Ariane Designs

[Navy Chief]

I bought the Ariane Designs 737 C-40 a few months ago. Although old by today's simulation standards, I still like the looks of it and the way it flies. The activation process for their models is, to say the least, daunting (if not outright difficult!).

You have to READ carefully how to activate the install, or it will not work, period! But it is worth it in my opinion, once all is set and running.

Today I just read they are in process of more models, not just for FSX, but P3D as well! I have not made the move to the latest version of P3D yet, as I only just upgraded my graphics card and memory...and am still in the process of seeing what it can handle now.

http://www.arianedesign.com/Content.do

 

[scotth6]

I thought I had heard of the name before, but never really looked at their products. They have Boeing Licensing for their products, so that's a plus. Their products are currently 50% off at Simmarket, for 4 more days.

Thanks for the heads up NC, I think I might get the C40 too, it looks pretty interesting, and I love flying big military jets.

Cheers,

 

[marijn]

Customer reviews on their products are almost all unfavourable. (read the reviews at simmarket for example).
I bought the 737-900ER for FS9 1.5 years ago and finally managed to get it installed but almost allways something failed during flight making it hard to complete one.
I am now running FSX-SE and do not even dare to try installing one of their products (not unless it has been explicitely stated that it will work flawlessly)....
Even on sale they are pretty expensive compared to both PMDG and Ifly (1 plane/type > no paints > small add-on paint packages per region/plane)
If you want the 737-800 and 900 and some liveries for each then even on sale your price will be more then €60,-. Almost no free repaints to be found etc..

I would go for the PMDG or Ifly version if I wanted to have a 737 NG (I don't....)

 

[scotth6]

Yeah I noticed all the bad reviews too Marijn. A couple of the products had 5 star reviews, but there were a lot of 1 star and verbal 0 star reviews. It almost dissuaded me from buying, but I ended up getting the C40 and the Squadron repaint pack. Only about $33 AUD, which isn't so bad. The model doesn't look that good from the pics, but it seems to have a lot of systems modelling.

I really don't like the sound of their customer service or installation/registration procedure. They even say on the home page of their website that if you activate and then change your hardware, they will charge you a re-activation fee! I think the activation process and support were what all the negative reviews were about. Really not good business sense by the sounds of it.

 

[ce_zeta]

Buffff. Ariane still works?

Ariana has an interesting history behind.

 

[scotth6]

Buffff. Ariane still works?

Ariana has an interesting history behind.

Sheesh! Interesting is an understatement. I have just read for about half an hour, and there are many more links to follow. Someone should make a movie!

The Just Flight forum post was funny. Everyone blasting the company and the guy behind it; everyone but one guy sticking up for them, who seemed to be the guy himself.

Let's just see if this jet works.....

 

[Navy Chief]

Sheesh! Interesting is an understatement. I have just read for about half an hour, and there are many more links to follow. Someone should make a movie!

The Just Flight forum post was funny. Everyone blasting the company and the guy behind it; everyone but one guy sticking up for them, who seemed to be the guy himself.

Let's just see if this jet works.....

Scott,

I can't emphasize enough....take your time when going thru their activation process. Can be tricky. Definitely a pain, but worth it when it all works! Pay attention to the step where they say to load a Microsoft aircraft FIRST before loading their model. Has something to do with the guages. I fly it in Steam with no problems. NC

 

[scotth6]

Well, unfortunately I blew what I spent. Over a week with no contact at all after sending my activation request, and still no activation key. I am in the process of getting a refund from Simmarket. I installed this jet on the 1st of December and have been trying to activate it since. Got a few three word responses from Ariane when looking for help to even get the activation request working, when I finally did I sent it through, and have not heard back since. Unbelievable lack of decency from these conmen.

I highly recommend you do not purchase from Ariane Designs.

 

[Navy Chief]

Well, unfortunately I blew what I spent. Over a week with no contact at all after sending my activation request, and still no activation key. I am in the process of getting a refund from Simmarket. I installed this jet on the 1st of December and have been trying to activate it since. Got a few three word responses from Ariane when looking for help to even get the activation request working, when I finally did I sent it through, and have not heard back since. Unbelievable lack of decency from these conmen.

I highly recommend you do not purchase from Ariane Designs.

Scott,

I am so sorry you went through all of that, only to have to ask for a refund. I too, had quite a time, getting it activated, but did manage to. I just do NOT know why they have to make it so difficult. I do have to add that I like their product. It is a shame you had so much trouble.

I feel somewhat responsible for your having gone through this. I apologize! Pete

 

[b52bob]

This I believe is a Russian outfit. I was around when it was first released and all the comments were negative regarding activation, support, re-downloads and communication. A lot of simmers got burned by this company and I am surprised they are still around,

 

[scotth6]

Scott,

I am so sorry you went through all of that, only to have to ask for a refund. I too, had quite a time, getting it activated, but did manage to. I just do NOT know why they have to make it so difficult. I do have to add that I like their product. It is a shame you had so much trouble.

I feel somewhat responsible for your having gone through this. I apologize! Pete

Hi Pete,

Please don't feel any responsibility for this, I honestly would have liked their C-40 in my sim, and I'm sure it is a fine product once activated, but for some reason this company just doesn't want to play ball with me, and I am sick of sending emails.

It is on them and them alone, and I don't hold anyone else responsible, certainly not you.

I have found quite a few good freeware 737 versions while waiting for my activation, including a C-40 model, so I am good. I have plenty of other professionally done addons also, including quite a few Boeing jets, so I still have plenty of toys to play with.

Ariane is a mystery to me though. I have never dealt with such a company before, and will be happy to never deal with them again. Now I know.

Take care.

Cheers,

Scott

 

[scotth6]

This I believe is a Russian outfit. I was around when it was first released and all the comments were negative regarding activation, support, re-downloads and communication. A lot of simmers got burned by this company and I am surprised they are still around,

And apparently licensed by Boeing. How the hell did that happen? If it is in fact true.

 

[Bjoern]

I'm quite disappointed that people are still falling for this blatant rip off despite all the metaphorical warning signs posted around the community. Two minutes on Google is all it takes, people!

Especially since you'll get much more value for the money at iFly or PMDG.
http://www.iflysimsoft.com/ProductsDetail.aspx?PID=13
http://precisionmanuals.com/pages/product/FSX/ngx8900.html

This I believe is a Russian outfit.

No, they're not.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/04363467

 

[kiki]

Hi Pete,

Please don't feel any responsibility for this, I honestly would have liked their C-40 in my sim, and I'm sure it is a fine product once activated, but for some reason this company just doesn't want to play ball with me, and I am sick of sending emails.

It is on them and them alone, and I don't hold anyone else responsible, certainly not you.

I have found quite a few good freeware 737 versions while waiting for my activation, including a C-40 model, so I am good. I have plenty of other professionally done addons also, including quite a few Boeing jets, so I still have plenty of toys to play with.

Ariane is a mystery to me though. I have never dealt with such a company before, and will be happy to never deal with them again. Now I know.

Take care.

Cheers,

Scott

Would you be kind and point me what in your opinion might be the best freeware 737?

 

[scotth6]

Would you be kind and point me what in your opinion might be the best freeware 737?

Hi,

Sure. There are a few packages (4) which each contain several models. I also found an upgraded panel (and VC), upgraded VC lighting, and some upgraded textures that can be used on the default 737. I believe the upgraded VC is also included in some of the packages, which seem to contain POSKY 737s. Unfortunately some can't merge the VC, as they are FS9 or older models, but most of them are merged with the upgraded 737 VC.

I can't find all the links at the moment, but here are the file names so you can google them and find them, or just search Simviation, Avsim, or Flightsim.com. Note you will need to exclude the file extension (.zip or .rar) as the search won't work with them. At least one 737 was found at Avsim.ru.


Default 737 Upgrades:



B737_800 VC Night Lighting.rar

b738gaufix.zip

FSND_FSX-B737Upgraded_Cockpit.zip

FSX737-800_Cockpit_Texture_Upgrade.zip

sound_b_737-800.zip




TDS 737-700:


fmc-1.zip

fsx_tds_737-700_2d-vc_panel_merge.zip

tds_b737-700_base_package_fix.zip

tdsx737-700_base.zip

tdx_asa738.zip




Boeing 737-Max9:


tdxmax9ac.zip





Boeing 737-800/900:


AV_R_US_Boeing737-800.zip @ Avsim.ru


BCJ_Boeing737MegaPackageVol.1-1.zip @ Simviation

BCJ_Boeing737MegaPackageVol.2-1.zip @ Simviation

BCJ_Boeing737MegaPackageVol.3.zip @ Simviation

BCJ_Boeing737MegaPackageVol.4.zip @ Simviation





If you can't find any of them let me know.



Cheers,

 

[kiki]

Thank you very much!!