[nemo]

Got to get something of my chest;

E-mailed Saitek to ask which of their gamepads, if any, were compatible with my Mac/OS and particular games - they replied recommending the above. Bought it, it arrives with 100% PC manual and software, well 99.9% Because an older version of inputsprocket was included on the cd (in the 'Mac folder') and an extra piece of paper was included in the box "for Mac users" with 5 lines of text saying calibrate your device through the options menu in your game, if you need further assistance visit our website. I did need further assistance so - Visited their site, again 99.9% Mac free, clicked on support then Mac support and there was a few FAQ's concerning the Cyborg 3D USB controller for iMac's and the inputsprocket download. So, phoned up Saitek and as soon as I mentioned the word 'Macintosh' things became a bit difficult. I explained I had been unable to get this to work properly on several games, in particular 4x4 Evo where the hatswitch/analogue/digital thing just wasn't happening, I was told the manufacturers have set the dead zone too small and 'Macintosh's were a nightmare because Apple doesn't supply any calibration software for USB devices, unlike PC's'. After a fair bit of confusion the unspoken conclusion was that this game/apple were incompatable with this controller - I should contact 4x4/Apple for assistance.

It's good that companies are thinking of Mac users, but they seem to believe they can get away with a second rate service under the rationale that Mac users don't really matter because they only constitute1% of their total revenue, yet they expect Mac users to pay the same as PC users (sometimes more) because they would argue Mac Hardware, Software, Support etc cost's more for them to produce. Well it didn't in this instance (cos there wos none)

Grrrr, phew. I'm feeling a bit better now, but this experience has happened all too often, with other software, with ISP's, with hardware manufacturers and with sales staff. I can almost hear the whining retort of the PC die hard's "well you shouldn't have chosen such an elitist computer should you" and sometimes I think their right. In a sense it's the choice to be incompatible that distinguishes the two platforms, of not wanting to fit in, the illusion of individuality, and the allure of the outsider. But that's a whole new topic, I've nothing against PC users, 'honest'. Good luck to em. There's nothing wrong with wanting to fit in.


- should anyone want to offer technical advice (I know about usboverdrive) I'll post a seperate message including the specifics when I've fully recovered, I promise this will be briefer and to the point. Meanwhile - seasons greetings to all. Ho Ho Ho.

I have no information to offer regarding Evo 4x4 specifically, but my Saitek P750 works fine with my two flight sims, Skyfighters 1945 and F/A-18 Korea. The Saitek gamepad is also campatible with my four Tombraider games, though I use an iShock for those.

The Saitek P750 is, so far as I can tell, fully compatible with the latest version of Apple Gamesprockets. Even the hatswitch and the digital/analog buttons work. Am I wrong in assuming that you have downloaded and installed the latest version of Apple Gamesprockets? If you haven't done so already, you should.

The Saitek P750, according to Saitek, may get a little twitchy when other USB input devices are activated. In my two flight sims, I make certain that the only active Gamesprocket device is the Saitek gamepad. All the other input devices are set to "null."

It sounds as if you weren't terribly enthusiastic about the idea of using USBOverdrive with your Saitek gamepad. Still, it might be worth considering until the problem with Gamesprockets gets completely worked out. I use USBOverdrive with my Saitek P750 and my Nascar racing game, and the whole package works like a charm.

I wonder what the person at Saitek meant when he said that "Apple doesn't supply any calibration software for USB devices." I think if Apple didn't supply Saitek with calibration software, I wouldn't be able to calibrate my P750 in Gamesprockets-compatible games. But I can. Hmmm.

I wish the feedback I gave you could have been more helpful.

Tristan