Hi everyone, this is Avangel. If you follow my channel, you know I’m obsessed with helicopter flight simulation. I’ve spent countless hours chasing stable hovers, precise platform landings, and smooth low-speed flight. For a long time, dedicated collective levers were either extremely expensive or almost impossible to find — so I was really excited when the team at MechDIY sent over their new helicopter collective for me to test.
It costs around £120 / $159, and right away I thought this was a really interesting offering for our niche community. There are not many budget collectives on the market, so I went into this test with an open mind, but also a little sceptical because it is 3D printed from PETG.
I was worried it would feel flimsy, creak, or flex during flight. But here’s the thing: the parts your hand actually touches are not the printed base. The grip is soft rubber, the top panel has a nice textured finish, and the switches and buttons feel solid. I did not hear a single creak or notice any flex during my whole flight session. The pivot mechanism is well lubricated and moves smoothly with natural resistance — exactly what you want for fine collective adjustments.
This collective comes with a built-in twist throttle axis, two self-centering momentary buttons and two durable metal toggle switches on the head. The braided USB cable is a small but nice upgrade from standard rubber cables. It is plug-and-play over USB, no drivers or extra software required. Your PC recognises it as a standard USB joystick straight away.
I paired it with my Moza AB 6 base and MHG cyclic stick and took it up in the CowanSim 125. Setting it up was straightforward. Inside your simulator, you select the device ZXFX1. Map the Y axis for collective up and down movement, and remember to invert that axis. Then assign the twist grip rotation to your helicopter throttle axis. It’s important not to leave generic throttle bindings active, or they will conflict.
Once I was mapped and ready, the difference hit me immediately. Flying with a dedicated collective is night and day compared to using a regular HOTAS throttle. I had so much more precision when adjusting power. Holding a stable hover, creeping sideways, and approaching landing platforms felt far more organic. The movement of the lever just matches the physical control of a real helicopter. I could make tiny, gentle adjustments without overshooting power, which used to be my biggest struggle.
That said, it is not perfect, and I want to be honest. The grip is a little short for my hands, even though I have average-sized palms. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it is something worth noting. Also, this collective must be mounted to an aluminium extrusion sim frame. There is no desktop clamp option, and mounting screws are not included in the package. If you don’t already own a cockpit frame, you will need to build or source your own mounting solution.
I also want to set clear expectations: this is not a Virpil. It will not match the premium build quality of high-end flagship collectives. But it does everything a collective needs to do. It delivers the same core control experience at a price similar to a Turtle Beach HOTAS throttle. For anyone who wants to step up their helicopter simulation without spending a fortune, that is a huge win.
It works with MSFS 2020/2024, X‑Plane 11/12, DCS World, War Thunder, ArmA, and any game that supports USB joysticks. Linux compatibility is untested, but for Windows sim pilots, it just works.
For me, the biggest takeaway is this: this MechDIY collective removes the biggest barrier to realistic helicopter flight. It makes hovering, rescue approaches, and platform landings feel achievable instead of frustrating. It is functional, solid, and great value for money. If you spend most of your sim time flying rotorcraft, this accessory will change how you fly.
If you want to grab one for yourself, I’ve linked the product page below.
👉 Shop the MechDIY Helicopter Collective with Twist Throttle Axis here: https://mechdiy.com/products/mechdiy-flight-simulator-helicopter-collective-with-twist-throttle-axis
If you’re on the fence and love flying helicopters in the sim, I can easily recommend it. It’s a fantastic addition to any rotary-wing cockpit build.
Happy flying, Avangel
