Have you ever wanted to use your MFI (Made for iPhone/iPad) game controller under Windows? With MFI Gamepad Feeder it’s possible!
![Nimbus Controller Windows 10 Nimbus Controller Windows 10](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8Buf2kfsP5o/maxresdefault.jpg)
How it works?
- Mar 08, 2019 Windows is supported fully out of the box, seeing as this is Microsoft’s flagship controller. Just plug and play, or connect over Bluetooth. You can even update the controller’s firmware from your PC if you’re using Windows 10.
- At $69.99, it’s $20 more expensive than the original Nimbus, and $10 more expensive than either the DualShock 4 or Xbox One controllers. The phone mount is nice, but it’s hardly worth paying.
- Gaming-Controller SteelSeries gaming controllers are designed specifically to bring the PlayStation and Xbox console gaming experience to any platform, with easy pairing, extreme durability, and long battery life on Apple, Windows, Android, Bluetooth, and more.
- How do I update the firmware on my Stratus XL for iOS controller? Can my Stratus XL for Windows and Android be paired to multiple devices at the same time? See all 7 articles Nimbus Wireless. Setup: Nimbus Wireless for iPhone & iPad; Setup: Nimbus Wireless with Apple TV; How can I check if a game is compatible with the Nimbus Wireless?
MFI Gamepad Feeder is an open-source program that creates a virtual Xbox 360 controller on your system, converting input from your MFI gamepad in order to allow you to use it for Windows gaming.
MFI Gamepad Feeder is a special program that works in tandem with vGen and ScpVBus that creates virtual Xbox 360 controller device in your system.
It looks like modern MFI game controllers are recognized as standard HID gamepads under Windows, but they’re not visible in “USB Game Controllers”, so games won’t be able to use them. Microsoft explorer trackball driver for mac. MFI Gamepad Feeder is connecting to these “HID gamepads”, and it’s redirecting raw input from them, directly to the ScpVBus devices.
Requirements
A hat in time keyboard or controller. Current version of MFI Gamepad Feeder requires
- latest Xbox 360 drivers first (Windows 7 Only).
- supported MFI Gamepad (list of supported gamepads listed below)
Application was tested on Windows 10, but it should work on older systems as well.
Installation
- Download and install MFI Gamepad Feeder (restart required)
- Plug in your controllers (check compatibility list). If necessary you may need to pair them via Bluetooth.
- Launch MFI Gamepad Feeder application and select:
- Click “Active” checkbox on the right next to the first row
- Select your gamepad from “Gamepad device” list. In my case (SteelSeries Nimbus gamepad), gamepad wasn’t advertising itself with correct Product name / Manufacturer Name, so I’ve had to guess which one it was
- Select ID of your controller (1-4)
- Select mapping file (All configuration files are stored in the “Configs” folder in the application folder)
- Hit Start button
- Play your favorite games!
Mappings editor
In order to support different types of MFI controllers you can use included mappings editor.
HID -> XBox 360 translation
In order to create good gamepad mapping you need to understand how MFIGamepadFeeder is transforming HID controllers to XBox 360 ones.
Every time you press a button / touch analog stick on you controller, your PC is receiving a small set of numbers that are describing current state of the device.
For example SteelSeries Nimbus is sending 18 numbers, each one is responsible for different button / axis. In order to translate these numbers, so MFIGamepadFeeder would be able to understand them, you need to specify meaning of each of them.
Editor
In order to create a new mapping:
- Select correct HID device in the “General mapping” tab. This will allow you to see preview of all the data that is coming form the controller.
- Hit New button in the right top corner of the screen.
- Create as many mapping items as necessary using “Add new item” button at the bottom
- Specify type of each item:
- Button (for all buttons on the controller)
- DPad
- Axis (for analog sticks and triggers)
- Empty (for unused parameters)
- For each item select what XBox controller role it would acquire (accordingly to the previously selected type)
- Hit Save button
Virtual keys
![Nimbus Controller Windows 10 Nimbus Controller Windows 10](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61dXho0pJvL._AC_US1000_.jpg)
Because it isn’t physically impossible to emulate all Xbox 360 buttons, even on extended MFI controllers (for example there is only “Menu” button on MFI, whilst there is “Back” and “Start” on X360), only way to use them all is using “virtual keys”.
Virtual Keys are allowing you to translate even complicated button combinations to different button presses.
You can access Virtual Keys from the second tab in the Mapping Editor. Manual for this part of the editor is rather straightforward.
For example this configuration:
will result in:
Pressing RBumper, LBumper and Start together will be changed to Back button.
LBumper + Start will end up with LeftStick press, whilst RBumper + Start will be RightStick press.
- SteelSeries Nimbus (only via Bluetooth)
Not compatibile:
Nimbus Controller Windows 10 Windows 7
- Mad Catz Micro C.T.R.L i
Keep in mind that all controllers without HID interface won’t be compatible with MFIGamepadFeeder.
In order to connect your gamepad via bluetooth you need to:
- Turn on your gamepad (and press bluetooth pairing button)
- Select the Start menu, then select Settings > Devices > Other devices.
- Turn on Bluetooth > select the device > Ready to pair.
- Follow any more instructions if they appear.
I’ve started with support for SteelSeries Nimbus controller only, if you’d like to add support for other game controller, post pull request with mapping file on GitHub issues page.
Special thanks goes to: Springfield armory 1911 serial number n.
Shauleiz (https://github.com/shauleiz) for vJoy and vGen
Nefarius for https://github.com/nefarius/ScpVBus
b23prodtm (https://github.com/b23prodtm) for inspiring me to integrate XBox controllers
HidSharphttp://www.zer7.com/software/hidsharp
Program icon made by Freepik (www.flaticon.com), licensed by CC BY 3.0
The MIT License (MIT)
Copyright (c) 2015-2016 Michał Mizera
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the “Software”), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
The latest Apple TV emphasizes gaming as one of its core features allowing Apple to venture into the console world of gaming by making iOS games designed for larger screens.
SteelSeries is a company known for their gaming peripherals, so building an iOS gaming controller seems like a logical progression especially with this latest Apple TV release.
While playing games on an iPhone and iPad using touch controls is usually acceptable, the ability to use a gamepad controller is preferred especially when gaming on a larger screen HDTV or monitor.
The Nimbus Wireless Gamepad Controller is a Mfi controller designed for iOS game play across all the Apple platforms but is especially suited for the latest Apple TV model. It features a 40+ hour rechargeable battery using a Lightning connection for charging. If you are acquainted with either of the PlayStation or Xbox controllers then the Nimbus should feel very familiar.
Unboxing
The SteelSeries Nimbus arrives in a white cardboard box with an image of the controller on the front and back of the package. On the side of the box is a listing of compatible iOS devices.
Inside the box we find the Nimbus controller, a quick start guide and some SteelSeries Stickers.
The Nimbus controller is composed of black plastic and measures 15 cm (5.91 in) in width, 11 cm (4.33 in) in height and 6.32 cm (2.49 in) in depth. It uses Bluetooth 4.1 for connectivity.
Yamaha xs 850 repair manual. It is compatible with the following iOS devices – iPhone 5 and later, iPad 4 and later versions and fifth-gen iPod Touch to current generation. The Nimbus also works with OS X 10.9 or later Macs.
The SteelSeries Nimbus is reminiscent in form and function to the controllers from Microsoft and Sony. There is a four way D-pad on the upper left of the controller along with two analog sticks on the lower left and right of the Nimbus. The right side has the familiar A, B, X and Y buttons arrangement.
Towards the back of the controller are trigger buttons L1, L2, R1 and R2. Between these buttons we find a Bluetooth button for pairing the controller, a Lightning port for charging and a power/hold switch. Unlike the PlayStation controller the Nimbus does not have a rumble capability.
In terms of weight, the Nimbus has some heft to it indicating its solid construction. This does not feel like a cheap no-name brand Bluetooth game controller.
Specifications and Features
Nimbus Controller Windows 10
Next go into your iOS device and under the Bluetooth menu search for a new device named Nimbus, then select it to connect. At this point you should be paired and ready to use the device. The Nimbus is capable of remembering up to five paired iOS devices and should automatically reconnect when powered on.
To turn off the Nimbus slide the hold button to the lock position. The top four LEDs indicate battery life with each light representing 25% of the total charge. When the battery charge is low with approximately 20 minutes remaining the first LED will flash quickly for 10 seconds. To conserve battery life, the Nimbus automatically powers off after a period of an activity. To restart the Nimbus during this time simply press the menu button.
Since the latest Apple TV is one of the target audiences for the Nimbus, I used that Apple device with Nimbus to play several iOS games including Duet, Crossy Road, Jetpack Joyride, Asphalt8, Badland, Pac Man 256 and Minion Rush. Some games such as Minion Rush even provide an instruction screen with the controller functions mapped out.
Using the Nimbus definitely feels like you are playing video games on a console. Although at this point the Apple TV gaming universe is more Nintendo-esque than Playstation or Xbox. So the appeal is definitely targeted for the casual gamer. I personally look forward to the addition of arcade classics to the Apple TV ecosystem such as Pac Man, Frogger, or packages like
Besides working as a game controller the Nimbus is also a perfectly functional remote for the new Apple TV. The joystick and directional pad both navigate the user interface and the ‘A’ button accepts choices while the ‘B’ button and Menu button functions like the Menu button on the Apple Remote.
The Nimbus provides up to 40 hours of use with a single charge. Based on my testing that is a pretty fair assessment of the battery life. Charging via Lightning cable means you don’t need an extra cable or charger laying around the house.
Conclusion
If Apple created a game controller for the newest Apple TV then it would probably almost identical to the SteelSeries Nimbus. This well designed, sturdy controller makes the Apple TV feel more like a console than just a video streaming device. The Nimbus’ buttons are responsive and make gaming or using the Apple TV a pleasure.
The Lightning port makes it easy to charge as you can simply plug the Nimbus onto your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch cable. It offers a 40-hour battery life, which should provide several weeks of average use between charges.
By competitively pricing the Nimbus, SteelSeries made it a no-brainer as a must have gaming peripheral for any iOS device especially the new Apple TV.
Pros:
+Solidly constructed
+Works with iOS and OS X making it multifunctional
+Doubles as Apple TV remote
+40-hour battery life
+Competitively priced
Charges via Lightning connection Case ih 8309 discbine operator manual.
Vray for sketchup pro 2015. Cons:
-iOS gaming using controller still lacking
-Hard to use with iPhone and iPod Touch without stand
Disclosure: This product was given to us for review by the company for review purposes only, and is not considered by us as payment for the review.
To learn more about our review policy please visit this page HERE.
Table of ContentsUnboxingSpecifications and FeaturesConclusion