X45 cyclic mod - simple but very nice

[Celo63]

Hi folks. I've been experimenting with an extension to my X45 cyclic handle this last week and what I ended up with feels so nice, I thought I'd post it here. I'll be modding my friend's X52 the same at the weekend as well.

 

I used a PVC 90 degree bend with a radius of about 2.5 inches (readily available, also in metals) to extend my cyclic by 4.5 inches in the vertical. It also puts the cyclic handle over the rear edge of the base.

 

This allows me to mount my cyclic base on the front edge of my chair below leg level, whilst having the cyclic handle at the perfect height. The backward bend also keeps it within reach as a straight up extension would be too far away.

 

Standard X45 and X52 joysticks are too sensitive (IMHO) and I tend to overcontrol alot with them. They are also hard to mount in a realistic position without the base getting in the way. With just this 4.5 inch extension I found that it feels much better than standard. Really nice fine control and a much nicer range of movement. Plus the base is out of the way.

 

I used PVC and duct tape as I had them to hand and I was prototyping, but for a serious mod job most pit builders would probably choose more sturdy constuction methods. Although PVC and duct tape are sturdy enough if thats all you got.. lol

 

I kept the centering spring but put only just enough tension on it to keep the stick centred. That way it gives just enough resistance to movement but not too much. With low spring tension and the extended shaft, it also helps to reduce the chronic "sticky/notchy" problem with most X45 and X52 sticks.

 

This mod is simple enough to do but will give you such a better feel plus better mounting options, its well worth doing. It would work with any stick, even FFB sticks as all you have in the cyclic shaft is a bundle of wires going to switches and pots. Any joystick should be able to cope with a 5 or 6 inch wire extension through the cyclic shaft. I used telephone extension wire myself.

 

One last thing... Because of the bend in the extension, the stick will rise up as you push it forward if the base is mounted flat. Just mount the base with a slight angle forward and this will compensate that nicely.

 

I hope you like the idea. Its working great for me and I'm sooo glad I did it. :thumbup:

 

Pics attached.

[hannibal]

its a start!

[Pogo]

Nice! I have an X45 tucked away somewhere that I was contemplating using as a testbed for this type of mod. It's good to know that the extension does give positive results.

 

Cheers,

Pogo

[CyBerkut]

Very nice, Celo63! :thumbup:

 

Have you considered doing an extension on the throttle controller to make it more like a collective?

 

Probably the easiest way would be some sort of hollow pipe / tubing (square tubing might attach to the throttle handle's 'riser shaft' better). Make it long enough to extend back below the bottom of the base as well (for whatever counterweight you choose to add) and then rotate the base/mounting 90 degrees so that the extended is moving up and down like a collective.

 

I've kicked myself a number of times over letting some old, functional X-36 throttles get disposed of. If I'd held on to them, I would have done this already. With the controls included on the X-36 / X-45 throttles they would make a pretty nice collective grip. With those throttles having their pivot points along the outside edge, extending the riser in both directions (allowing for an easier counter-weight addition) should be easier that some other designs.

[Celo63]

Thanks guys. :)

 

It certainly does feel nice to fly with and it probably gives the best results from the least amount of effort. If you want to extend the cyclic any more you'll have to start changing ratios to compensate and keep range of movement within usable limits. I found that 4 to 5 inches is the optimum length for this mod. Any more or less just doesn't work so well. I tried both ways.

 

I'm looking long and hard at modding my throttle into a collective and it would be easy enough to do like you said CyBerkut. Thing is, it feels ok using the throttle as a collective - pulling back for power - but would feel weird using a collective lever as a throttle in jets. I'd want to make it easily swappable from throttle to collective and back again. I should be able to do that - just need to rummage through my selection of bits and pieces to find the right parts.

 

I'll post results when I get it done.

[VS461]

Hi,

 

nice work. I just planned some similar with my X52. I will add some twist to the grip to fit to the stick's center position.

 

I made a collective mod to the X52 throttle with a mop handle, a Cyborg 3D grip, a magnetic cassette case and some two-component stuff:

 

http://img523.imageshack.us/i/dsc00557wd6.jpg/

http://img168.imageshack.us/i/dsc00556smallcb7.jpg/

http://img88.imageshack.us/i/dsc00561ll1.jpg/

http://img88.imageshack.us/i/dsc00555ec6.jpg/

http://img140.imageshack.us/i/dsc00560di6.jpg/

http://img514.imageshack.us/i/dsc00548sw6.jpg/

http://img176.imageshack.us/i/dsc00538kd4.jpg/

http://img519.imageshack.us/i/dsc00532qs6.jpg/

 

The throttle base's upside-down mount and the lever's min and max angle is made to be similar to Mi-24's collective position.

 

And, as I want to play LockOn, I just dismount the lever and place the throttle in normal position.

 

Hardcore MacGyver stuff, isn't it?

 

Cheers!

 

PS Hope the links are working

Edited September 10, 2009 by VS461

[hannibal]

let me say something.. when it comes to flying a chopper...

 

ONCE YOU GO CYCLIC LONG SHAFT & Collective... u never want to go back to a regular joystick...

[hannibal]

i see alot of you are building helicopter cyclic controls and collectives..

 

check out

hovercontrol.com and go to the image galleries...

[CyBerkut]

Thanks guys. :)

 

I'm looking long and hard at modding my throttle into a collective and it would be easy enough to do like you said CyBerkut. Thing is, it feels ok using the throttle as a collective - pulling back for power - but would feel weird using a collective lever as a throttle in jets. I'd want to make it easily swappable from throttle to collective and back again. I should be able to do that - just need to rummage through my selection of bits and pieces to find the right parts.

 

I'll post results when I get it done.

 

Ahhh... Yes, what I was suggesting would make it essentially a permanent change into a collective.

 

For a temporary style mod, I would suggest checking out what Urze had done. I haven't looked lately, but I imagine there are still images up in these forums showing it. Undoubtedly there are still videos up on YouTube. Urze, unfortunately, has disappeared, and his web site is no longer up. In a nutshell, he took a Saitek Cyborg Command Unit http://www.saitekusa.com/prod/cyborgcommand.htm (There was the same thing with a different color scheme/name that he actually started with, but this is what is available now), modified it (for instance, he moved the hat over to where the "10" key was), and mounted it on a tube. The tube was fitted with a plug that fit into the end cap of the X-52 throttle, and then he just put a velcro strap around the throttle grip to hold it on there.

 

It was a brilliant idea. Using the Cyborg Command Unit allowed the user to stick with the Saitek SST software that they were already using. While the control only had the single hat, it also had a grunch of keys to use as buttons. His design looked clean, with the unit mounted solidly on the end of the tube, but that did render the top row of keys impractical to use, (unless somebody has a *really* long thumb, I suppose).

 

I started working on one, but never got around to finishing it. My intent was to mount the unit at an angle that was tilted up, so that more of the keys would be accessible. I really should get off my wallet, buy a good dremel tool set, and see some things through. :music_whistling:

 

Seriously, if I still had those X-36 throttles, I would have been doing what I described earlier. (Hell, you can use that as an excuse to justify buying a new HOTAS for the fixed wing stuff! ;) ).

 

Of course, you have to do what is best for you and your circumstances. That is the beauty of this stuff... lots of flexibility!

 

Good luck with it!

[CyBerkut]

Another good idea there, VS461 !!

 

The only ambidextrous grip stick that I have is a Saitek Cyborg Evo FFB. As of now, it's the only FFB stick I have. I had kept it in the back of my mind that if I ever decided to mount a different stick handle on that FFB base, I might want to try to use the Evo grip as a collective handle. However, I would probably keep that grip wired to the Evo FFB base in order to be able to run through calibration routines without having to cobble up alternate switches, etc. Plus, I don't really like the way the controls are laid out on the Evo stick. The adjustable head is a nice concept, but it doesn't appear to be well executed. Plus, I really would like to have 2 hats instead of just one. (I'm too picky/grandiose/lazy for my own good.)

 

It's great to see you guys have something working! That is the important thing, after all.

 

More people inspiring / shaming me into getting on the ball, perhaps... :music_whistling:

[VS461]

Thanks, CyBerkut!

 

I chose Cyborg 3D cause

 

• I needed at least one 8-way POV hat, after losing all the stuff on X52 throttle (ultra-cheap ST90 which can be bought either in T**CO:D does not have any POV hat);
  
• I had this at home useless:music_whistling:;
  
• I hoped that I can program her with SST;
  
• no cheap used ST290s or Cyborg EVOs were available at that moment (although I liked that adjustable grip head):(.
  

 

Unfortunately OS recognizes her as "Saitek Cyborg 3D Rumble Force" but I cannot program her in SST (I had latest stuff). I had to program her within BS.

 

Cheers!