What do you use as a Collective?

[melchionda]

What do you folks use as a collective on the helicopters?

 

I have a Thrustmaster Warthog which I love. I attempted to use the throttle as a collective but I haven't had much success making it work. I cant get the curve and the movement of the throttle to mimic a real collective.

 

Also, it doesn't seem like there are a lot of options for collectives out there?

[AW139]

Options are limited for sure, particularly if you don't want to spend a bunch of money.

 

I'm almost finished making my own DIY collective, but if Virpil ever releases theirs, I will buy it in a heartbeat. There is also a guy on here that sells his own, but it's a huge waiting list.

[AirAssault237]

https://komodosimulations.co.uk/collections/collective

 

Don't fly helos myself, but I've heard great things about link related. That said, the base and head combo is quite expensive, but perfect for recreating the Huey or any of the other helos they have heads for.

[javelina1]

https://komodosimulations.co.uk/collections/collective

 

Don't fly helos myself, but I've heard great things about link related. That said, the base and head combo is quite expensive, but perfect for recreating the Huey or any of the other helos they have heads for.

those sure are sweet! :thumbup:

[Svsmokey]

Early days yet , but these seem to be well-received , and relatively inexpensive .

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=260026

[zcaa0g]

It's disappointing they are using poorly 3D printed hat switches on 600+ dollar collective handles. I would rather pay more and get hats on the level of CH Products quality. I think Virpil is going to eat Kamodo's lunch and at a lower price point for the collective base and collective grip.

[MAXsenna]

Early days yet , but these seem to be well-received , and relatively inexpensive .

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=260026

This one is on my shoppinglist. Have only heard good things about it. And for that price...

Currently I'm using the cheap Thrustmaster throttle. Works very well actually. Better than my Cougar. No curves. Why would one do that for a collective? Curious!

Cheers!

 

Sent from my ANE-LX1 using Tapatalk

[hornblower793]

I use my TMWH throttle inverted so that I have to pull the handle towards me to increase the collective. It works fine - i think the issues are more to do with the DCS modelling. There are threads in the Mi-8 forum related to the fact that the helicopter lifts at too low a value

 

Sent from my SM-T835 using Tapatalk

[MAXsenna]

Really? I find that I have to pull it quite substantially. But what do I know. Slider's inverted of course.

 

Sent from my ANE-LX1 using Tapatalk

[mr_mojo97]

Check this out

 

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=280667&highlight=thick8+collective

 

 

Looks fantastic

 

 

I personally use a real Westland Lynx collective mated to a Leo Bodnar board

Edited August 27, 2020 by mr_mojo97

[sirrah]

I'm also keeping my eye on Thick8's design. Looks very promising and hopefully it'll be affordable.

 

 

Until then I use my TM Warthog throttle.

 

Left throttle for engine rpm

Right throttle (inverted) as collective

 

Sure, it's probably not as ideal as a real collective, but hey I can land anywhere I want, so it works.

[_schepper_]

Combi from helicopter to jet :)

 

Verstuurd vanaf mijn CLT-L29 met Tapatalk

[shu77]

One of these

 

An AliExpress USB Handbrake, drop the return spring out and add a 20mm diameter pipe as an extension.

 

If you want to get really fancy you can build your own collective head,

 

though a USB controller would suffice

Edited August 27, 2020 by shu77

[Vanguard]

I use my TMWH throttle inverted so that I have to pull the handle towards me to increase the collective. It works fine - i think the issues are more to do with the DCS modelling. There are threads in the Mi-8 forum related to the fact that the helicopter lifts at too low a value

 

Sent from my SM-T835 using Tapatalk

 

I use the TM warthog inverted as well, and the forward throw is so far, that I do get the honest impression I'm lifting rather than pulling, especially if you grip it the right way. Had no issues.

[FragBum]

I just built my own. :)

[Bob_Bushman]

I personally use the virpil throttle of mine, inverted.

It's not like I have any hopes of getting into an actual helicopter or anything so I don't worry about potential bad habbits and it is a very precise device that does the needed job.

 

I am tempted if I change my setup to single stick, I can take the second one, remove the spring and use as a very simple collective.

[melchionda]

So it sounds like inverting my throttles on my Thrustmaster warthog would work. I've actually tried that but it didn't seem to work for me. Maybe because I'm just a terrible helicopter pilot.

[melchionda]

One of these

 

An AliExpress USB Handbrake, drop the return spring out and add a 20mm diameter pipe as an extension.

 

If you want to get really fancy you can build your own collective head,

 

though a USB controller would suffice

 

Using the handbrake is a really good idea. I just dont have the time for another project right now. But I'm tempted.

[Rick50]

could try a Saitek throttle quadrant, normally used for GA aircraft sims. But bolt it to your seat. cheap and ready. Not purely realistic, but better than any other non-heli options I've seen.

[Dinga]

could try a Saitek throttle quadrant, normally used for GA aircraft sims. But bolt it to your seat. cheap and ready. Not purely realistic, but better than any other non-heli options I've seen.

 

+1

I just have bolted to my desk horizontally,so it would be better the way Rick has it I imagine.

Edited August 30, 2020 by Dinga

[shu77]

Using the handbrake is a really good idea. I just dont have the time for another project right now. But I'm tempted.

Honestly Ive said a few times I wish I had stopped at the handbrake with the pipe extension, dropping the spring out took 2 minutes and it was completely effective like that. When I mounted the collective head it added weight which meant I spent a lot more time getting the friction right and ultimately ended up adding a damper, which meant then adding a heavier duty mount to hold it static. If you just wan finer control for collective than a throttle lever without spending hundreds of Euros it is the way to go.

[Bob_Bushman]

So it sounds like inverting my throttles on my Thrustmaster warthog would work. I've actually tried that but it didn't seem to work for me. Maybe because I'm just a terrible helicopter pilot.

 

It is different and takes getting used to.

And flying helicopters in DCS is also massively different from any fixed wing, it does not translate over.

 

You can't expect to "git-gud" in the Huey in a couple of hours.

 

Biggest brain connect problem I had with this was when switching between rotor and the harrier.

The vertical landings in the harrier would make my brain think "helicopter" and I would slam the throttle to max when I touched down in the harrier...

It often did not go awesome..

Edited August 30, 2020 by Bob_Bushman

[melchionda]

One of these

 

An AliExpress USB Handbrake, drop the return spring out and add a 20mm diameter pipe as an extension.

 

If you want to get really fancy you can build your own collective head,

 

though a USB controller would suffice

 

Where did you get that black Collective Head from. It looks awesome. I built some button boxes and a custom wheel for racing about 12 yesrs ago. I was a ton of work but came out really good. Its now sitting in a box collecting dust because my rig is now used for flying. Also, what pipe did you use? It looks really good.

[Rick50]

the black head on the bottom pic, I'm certain he said he designed it himself and 3d printed it. The light grey box in the top picture is an electrical junction box AFAIK.

[Rick50]

Here's shu77 thread about his build with more details:

 

https://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=278093