Virpil Apache AH-64 Collective

[MAXsenna]

Now, where's the cyclic grip?

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[corbu1]

vor 45 Minuten schrieb MAXsenna:

Now, where's the cyclic grip?

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Good question! I want that one as well.

vor 8 Stunden schrieb Sly870:

Now that is a tempting buy..wonder how much they will charge.

 

I guess to expect about 300,- € for the the grip

vor 2 Stunden schrieb cordite:

I'm concerned they haven't shown this in action with the existing collective bases. I hope they show that before the preorder.

Also, is it made in Belarus, or Lithuania?

I believe their production has changed to Lithuania.

I will get on Friday the Control Panel#2. shipping information indicates it comes from there as well.

Edited October 17, 2023 by corbu1

[dburne]

I am sure it will not be but sure would like to see the new grip in metal, like the Alpha Prime.

[cordite]

That might be a bit heavy for the current collective bases. /Captain Obvious

[corbu1]

New pic‘s

New pic‘s of the Apache collective on the Virpil forums…..it‘s really huge.
 

   https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/17906-vpc-apache-64-collective-grip-length-compatibility/
 

 
 

Edited October 17, 2023 by corbu1

[dburne]

https://forum.virpil.com/index.php?/topic/17906-vpc-apache-64-collective-grip-length-compatibility/

[corbu1]

And this one is very interesting as well.

now we know they thought about their collective design…..

 

[MAXsenna]

1 hour ago, corbu1 said:

And this one is very interesting as well.

now we know they thought about their collective design…..

 

Wouldn't it be better to make an option to install a damper?

[dburne]

2 hours ago, corbu1 said:

And this one is very interesting as well.

now we know they thought about their collective design…..

 

 

Wow that is so awesome , Virpil is doing an even better job on this setup that I dreamed of.

Can't wait.

[corbu1]

vor einer Stunde schrieb MAXsenna:

Wouldn't it be better to make an option to install a damper?

I planned with a damper as well so far. One thing which concerned me is a high weight of the collective, which the Apache collective obviously has (the video indicates 500gr). Could happen that this makes high friction setting necessary on the damper and then smooth motion on the collective axis might not be possible. This is what the video shows at the beginning. And smooth motion is very important for proper use of the collective.

I‘m curious about the pricing. If it’s in range of a steering damper as well.

Edited October 18, 2023 by corbu1

[corbu1]

There will be a new collective chair mounting extension plate available…just found on the Virpil forums.

 

Edited October 19, 2023 by corbu1

[corbu1]

Virpil Apache collective preorder is opened on their shop.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Just ordered it from the UK Store, counter weights are also available.

Edited October 20, 2023 by Turd Ferguson

[corbu1]

Yep, ordered grip and the counterbalance upgrade kit…curious how smooth the counterbalance kit will work. Should be easier to assemble as a steering damper I had in mind for it before.

 

one thing I noticed is a few button switches do work different as on the real collective grip. It‘s explained on the product‘s site.

Edited October 20, 2023 by corbu1

[TZeer]

Made an order earlier today as well

Wonder how long it will take them to actually start shipping.

[Turd Ferguson]

3 hours ago, TZeer said:

Made an order earlier today as well

Wonder how long it will take them to actually start shipping.

Hoping before December... it's my wife's Christmas present to me  

[Scott-S6]

On 10/18/2023 at 8:39 PM, MAXsenna said:

Wouldn't it be better to make an option to install a damper?

There's a thread about this. Having tried damper, counterbalance and both, counterbalance is definitely better.

[corbu1]

That‘s interesting…so I‘m happy I ordered the counterbalance upgrade kit. Very curious about results…..

[MAXsenna]

There's a thread about this. Having tried damper, counterbalance and both, counterbalance is definitely better.

Really? Strange. I'll keep to my K-51 then.

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[AKA_Clutter]

At the 1:17 mark in Virpil's release video, it looks like to me they have the "Counterbalance" upgrade kit installed.  Curious if it is "required" to get the grip/base to function properly. ALso it will be interesting to see how this spring counterbalance works.  I currently use the counterweight setup.

[dburne]

I already have a counterbalance kit from a third party. Hoping it works ok with the new Apache grip.

[Scott-S6]

On 10/20/2023 at 9:55 AM, corbu1 said:

One thing I noticed is a few button switches do work different as on the real collective grip. It‘s explained on the product‘s site.

Virpil always make all the hats +press. I'm not a huge fan of it but I get why they do it.

[dburne]

Virpil buttons can always be disabled in the Virpil software.

[corbu1]

some very first impressions on the AH-64 collective on helisimmer.com….

https://www.helisimmer.com/previews/first-impressions-virpil-apache-collective-grip

[Marshallman]

This looks awesome... IMO it does need the VPC rotor counterbalance kit with it as well!

I have the virpil collective with the Alpha constellation (LH).....it does stress the grip and occasionally I have to re-tighten the alpha base (tiny allen key), to prevent a small movement in the grip. there is also a lot of pressure required by the collective body allen key tensioners, that prevent the collective arm dropping in flight when left on it own. The counterbalance overcomes all of this, a must have IMO.

I also use a Playseat (great chair)...measuring up for the collective with the Apache grip, it will fit nicely on the rear sloping leg of the seat , currently I have fitted a 25mm square tube set at an angle, to which its bolted.

Hope this helps....great design and kit

Nimbus.
 

Edited October 28, 2023 by Marshallman