13 replies to this topic

[dmgriff]

There is a long thread over in the Equipment forum on the Pi Finder plate solving camera gps push to. If you are considering one for your newtoian, as am I, I found this video of the basic Pi Finder use on a newtonian. It will also wifi interface with SkySafari on a phone/tablet I believe.

 

Video...starts about 8 minutes in, scroll back to start...

https://www.youtube....poiTyfmc&t=479s

 

[25585]

 

I am considering one, instead of a Nexus DSC.

[bvillebob]

I have both, they both offer certain advantages.

 

i got the Nexus first.  It takes a little work to rig up attachments for the encoders, but once set up they're extremely accurate and easy to use.

 

The PiFinder is easy to set up, and it works great, but it's a bit of a continuing approximation of where you're pointing as you get closer and closer to your object, while with the Nexus it's just fast and rock solid as to exactly where the scope is pointed.

 

The big advantage for me with the Pifinder is that I do most of my observing portable, setting up and breaking down my scopes over and over as I'm traveling.  The encoders for the Nexus make that process a bit more complicated, it just gets to be a hassle.  If I just observed at home I'd probably stick with the Nexus, but for portable use the Pifinder is a lot more convenient.

 

Another option is the Cedar.  I also built one of those too since it's so much cheaper and easier to do.  A simplified version of the Pifinder where your smartphone or tablet is the display, and it doesn't have the GPS or accelarometers that the Pifinder has.  On the other hand it was about one fourth the price and does about 90 percent as well.  If you're just curious about the idea I can highly recommend the Cedar setup, it's just a Pi with a camera in a 3D printed housing, so just a little over $100 up and running.  There's a thread on this site about them but I think it's in the vendor section for it's a little hard to find without searching.

[smroid]

https://www.cloudyni...cedar-e-finder/

[dmgriff]

My thoughts are that the Pi Finder seems to be very transportable between scopes. No encoders and no leveling of mount. It just needs to be aligned perpendicular to the ota from what I gather.

 

A "flat" model may be usable on my refractors, cass. newtonians.

 

Available fully assembled and ready to go (my choice) or in parts/kits.

 

At any rate I will probably bite the bullet shortly....

Edited by dmgriff, 17 June 2025 - 04:27 AM.

[sixela]

 It just needs to be aligned perpendicular to the ota from what I gather.

 

Nort really. It just wants the bottom axis square to the optical tube axis more or less horizontal (for the common left/right  box; there are others for SCTs, refractors et al). No need to be super precise, it's just the "Alt" and "Az" arrows and values that become a bit imprecise to model movement of the real axes of the mount if you're off by too much (which causes you to go to your target with slightly more iterations of nudging the scope).

 

As far as the alignment with the OTA optical axis is concerned, tolerance is fairly liberal: the FoV is 10°x10° and all you need is that your OTA points to a star that is still visible in the camera image.

Edited by sixela, 17 June 2025 - 05:14 AM.

[Jon Isaacs]

The PiFinder is easy to set up, and it works great, but it's a bit of a continuing approximation of where you're pointing as you get closer and closer to your object, while with the Nexus it's just fast and rock solid as to exactly where the scope is pointed.

 

 

In an ideal world, the Nexus points to exactly where the scope is pointed.  From what I have seen watching friends, that does not always happen.  Issues with leveling, hardware, alignment, all mean that precise pointing over the entire sky does not always happen.  With the PiFinder, there is no encoder drift, no cabiling to worry about or get damaged/disconnected. There is no difference in the accuracy in one part of the sky versus another...  

 

Last night I was using my William Optics ZenithStar 103 on an Astro-Tech Voyager mount.  I was using the PiFinder..  I decided to switch mounts to the more robust StellarVue MG-2.  I mounted the scope and it was aligned...  

 

One big advantage for me is that it works will all my scopes. it just requires Vixen compatible finder shoe that allows the PiFinder to mounted more or less vertically.  

 

Jon

[dmgriff]

Well, I went ahead with my plan this morning, and ordered a flat version 3 with internal battery, as you can see in my signature.

[25585]

In an ideal world, the Nexus points to exactly where the scope is pointed.  From what I have seen watching friends, that does not always happen.  Issues with leveling, hardware, alignment, all mean that precise pointing over the entire sky does not always happen.  With the PiFinder, there is no encoder drift, no cabiling to worry about or get damaged/disconnected. There is no difference in the accuracy in one part of the sky versus another...  

 

Last night I was using my William Optics ZenithStar 103 on an Astro-Tech Voyager mount.  I was using the PiFinder..  I decided to switch mounts to the more robust StellarVue MG-2.  I mounted the scope and it was aligned...  

 

One big advantage for me is that it works will all my scopes. it just requires Vixen compatible finder shoe that allows the PiFinder to mounted more or less vertically.  

 

Jon

Jon, which model did you choose? I notice in that YT video, the guy has an inverted focuser, and the PF above (or below) it. Which model is best for both fracs and Dobs?

[Jon Isaacs]

Jon, which model did you choose? I notice in that YT video, the guy has an inverted focuser, and the PF above (or below) it. Which model is best for both fracs and Dobs?

 

I have the right handed model because 4 or my 5 Dob's are right handed.  

 

The way I use it, it doesn't really matter. I use it in conjunction with SkySafari so the only tricky part is aligning it. 

 

For aligning, I center Polaris at about 300x and the focuser is on the wrong side, I just slip around the scope and push the alignment button.

 

Here it's on the wrong side 

 

 

With my refractors, I just mount it vertically.. 

 

 

With my right handed Dob's, I mount it like this for easy access.

 

 

And for anyone who doubts the PieFinder really works as advertised...

 

 

Jon

 

[mandaragit]

Thank you for sharing this!

 

I really wanted to get a PiFinder for myself since I learned about them early this year, but living in South East Asia means either I build my own (no soldering skills what so ever not to mention how to make the custom PCBs for the display hat) or eating a large customs tax to have it delivered here (which will make the price double!). I can only watch(read?) in envy in the forums here singing praise on how great the PiFinder is. (BTW sorry for my grammar, not my native language)

 

Then last month I found Cedar e-finder that smroid linked a few post up. No soldering skills required! Consider this as an alternative  if you have any spare raspberry pi lying around and/or you don't have access to the Pifinder shop (maybe due to the location like myself). I have been using cedar for a month now and didn't get any problems, I can concentrate on just observing! You do need a phone though, I use it with SkySafari. 

 

I am a believer of these e-finders and will highly recommend them, whatever you choose!

 

Here it is in action and after printing a smaller form factor case:

 

[dmgriff]

I am also curious how these units perform with a EQ mount. 

 

I wonder about the movement with both RA/DEC axis unlocked. Also wondered about how it would work setting the DEC coordinate on the mount and proceeding from there...Well, it will be a hands on project.

 

I will probably try it out with a SV48P refractor on a ES Nano to get the feel. A GSO 6in f/6 f=900 with premium optics on a AstroZap GEM with manual tracking would be the newtonian. 

 

Projects kinda keep the neurons firing. 

Edited by dmgriff, 18 June 2025 - 10:56 AM.

[SparkyMike2010]

mandaragit,

In your post’s top picture I noticed some ¿felt? or some black fabric around your focuser and I was just wondering what it’s for?

[mandaragit]

It's to try and block stray light around the focuser, same material I used for the shroud. Got the idea from the One Sky thread (LINK), eventhough you already have a shroud there is still gap between the focuser and the main shroud.

 

mandaragit,

In your post’s top picture I noticed some ¿felt? or some black fabric around your focuser and I was just wondering what it’s for?