Does anyone know of any good, reasonably affordable helicopter controls on the market?

By reasonably affordable I mean around a thousand dollars give or take. I saw an awfully nice rig for forty-nine thousand and change, but even if I could scrape up that kind of expendable cash, I'd have to hide from my wife for several years until she cooled down.

I'm looking for something with anti-torque pedals, cyclic, and collective, twist throttle, detent, etcetera.

Maybe something that would work with an Obutto or perhaps an actual salvaged seat.

I'm just starting to brainstorm this and don't know that much about putting a cockpit together.

I'd like to put together a helicopter rig, but something versatile enough so I could swap things around and occasionally use it for fixed wing applications as well.

All advice appreciated!

Thanks!

Rick...

PM sent.

BR

Rich

This is who SimAviatik sent me to when I asked about their collective. Was going to use it with a G940. But now that my Obutto is together it doesn't look like I have enough room.
http://www.flyheli.blogspot.com/

The only true heli control you need (and is expensive when you find it) is the collective. I converted a Saitek Aviator stick into a collective with good results and low cost. Basically the main cost is the controller itself and its very easy to do ($35 and a couple hours). I've linked it so check it out, this is the cheapest way with your next option looking to be $2-300 more at least!

http://simhq.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/2711990/Re_A_Good_Joystick_to_Hack.html#Post2711990

Scroll down to follow progress. Note I went the complicated route, the joystick doesn't even need to be taken apart just cut the spring and spring plate from the shaft and add the plexiglass plate and wood blocks (fuzzy velcro tape instead of door seal). Feel free to ask any questions you might have.

Nice article HHFL! You've given me some good ideas!

Cheers!

Rick...

I'd also remove the centering springs from the cyclic though. One idea I was toying with was to explot the fact that we are not on a moving platform to add a simple centering weight to a gimbal.