VIRPIL SharKa-50 Collective Review

In this review, I look at the VIRPIL SharKa-50 Collective and how it operates and compares in the DCS Ka-50 Black Shark module.

Full Disclosure

I reached out to VIRPIL asking them if they would permit me with reviewing their VPC SharKa-50 Collective Grip & Base.

VIRPIL agreed to send me their collective for review and after a little time of waiting for the DHL package to arrive, I did end up receiving the VPC Rotor TCS Plus Base & VPC SharKa-50 Collective Grip, which also included their proprietary chair mounting brackets for free to review by VIRPIL.

The review is my own and is not edited by VIRPIL .

What I will cover

Product Description
Price
Unboxing
What’s included
Assembly
Software
Testing
Serviceability
Conclusion
Guides

1. Product Description

VPC Rotor TCS Plus Base

★ Dedicated Collective Base
★ All Metal Adjustable Mechanism
★ Swappable Cam Plates to Limit the Travel Range (30, 40, 50)
★ Adjustable Clutch
★ Throttle Twist Axis Input with Engine Idle Button and Switch Restrictors

VPC SharKa-50 Collective Grip

★ All New Collective Grip
★ Material – Enhanced PU Plastic Construction
★ 2 x 8-way Hats (+ Push)
★ 1 x 2-way Momentary Switch (+ Push)
★ 3 x 3-way Momentary Toggles (ON-OFF-ON)
★ 3 x Push Buttons

2. Price

VPC Rotor TCS Plus Base

€289.95 ex. VAT

VPC SharKa-50 Collective Grip

€189.95 ex. VAT

VPC Collective Chair Mount Adapter

€39.95 ex. VAT

There is also a 10% discount when purchasing the Base and Grip as a bundle.

3. Unboxing

The large box had 2 smaller boxes inside. The larger items in those boxes were packaged using bubble wrap and for the smaller and individual items (nuts, bolts, washers) were packed in zip lock bags, the items were tightly fit to assist in shock absorption during transport. The stickers and tweezers for applying the stickers were also in their own individual zip lock bags.

4. What’s included

Taking a closer look at the items that I was sent in the box.

VPC Rotor TCS Plus Base
VPC ShaKa-50 Collective Grip
Mounting brackets for Chair or SIMPIT
Bolts, Washers, Nuts, Cams, Cable management clips
Stickers, Tweezers
USB Cable with a Locking Mini-DIN connector
Pre-Flight checklist QR Code/Website pamphlet

Sadly the tools to assemble the kit are not included, I would encourage VIRPIL to include a set of allen keys, a small screw driver and a small wrench to help anyone who purchases the kit, the ability to assemble it.

Thankfully, I had the tools required to assemble the kit.

5. Assembly

Assembly for the chair mount

The chair mount assembly instructions appear to be straight forward and easy to read.

I however use a wooden chair for my flight simming and I do not have any bolt patterns to use, so I instead went ahead and bolted it straight to the frame.

Attach Grip to Collective

The grip attached easily to the collective and when tightened with the locking collar, it did not move during testing.

Attach AUX and USB

To connect the base to the computer, you will need to plug in the USB Cable with a Locking Mini-DIN connector into the USB port on the back of the Base and the USB ends into your computer USB ports (2 are required).

There is also an additional Mini-DIN connector for the AUX port on the base and this could be used for attaching other modules, like a VIRPIL control panel.

Stickers

Using the tweezers provided, you can peel off the stickers and apply them to the collective and or grip.

6. Software

The VPC software is simple to install and configure, however it does have the ability to setup complex features. The software offers a complete suite of functionality that you would expect from a high quality product. It includes the ability to apply firmware updates, It has integrated device testing and has advanced button mapping options, axis manipulation – the ability to provide axis curves or axis to button configuration and many more.

I will go over the VIRPIL software in another more in-depth review.

7. Testing

My testing will be based on the the Ka-50 Black Shark in DCS, this will be the basis of my review.

I will also be comparing Chuck’s Guide as reference material to keep the terminology in my review the same.

Also in my review, I will be a comparing the Physical attributes and functionality of the VIRPIL Collective with the Virtual Collective in DCS.

Aesthetics

The VIRPIL Collective appears to be longer in length than the DCS Collective
The VIRPIL Collective (Rotor TCS Plus) has a rotating throttle on the shaft which is not a feature on the DCS Collective
The VIRPIL Collective Toggles and Switches appears to be larger in overall dimension to the DCS Collective

Feel

The Grip head is made from PU plastic and the button caps are also plastic, however the toggle switches are metal. neither buttons or toggles are loud in use, with the buttons having a small amount of tactile feel, the toggle switches have a more pronounced tactile feel.
The Grip shaft is made from metal with a textured rubber grip, it feels solid and comfortable to use, this makes the grip feel premium and has a nice touch.
The Collective shaft is made from metal with a plastic grip, the use of this grip is smooth along the axis with no stiction issues.
The IDLE button on the VIRPIL Collective Throttle feels good to press, however it will take some getting used to as there are a few spots in combination with the throttle axis, that it can get a bit stuck in use and hard to press in use.
The Collective base is made from metal

Tweaking & Tuning

VIRPIL’s collective has the ability to adjust friction on the base for the arm movement up and down, as well as the ability to adjust friction on the throttle handle.

The Friction adjustment on the base has an outer rubber grommet protecting access to the hex screw, once this grommet is removed, you can easily rotate the hex screw (hex screw not included). This will add friction to for the arm movement up and down. There is no stiction.

The Friction adjustment for the throttle is controlled by a metal collar at the base of the throttle, when you twist this it will either add or reduce friction for the throttle rotating movement. There is no stiction.

VIRPIL’s collective also have the ability to change the cams on the base for the arm movement up and down, this design allows for different height adjustments

While testing the product, I changed the cams using the included instructions, it was simple and straight forward, I however prefered the default 30 limiter cam.

Simulation Comparison

An interesting observation to be aware of is that the throttle on the collective is not on the grip itself and is instead located lower down the shaft, closer to the base. This is an odd place to have the throttle noting that some helicopters either have a throttle on the grip or do not have a throttle on the collective at all like the Ka-50 in DCS, which has it’s dual engine throttle levers located to the left of the collective. In use, I found it took a small amount of muscle memory to get used to it and found it wasn’t a big concern.

Sling Load Button
Listed as (Not Functional) per Chuck’s Guide, So my advice is to bind this to something useful

DCS collective uses a push button
VIRPIL’s collective uses a push button

Rotor RPM Governor Control

DCS collective uses a 2 way latched toggle switch, FWD = Nominal / AFT = Low
VIRPIL’s collective uses a 2 way momentary toggle switch

External Hardpoint Selector

DCS collective uses a 4 way hat switch, FWD: AIR-TO-AIR / LEFT: OUTER / RIGHT: INNER / AFT: ALL
VIRPIL’s collective uses an 8 way hat switch with push, the forward press can sometimes (depending on angle) cause an accidental activation of up/right or up/left, this will cause the press not to register. I have configured the hat for External Hardpoint Selector and the push button for weapon mode switch so there isn’t any accidental activation on the push button as this has a short travel.

Landing Light Hat Switch Slewing Control

DCS collective animation does not work, so I am unsure if this is an analogue or digital hat.
VIRPIL’s collective uses a digital 8 way (configured by default as a 4 way with push button). I have configured the VIRPIL collective for Shkval Slew Control and push function for Light landing-search On/Retractor/Off, there isn’t any accidental activation on the push button as this has a short travel.

Shkval FOV (Field of View)

DCS collective uses a 2 way latched toggle switch, 23x (WIDE) / 7x (NARROW)
VIRPIL’s collective uses a 2 way momentary toggle switch and I have configured this as per the DCS collective

Shkval Tracking Gate Size

DCS collective key bind uses for TV Target Frame Increase Size & TV Target Frame Decrease Size a toggle that is a digital 2 way momentary
VIRPIL’s collective uses a 2 way momentary switch with push and I have configured the VIRPIL collective for TV Target Frame Increase/Decrease Size and push function for Shkval center.

Autopilot Modes

DCS collective uses a 3 way toggle switch, ROUTE is latched / OFF is latched / DESCENT is momentary
VIRPIL’s collective uses a 2 way momentary toggle switch and I have configured per this as per the DCS collective

Shkval Target Acquisition & Lock

DCS collective uses a push button for Lock Target
VIRPIL’s collective uses a push button I have configured this as per the DCS collective

Additional Red Button

VIRPIL’s collective has an additional red button, just below the TGT LOCK, So my advice is to bind this to something useful

8. Serviceability

I would like to state that if you have an issue with your product, it is in your best interest to contact VIRPIL in the first instance to determine what the fault might be and the best course of action to fix it.

Now that is out of the way, I will present with you the internal head of the VPC ShaKa-50 Collective Grip

This is by far the cleanest and well presented internals I have had the pleasure of seeing from a VIRPIL product.

Hex screws were used to secure the back plate from the housing, the company used screw inserts, this ensures the longevity of the plastic housing, from disassembly and reassembly for replacement of parts or modification, as there won’t be any wear on the screw joints.

I also noticed that the individual switch & button cables are plugged directly into a PCB instead of soldered, this makes serviceability easier.

They do use glue, however! in this instance it is only on the wires into the switch or button themselves for strain relief for when you are handling the parts individually, it would appear that it is now easier to replace the switches and buttons.

I can see they have listened to community feedback and have taken a step further into a more premium design and engineering for this product.

9. Conclusion

My final thoughts on the product and is that this product both looks and feels premium, the adjustability with its 3 cam options and on the fly friction adjustment, the adaptability having the choice for multiple grips and multiple mounting options. The visual aesthetics and appeal, the physical feel of the toggles, buttons and switches. All these criteria and functionality just leaves me with a pleasant experience that this is a premium product.

I am not someone to shy away from being brutally honest, and I try to be completely objective in my review and statements. In the case of the VPC Collective, I am very pleased with this product.

My father-in-law who is ex-Army from aviation corp, also had the pleasure of flying in DCS with this collective. His impressions that I noted down, were that this is something he would expect in a professional flight trainer. He was very happy with the product and asked me that when the time comes to build a helicopter simulation cockpit for him, to include this product.