Zibo 737 VS. LevelUp 737NG - Which is Better?

[@Thresholdx]

Thumbs up =)

[@MicahMesser]

Thumbs up indeed!

[@prachuryyabaruah6551]

Zibo definitely flies better given years of maturing period with feedback from both real pilots and simmers. The drag, fuel burn and ground friction model has evolved through iterations and I've been flying it from day 1 to witness the changes. However, LU has done an outstanding work with visuals and variants, given a bit of time and ways to figure out the intricacies of Zibo code they can tune the flight and handling model to better represent each 737 variant.

[@MicahMesser]

That about sums it up! lol

[@1CatSitter]

I could only find levelup for download. Where can I download Zibo?

[@DadX5]

Great video. Just made the switch from MSFS to Xplane so this helped me learn more about the two planes. Both great in their own ways with great things to come it seems. Nice to see devs working together also to better the hobby.

[@MicahMesser]

X-Plane has that community much more than MSFS. The only exception is the FlyByWire.

[@confuseddad2865]

why did you make the shift? how can you stomach how bad it looks?

[@DadX5]

@@confuseddad2865 because MSFS constantly would crash on my pc no matter what. After 3 complete uninstalls and reinstalls a new issue would happen and I could not complete a flight. MSFS is very nice out of the box, looks amazing. But its no fun if you cant fly in it. Xplane 11 can look just as good with the right add ons. I hope someday to come back to MSFS, but they have to get the issues ironed out and make it run like it should before I can do that.

[@Krahamus]

@@confuseddad2865 Simulators are not about looks but comlpexity of simulation, i prefer playing less better looking sim but with proper flight dynamics than good looking sim, both sims have pluses and minuses, i fly on both sims mfs for vfr and x plane for ifr, now waiting for pmdg 737 to see how are flight dynamics and custom flight model compared to zibo, if its similar than bye bye x plane, but i dont think it will happen since x plane came long time ago and mfs is quite new compared and physics still off, so just need to wait for improvements

[@beescan22]

Thanks for your effort in making this comparison video. I have neither one presently, just a newbie trying to get oriented. Retired ATP IRL, but neophyte with home simulators and computers. I would prefer the Zibo if it flys more like realistically, but Threshold looks really good also. Probably start with Threshold, hoping I don't have many Xplane computer problems. Thanks again!

[@MicahMesser]

Either one is a good choice. The LevelUp flies perfectly fine but if you are or were a 737 pilot, it wont quite feel the same or as close as the Zibo. That is what I have been told by a 737 pilot.

[@chiefsimpilot]

Loved this video. Hope all has been well.

[@MicahMesser]

It has been, hoping to build the channel more!

[@jdflyz8061]

Thanks for the great video!

[@MicahMesser]

You are welcome!

[@theflyingscotsman229]

nice video and honest😊 i do find the level up unstable when hand flying its hard to keep her steady, bit my love is still for the zibomod b738 with all the bells and whistles😊

[@MicahMesser]

They are working on a better flight model, so I except it to improve as time goes on.

[@theflyingscotsman229]

@@MicahMesser yip i was reading that somewhere, it kind of puts me off flying it to be honest, but they still look amazing and cant wait to see how they improve over the coming years, back to the zibo for now for me😊

[@sergiogonzales6452]

@@theflyingscotsman229 Yes, my friend! You know a lot about these two Planes, but can you have both inside the simulator? Or would it be necessary to remove the Zibo to download the 737 NG? Greetings Captain! 👨‍✈👍

[@bnysweb2858]

Thank you! Is there any difference about impact on fps between the both?

[@MicahMesser]

I have not noticed any significant difference in FPS. Maybe 1-3FPS less on the LevelUp.

[@bnysweb2858]

@@MicahMesser Thank you!

[@vasiliosgrekousis8192]

The day where Zibo latest system version is implemented in the Level Up, by favorite will be the Level Up. I also aim at flight model and systems as higher priority! We're in XP after all, and such perspective is indeed to be expected by loyal XP users! Most of us may have chosen XP for such reasons :)

[@ThemAtWork]

I fly the LU 737-700 exclusively, it's quite brilliant and stable. Zibo is very good but you only get the -800 variant and is a constant moving target as far as development goes. The LU-700 is very forgiving flight wise, the -800 is OK. The -600 is a complete mess however, if you don't get the CG just right it's basically unflyable especially with few passengers but fully fueled for some extended range. I haven't tried the -900 however extended fuselage planes are not my thing. My only gripe with the LU737 is the tyre blowout setting. If left default one MLG tyre or the other will fail and drag the aircraft sidewise. Yeah, that's realistic but it happens 50% of the time. You can turn that setting off in the EFB configs. I also like the LU EFB much, much better. It's very clean unlike the Zibo, too cluttered with superfluous labels etc. As I said the sweet spot for LevelUp is the -700. I'm led to understand an XP12 version is on it's way as of August 2023, the devs evidently are waiting for XP12 to stabilise a bit first and frankly I don't blame them. That's not a slight on XP12, it's just early days and the risks of constant fixes for 3rd party devs are high. No published timelines yet, but it isn't dead as a project as some have reported. Nice video BTW, I like the side-by-side...

[@MicahMesser]

All very valid points! Yes, I am waiting for some stability myself for XP12.

[@EVELYNEMIL]

Phenomenal comparison!!. Thanks.

[@MicahMesser]

You are welcome!

[@marcelofarah8657]

I've tried the level up 737 and personally I don't see the point of using it, I totally prefer Zibo. Zibo is a more mature plane and also I'm not very fond of the experimental flight model, which levelup uses it. It makes the plane unstable.

[@MicahMesser]

The LevelUp has different variants the Zibo doesn't have. -600, -700, -900, and -900er. They are also working on a MAX version. It's a preference, right? Like I said in the video, if I am going to fly a -800 it will be the Zibo.

[@austriankangaroo]

@@MicahMesser there is a zibo max and also -700 -900

[@willcurl3664]

great video man

[@MicahMesser]

Thank you!

[@hoojikee]

Enjoyed the video! One thing I might suggest though, when doing a sound comparison or trying to let viewer listen to the sound, maybe have a portion where you don't talk just so we can hear them clearly. Also playing the sounds back to back rather then at the same time like for trim for example just so its clear what plane is making what sound. But regardless good video :3

[@MicahMesser]

Thanks for the tip! I will keep that in mind next comparison video!

[@joshuam20]

When they get the levelup flight model to the standards of the the zibo, I will probably use them.

[@MicahMesser]

I hear that!

[@vasiliosgrekousis8192]

By the book, it should be the same exact back-end. The Level-Up, from what I see, its the model LOD, and all "front-end" visual stuff. I do believe that the ZIBO should adopt the Level-Up as their default front-end model.

[@AntaiirAntares]

Those LevelUp NG's are pretty nice, but the -900ER is pain in the arse on ILS. I had to fly it manually, the AP couldn't follow the GS properly. I'll stay with the Zibo, till this plane is fixed.

[@MicahMesser]

I haven't tried the 900ER yet.

[@markboucher1549]

I do enjoy the Levelup 737,i have done a couple of flights with it so far.Yes i do agree there are some bugs that require some attention,and addons to be implemented.But the essentials are working,and for me i enjoy the cockpit sounds more and not really too concerned about the pax sounds.Great job on this video 👍😎

[@MicahMesser]

I took it out for a test drive this afternoon, check it out on my channel. I definitely like the sounds better. I did notice a few bugs. After landing it a bit hard, I realized that the flight dynamics are definitely different than the Zibo.

[@markboucher1549]

@@MicahMesser Yes the dynamics are different compared to the Zibo,definitely the pitch is more sensitive than the Zibo.Another thing which i also encountered once,when it captured the LNAV route,after disconnecting from the autopilot by accident,it flew closely parrallel the route and not on track as it should have.And one more thing now that remembered as well,after engine startup and taxiing out for departure,there was this very soft but noticable truck sound.Maybe its only on my side.Maybe from using the gpu or something and the sound continued looping throughout the flight.But as i said very soft and mixes with the engine sound so you dont notice it that quickly.

[@countdavis]

Great video Micah. Thank you. They are both amazing freeware aircraft. I will just take turns and fly both 😉

[@MicahMesser]

Sounds like a plan!

[@cupofjoen]

One thing that surely similar between the two, the cockpit, exteriors, and the engine all of them looks identical to Boeing 737 NG

[@MicahMesser]

Very true. They are all nicely modeled off the real thing!

[@itscal6274]

For some reason when I load both of these, they just don’t work, like none of the controls work and it’s not started up :(

[@MicahMesser]

Well, the aircraft doesn't automatically startup unless you check the "Start with Engines Running" on the X-Plane 11 Flight page. Otherwise, you have to do a full startup procedure like real world airline pilots do.

[@itscal6274]

@@MicahMesser yea I did that, it’s a bug I think we’re I can’t click most of the switches and such and it starts with the engines running, but it looks cold and dark

[@MicahMesser]

@@itscal6274 where did you install it?

[@itscal6274]

@@MicahMesser from the link in the description, I’m going to try to download it again

[@MicahMesser]

@@itscal6274 but where in the files did you place it?

[@juliashenandoah3965]

Nice - another 737! But compared to the PMDG 737 it seems to be lacking some for me personally very important cockpit customization features like: Analogue backup instruments available. These awesome panorama-view like rooftop windows can be opened (or to be more precise these roof-window covers can be removed). A STOL package and carbon brakes can be installed. Cargo plane variant available. You should make a comparison video with the PMDG 737, this would be interesting. The LevelUp 737 has a higher quality 3D model too, for example the Zibo has very angular low-polygon looking dome lights, the LevelUp has absolute round dome lights, and a lot of other details. Can the vertical awareness screen on the lower half of the navigation display be switched on?

[@CaptainUK79]

I really enjoyed this video with a well balanced comparison between Zibo and LevelUp. There is no doubt, that us xplane users, are lucky to have such great freeware addons. Zibo is a prime example of excellence and have no doubt LevelUp will achieve this. It's setting the bar, specially with X-Plane 12 around the corner. I have a feeling Laminar Research new A330 will be modified like Zibo did to the default 737 in the future.

[@MicahMesser]

Glad you enjoyed it! I agree, I think the A330 with XP12 will also be modded, similar to how the A320 has been modded in MSFS. I am hopeful for the future!

[@MicahMesser]

@Anish Gupta I have not. I have never owned P3D nor any PMDG aircraft.

[@MicahMesser]

@Anish Gupta I do not. The graphics and cost to change Sims now would be astronomical. Plus, graphics are important to me. I have dropped well over $1,000 on X-Plane 11 by now with all the add-ons, aircraft, subscriptions, etc. I currently am very tight with cash and that doesn't look like it will be changing anytime soon thanks to this economy.

[@MicahMesser]

@Anish Gupta unfortunately it boils down to cost again. I don't have a good enough GPU for MSFS2020. Yes, I can fly in it and I own it, but I get 30FPS and thr graphics are on low across the board. I definitely cannot stream or record with any quality. Maybe one day when I get a 3070ti or better I will transition but by then XP12 will be out and I am sure a lot of the aircraft I own will be ported over.

[@MicahMesser]

@Anish Gupta Possible. Again, it's all about the dollar signs.

[@mowax74]

In terms of washed out cockpit textures: did you try the version with 4k textures? On a 4k screen the textures are sharp in the zibo cockpit. Nothing to complain.

[@MicahMesser]

This was the 4K version.

[@peterlauridsen8403]

Nice comparison. However, I found that the Zibo’s engine sounds during start up is much more realistic than the level up

[@MicahMesser]

I am not a Boeing 737 pilot so I don't know 100%.

[@peterlauridsen8403]

@@MicahMesser Oh, just started my type rating two months ago

[@antoniomaruge8218]

Nice job

[@MicahMesser]

Thank you! Thanks for being on the Stream today! I appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you nex time.

[@BogWraith1]

Another fine video Micah. I'm a bit disappointed that there isn't a MAX version of the 737 for either of these models. I've been flying a 737 MAX 800 on FSX that is a custom made open source add on and it looks and flies beautifully. I have X-Plane 11 and agree that the Zibo Mod is outstanding but I prefer Microsoft's sims over the years over X-Plane, though I intend to get X-Plane 12 as well. I hope that a payed or freeware version of the MAX is on it's way for MSFS which I will get once a new computer can be built when availability and pricing for the components are in a better place then it is now. Thanks again for this side by side comparison as it really shows off both versions.

[@MicahMesser]

I am not aware of a 737 coming to MSFS since one developer has stopped development on their 737 for MSFS indefinitely due to incompatibility issues with coding and such. I hope someone makes one as well.

[@CaptainUK79]

The LevelUp are developing a 737 MAX but it will be a while before we see her in X-Plane.

[@karlos417]

@@MicahMesser is this pmdg that has stopped ?

[@MicahMesser]

@@karlos417 it is still rolling on as of now. They have made comments about difficulties with the MSFS SDK.

[@karlos417]

@@MicahMesser yes just read this article. Roll on xp12

[@TheHenkka65]

Hi, and thanks for the nice introduction :-) I tried the Zibo a couple of times, but for some reason I didn't like it … I just can't say, why.. So, now I'm trying out the Level Up- version. I had in my previous sim the PMDG's 737- whole series, and I'll tell you, they're really hard to beat, especially with custom sound sets.

[@MicahMesser]

PMDG is study-level, which means a LOT of time and effort that is used my professionals. There is a reason they cost the way they do for sure!

[@confuseddad2865]

@@MicahMesser PMDG does not simulate to the degree Zibo does, you need only look at the fuel burn and CG during flight, PMDG does not simulated a shift in CG based on fuel weight as far as I know, Zibo does.

[@aviationblaise8027]

can someone tell me why my switch sounds are so quiet on the levelup that i cant even hear them when the plane is powered up

[@MicahMesser]

LevelUp I don't believe has been released for XP12. When Zibo is ported over from XP11 to XP12 it had a lot of sound issues. My guess is LevelUp hasn't done it yet.

[@aviationblaise8027]

@@MicahMesser no no I’m still in XP11 haha. Gonna wait for the full release of 12. Thanks for the reply!

[@MicahMesser]

@@aviationblaise8027 ah, good question then. Sound settings?

[@aviationblaise8027]

@@MicahMesser in the volume control in the EFB, I have everything set to 5. In the actual x plane settings everything’s up

[@MicahMesser]

@@aviationblaise8027 very odd..

[@itzzmarcel3707]

Do the pa announcements and the option to start the flight leg work yet?

[@MicahMesser]

Not yet.

[@Юрий-ы6щ2щ]

когда есть выбор это всегда круто)))

[@MicahMesser]

I don't speak whatever language this is but thanks!

[@nicklausmb]

@@MicahMesser It's Russian I believe. You can translate the comments to English.

[@SHHXDOWDXRK]

@@nicklausmb Yes, it's Russian. I am russian too)

[@maputol_johnmark_j.92]

in term of FPS which both of them had the best optimized frame?

[@MicahMesser]

Zibo I would say was better because the NG had a higher data requirement but they really are almost the same.

[@sergiogonzales6452]

Thanks for the explanation, it is very significant for me, where can I download the 737 NG? could you put the download link for this plane please?, thanks, regards.

[@MicahMesser]

forum.thresholdx.net/files/file/1298-boeing-737ng-series/

[@sergiogonzales6452]

@@MicahMesser Thank you very much friend, I already downloaded it, I just need to find Ground services for this plane, I send you a big hug, thank you very much.

[@edward28051989]

For me is the same airplane. But the Level Up is more detailed

[@MicahMesser]

And for many, this will be the case!

[@Samgratt]

The level up 737 is free?

[@MicahMesser]

It is!

[@Samgratt]

@@MicahMesser yay!

[@yasmohd6803]

What to do if it's ias Disagree in the speed while in the air how to fix that and why it happened in the level up 737

[@MicahMesser]

If you have an Indicated Air Speed disagreement, that means one of the pitot or static ports on the aircraft has had a malfunction. Check your failures in-game and reset them. I am not sue if the LevelUp has a dedicated failure mechanism like the Zibo does, check the EFB.

[@zabla9468]

I really like the sounds of the cfm56 in level up 737. Except for the engine start sound. It is pretty horrible. I like the flight model of zibo. But one thing I don’t like is the engine spool up sound when takeoff. Especially the engine fan sound. I still like the default 737 spool up sounds better than the zibo :(

[@MicahMesser]

I am sure you could get some of those files moved over or something.

[@ghostgenix0]

LevelUP is FPS friendly and Zibo is hard on FPS and it has dirty textures on the engines I think.Also LevelUP has a smaller file size than Zibo.

[@scientifictech2816]

Bro will level up b737 work with x plane 11.41.

[@MicahMesser]

I don't see why not?

[@ramsfan1812]

Do you believe we will see level up in xplane 12?

[@MicahMesser]

That is a good question. I don't see why not.

[@deltasmith508]

Level up without hesitation

[@DZspeedbird115.50]

personally i prefer the level up

[@KingAbiBoss]

Zibo is so much mire realistic

[@magic3646]

Literally paid actor

[@MicahMesser]

I wish!

[@franzkevin4153]

levelup removed the TCAS test from zibo

[@MicahMesser]

I am sure things will return as they improve.

[@southwest0092]

LevelUp 737NG

[@MicahMesser]

It has it's advantages.

[@albertchen2529]

It's easy to explain, the Zibo MOD wins in terms of plugins, but the LU MOD wins in terms of textures and physics engines，even save your disk space

[@MicahMesser]

Pretty much! I will say, I have enjoyed flying the LevelUp more and more.

[@alexandergorga3656]

pmdg is better😂