Review
Exterior Modelling
The exterior modelling of this aircraft is really really nice, the implementation of PBR and highly detailed model of the 737 is very realistic and it is really pleasant to my eyes. Every little detail is modelled, and this is what you can, in my opinion, expect from the PMDG products, for example, the inside of engine when you put the reverse thrust on, or every little smaller wingtip that is located all over the fuselage, but the detail can be especially seen at the landing gears. What I also liked is the variety of models available. You can have 800 and 900 with winglets, without winglets and with split scimitar winglets, so you actually have all the versions of the 737 within one package. Except for the 600/700 models, these are in an expansion pack.
Interior modelling
The interior modelling is also really good. From the old NGX version released back in 2011, it is a significant improvement in my opinion. The windshield in the cockpit is smaller, as it is in real life, the PBR also adds that realistic feeling once again and I like how you can change the fuel levers and parking brake lever in the MCDU and changing the MCP panel, so you can configure your aircraft really as you want. Not to mention the HUD (Head-Up Display), that can be configured as well. Talking about the cabin, it is not that detailed like the cockpit, but still not the worst I’ve seen.
Texturing
Considering the texturing, It is really good, the outside texturing can be in a different quality, depending on the livery because the painters can use different resolutions, but in the cockpit, it is always really good-looking. In my opinion, when using the Tomatoshade the cockpit is a bit dark, but that’s only an issue with the Tomatoshade program, I didn’t get this when I was using PMDG alone. Overall, the texturing is good and it is what you can expect from a high-end add-on.
Flight model
The flight model is good, even though I cannot compare it to the real thing, you cannot do these crazy things such as barrel roll which you can do with freeware add-ons. The flight model might be limited by the Prepar3D as well. The flight model behaves like it should in my opinion and it is really enjoyable to fly. What I didn’t like is the ground steering, which is not good in my opinion, even though they fixed it in some update, the steering is still sensitive and feels weird. What I actually mean by that is, the steering reacts way too much, even though I apply just a bit of rudder, the aircraft almost turn left/right and I lose my centerline. Not talking about the full rudder though.
Systems
The systems in this aircraft are, overall, very advanced. It simulates almost everything, the FMC is accurate even though the menu is slightly edited because of the ground services, for example. There is also Navigraph support included, so you can have the latest nav data or charts in the EFB. Talking about the EFB, there is everything you need, you can take notes, check the charts and the airports, see the cabin with a camera (performance eating, occasionally occurs simulator crash). Regarding the autopilot, it is good, but sometimes it fails to follow the VNAV, and when I try to increase the descend rate, sometimes it randomly changes to the level change from vertical speed knob, I don’t know if this happens in real aircraft, so I cannot complain about it much, but if for sure is weird. The PFD panel has good animations, which are really smooth and looks the same as in real life.
Performance
The performance of this aircraft when the product got released wasn’t the best, but after some updates, that were coming out, the aircraft was getting better and better regarding the performance. It still eats some performance, but not as much as it used to. For example, in the London area, I get around 35-40fps with NGXu while having a mid-range PC.
Sounds
The sounds of this aircraft are really good. The developers technically edited the old NGX soundpack, added some improved sounds, and at the end, it sounds really good, especially the cockpit switches, that have that “click” noise, which I really like. Overall, I don’t see a reason for having a 3rd party soundpack as I did with the old NGX.
Effects
The effects of this aircraft are good, but not the best I’ve seen throughout my flight sim years. There are contrails, animated wipers, doors, cabin lighting, etc. Regarding the contrails, these are taken from the FSX/P3D ESP engine, so it really isn’t something you can expect from the high-end add-on, so I really recommend getting some visualisation improvement add-on (example: 737 Immersion by //42). The wipers are quite laggy, but I think that’s because of performance, which would be bad if the wipers that would run smoothly.
Paintkit
As a painter, I am always interested in the paint kits that come with the aircraft. These are, obviously, for free on the PMDG website. I am not really experienced painter, so I always welcome every little detail that makes the repaint kit easier. Overall, the PMDG team made a good job with the paint kit.
Conclussion
Overall, this is a really good aircraft, probably one of the best Prepar3D add-ons I’ve ever had. The flight model is good, PBR effects and overall visuals look stunning, the functionality of this aircraft is flawless and the systems are accurate as well. There are, of course, some issues, like the nosewheel steering or occasionally the performance. But which add-on doesn’t have any? Actually I can highly recommend the PMDG 737 NGXu, and if you are really that hardcore P3D simmer, you’re really going to enjoy it.
If you are interested in buying it, you can do so here for $99.99. The NGXu Expansion pack adding version 600 and 700 can be bought at an additional cost of $34.99.
