What the review establishes
Tom’s Hardware tested the unit with the PMDG 737-800 in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, flying Las Vegas–Ontario, Phoenix–San Francisco and Oakland–Honolulu. Reported flight durations ranged from 45 minutes to five hours. The reviewer described near-instant input response and accurate reproduction of the virtual CDU’s pages, including aircraft-specific options. These are hands-on observations, not measured latency benchmarks.
The reviewer also praised the firm silicone keys and rigid construction, while identifying screen glare as a weakness despite good viewing angles and clear presentation. The practical benefit was less cockpit-camera panning and mouse clicking, particularly when entering a direct-to instruction while hand-flying.
That makes the strongest argument for this hardware a workflow argument: buying back convenient access to frequently used controls. The appeal is not simply another illuminated box on the desk—although dedicated cockpit builders are unlikely to object to that either.
USB simplifies the desk, not the compatibility question
Aerosoft’s product listing adds useful setup detail. It specifies a CNC-machined aluminum housing, Windows 10/11 requirements, a desktop stand and a supplied 1.5-meter USB-A-to-USB-C cable. No HDMI or VGA connection is needed, but CockpitSimulator Bridge software must be downloaded and started. “Plug and play” therefore does not mean software-free.
There is also an important documentation boundary. Aerosoft explicitly lists PMDG 737 variants under Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020), requiring Bridge v2022.2.0 or later. That product-specific section does not explicitly name MSFS 2024. The review demonstrates a working 2024 configuration; the retailer’s list should not be read as blanket confirmation for every newer simulator and aircraft combination.
For prospective buyers, the sensible question is therefore more precise than “Does it support Flight Simulator?” Ask whether it supports your simulator edition, aircraft add-on, aircraft version and CDU hardware revision.
Bridge maintenance deserves attention
Cockpit-Simulator’s software page lists Bridge v2026.2.5, dated October 22, 2026, and describes built-in hardware testing and firmware-update capabilities. Its September 17 release notes also record a reduction in occurrences of the CDU v2 “Serial Port In Use” problem. That does not establish a fault in every unit, but it shows why Bridge maintenance belongs alongside aircraft and simulator updates.
A practical pre-purchase and setup checklist follows:
- Confirm the exact supported combination, rather than relying on a broad MSFS compatibility label.
- Plan for Bridge software, not merely an available USB port.
- Check the installed Bridge version when troubleshooting, particularly if encountering the documented serial-port message.
- Use the hardware-test facility to help isolate detection issues before assuming the aircraft integration is responsible.
A convincing specialist upgrade
The evidence supports a narrower conclusion than “every simmer needs one.” Tom’s Hardware’s experience makes a strong case for enthusiasts who repeatedly fly the PMDG 737 and want a dedicated physical interface. It does not establish universal compatibility, comparative superiority across rival CDUs or a measured performance advantage.
Our assessment: treat the CS 737X CDU v2 as a specialist workflow upgrade. Confirm compatibility first, then decide how much eliminating virtual-cockpit clicking is worth to you. Authenticity is appealing; at this end of the peripheral market, certainty should come before the credit card.