DEG Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 I've been adding flight to my sim pit (built around a GT Omega Art frame) for the last couple months, and am infatuated with the DCS Huey. I scoured the internet looking for a reasonably priced collective, but came up empty. I've already got a Fanatec Race Wheel, pedals (incl. load cell brake), so I bought a Fanatec handbrake with the hopes it could be easily mod'ed into a collective lever. When it showed up, I popped it open, removed the return spring, and it works great! Easily mounted to my GT Omega frame - I didn't even have to drill holes. For phase II, I bought a cheap joystick, (here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G0PPWUC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) and glued it to the end to give me a couple HOTAS buttons to work with (partly an experiment to consider going to a Virpil left hand grip or something later). Works well, and should hold me over till someone comes out with a (reasonably priced) better collective solution. So if you've got a Fanatec system already, it's a reasonably priced collective option that doesn't take a lot of work to put together. If anyone's interested in more details, let me know and I can post a couple pics, just wanted to share the idea in case it helps someone else out, as I've certainly received way more help reading everyone else's stuff than I've given. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_sukebe Posted January 1, 2019 Share Posted January 1, 2019 Sounds like a plan. Do you have any pics? System: 9700, 64GB DDR4, 2070S, NVME2, Rift S, Jetseat, Thrustmaster F18 grip, VPC T50 stick base and throttle, CH Throttle, MFG crosswinds, custom button box, Logitech G502 and Marble mouse. Server: i5 2500@3.9Ghz, 1080, 24GB DDR3, SSD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bond 42 Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 I did the same thing about two years ago. Works very well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEG Posted January 2, 2019 Author Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) Pics Here's a pic with the hot-swappable Warthog throttle behind the seat. Just lift one out of the bracket and set the other one in. PM me if anyone is interested in the innards of the grip. Bond - I'm guessing the grip handle on the side of yours is to tighten / loosen the friction. I didn't find much benefit / difference with mine doing that - what's yours like? Edited January 2, 2019 by DEG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaD CrC Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 That's a pretty good tip Deg. Thanks. Collectives are so vital for flying helicopters in DCS, but it is such a niche market that they are most often way overpriced and sometimes out of reach for casual simmers. https://www.blacksharkden.com http://discord.gg/blacksharkden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorback Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Not very cheap but... UH-1 collective lever ! DCS Kompatible software http://oe-xam-simulators.blogspot.com/2018/07/huey-collective.html#more I will definitively order this one in the future but I am still waiting additionnal info from OE-XAM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FragBum Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 Yes it makes big difference having a collective for helicopters, here are some earlier prototype tests for my sim pit . :D Some picks on collective development, Still a WIP. The other gotcha for a cyclic is that most of the cheaper (if not more expensive units) is that the controllers incorporate a "dead spot" in the center of the action, you need to look at 3rd party USB interfaces then the fun begins. ;) Control is an illusion which usually shatters at the least expected moment. Gazelle Mini-gun version is endorphins with rotors. See above. Currently rolling with a Asus Z390 Prime, 9600K, 32GB RAM, SSD, 2080Ti and Windows 10Pro, Rift CV1. bu0836x and Scratch Built Pedals, Collective and Cyclic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorback Posted January 3, 2019 Share Posted January 3, 2019 I am using this system. It was created by a german guy and is not available anymore This system is fixed on a SAITEK X-50 throttle. At the end of the lever is a modified Saitek Pro Gamer Command unit. it's very effective, I use it since more than 10 years now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerfly Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Not very cheap but... UH-1 collective lever ! DCS Kompatible software http://oe-xam-simulators.blogspot.com/2018/07/huey-collective.html#more I will definitively order this one in the future but I am still waiting additionnal info from OE-XAM Razerback did you have any joy? I'm looking at the same unit and wanting to place an order soon as I sell my Next Level V3 motion platform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imaner76 Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Razerback did you have any joy? I'm looking at the same unit and wanting to place an order soon as I sell my Next Level V3 motion platform. I'm also looking at this, anyone here get one? I'm enjoying the most expensive free game in history. Leave me alone. :joystick::pilotfly: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j0nx Posted March 7, 2019 Share Posted March 7, 2019 I've used their Bell 206 collective for about 5 years now and love it. I want to order this as well but I find their shipping fees to be too much especially with the product already at almost $800US. The shipping puts it out of reach. ROTORCRAFT RULE GB Aorus Ultra Z390| 8700K @ 4.9GHz | 32 GB DDR4 3000 | MSI GTX 1080ti | Corsair 1000HX | Silverstone FT02-WRI | Nvidia 3D Vision Surround | Windows 10 Professional X64 Volair Sim Cockpit, Rift S, Saitek X-55 HOTAS, Saitek Pro Flight Rudder Pedals, Microsoft FF2, OE-XAM Bell 206 Collective, C-Tek anti-torque pedals UH-1, SA342, Mi-8, KA50, AV8B, P-51D, A-10C, L39, F86, Yak, NS-430, Nevada, Normandy, Persian Gulf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolkenjaeger Posted August 31, 2021 Share Posted August 31, 2021 After removing the spring. How did you manage to make it "sticky" or increase the friction so much, it doesn't move? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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