Help please for purchasing add-ons

Redbaron · Post by **Redbaron** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 12:32 pm

Hi guys,

I could do with some help here. I want to buy some FS add-on aircraft - nothing new there - but this is the first time I've ever bought add-ons over the internet, so can someone please explain the procedure? The aircraft are:

LDS 767, ATR-72, C152 from Flight 1; DC-3/R4D from MAAM; Piper Cherokee 180F from Carenado.

I've read the info on the sites of the company selling each add-on, but I'm still a bit confused and have a few questions as to the procedure when either downloading or buying CDs of the aircraft. Also, is it possible to send a cheque off for these add-ons, or is a credit card necessary?

Could someone who has bought add-ons from any of these companies please tell me what to do either when downloading or ordering CDs? I would hate to do something stupid and lose my money. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Angus

Speedbird083 · Post by **Speedbird083** » Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:56 pm

MAAM-Sim's DC-3 is CD only and while I used a credit card I believe they do accept postal orders.
To be honest it'd probably be best to use a postal order with them as their site isn't very user friendly if you are trying to pay and don't have a U.S style zip code.

With the Level-D 767 and the Flight1 Cessna 152 you download the aircraft and the Flight1 wrapper so you have what is necessary to install it on your machine.
You then run the .exe and input payment details. If you buy them from Flight1 in download format you'll need a credit card.
The same goes for the Flight1 ATR72-500 though you can get both of these on CD if you wish. The 152 can be bought from Flight1 on CD and the ATR is available both from Flight1 and other retailers (Play.com for Â£17.99).

With Carenado you buy it from their website and are then given a download link to your product. Beware with Carenado that you can only download the executable file a certain number of times (3 I think) and I believe access to the file is also time limited (though I might be confusing that with the ActiveSky 5 download).
Either way its wise to make a couple of copies of both the .exe, your invoice, and, in the case of Flight1, your license key.

As of yet I've never had any bother what so ever with download products but you hear some horror stories.
Where possible I still buy products on CD but I make an exception whne things take long periods before hard copies are published e.g. PMDG's range.
SimMarket(.com) offer many products that are otherwise only available through direct downloads but they do charge a premium for the burning and P&P. I bought the Captain-Sim 707 from them and while their service was swift it does cost a little more than I think is reasonable.

bigvern · Post by **bigvern** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 9:36 am

The Just Flight forums recently reported some problems buying direct from Captain Sims.

I have related elsewhere my views on Download Payware vs Consumer Rights (i.e. you don't have any and it's caveat emptor). Luckily I got my credit card company to force a chargeback on FS Passengers which played havoc with my system. Conversly I bought LDS-767 via download and most impressed with it. The only drawback to the wrapper system is that installing it on another machine (I have FS2004 on the main PC and laptop) is a convoluted process as part of the anti piracy measures.

My personal preference now is to wait for a CD release rather than pay to download add-ons.

Post by **martinhodgson** » Fri Jul 29, 2005 10:00 am

I'm the same - much prefer CD releases, especially as many addons on CD also come with proper paper manuals again! CDs also allow easier installation, and should anything happen to your PC, an easy means of reinstallation without the arduous verification processes now in use!

Redbaron · Post by **Redbaron** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:15 pm

Thanks everyone for your replies.

166Driver · Post by **166Driver** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 4:42 pm

Isn't the Level D 767 just an upgrade over the original 767 PIC? Is there any way to get it on a hard copy?

Speedbird083 · Post by **Speedbird083** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:45 am

166Driver wrote:Is there any way to get it on a hard copy?

Not at present.

Post by **martinhodgson** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:09 am

166Driver wrote:Isn't the Level D 767 just an upgrade over the original 767 PIC? Is there any way to get it on a hard copy?

I don't think it is, it has undergone some major changes. Sadly, with FS addons now, download seems the norm. The PMDG 747-400, expected within a few days will also be download. I'd rather buy it boxed, but could have to wait months for that!

bigvern · Post by **bigvern** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:24 am

From what I've read, the Level D - 767 is the successor to the original, which I never owned unfortunately so couldn't really compare. However it is really, really good and has been endorsed in a couple of places by RW 767 drivers (Golden Argosy on Flightsim.com and an article in the last PC Pilot).

166Driver · Post by **166Driver** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:10 pm

I've used the PIC for 3 years. The screenshots of the cockpit in Level D look exactly the same, although it now has a VC and a new external model.

Speedbird083 · Post by **Speedbird083** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:36 pm

The 2D cockpit panel doesn't look that much different from 767: PiC but everyone seems to agree its far superior.

Its apparently better systems wise, the 3D/VC is superb and this time around they've not only created a superb renditon of the 767 visual model. I saw many screenshots of the original 767: PIC and frankly, but for the title on the cover, hard pressed to tell what the external model was of. The model and textures (particularly) were hidious.
I spent the vast majority of the time flying from either 2D or 3D panel views but I think I'd of struggled to tolerate the 3D model as suppiled by Wilco, though a considerable number of the original 767: PiC owners I've communicated with have long since reaplced the .mdl with that of Project Opensky's.

matthews · Post by **matthews** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 1:42 pm

Just bought PMDG's 747-400. Absolutely fantastic. Flight 1's ATR is also well worth a look. Both handle just like the real thing. And the systems work really well too.

Speedbird083 · Post by **Speedbird083** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 2:31 pm

Yep PMDG's 747-400 is an awesome bit of kit.

Post by **martinhodgson** » Tue Aug 09, 2005 5:11 pm

thirded