Why no collective controllers?

Given the popularity of the rotary wing aircraft in and outside of DCS, I am quite surprised that so far there has not been an affordable consumer-level collective.

How can this be? Anyone know if say for instance VKB or VPC have one in the pipeline?

There are some available, but as you've noticed, they're NOT cheap. A potential might be if Komodo systems start producing again. Their kit looked the business.

A big problem is you cant just plop it on a desk like most users do with a throttle. The end user needs to figure out how to mount it alongside their chair themselves. So from that perspective it complicates what a company can just sell and hope their users can make work for themselves.

I made my own from an old X52 throttle and some aluminium tubing. Need to wire up the head still that I adapted from a MS sidewinder so I have 4 buttons and a trigger (or will have when my soldering iron is repaired) :)

Yup. Flight sim world is already a niche. Rotary is a niche within a niche. And people who want a full collective as opposed to a regular throttle is a niche^3. All of that means you will pay through your nose.

For now, I'm using a Saitek/Logitech throttle quadrant with the Z Axis as Collective and the Y axis as Throttle...not the best solution, but with the number of switches and hats available on my Warthog Stick, it's workable. There's a 3D-Printed throttle available on Thingiverse ( https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2630031 ) that i'me in the process of having printed out until i have the funds for a set of Microheli.de Controls The biggest issue with the Saitek is that mounted on the Desk, the collective is essentially back wards..as i said not the best solution, but i can fly (Badly LOL) with it at least.

Also important to mention is that most commercial collectives are either meant for civilian flight, or are a Huey collective replica. This means that you either get a collective stick that has nothing on it, a twist throttle on it, or a twist throttle with Huey controls (1 hat, 4 switches, and a button). If you're looking for a collective like the one on the Ka-50, DIY is currently the only choice.

VKB and VIRPIL, you hearing our screams?

I have one of these: https://pro-flight-trainer-com.myshopify.com/collections/spare-parts/products/adjustable-collective-arm-with-throttle-box-and-zone-switch

Be aware that you need to get the USB interface board separately (an additional $55).

Mounting it will be an issue for many who just have a conventional desk as pointed out above.

I'm struggling to decide if I would describe it as good value or not.

While not extremely expensive, it's not exactly cheap either. On the one hand the quality, while not bad, doesn't feel fantastic (especially the throttle). It is quite sturdy though. It has no adjustable friction either, although you can make do by tightening the nut on the lever attachment bolt.

On the other, I should probably be realistic: as hansangb points out, this is a niche within a niche, and that's always going to lead to higher prices, and from what I remember, it's much cheaper than Komodo (assuming they ever produce again).

Could something like this be used as a starting point for a collective?

https://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/hydraulic-handbrakes/automotive-plumbing-solutions-vertical-hydraulic-hand-brake