It looks like you're using a VKB Gunfighter stick, any issues mounting it to the VPForce Rhino? Does it require any adapters or anything? Just wondering bc ive got the same stick.
Slightly unrelated question - I just purchased collective base + KA-50 grip and have it mounted and installed to my chair. The collective seems to default sit at roughly 15-20° at its lowest point (opposed to level like yours) and the highest point is almost *almost* vertical which feels terrible. I haven't changed any cams or anything out the box - how did you get yours to sit level at its lowest point like that?
What I did was twist or tilt the mount to suit the level of the collective so in my case my mount is not right-angled to the profile its bolted on, its tilted forwards by a good 20 degrees
@@bigbangerz5856 thank you for the prompt reply - that certainly explains it! Just wanted to make sure it wasn't something obvious I was missing with the collective base. For what it's worth I went and opened the base anyways to check the cam and not only as virpil completely changed the cam system for the base and not updated any of the instructional literature for it, the default cam used is the 50° max one and not the smallest 30° one like is claimed to be installed by default in the instructions. This has been my first virpil product and while it's been great the last few days I've been using it, they really need to update their literature.
I do with this collective at a left mounting option. Years ago I built a center console that I mounted my Saitek panels into, and I move it from one side to the other depending on the aircraft I am flying(right for GA/Airliners and left for fighters and helicopters) but there is no way to mount this to the right side of my console because there is not a left side mounting option. They only have mounts on the right hand side. As a result, I will not buy this system because it's expensive and they seem unwilling to work with their customer base for additional mounting options.
Yeah really good it bought the Apache module in DCS to another level for me… was there something about the stick you wanted to see or were interested in?
@@bigbangerz5856 hmm, I think how much force it can output, if it’s enough for the most demanding aircraft in the real world and how long it takes for the fans to kick in, I hear they are a bit noisy so how loud they really are too. Maybe what aircraft presets are available to download over different sims and what you think about them, if you made any tweaks. Maybe setup process, what to install to get it up and running in Flight Simulator, DCS and X-Plane and basically any insights, tips, things to be aware of. I’m three months in on the waiting list so it would be nice to know all the ins and outs before I get to the top of the list. Up to you though, if you have the time. Cheers.
The Moza force feedback flight base will make this thing irrelevant since it uses motors instead of being belt driven. Look at the car sim market gear and belt drive systems are outdated.
It may do or it may not, I’m not wedded to VPforce if Moza want to send me a review sample I’ll tell like it is. You on the other hand seemed to have made up ur mind with no info on price, availability, reviews anything other than the Moza brand and a few social media news releases… unless you have some inside knowledge you want to share?
Buying that nice Apache collective is a real investment, does it really improve your use of the Apache System? Personally I can fly the Apache fine with my regular throttle. What does it help with?Move the TADS or shooting hellfires?
Yeah its a good question so my view is that a collective really helps with the control and immersion of flight and the experience above anything else, so prioritise HQ VR and pedals 1st then get a collective & FFB stick if you like helis….a 6DOF motion rig being the end game
So i have been having a hard time making a choice of platform to mount my rhino on. is the monstertech chair mount solid? does it feel solid and in place when flying and pulling g’s?
@@bigbangerz5856 awesome! yea i have been having a hard time trying to decide whether to make a solitary mount just for the FFB or get the chair to transfer everything…
Thanks for this - I have a set of pedals and the damper on the way. it looks like it would be much easier to do this before the base is installed? One request though for the future, could you turn your volume up some? I had my speakers turned all the way up and couldn't hear you.
Well the base will come fitted from Virpil unless you are talking about mounting it to a platform. I'll try with the audio I'm still a total noob tbh when it comes to making content so I don't own lapel mic's and things like that yet.
Nice ome mate, im close to number getting called so your videos are perfect. Just subscribed 😊 My only worry is i run the all metal gunfighter and the weight might be an issue? How have you felt the fead back and is over heating an issue for you?
I think the force feedback is really strong I can't see it being a problem as long as you aren't relying on very low FFB settings, it wouldn't concern me for example if I swapped out my grip for the Warthog which is pretty heavy as grips go. I've mainly used the Rhino with the DCS Apache module taking advantage of the force trim features of that aircraft with typical flights lasting 60mins each no issues so far, I'd recommend you also use the telemetry software module to get added effects in the FFB
Bit late but just found this video, mine is currently on the way, due to turn up on Tuesday. Just trying to search out all info about setting it up, so very pleased to have found this vid. Thankyou
USN/WO-5 The Apache grip and collective the default cam is 30° then they send you 40° and a 50°. 35° is a rough standard for helos. Collective is always mounted to the deck and some are mounted to the deck and the wall behind the pilot seat where the pivot is. For the life of me I've been trying to find a DYI That anybody could use. My son's a master welder. He used a 1-in plate for the base also a 1/4-in plate for the top. 1 ft by 1 ft 16 in high. Note the collective already has a 5° rise plus the 30° gives you your 35° which is a rough standard for SH helos and other civil and military helicopters that I've flown. Sea dragon was a beast with little to no OGE effects. Also a DIY without having to purchase hundreds of dollars of USD for adapters and such is making a one out of wood. Painted black. It also serves as a hub for your USB power port and instead of entering which you still could from the left the Port side or the right side starboard. You could always slide it or in my case my HotasI removed from the left side. Mounting it to my cockpit table just to the left of the collective. Entering and exiting a Helo is not as easy as it would be to enter a aircraft, super prop or otherwise. I hope that this little bit of DIY you can share and if you would like any pics and the dimensions and how efficient it actually is and it's natural environment. Being mounted to the deck rather than the ejection seat. Or office chair or gaming chair for that matter? It really worked out well and it's sturdy and heavy enough that no amount of pull of the collective will not even move it. Not a bit. Nothing needs to be mounted or screwed to the floor. The weight in itself serves its purpose. I really loved your tutorial. If I had the time and the funds of disposable income I would probably try your way. I'm looking at it as a third party as looking through the window. Just to see all the abilities and possibilities of how to mount the collective. The pivot point on a collective is always behind the seat. You should never have to reach down or bend down to pick up your collective when you're in the cockpit. You should have your hands already on the collective and your dead stick. Dead stick is essential to Helo flight. This is so when your OTW to the AO. I'm also ambidextrous I can write with both hands. Fly with both hands. I know many cannot. This also could be made into a tool bin at the bottom of the dyi that I explained. Adding more weight. Very rigid and for any reason I'm going to get out of my natural environment of helos to fly Jets. I can simply just move it in a safe place next to my my cockpit. Even with the USB power unit. The wiring is collectively running its course behind the cockpit which would be in front of me of the dash. I subscribe to your channel. I really loved your tutorial. You took your time. Many people are not dyi oriented. Excellent tutorial Thank you so much. God bless 🕊️
Since this is much taller than the Virpil CM2, which is what I have now, an extension really wouldn't work for my setup. But, I suppose an extension is not needed due to to the adjustable force feedback...am I thinking about this right?
there is a little bit yes, I've not added any additional lubricant but I probably will at some point. If you pump the pedals left & right prior to take off it reduces it further. I think the thing you have to ask yourself is do I want multiple pedal sets that are setup to excel for their respective use or do want 1 set for flying (jets, warbirds, helis, GA & spacesim), 1 for driving and that's it...
The points you make at 38:30 were actually really great, imagine that- playing a (more complete and functional) Star Citizen one day, you go down from an LEO Station with a stick that has no resistance, and as you enter atmosphere, the game tells the stick to systematically increase the resistance. I think, and I am using the technical term here, I would jizz.
Just search for it on Google, go to their Discord server and put ur name down on the pre-order list as there is a queue. Then as your number gets close to the top of the list you have the option to buy or not. I waited about 8months fyi…. You will probably need to add import tax for your country if its outside the EU and unfortunately there is no discount for NATO allies defending Lithuania :)
Is there a way to raise the entire collective up so it's perpendicular to the floor? I have a cockpit setup that is primarily for jets. I'd like to add a collective but there is no gap at the side of the chair between the throttles and the seat. So when I'm flying jets I'd like a 'quick release' to move it up and out of the way. But when I switch to Helos, then I can move my throttle sideways and make space between that and my chair and lower the collective down to it's proper, usable position.
There are always options, what you could do for example is swap out the M6 hexbolts with Clamping Lever Handles on an M6 thread. What I do is keep my throttle and control box separate and then swap (via quick release) the collective for a left-handed joystick on Z-extension. What most people do it seems is make the space i.e. move the throttle further out to the left in order to make a gap.
It came from eBay, it’s a 90mm bend extension marketed towards the TM Warthog I show the packaging etc at the 1min time mark. Cost about £26 if I recall….
Massive thanks for this. On the waiting list myself for a rhino, although at mo, I have no idea how I’m gonna mount it. Currently use a monstertech desk Mount, but it also has my MFDs attached to it so it doesn’t have much lie way for the stick movement. These vids will certainly help with my planning. Looking forward to seeing it working
I've not got that problem though I can imagine at some point the strength of the counter balance spring will degrade to a point it needs replacing. Remember to store the collective in its upper most position to give the spring some relief and before adding tension use the damper from the TCS base to a point you cannot feel stiction and then use the counter balance to deliver the final right amount to hold the grip in position. Some people like to add Nyogel 767a grease to the TCS base to allow more damping force without stiction... but if you have the counter balance adjusted all the way in and the collective grip is still dropping something is wrong try re-installing it and then go to Virpil support for advice is what I'd recommend.
Nice to see this video. All other videos I have seen it is already mounted so you don't get to see this level of detail. Thank you. Cant wait to see videos where you fly the DCS helicopters. Like you I have the Virpil CM3 base and can't wait to feel real resistance when flying Another UK customer myself, ordered 21st Jan and was #724. I am now #471 so I hope to get it this year. I have noticed they make about 1 a day but then the number may drop by 50 occasionally.
@@bigbangerz5856 Fair, but I think I read they can be overpowered to the point of safety failing like other ffb sticks( I can't remember where right now).
@@Blu0tuth0ninja there is in the software several layers which control the strength and power of I think about 6 different ffb effects. I've flown a DCS heli, crashed it and in doing so lost the grip out of my hand because I wasn't holding it hard enough to cope with the force of the crash. This is no Microsoft Sidewinder ffb replacement its on a totally different level the motors are more comparable to a hand drill imho
Many thanks for going over all the considerations that you went through to adapt the Rhino to your setup. All good points for sure. I have both the "S" curve extension and a couple of the straight extensions segments. Ultimately I stuck with using the straight extension segments. Interestingly I also continue to use my TM Warthog Grip ... I have the Virpil CM3 grip as well but the feel of the old, metal TM grip mounted on the metal straight extension segments feel the most natural to me. This is strickly a personal preference thing. The Virpil grip has a LOT more options as far as buttons and hat switches, than the older TM grip but I could not give up the feel and weight of the metal grip.
Thanks for the video. Is your answer about collective staying would be still valid on a motion platform able to +/-30degrees pitch and roll ? I mean is it some kind of lockable position or the collective stays where it is only due to the counterbalance and the level of tension of springs? Because I’m doubtful about the use on my MXP PRIME motion rig even I’m very tempted to buy one….
well you might have to increase the clamp tension on the TCS rotor base more @@jayphi4095 I think you will be ok cos the MXP platform works off linear actuators which are inherently smooth so unless you crash or hit the deck hard the movement won't be too violent, and you would have your hands on the collective during landing anyway. Tell you what if you can get MXP to send me their Bumble platform I'll test it out for you 😁
Thank you for the video. You identified all the issues i had trying to find a good mount position. As you point out, this is often too far forward and too high in operation, which is made worse by the length (of the hypotenuse). I've been working with 3d models of the Apache cockpit for years, so finally getting a replica collective only to not have it match the ergonomics is a tad frustrating. A shorter base would help align the triangle of the thing for regular chair mounting.
ty for the comment Richard, yes I dare say you do know a thing or two about the Apache cockpit in simulators :) its just such an amazing time sims atm with the advent of high quality VR, peripherals and software... I agree with respect to the Apache grip it would be better if we could shorten the TCS Rotor base but then that would compromise the other grips, I guess what we need ultimately is a range of extensions similar to joystick bases. Hopefully Virpil watch these owner videos and come to the same conclusion...
😅There is a adjustable cad file for the physical limiter on the Discord, so you can print a custom one yourself should you happen to have a 3D printer. Its possible to make an assymetrical limiter also, using the file.
I'm pondering ideas for mounting it directly to a floor frame/chassis, separate form any chair mount. That could give more potions and flexibility i think. Very great info. A goose neck extension like the one you have but with less or no straight vertical parts may well be perfect for me. I've seen photos of some people's that are custom laser cut
I'm pretty sure the case is made of mdf board, with a very nice paint finish on it. The base certainly feels well made. Been using mine for 3 months by now, no problems, and sim flying gained a whole new dimension. Expensive, but worth it I think.
I love it. Your video makes me very hopeful that I might get mine this year sometime. I ordered back in November 2023 and am very excited about using this in DCS with my helicopters especially.
