Nathan, rainfall excepted (Walter??
), I have to report that for 'screenshots' and timing exercises for planning simulator sessions etc these programmes have proved very valuable.
The PMDG is a pretty good programme, reasonably accurate in attitudes, power, systems, arr/deps/runways/nav, speeds, etc: the only bit I found difficult was the switching between displays required to make o/head and other selections while 'flying' - which in itself was fairly difficult with mouse/keyboard only (no 'joystick') but 'Autopilot in' asap was a good answer.
On one 'trip' I set up LGW-GVA for timing, and in VNAV at ToC selected the initial cleared altitude for the GVA STAR, went to the shops, and came back in time to fly the arrival and ILS
If you are looking for something to practice ADF/VOR approaches (ie seeing how the needles 'work'), SIDS and STARS or just to get used to working out where you are from the instruments and navigating to another point, I recommend it. Also quite useful in getting used to flowscans and checks - eg setting up from 'Cold and Dark'.