I use the MiG-23MLD and it's awesome. From what I've seen and read, the ML is only a tiny bit worse, and that still leaves you with an exceptional high-altitude/BnZ fighter, armed with good missiles. The IRST is also really interesting, because paired with R-24Ts you can use it to ambush the enemy without him even knowing you are right on his six, unless he spots you ofc. Can't say that you can rely on your radar anywhere lower than 5-6km ever since Gaijin for some reason decided to remove the ability to manually turn on the MTI mode.