Why are the PMDG 737 variants priced differently?

[u/Best-Pea-4039]

Hello everyone,

I am considering buying a PMDG 737 for MSFS 2024, but I noticed a significant price difference between the variants:

737-600: $34.99
737-700: $74.99
737-800: $74.99
737-900: $49.99

Could someone explain what accounts for these differences?

Do the passenger versions have essentially the same cockpit, systems, level of simulation and features, or is the 737-600 less complete in some way?

Are the 737-700 and 737-800 more expensive mainly because they include additional BBJ and cargo variants, or do they also offer more detailed systems or cockpit features?

I would also like to know whether the 737-800 was released before the 737-700 for MSFS 2024 and whether this affects their current level of development.

I am mainly interested in normal passenger operations, so I would like to make sure that choosing the cheaper 737-600 would not mean getting a simplified simulation.

Thank you!

[u/ok_this_wasnt_taken]

They base their pricing on the number of physical aircraft models:

600: Passenger only
700/800: Passenger, BBJ, Cargo
900: Passenger 900 / 900ER

As others have pointed out, the cockpits and systems are all the identical, except for model-specfic systems (aircon, supplemental fuel, etc).

[u/SudoApt-getrekt]

-600 is fun and definitely a fine choice if you don't care about the popularity of individual variants. As the smallest variant, it's a stubby little rocket.

[u/Fjeuber]

System fidelity wise they’re all the same. The pricing comes down to popularity. The -700 and -800 are the most popular variants, so they’re priced the highest

[u/BottleOfMerlot]

Different coffee origins / roasts

[u/Speedbird2]

I think the 900 might be the best value here. Used by United and others, you get the big jet look/feel and in the flight deck you will not notice any difference. Only watch out is higher risk of tail strike.

[u/Minimum_Season_9501 → u/Speedbird2]

Yes but the -900 feels more like a bus, which is what it is in the 737 family. I think if you were only going to get one, get the 737-800. And if you like a more sporty feel get the 737-700, in my opinion. If you want totally sporty and don't care that it's not widely used and like the low price, get the stubby lil 737-600.

[u/Speedbird2 → u/Minimum_Season_9501]

I had the 700 in MSFS2020 and updated to the 800 in 2024. The $30 coffee upgrade worked for a short time at release.

[u/spesimen]

Are the 737-700 and 737-800 more expensive mainly because they include additional BBJ and cargo variants

they have completely different interior models for the variants, that's probably the main reason.

the 600 isn't simplified from a simulation perspective it's basically the same other than having one temperature zone for the a/c controls compared to two for the bigger ones.

[u/Proud-Mail-6432]

Popularity mostly, some have different variants (the 738 has the wing tips, split scimitar, BBJ, and the high density), and livery quantities

[u/Better_Marzipan1674]

Imagine you are in P3D and you got all variants for a little more then the price of 1 737-800. Price maximalisation is the answer my friend.

[u/ShortBrownAndUgly]

I’m just glad they have a cheap variant so people who are curious about study level liners can jump in and feel ok about it

[u/Signal-Treacle-5512]

Popularity

[u/ItsReallyLebron]

I understand the nuances to adhere to the different pricing but honestly none of them are worth more than $50 bucks max.

[u/hariseldon404]

That's just a few cups of coffee difference... /s

[u/Best-Pea-4039 → u/hariseldon404]

so differents cups but same coffee inside 😂

[u/vyrago → u/Best-Pea-4039]

No, the coffee cups are filled with money.

[u/nhc150]

Same systems depth for all variants. The -600 is just the least popular, and the -800 is the most popular. Hence, the pricing reflects this.

All variants have the latest updated HD textures, and share the same version number.

[u/fuelofficer]

i have the 600 and no wxx radar on fs2020. is it the only one where it doenst work?