Fenix vs FlyByWire A320: Which should you get? 

Haven’t tried the fenix yet but the FBW handles beautifully, this is coming from someone who actually flies the real thing, how well it handles on approach and landing surprises me every time how close it is to the real thing.

I love both, still getting to grips with the different characteristics of the Fenix. Very glad to have it in my hangar

It’s great to see some options for A320 flights in this sim. It’s also interesting that the Fenix is STILL getting a run for its money from the FlyByWire team! It’s a testament to the amount of work put in by them. I will have to think it over next time I have some income to spend, but I’m also looking to the horizon for other future airplanes for MSFS as well.

Im very new to MSFS….but the Fenix a320 was a huge draw for me and was my very first purchase. Love it. Been working on my familiarity and knowledge of the plane so that I can soon jump into VatSim. Just flew from KDFW to KLAX today. Using SimBrief and NaviGraph….also really great to have in the sim.

I feel this FBW is sufficient for me as this is my 3rd year in the sim. The one thing that I love the most about MSFS is the detail. So now being spoiled with amazing graphics, I would itch to get the Fenix just because it has a detailed cabin. Now truth be told, I am sure I am not going to spend any time in that cabin, but the expectations are higher since we now have an amazing platform to compliment immersion. It appears the direction everyone is a fan of regardless of experience is hands on, feeling true to life and having more things to touch and look at.

Two different aircraft, and two fantastic aircraft to have in your inventory. if you love the a320, you should have both, but if you dont really fly it, then fbw should be enough

Great video man. Keep this quality up and you will start seeing subscriber numbers skyrocket. I just subscribed, and like another commenter was surprised to see only 400 subs considering the 100k+ quality of the video.

A good analysis! I personally prefer the FBW sound set. Will get my hands on the Fenix asap!

I have both, and I love both, two different variants of the A320 but I gravitate more towards the Fenix for the same reasons mentioned. The biggest CON for me for Fenix, at least right now (and for those who are into DIY cockpits), is the difficulty if not impossibility in getting FCU/AP (and other) numeric sim variables for display without using some hacks. This is in part due to their licensing with ProSim, prohibiting them from using it for home cockpit systems. I am slowly making panels, switches, displays and this is the challenge for me.

I will always support the FBW simply because of their great philosophy. I have both and love them both.

This is the first time I've seen any of your videos. I usually watch Overkills Simulation, due to his American voice and great content. His videos taught me how to fly the FBW A320 among other things too which are MSFS related. You have a a great American voice for this type of content. I am American and find it hard at times to listen to the British Videos, which their are so many. Nothing personal to the Brits. Just not my "cup of tea" ( pun intended ) I did subscribe to your channel. Please keep the video's coming. Great Job !!

Interesting comparison. I really like both but have been flying the Fenix more recently. Both are a bit buggy, but Fenix just feels a bit more polished. Guess a lot is down to personal preference.

I personally have had much better landing with the Fenix, this may be because I have only had about 3 successful simulator flights before I got it and I had just improved. I haven't flown the FBW in a few days since I got the Fenix but the Fenix for me handles a lot better and more fun. Also surprised you only have ~200 subscribers you have such great content. Wish you the best on your road to 1k subs!

I just clicked on the video and let the video play while reading the comments. In the back on my mind I thought “I don’t recognize this voice from all the over major flight sim RU-vidrs, I guess I found another high quality RU-vidr lmao” then I saw you were responding to every comment and thought “wait, that’s not normal” and to my surprise, you’re under 1k! I don’t mean for that to be an insult, just based on the quality of the video, I assumed you would have had more! Keep it up! I will definitely be binge watching you

I love flying VFR but I would like to go for a airliners but the learning curve is pretty steep. Nice video and great content.keep it up

Both great aircraft and love them both. I couldn't really choose between them. Obviously the FBW is free but would happily pay for it, but not as much as the Fenix. Some font like the sound of the Fenix but I love that whine when you open the taps.

Great video. You deserve much more subs! I think those who are new and don't really fly VERY realistically like with every TEENY WEENY detail, the FBW will suffice. otherwise, the Fenix is the way to go. Thank FBW even if you don't use it, because it's because of its competency that the Fenix was priced so low so as to get more buyers.

Fbw says they’re eventually gonna have a full cabin. I can’t wait for that

I love them both and have them both. If I have to choose I prefer the Fenix. It is a little more advanced. I love the fact that I can import the EFB on my Ipad, so I can control it there. I am not sure if the FBW has that too.

I don't own the Fenix but I just downloaded the FBW A320 and flew a 2.5 hour flight in South America and I have to say I was extremely impressed with the whole package. I couldn't agree more on the EFB with the FBW. The integration, especially with Navigraph and Vatsim are a milestone above other EFB's. I was also very happy with the sounds and the detail level of the cockpit. In fact, for me, the only thing the FBW is missing are the TOC & TOD functions. Once those are implemented, the FWB will do just about any A320 enthusiast like me just fine. I'm not big on needing failures. I'm not an IRL Airbus pilot so I just want a plane that can get me from point A to point B without any fighting or frustration and I had zero of that on my very first flight with the FBW. Frames were great as well It's a win! Thanks for sharing your comparison video. It's a great help as well.

Good videos BTW. Like your style

Hi.. Thanks for the great review. A question; Does Fenix has problems such as MCDU like the FBW having? Talking about problems that can end up with re-installation of MSFS and Aircraft..

Great video What’s your opinion of Toliss Airbus?

I love FBW. I've never flown the Fenix, but having the FBW free and as great as it is, you get more than the FBW. I love that with the same installer, their team has created an alternative AI vehicle/aircraft injector that is much less performance draining on your system. Visually, they look the same, but the AI of movement is even better, and you'll increase your FPS using it. Not only that, but FBW is also making (the first) and very realistic A380, which will also be free. When there is a fantastic free version of a plane, you really need a lot of great reasons to pay money for the same plane you already have. I just didn't see anything in the Fenix that justified it over the free Flybywire.

I would recomend both. i mean if you want the fenix you pay. if you want both you pay the same amount. beginners can use the FBW as a starting point but for more advanced guys, after a few months with the FBW after you have the basics down, switch to the Fenix

The flybywire system switches to a different mode while on the flare phase (indicated on the FMA). The FBW doesn't model that correctly just yet, thats why you pull so hard on the Fenix.

Let me tell you, this Fenix A320 is fantastic. I have had countless aircraft addons over the years and have been flight simming for years, let me tell you this Fenix A320 flight model made me literally smile and laugh out loud, it is amazing! No other aircraft has done that to me. Get it, you will be amazed.

I really enjoy the FBW and had to try the Fenix. Problem is my 2 year old then high end system then leaves the Fenix pretty much not flyable using decent visual settings. Hoping for some performance improvements for the Fenix.

Thank you!

Which version of the FBW gives the best FPS?

The simbrief integration in the fenix is made to match the uplink system in the real thing, so that’s why it doesn’t do as much as FBW. also, the flybywire system disables close to the ground irl, and that’s modelled in the fenix, so that leads to instability after takeoff etc

I love the A320 NEO Engines, FBW

Will fenix launch the a320 neo? Rit now fenix only sells the a320 cfm rit?

How do you get the ipad in the a320??

Thanks very much ! Im happy to pay $60 if I can actually start the engines, and load the MSFS flight plan to MCDU ... does it do that ? FBW A32nx, is really frustrating since it has sporadic issues which makes it impossible to commit to.

0:07 and 0:34 you changed from a screw to 2 dots in the cockpit, how?

does the fenix also conflict with literally every mod? I feel like the FBW is crazy hard to get working stable, if u fly a short or medium haul at some point it will brake apart and crash or become unresponsive

Is it fair to say that FBW is like aerosoft in MFSX? And FENIX is more realistic?

The "only" 2x simrate increase for me was an absolute dealbreaker. Albeit I discovered that AFTER my purchase. Otherwise, the fenix is really stunning. ONE MAJOR issue I have however is the lack of sound fx when touching down. I tend to do very soft landings, and I get no audible indication that I have touched down with the plane. Now, I can work around this with some mods that monitor my landing rate in fpm, but maybe that's just me. The FBW has far better sfx in my opinion. I'll fly the FBW more often until fenix has sorted those problems out, but I'm happy to have both in my hangar.

It’s worth pointing out that the FBW version is an A320neo as opposed to the fenix one which is an A320ceo so I guess there are some differences because of that.

I've been having this issue with the FBW with fuel. Every time I start a flight, the fuel tank sticks on either 7%, 18% or 21%. Haven't found a fix for it yet😒

Well... I'm totally fine with the FBW. And because it is that good I really don't want to spend so much money on another A320.. (yes yes I know there are differences). Maybe if the fenix is some cheaper one day, I'd give it a go.

does anybody know how to get that tablet on the fbw?

The FBW is supposed to be able to be better at handling that the Fenix for design reasons that are there in real life. The Sharklets help create more lift when landing due to the ground effect. The wing fence doesn't do much to stabilize the aircraft or create a bit more lift when closer to the ground. @Hochmania

What Abt LVFR ? Is it good ?

5:37 are you landing at Orlando International?

I use both. Of course, for now, I´m more familiar with FBW.

The real A320 incorporates a landing flare system to aid pilots in feeling the landing properly. At 50ft, it memorizes the attitude and then trims the plane down at the time a flare should be initialized, while directing the flare, in order to help pilots land properly, because otherwise the fbw system (or "fly-through-computer" system as Airbus calls it) makes landing feel wonky. But it also takes some getting used to. Cheers, IRL A319/320/321(neo) pilot

Thanks for this. Was on the fence, but now think I'll spend my cash on the PMDG 700 and maybe the 310. FBW can scratch my Airbus itch, which isn't very itchy anyway.

I love the FBW for how hard they've worked on a freeware aircraft, but it's still a mod on a fairly poor base aircraft. The Fenix is an absolute masterpiece in every way.

What’s your opinion of x plane 12

FlyByWire works perfect eg with the Skalarki FCU and other Hardware Interfaces, Honeycomb Bravo AP Panel etc., Fenix did not support any interfacing due to Prosim License restrictions. This is a big disadvantage of the Fenix.

720p in 2022 ... why ?? man

I love both personelly , after flying the Fenix for the last 4 days i was in the FBW tonight and i really missed it. I prefer some aspects of the FBW , Personelly I think the FENIX skin textures are a bit too dull and not life like , I prefer the cockpit lighting/ screens in the FBW I also find the sounds excellent , but for a more in depth systems experience and flight model the fenix has it. I think we have room for both, really looking forward to watching the growth of the FBW.

I think jordan belfort just sold me on the Fenix purchase. :'D Good concise video !

Not to sound like an idiot or extreme noob (am probably both lol), but you kept saying NEO, but showed the iFly pad for the NX. The NEO doesn't have a functioning pad on the stable version that I know of. I fly the NX development version and am having difficulty configuring the throttles to match up with the sim. I'm using the Airbus 320 addons from Honeycomb on the Bravo TQ. Any assistance to show me what I'm doing wrong would be greatly appreciated. Great vid as well. Very informative. You got a new sub.

Fbw vs fenix for fps is?

Hello, greetings, good afternoon. Could you send a link to download Flinght Simulator and make it compatible with The Airbus from FEnix SImulation...? A cordial greeting .

I have a question, right now I have h the r FBW A320neo and I am undecided if is better buying the PMDG 737-800 or the Fenix A320

The deference between the landings are from the different types of flying the planes have. The CEOs take a little more time to know that it’s landing than the NEOs which is a technology thing not a sim thing

AFAIK they probly have and IAE & winglets coming in future

I totally agree about landing the 2 different versions. I find the callouts with the Fenix don't seem too accurate when you're about to land, also getting the flare right is very tricky. I just don't have these problems with the FBW. The Fenix definitely wins with the camera settings to get cabin views, having to go to showcase with the FBW just sucks. The biggest thing for me with the FBW is having the MCDU on a tablet, it just makes life so much easier. When I'm using the Fenix I keep looking at my tablet forgetting I can't access the MCDU on it.

what happens if fenix work together with FBW hmmm that will me a little interesting

Does The fenix a320 and A32nx work if you have Them both

good shot

Hello, can someone help me please... Im having a bug (FBW) with the MCDU when I go to F-PLN there is anything showing ... Does anyone have any idea please? thanks

Wish either Fenix or FBW work on a A319's

Honestly , I would appreciate this plane in version A321 or A319 , A320 is already made by FBW and is getting better and better . I dont need failures or detailed cabin (FBW contains already parts of cabin at the entrances) , sounds for FBW are already provided by LEAP, so only one thing which is pending for me is MCDU but 49 pounds.... :/ is improvement really so big in compare with FBW?

I’ll cut to the point. Is it worth it? 1000% yes. You are paying half the price of the FS Labs and it’s even more advanced than it’s competitor.

Comparing Payware and Freeware......... lol. Difference is 60€ first and it is the most important thing for users IMO. Technicaly FBW is the NEO which means different airplane too. Hope Fenix will fix thoses performances issues.

I’d prefer the fenix because I’m not a fan of the a320neo as an aircraft irl. I prefer the look of the good old cf6s with the class airbus wingtip fence. The engine roar on the ceo is also far superior than the neo

The FBW is free and it's practically perfect...everyone should have it. The Fenix is amazing in many areas, but it is a different aircraft. Personally, the FBW is audio and handling is much more enjoyable. BUT handling is not so simple....both actually handle appropriately for their versions! (eg: NEO rotation law....how the aircraft behave differently during and after takeoff. On the CEO you have to keep the stick input through the climb much longer than the NEO. Same as landing, where the flares are distinctly different). Yes, the Fenix is worth $60 for those who are interested in going in-depth, or experiencing differences first hand.

The fenix is a ceo and the fbw is just a neo, and yes the ceo and neo are different types of a320 aircraft

Can i get it on xbox marketplace?

The fenix needs it performance fixed first, I get 50fps in any other aircraft easy, with the fenix at lowest settings I can get max 22

And do i put The a320 fenix in The community folder and do i have to log in

Coming from another “real airline pilot”, Fenix hands down, by far. By far.

Needs a lot of work in the flying department as of yet. VNAV is way too aggressive and gets too slow too fast. Flare logic is wicked heavy on the nose pull.

you missed the biggest difference. JBU compatibility on launch :D

As an actual typed a320 pilot for one of the worlds largest airlines the fenix behaves closer to the real airplane. Systems and the use of the FSM/MCDU the fenix reflect the real airplane almost identically. As someone who uses the simulator as a trainer to practice procedures the fenix does a much better job.

Both are good. One is CEO and other is NEO. FBW still in progress and its free

FBW and Fenix are diff universe 🌝one meed to pay; another one FOC🌚 FBW 🥰 im waiting for A380

The cockpit modeling of the default/FBW looks off

The issue with the Fenix, in my opinion, is that you have to pay it in pounds. Since its market is global I would have expected the Fenix to be sold in other currencies as well like Euros , US dollars and others. Are Fenix people radical Brexiters UK-focused ?😊

idk why im watching this i play on xbox and cant get either cuz the xbox marketplace aint cared about and no good planes get added but im not here to rant good vid i would get both if i could but im poor so id only really get the fbw

i have the FlyByPixel edition

Oh and BTW the Fenix has cockpit windows that can open

Honestly the Fenix A320 Its so nice and I hate the Neo, the Fenix A320 has working circuit breakers too, and many airliners have these planes.

I dont like the FBW one. Cant stand out the cockpit and the fact that i was able to do a wheeli at 50 knots.

Personally it's sort of a silly question - "Which one should you get ?" - They're both excellent, like really superb aircraft, but one happens to be complely free so obviously getting the free one makes the most sense, at least as a start - I have both and both are well worth having in your hangar. Which one would you get would make more sense if you were paying significant amounts of money for both and you didn't want to waste your money on a more mediocre aircraft. Wouldn't it have been better to have a title "FBW and Fenix A320s compared"... Secoondly they're different aircraft, so not strictly comparable. One is a more modern long range A320 neo with very efficient engines (FlyByWire), the other is a slightly dated original model A320-200 (the Fenix). Finally, the A32NX is not shareware - it"s entirely open source and has no restrictions to its use. It might be wise to look up the definition of shareware.

I just want the fenix a320 because I want to recreate my flight with the normal a320 and not with the a320 neo... and also because for a reason my autopilot in the flybywire dosent work

the fbw have not weather radar that fenix have. but maybe is not 50 bucks worth

I have never had the money to buy an add-on plane.

fénix A320 will be payware FBW A32NX is a 320 neo with leap engines, and is free

we have both xD

I’m enjoying the ultra high spec of the Fenix and I agree the MCDU features are amazing. There’s a real feeling this is the real deal. BUT, although it’s early days, I am noticing a real sluggishness on my system when I operate the FENIX - even my mouse feels slow and there’s the experience of a kind of loss of ‘touch’ generally and this is starting to bug me a bit. Against that I have to say the experience of being in the cockpit is great. As someone else says, at £50 quid, it’s good value, so why not have both? But, you know, if my budget was really tight, I’d be tempted to say stick with the FBW - you’d be missing a bit, but not that much.

Using only 3 flaps for landing must be hard tho

I can't wait for it to come to Xbox!

both

I am a boeing fan, I'm a boeing fan, fenix is looking really good