1202 replies to this topic

[CHASLX200]

Looks like a wave tech DSC's without encoders and will plate solve.  If there is a easy way to mount the unit to a tripod leg or mount i have to jump on one.  Now sure if many have ever used it yet.

[balcon3]

Looks like a wave tech DSC's without encoders and will plate solve.  If there is a easy way to mount the unit to a tripod leg or mount i have to jump on one.  Now sure if many have ever used it yet.

I asked about this in a previous thread. It appears that it is not possible to separate the camera from the rest of the unit. Since the camera needs to be on the scope to be able to plate solve, the whole unit needs to sit on the scope. If I am not mistaken.

[CHASLX200]

I asked about this in a previous thread. It appears that it is not possible to separate the camera from the rest of the unit. Since the camera needs to be on the scope to be able to plate solve, the whole unit needs to sit on the scope. If I am not mistaken.

I don't think it will work on a EQ mount.

[skyward_eyes]

I have one on my 28” and it’s a cool device. I prefer it over encoders, no extra wiring.

[TayM57]

There is a thread where the Creator says he went to GSSP with 4 PiFinders. He went home with just his personal unit.

Pretty good endorsement!

I plan to post my write up after I use it on both my 10" and 24".

It would be a PITA to have to get encoders at $250-$300 for the 24". The Pifinder solves that, no pun intended.

Edited by TayM57, 11 March 2024 - 12:03 AM.

[Chucky]

How do you keep dew off the camera lens?  Built-in heater, or do you have to use a dew strip?

[BrendanF]

The PiFinder will work on an EQ mount.   There is a 'flat' mount option to mount on the top of an OTA like a refractor.   The PiFinder structure and mount are 3d printed, so you can print your own if you have a 3d printer, and could customized it to your needs if your are into 3d printing.

 

The lens is just a small Pi camera compatible lens, so if dew is an issue, one would have to create a solution.  The PiFinder runs on a Pi 4 computer, which probably puts out enough heat to keep dew away from the small lens if it were enclosed correctly such that the heat from the computer vents out over the lens.

[CHASLX200]

Seems like it could mounted under the saddle of the mount since it is pointing in the same part of the sky as the OTA is.

[turtle86]

There is a thread where the Creator says he went to GSSP with 4 PiFinders. He went home with just his personal unit.

Pretty good endorsement!

I plan to post my write up after I use it on both my 10" and 24".

It would be a PITA to have to get encoders at $250-$300 for the 24". The Pifinder solves that, no pun intended.

 

I had been putting off getting encoders for my 12.5" Dob for years, between the cost and sheer laziness on my part. 

 

My 18" Dob already has encoders, and they work reasonably well with Sky Commander, but I'm thinking that I'll get noticeably better pointing accuracy with the Pi Finder.  

 

Richard just emailed me to let me know that my unit has shipped, so I'm excited. I like new toys, especially new astro toys!  

[turtle86]

How do you keep dew off the camera lens?  Built-in heater, or do you have to use a dew strip?

 

I'm thinking about a DIY dew shield.

[areyoukiddingme]

With this gizmo and the star sense, I'm finally feeling like the problem of finding objects using my portaball will finally be solved. 

 

I've got the starsense, but haven't found the time to set up/try yet.

 

What advantages are there to the pi-finder? The starsense connects with skysafari, which is all the object finding capacity I'm ever going to need. 

[turtle86]

With this gizmo and the star sense, I'm finally feeling like the problem of finding objects using my portaball will finally be solved. 

 

I've got the starsense, but haven't found the time to set up/try yet.

 

What advantages are there to the pi-finder? The starsense connects with skysafari, which is all the object finding capacity I'm ever going to need. 

 

Here's a link to the website, which has info about its features and contact info:

 

https://www.pifinder.io

 

I would assume that the Pi Finder should work with your Portaball, since no encoders are needed, but it would be best to contact Richard to be sure.

[areyoukiddingme]

I'll start by experimenting with the cheapo options first, but as an approach I really like this development.

 

My guess is that we will have a mass-market version that interfaces with Sky Safari pretty soon.

[Jon Isaacs]

I'll start by experimenting with the cheapo options first, but as an approach I really like this development.

 

My guess is that we will have a mass-market version that interfaces with Sky Safari pretty soon.

 

I believe it does connect with Sky Safari but just what it can and cannot do, I don't know...

 

If I ever decide to add "Push To", this seems like the way to go.. 

 

Jon

[TayM57]

Used the PiFinder for the first time last night. What can I say? Superb. Superb.

Couldn't be more impressed, honestly. It's so much more convenient than the Nexus.

I'll post a detailed write up once I get a few more nights with it, particularly with the 24".

[Doug Culbertson]

Used the PiFinder for the first time last night. What can I say? Superb. Superb.

Couldn't be more impressed, honestly. It's so much more convenient than the Nexus.

I'll post a detailed write up once I get a few more nights with it, particularly with the 24".

Nice! I just ordered the PiFinder last night. Hopefully I will get clear skies sometime this year. 

[Sarkikos]

I'm thinking about a DIY dew shield.

You could put a flip-up cover on the camera, like hunters use on their finderscopes.  The trick is to find one that fits the camera.  

 

Mike

[Chaser of Photons]

I met Richard at last year's Calstar and ordered a kit when I got home.  By the time I had time to begin assembling it the V2 kit came out and he was able to provide me an upgrade path.   I'm in the process of working through some design modifications to the housing to allow a more universal mounting schema (a personal project) so my PiFinder is in pieces, currently.

 

What I can say is that there are sooo many features packed into this device with an equal number of individuals whom have provided software support and in the span of a single year the contributions (and modification suggestions) have taken this project into a whole new level.  This is a simplified short list of PiFinder features:

• Web Interface: Uses the LX200 interface to link target selection from SkySafari and other planetarium apps to the PiFinder for ‘push-to’ locating.
• In v 1.9 plate solving got a serious speed boost (5 solves per second!) which is an immense help for push to performance.
• Star detection update helps when observing near obstructions (trees, buildings)
• v1.10 now out and brings two new catalogs; Sharpless (313 emission nebulae) and the Abell (79 planetary nebulae) which brings the total number of catalogs to fifteen!
  • EGC (Extra-Galactic Globular Cluster)
  • Planets
  • TAAS 200
  • Saguaro Astronomy Club Asterisms, Double Star and Red Stars catalogs
  • Collinder
  • Caldwell
  • Barnard catalog of dark nebula
  • RASC (double stars)
  • Messier
  • Herschel 400
  • NGC 2000.0
  • IC
  • STR

The web interface is really slick, it provides PiFinder Status, Remote PiFinder control and a bunch more options at your fingertips.  You can read the details here.

 

[Chaser of Photons]

How do you keep dew off the camera lens?  Built-in heater, or do you have to use a dew strip?

 

 

I'm thinking about a DIY dew shield.

 

There's a gentleman that added small semiconductor heat sinks to several of the chips on the RP mainboard.  It got me to thinking of using that available heat and route it to the camera lens.  Making a simple dew strap from nichrome wire is another possibility, max power would only need to be around a <5 watts (maybe as low as 1-2 watts if there's an insulation overwrap) so very little additional power draw that could be sourced from the 'Sugar' board.

[brickbots]

Thanks Roger, Tay, Rob and all the other early adopters and supporters!   The feedback has been fantastic and has really fueled the growth of features and helped to smooth the rough edges.  It's hard to believe it's been a year and a half since starting this project and almost a year since the first public outing at GSSP 2023. 

 

Just a reminder for anyone who might have missed it, there is a standing 10% off code for Cloudy Nights members.  The code CLOUDY10 is good at https://PiFinder.io for parts, full kits and assembled units if you are looking to build/use a PiFinder this summer 

[mountain monk]

Please keep these posts coming—I’m very interested!

 

Dark skies.

 

Jacj

[Marcelofig]

Thanks Roger, Tay, Rob and all the other early adopters and supporters!   The feedback has been fantastic and has really fueled the growth of features and helped to smooth the rough edges.  It's hard to believe it's been a year and a half since starting this project and almost a year since the first public outing at GSSP 2023. 

 

Just a reminder for anyone who might have missed it, there is a standing 10% off code for Cloudy Nights members.  The code CLOUDY10 is good at https://PiFinder.io for parts, full kits and assembled units if you are looking to build/use a PiFinder this summer 

It looks like a fantastic device, does it also work in the southern hemisphere?

[CHASLX200]

Looks like the font is pretty big so maybe i don't need readers to see it.

[brickbots]

It looks like a fantastic device, does it also work in the southern hemisphere?

Yes, it works just great in the southern hemisphere! The database of star patterns covers the entire night sky and we are even planning on some more specific southern sky centric DSO catalogs in upcoming releases

 

I spent six years living in Australia and observing under the southern sky.  The two clubs I was a member of were top notch and it was a fantastic experience that I still miss... 

 

Please reach out with any questions!

-Richard

[brickbots]

Looks like the font is pretty big so maybe i don't need readers to see it.

The key elements, just object names and Push-To instructions are indeed pretty large.  There are a few smaller bits like catalogs descriptions and some of the configuration menus we are working on making more legible for people, like me, that need readers for up-close work.