On Apr 19, 2024, at 5:35?PM, Paul Abel <pabel0418@...> wrote:

?I am also following this topic with great interest.

Mike, thanks for the mention of the EFinder groups.io group.? Are you all familiar with a product, that I believe is similar to Keith's product, called the PiFinder?? ? Based on his Cloudy Nights posts, the developer of that product is working furiously to enhance the functionality of his product, and he has expressed a willingness to partner with other product developers.

I am wondering if the PiFinder could be modified to:

1. Incorporate a serial port to allow connection directly to a ServoCat so that the PiFinder could transmit the scope's current pointing position and desired go-to targets to the SC.? I believe Raspberry PI computers already incorporate serial ports.

2.? Interface with a PiFinder Alpaca/ASCOM driver (over its existing wi-fi capability) so that go-to targets could be input directly into the PiFinder from a host PC rather than keyed in at the PiFinder box sitting on the scope.

The PiFinder developer probably would not do this on his own (at least not yet), but perhaps if Gary were to reach out to him and indicate that there could be a market for such a product with SC owners, and offer assistance with the PiFinder/SC interface, the PiFinder developer might jump at the idea.

This approach could have several advantages:

1.? The entire alignment/targeting process would be offloaded from the EAA camera/Sharpcap or NINA system to a dedicated targeting device.? We would be less vulnerable to idiosyncrasies of how EAA apps implement plate-solving routines, including future revisions thereto.

2.? Using a widely accepted ASCOM (and perhaps an INDI) driver for the PiFinder, rather than a dedicated Windows or Linux driver for the SC itself, would give us access to a greater number of astronomy apps.

3.? I believe that, at this stage, Keith only publishes plans for his EFinder, and the user has to build the hardware him/her-self.? With the PiFinder, a user can purchase a fully assembled product or a kit, or download plans.? As someone with 10 thumbs, buying pre-assembled hardware is an attractive option for me.

I don't claim to have the technical knowledge necessary to advance the project under discussion, so if this idea does not have merit, please ignore my suggestion.

Paul