First Impressions/Review
Hello all. I write to provide some first impressions of Mikhail's collective which I received here in small town Texas, USA yesterday. For those who don't want to read the details of my verbose post, I'll say---it is very, very nice, solidly made, and truly a great value (high quality for reasonable pricing), even shipped across continents.
When Mikhail posted initial previews of the collective, I was intrigued and followed this thread. When he posted the final result, I wanted---and wrote for a price shipped to the US. It was quite reasonable for such a unique device, especially in comparison to the astronomical cost of similar controllers for the niche within a niche helicopter controller market. Mikhail shipped on Jan 27, I received yesterday, Feb 7. It still amazes me that 11 days can be all it takes to get a box from Russia to small town Texas USA. We are spoiled humans.
To give some context to the comparitive basis for my experience with this controller, I currently have a VKB Gunfighter MKI with extension, MFG Crosswind pedals, Saitek x-55 throttle, and a couple of DSD button boxes. For sim racing, I use Heusinkveld Pro pedals and a Simucube/Mige DD wheel. All of these I got second-hand cause I like nice things as cheaply as possible. I suspect I'm not alone in often enjoying tinkering with the toys as much or more than getting repeatedly shot down in the virtual sky or getting lapped on the track.
The collective arrived tightly packed in foam and copious amounts of bubble wrap with no sign of shipment dings or damage. It was assembled, and included a USB cable. I wanted to play with it, so I quickly used a c-clamp and scrap of wood to attach beside my seat, and plugged it in. Fired right up, three axis and the buttons.
The controller base is a metal box and an adaptable bracked that can be slid, flipped and adjusted several ways by simply removing/loosening two nuts from bolts set in the base. The shaft is heavy-gauge metal. The throttle twist, button box, and third axis knob are 3d printed parts. The throttle part and axis knob are thick gauge, and though it is clear they are 3d printed parts, they are well finished with enough texture remaining to provide tactile feel and grip. The button box has two 3d printed hat and two press buttons, two two-way toggle switches (which unlike my DSD boxes, actually trigger two distinct button calls), a capped three-way toggle (2 buttons and a neutral center) and one red push button. All the switchwork under the surface feels high quality (on par with my VKB MCG Pro grip).
The axis motion is my favorite part. The collective motion is smooth with significant resistance. I have yet to fiddle with the tension adjustment. Movement requires purpose but is effortless. It will not slip under its own weight. The twist grip has strong resistance. Frankly, I'm intrigued by how it can be that tight and remain smooth. Even the axis knob has notable resistance that keeps it smooth and resists free wheeling. There is absolutly zero wobble on any of the parts. It looks like to me it would be a real challenge to get that throttle twist to fit that well and still function smoothly. I tip my hat.
As Mikhail has explained in this thread, the collective uses Virpil electronics. Worked fine, plug and play. Being a tinkerer, I just had to download Virpil software and see what I could screw up. Well, within an hour of opening the box, I screwed it up. The Virpil software prompted to update firmware (new within last three days). Without exporting the profile for the collective, I clicked the "Sure--why the hell would I ever leave well enough alone" button. Mistake. There is no built-in profile for a third-party device, so I ended up with a one-axis, no button VPC device. Pissed at myself, I wrote Mikhail (I think it was 3:30 a.m. in Russia). Before I went to bed, I'm guessing 8 a.m. in Russia time, 11:00 p.m. or so here, I received a nice note back from Mikhail with a Virpil profile and some guidance on not only how to fix the problem, but how to set up the collective in DCS. I didn't expect a solution to my self-induced problem that quickly---but I'll take it. He was even faster to respond AFTER he had my money than before. Count me grateful and impressed.
Controlling a UH-1H in DCS in just an hour of play is already a transformed experience. With an x-55 throttle as a collective, it was frustratingly hard. Now, it is natural. Not easy---but natural.
This device is a bargain. Not cheap, but for the quality of the craftsmanship and function, and acknowledging the niche within a niche within a niche market for this, it is a bargain in the price-to-quality-to-functionality analysis. Looking at other options on the market---the pricing is eye-popping. Maybe, maybe the other options are a tiny bit prettier, or a direct replica, but I seriously doubt they could be better built or more functional. Candidly---I find the no-frills build of this thing rather aesthetically pleasing.
I hope Mikhail can make a bunch of these and make a ton of money. It is a terrific product.
