I don't use anything but the maphack. I wish I was patient/smart enough to figure out pindlebot. I've got a big hardware knowledge but when it comes to figuring out any type of coding (even something as simple as a freakin INI file) i'm clueless.
But you're right. Without any type of hack, irregardless of how small it is (such as a maphack), it's almost impossible to keep up. I do manual mf runs every night and I still can't find a bunch of stuff.