Rotor Counter-Balance Kit

instructions are very clear & precise,.
gives you an even more internal view of the quality of the collective bases construction as you attach & re-assemble the base.

The part is great! Well made and works properly but there are NO instructions. Forutnately there are a couple of YouTube videos that show you but even those are somewhat confusing. You can go to the VIRPL website and look at exploded drawings of the parts in proper configuration so it can be assembled but just a basic text description alone would be a big help. This is going to be REQUIRED if you are using a heavy or lengthy grip. Easily adjusted and leaves the control of the collective completely smooth.

Running a Hawk-60 collective with custom lighter grip - the spring alone was too strong. Added the counter-balance and suddenly the lever stays exactly where I leave it. Adjustable weight lets you dial in “just right” resistance. Simple install (four screws) and zero play after several weeks of abuse. I'd imagine it would build a slight memory over time requiring additional tightening however that isn't a drama.

WIthout the Rotor Counter-Balance, my collective/BlackHawk grip would slowly fall forward and cause me a few tense moments................... It easily installed and now I'm back up and enjoying my Apache. Also, it is reasonably priced.

It feels like real, smooth transition in every aspect of the Rotor Base.
Precise tool - Virpil did a great job!

For me, this was included with the AH-64 collective that I ordered. My advice is to order the mounting bracket along with the collective. It will save you alot of trouble and a long wait.

I bought this when I ordered my collective as the bundled price seemed worth it to me. I had no real need as I don't have a grip yet, but quickly found that it saved me a lot of work on the install. currently, my collective is mounted where the armrest goes on my chair, this works well as the hole spacing is spot on, however it rubbed against at the side of my chair. This spaced the collective off the mount the perfect amount to stop the rubbing and make room for my hand

I bought the Apache grip and the counterbalance kit, but had to wait for the kit a little bit longer. It was worth it, though. The grip on its own is quite a bit longer then UH-60 grip I was sporting before, and so with the combined weight of the Apache grip and the collective+, at low collective settings the whole thing would droop.

No such issues anymore! The assembly was easy enough and the thing made the collective much smoother to work with. I love the new feel. The only thing to beat it would be to modify the whole thing with a FFB kit, which I might still do in the future, but for the moment - it's great!

Mounting was very simple, thanks to the detailed step by step manual. Used with a Rotor tcs Plus base and Sharka grip. The spring allows a lighter friction setting. Upper motion is smoother, and the grip does not fall down if you take your hand off it. Plus, the collective is now in upper position when not in use, and it takes a bit less space that way. As usual with Virpil products, the overall quality is impressive, and it's very cleverly engineered.
The VPC collective is very pleasant to use even without the counter-balance kit, but this little accessory add some comfort, and since it's reasonably priced, it's worth getting it.

I don't have the Apache grip, only the Sharka-50 (so not much weignt to counter) but I always found that the collective was a bit too "sticky", it is now much better with this clever add-on!
Upward collective movement is so smooth, downward can be improved a little by adding weight on the Sharka grip. It is a subtle improvement, and piloting a helo is all about finesse, so it is very much needed!
Only issues I had with the mounting :
- the screw provided for securing the spring (on step 10 in the manual) was not long enough to screw the bolt in, and its head was a conical shape whereas it is flat in the manual, but I had a spare one so no problem for me
- on step 8, where we need to remove the limiter, the head of my left screw failed, so I left it as it was and had to apply force manually on the spring to securise the spring on step 10, nothing impossible but I guess I will have to change the screw someday..

Overall very happy for the added value. Hovering has never be this smooth!