VPC Rotor Base + Alpha L Grip - First Impression.

[dburne]

Well I will tell you my early impressions are not that great. I am somewhat disappointed at this time, but it is still early. Virpil states to adjust those two friction screws - one on top and one on bottom, an equal amount for both. I find it does not take much at all and should make very small adjustments. I have not been able to find one I am satisfied with so far in my adjusting. The force required to raise the collective is easily 2x or more the force to lower the collective. And that prevents me when raising the collective to do so in small increments, which is not good like in the Apache. I tried loosening slightly, but find that just resting my hand on the grip which I would always do obviously oftentimes leads to rapid descents so I have to pay careful attention to that. And no way can I make fine adjustments when increasing collective.

Maybe I will feel better after using it a few days and adjusting, but not sure at this point I can get it any better than it is now. So yeah unless things improve with it over the next few days I will likely go back to using my Virpil CM3 Throttle as collective also. At least with it I can easily make those fine adjustments when increasing the collective. I will say the Monster Tech Mount for my AK Racing chair worked beautifully with the Collective, and make attached and removing from my chair easy peasy. Just loosen two bolts slightly and slide it right off the mounting plate and put away.

The Collective is nice for immersion in controlling a helicopter, but so far with mine I feel like I am getting one heck of a workout just trying to use the thing. Not fun.

The Alpha L Grip is very nice , buttons are great with good tactile feedback, and is a nice grip to use with a Collective for sure with all the available buttons.  However most all my focus so far has been on the dang Collective itself and trying to get it adjusted to be a little more useable for me before I decide to just go back to using my CM3 Throttle for collective also. Things were much simpler then.

Edited June 22, 2022 by dburne

[Dallas88B]

Such a shame. But the use of friction as a means of control is suboptimal. Plus wear will necessitate ongoing adjustment (as reported by others)

The counterbalance mod by @SunDevilPilot https://forum.dcs.world/topic/280757-virpil-collective-base-plus-had-to-increase-friction-after-2-weeks-use/?do=findComment&comment=4987773 is the solution.... with this, plus Hovacs alternative means of connecting the cable, I reckon the Virpil Collective would be terrific.

But its pretty silly, especially at the price this is sold, that its necessary to modify it to this extent, to get it to work properly. 
 

Speaking of mods HavocCompanyClan did a video October 2021, talking about his resolution / avoidance of a cable problem with the Virpil collective. This link takes starts the video right at the part he explains this

https://youtu.be/woRekRshynU?t=598 well worth doing too.

[dburne]

1 hour ago, Dallas88B said:

Such a shame. But the use of friction as a means of control is suboptimal. Plus wear will necessitate ongoing adjustment (as reported by others)

The counterbalance mod by @SunDevilPilot https://forum.dcs.world/topic/280757-virpil-collective-base-plus-had-to-increase-friction-after-2-weeks-use/?do=findComment&comment=4987773 is the solution.... with this, plus Hovacs alternative means of connecting the cable, I reckon the Virpil Collective would be terrific.

But its pretty silly, especially at the price this is sold, that its necessary to modify it to this extent, to get it to work properly. 
 

Speaking of mods HavocCompanyClan did a video October 2021, talking about his resolution / avoidance of a cable problem with the Virpil collective. This link takes starts the video right at the part he explains this

https://youtu.be/woRekRshynU?t=598 well worth doing too.

 

Yeah I already did the same with my cable based on his video.

Not sure on trying that counter balance mod, may be a little above my capacity to do. I intend to spend the day with it again today trying some adjustments and see if I can get it a little better - not very hopeful though. Seems the smallest adjustments on those two screws make a big difference, either too hard to move in up direction or it falling down. I am talking turning those screws only about 1/8th of a turn,

Edited June 23, 2022 by dburne

[dburne]

Did some more trial and error testing and adjusting. I think I got it at least a little better but in my mind not as good as it should be. Having the collective adjusted to where it does not drop on it's own or having my hand resting on it, still produces more force in the upward movement than I care to have, making it difficult for very small movements. Have called it a day at this point and will resume testing/adjusting some more tomorrow.

I am somewhat disappointed in this design. IMHO it should have independent adjustments for the force in upward and downward movement, allowing one to get the force about equal for both, or at least a very smooth action for both.  Currently I feel like I am fighting the collective to increase altitude. Hoping through more use and adjusting in the upcoming days I will feel better about my purchase. Between the Collective, the Alpha L Grip, and the Monster Tech Chair Mount for it, I have sunk a bunch of change into this thing. I need to feel better.

Edited June 23, 2022 by dburne

[dburne]

Well ended up tinkering all the live long day. Adjusting this, adjusting that. Ended up even taking my Monster Tech Plate off the chair to try and get it re-positioned a little for better ergonomics and ended up stripping one of the two threaded inserts it mounts to in my gaming chair. Oh well at least I still have one good strong bolt holding it. Me thinks those threaded inserts in the seat of my gaming chair are not the best. Hopefully it will last. My days of taking stuff apart for this thing are over.

I think I have it about as best as I can get for me. I truly am surprised I have not seen much in the way of other posters talking about this - the difference in the force to raise versus lower the collective.  Either I am over reacting to it, or others just aren't saying or don't see it as an issue either one. And it is funny, just sitting at my desk not flying the force to raise collective does not seem that bad. But once flying in the chopper it feels like a lot. Guess probably cause making some fine adjustments when flying.

I will be keeping it and using it as is. Hoping the more I get used to using it the better I will be with it. I did just complete the Apache live fire training mission in the Persian Gulf with no issues, including taking off and landing so that is good. In fact it was probably one of my nicer landings from hover. Just got to get all the button assignments I now have on the Alpha L grip committed to memory. I know I have seen mentioned counter weight mods and even damper mods to make the collective better, but for now I have no intention of pursuing that at least yet. Going to see how things go with it in the Apache for a while. I have already invested a lot in it.

Don't get me wrong - I am happy with it and the immersion it brings for the choppers. It is certainly way more realistic than using my CM3 Throttle. Whilst it has some areas for improvement I do not regret getting it and I would have done so even knowing what I know now. Now it is time for me to just enjoy flying the Apache with it and get those buttons committed to memory. Hopefully I will continue to get better with it.

Edited June 24, 2022 by dburne

[dburne]

What a great morning. I remounted the Monster Tech Plate for the Collective for little better ergonomics - closer to the side of my chair, and also found those threads for the one bolt going into the chair were not in fact stripped, plate fully supported now. Previously Collective was kind of canted inward, now it is more parallel with my chair. Have been doing some great flights in the Apache with it most of the morning and getting better and better with it. 

Pretty happy camper now!