Status update:
I assembled the CM3, Alpha Prime, and desk mount. It took a little work, but overall the process is easy, and the quality of the design, manufacturing, and ease of adjustment is exemplary - as expected.
*Replacing the springs can be done without disassembling the base. I swapped the default medium for the included soft springs. I plan to buy some Nygel to replace the grease on the springs. I’ll also Nygel the clutches.
*Changing cams requires taking off the bottom plate, removing the top screw with the spring that connects to one end of the cam arm, and loosening the two screws holding the cam in place. Easy.
*Removing the springs and cams to create a ‘dead stick’ requires removing the guts from the shell. Not hard, especially since the USB/AUX connectors are on a small daughterboard that easily unplugs from the unit. Nice.
I thought about doing the ‘Dead Stick’ thing, but decided against it, because I also want to use it as a joystick for fast jets. I installed a no-center cosmosim cam, and am experimenting with spring/clutch tension. Because I don’t have to disassemble anything to change either one, it will easy to switch between helicopter and jet. It won’t be as good as ‘Dead Stick’ for rotorcraft, but a good compromise can be achieved.
The long desk mount and 200mm extension were easy to install and mount, and put the Alpha Prime in perfect position. But the desk mount pushes the base away from the desk a LOT. It’s necessary to get full gimbal travel, but I’ll need to be really careful getting in and out of my chair. The cockpit got a lot more cramped.
I also found that I need to remove my yoke, even if I end up offsetting the cyclic to the right. Otherwise the grip hits the yoke when I move it to the upper left corner. Not a big deal, since the yoke is easy to remove.
I think I’m going to leave the joystick mounted on the right - it feels fine there, and mounting it between my knees pushes me too far away from the desk, making it a long reach to the rudder pedals (I could move them, but I don’t want to have to do that) and also making it a long reach to the keyboard mouse, and other peripherals on the desk. Again, a compromise that will be just fine.
I downloaded the software, connected the base, did the suggested firmware update FIRST, and calibrated the axes and identified the buttons. I didn’t bother modifying the LED’s, but of course I probably will later.
This is my cockpit right now (forgive the filth… 
)
The yoke will stay in place until I fly a fast jet or a helicopter. Two thumbscrews hold it in place under the desk.
Tomorrow I’ll work on the collective.
