Сollective pitch control lever

[matalest]

I bought a K-51 collective in May and have used it a lot! It is so much fun to use that lately I have only been flying helicopters. It is a fabulous addition to my controls.

I see you also build other control units as well. While I have many hours in DCS, lately I have been flying mostly in MSFS, primarily classic piston/turbine aircraft. The controller I need for those is a 3 lever quadrant, for throttle, propeller and mixture. As I also fly twin engine aircraft a 6 lever would be ideal, or paired 3 lever units. Additional buttons would be nice, but not necessary (I fly exclusively in VR). Any chance you might produce something like this with contactless sensors? My old Saitek (Logitech) quadrants are crap.

[K-51]

Hello, 

В 18.10.2024 в 02:44, matalest сказал:

I bought a K-51 collective in May and have used it a lot! It is so much fun to use that lately I have only been flying helicopters. It is a fabulous addition to my controls.

Thank you, I really enjoy reading this.

I make this small block with 4 levers and 4 axles. 

В 18.10.2024 в 02:44, matalest сказал:

I see you also build other control units as well. While I have many hours in DCS, lately I have been flying mostly in MSFS, primarily classic piston/turbine aircraft. The controller I need for those is a 3 lever quadrant, for throttle, propeller and mixture. As I also fly twin engine aircraft a 6 lever would be ideal, or paired 3 lever units. Additional buttons would be nice, but not necessary (I fly exclusively in VR). Any chance you might produce something like this with contactless sensors? My old Saitek (Logitech) quadrants are crap.

 

What you showed can be done, not exactly a copy, but similar. It takes time to make a model, divide it into parts and send the hardware to production. 

[matalest]

Thanks for the quick reply Mikhail. My existing quadrants use potentiometers and are starting to throw transient signals, which interfere with my other controllers. Unfortunately, there are few alternatives on the market. They are mostly entry level or slightly above, so little better than what I have. There is the one I showed you, which is very high quality, but VERY expensive. 

If you were to produce one I would definitely buy it, and I think there would be considerable interest from others due to the lack of an affordable quality product in the market. The key features for me are 6 levers, preferably in pairs, using contactless sensors. The special functions at the lower end of the throw are nice, but not necessary (perhaps just a detente?). Some buttons would also be nice (but not necessary), but not switches as MSFS does not handle switches well. Maybe a Flaps lever and Gear lever? .... just a thought. If the design would accommodate one of your trimmer boxes that would be ideal, and I would buy one of those too.

I understand the design and production of this unit would take some time, but given the proven quality of your products I am willing to wait. I am quite sure you will find interest from others in this type of controller. Word of mouth gets around, and you are becoming widely known

[MAXsenna]

@K-51 YIKES! My collective "died" on me. Windows recognizes and chimes when I connect and disconnect, while it doesn't show anywhere.
Tried different USB ports. Any recommended troubleshooting tips?

Cheers! 

[admiki]

Probably bad cable.

[MAXsenna]

Probably bad cable.

Hopefully, as it's the simplest solution, if I can find a cable that is. Used to have tons of those laying around. Sigh...

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[K-51]

2 часа назад, MAXsenna сказал:

@K-51 YIKES! My collective "died" on me. Windows recognizes and chimes when I connect and disconnect, while it doesn't show anywhere.
Tried different USB ports. Any recommended troubleshooting tips?

Cheers! 

Hello,

What kind of VPC or Arduino controller do you have? 
If VPC what version of the program are you using now.

[MAXsenna]

Hello,
What kind of VPC or Arduino controller do you have? 
If VPC what version of the program are you using now.

VPC. Software or firmware version? Never changed a thing since you sendt me.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[admiki]

If controler is dead, Windows would not register a thing. Since it can sense something is plugged, it means power is going through, but not data....ergo, bad cable. Had same thing on another device.

[MAXsenna]

If controler is dead, Windows would not register a thing. Since it can sense something is plugged, it means power is going through, but not data....ergo, bad cable. Had same thing on another device.

First time a stationary cable just died on me. I'm worried it's actually the socket.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[K-51]

1 час назад, MAXsenna сказал:

VPC. Software or firmware version? Never changed a thing since you sendt me.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

Apparently it was a very long time ago. 
Of course, you can check the cable to rule out this option. 
The resuscitation procedure is described here. Perhaps this will help you.

In your case, the second part is with "BOOT" contact closure.

[MAXsenna]

Apparently it was a very long time ago. 
Of course, you can check the cable to rule out this option. 
The resuscitation procedure is described here. Perhaps this will help you.
In your case, the second part is with "BOOT" contact closure.

Thanks! Yeah, it was ready for delivery February 2021.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[MAXsenna]

On 10/20/2024 at 5:26 PM, admiki said:

If controler is dead, Windows would not register a thing. Since it can sense something is plugged, it means power is going through, but not data....ergo, bad cable. Had same thing on another device.

Well, it wasn't the cable. Got a brand new one. Same issue, I suspect it's bad connection in the socket. Will see if I can "bend" the connectors somehow.
@K-51 Got any tips? Is it possible to swap out the socket with micro-USB or something?

Edited November 5, 2024 by MAXsenna

[Tony Trout]

You possibly wouldn't know where I could get a "Collective" control like what the classic Bell 222A/B used, would you?  Or is there anyone that even makes them, do you????  I'm in the process of starting to set up a home flight sim system in the style of the Bell 222 A/B and any or all help I can get would be so very appreciated!

My email address is:  doublebender@cabletvonline.net

Thanks, 
Tony Trout 

[spikenet]

On 8/9/2024 at 2:21 AM, K-51 said:

Handles are available ready for installation on assembled bases. 

No. 1 - 2 pcs.

No. 2 - 2 pcs. 

No. 3 - 1 pc.

I'm happy owner of the original collective, is it possible to retro fit the #2 handle on my existing base?

 

also, one issue I have is the twist throttle is getting quiet stiff to turn, is it safe to lubricate it somehow?

 

cheers!

Edited December 20, 2024 by spikenet

[matalest]

Hello Mikhail,

My collective with button box #3 (the square one) has started randomly losing all button/switch functionality mid flight. The axes for throttle and collective still work fine. When I check in Windows Game Controllers (joy.cpl) it confirms only the axes are recognized, none of the buttons or switches on the button box register a signal (red lit circle). When I reboot the computer sometimes they will come back and sometimes not. If they come back I usually lose them again during the next flight (again, buttons only, not axes). I have tried different USB ports on my computer but this does not help. Sometimes unplugging the collective cable from the control box at the base of the handle will get it functioning again temporarily.

This has become quite frustrating. Any ideas or things I could try?

[MAXsenna]

Well, it wasn't the cable. Got a brand new one. Same issue, I suspect it's bad connection in the socket. Will see if I can "bend" the connectors somehow.
@K-51 Got any tips? Is it possible to swap out the socket with micro-USB or something?

Seems I forgot to press send on a status update.
It's solved. Seems opening the Virpil tool after getting an updated version to update my Virpil base broke it somehow. Noticed the collective showed up as an unknown device in the Virpil software, and in need of an updated firmware. Did that as per instructions up in this thread. It came back to life, (with a new ID mind you). Did a calibration, and renamed all my old diff files with PowerRenamer and I was back in business!
Cheers!

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[matalest]

On 12/26/2024 at 5:29 PM, matalest said:

Hello Mikhail,

My collective with button box #3 (the square one) has started randomly losing all button/switch functionality mid flight. The axes for throttle and collective still work fine. .....

Update: It's working fine now.  I took the cover off the control box where the collective pivots, and reseated the cable connectors to the boards. I also pivoted my Butt Kicker further away from the control box in case the large magnet was creating interference. Not sure which actually solved the problem, but thought this might be useful information for others.

[ashBaal]

Hi Mikhail, 

If you are still making those, I'd be interested in your collective with head #1 (I fly the MI-8 and I assume head #1 is the best match?), with the regular leftside mount.

I have an Ikea Markus chair so by mouting it where the left armrest currently is it should work without issues out of the box right?

I am in Ontario, Canada. What would be your current total price including delivery?

Thanks!

 

[Phil73805]

On 9/28/2024 at 12:52 PM, K-51 said:

Glad I could help!
In addition to the post above.
If for some reason your buttons stop working, first check the parameters highlighted with a red square in the “BUTTONS” tab.

@K-51 Hi there Mikhail, I bought the collective back when you first started selling them. I am having a weird bug that I could do with some help with. I installed the new firmware according to your instructions earlier in this thread and in the Virpil software all my buttons are working as they should, however, in Windows and DCS the top right switch and top right button crossover, with the button registering as the switch; and the lower right button doesn't register at all. Can you help?

I should also mention that the twist grip throttle stopped working a long time ago, as well as the wheel on the right sight of the collective switch panel. If there's a way to get either of these working again, that would be awesome!

Edit: I will add that in the Virpil software it says that the collective has 24 buttons when it actually has 17. In the button display on the right it actually has registered 27 buttons?!

Edited February 16 by Phil73805

[MAXsenna]

Hi there Mikhail, I bought the collective back when you first started selling them. I am having a weird bug that I could do with some help with. I installed the new firmware according to your instructions earlier in this thread and in the Virpil software all my buttons are working as they should, however, in Windows and DCS the top right switch and top right button crossover, with the button registering as the switch; and the lower right button doesn't register at all. Can you help?
I should also mention that the twist grip throttle stopped working a long time ago, as well as the wheel on the right sight of the collective switch panel. If there's a way to get either of these working again, that would be awesome!

Hi Phil! I had a somewhat similar issue. I had to upgrade the firmware per the instructions. Then I had to recalibrate all axis. Did you do that? No issues with buttons and switches though.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[Phil73805]

On 1/27/2025 at 3:22 PM, ashBaal said:

Hi Mikhail, 

If you are still making those, I'd be interested in your collective with head #1 (I fly the MI-8 and I assume head #1 is the best match?), with the regular leftside mount.

I have an Ikea Markus chair so by mouting it where the left armrest currently is it should work without issues out of the box right?

I am in Ontario, Canada. What would be your current total price including delivery?

Thanks!

 

DId you get any response?

On 2/14/2025 at 3:46 PM, MAXsenna said:

 

 

Hi Phil! I had a somewhat similar issue. I had to upgrade the firmware per the instructions. Then I had to recalibrate all axis. Did you do that? No issues with buttons and switches though.

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

 

I had no issue with the axis, it's a hardware rather than a software issue. The buttons are a software issue because they work in the virpil software but not it windows/dcs.

[MAXsenna]

I had no issue with the axis, it's a hardware rather than a software issue. The buttons are a software issue because they work in the virpil software but not it windows/dcs.

Apologies then. I misread. You probably need to swap the pots then.
The buttons, do the work in joy.cpl?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk

[ashBaal]

12 hours ago, Phil73805 said:

DId you get any response?

I had no issue with the axis, it's a hardware rather than a software issue. The buttons are a software issue because they work in the virpil software but not it windows/dcs.

Yes sorry I was awaiting delivery to post here but since you asked here is the status:

I talked to Mikhail, he had one ready and shipped it after I paid. He s been updating me with the tracking steps too. Package now in Canada i should get it in the week~ish.

Will update after i unpack and use it but so far Mikhail has been exceptional to deal with

[Phil73805]

7 hours ago, MAXsenna said:

Apologies then. I misread. You probably need to swap the pots then.
The buttons, do the work in joy.cpl?

Sent from my SM-A536B using Tapatalk
 

Swap the pots? joy.cpl?

I am but a humble stick and throttle jockey, I know not of what you speak