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Friday's What's Up Webcast is on the PI Finder with the founder of the device
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For all you Dob owners and those without GoTo telescopes using Push To no tech, this is the non-encoder device you didn't know you needed. I learned about the PI Finder sometime last year. It's a small Raspberry PI or smaller device that can be purchased as a kit or even 3D print at home where you install all the electronics or as a completely finished device. It weighs less than a RACI (Right Angle Correct Image) Finder scope or about what a Tele Vue Delos weighs.? It mounts in a finder saddle with an included dovetail.?? The device immediately impressed me. I'm looking forward to learning about Version 3 and why the kits are only at version 2.5. In a word, it's fantastic looking! The new version 3 is faster and like all Pi finders are encoderless! Fully assembled it goes from $485? - $535. The difference being on board battery or external 5V USB-C powered.?? In kit form the prices range from $15 for the unpopulated circuit boards to $65 for the 3D printed parts and so forth. The kit version builds the v.2.5 of the PI Finder.? I'd go with the built version myself.? It's still less than a Nexus fully loaded.? Or the Tele Vue system. The encoder kit is less then $300 but the whole pod to install it with the encoders is nearly $2000. I like the Nexus DSC Pro. At $385, it's a decent device if you have the room to mount it. It is a one man shop in Australia.? Solid product but right now there's no one that will take over for him. I asked him that question and he said he has 15 years before he can retire.? The PiFinder is available in right hand, left hand, flat and straight through for refractors and SCTs with the eyepiece/focuser at the back. With this episode having the Founder speak about the product, it's an excellent opportunity to learn about the products and ask questions.? That's always the best part of having a live speaker! I got to hear a presentation with the Nexus DSC developer at a club meeting in Hawaii.? As the maker is in Australia it was the closest time zone for a talk!? For me it started at midnight! The PiFinder website is here: PIFinder is out of Sacramento, CA and ship everything via USPS Priority Mail 2 Day delivery.?? If you are still pushing any of your scopes to find an object and have considered an encoder system like Sky Commander (now retired and no longer available), this product is something to consider and I encourage you to attend live, Friday at 1 PM ET on the Sky-Watcher USA YouTube channel.? John Sillasen, your gadget geek or as one member once called me, Inspector Gadget. |
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I have one and I am sad to say I don¡¯t love it.
When it works, it's incredible.
It's dependent on an internal GPS chip and it takes .....fooooorever to lock on a signal.?
Which defeats the purpose of maximizing my observing time.? Currently on loan to one of my SAS members to try before buying.
I think astrohopper does as well as a job and it's free.
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Jeff Dunn
https://shorelineastronomicalsociety.blogspot.com/ |
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Actually happy and sad to hear that. Hopefully, you can join to post your questions on what it is you do not like about it so you can hear what he has to say. I'm curious to hear his responses to your statements or questions,? Jeff.
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Did you have something else before getting the PiFinder or strictly a reticle and your exceptional sky skills? John
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I¡¯m a purist (read as poor) so it¡¯s been Rigel quick finders and finder scopes for the entirety of my observing career.
This was a splurge bought directly from the maker / founder /owner.
I¡¯m loath to publicly drag him as he sent me a second unit at no cost. He¡¯s a stand up guy and I applaud the effort of standing up a business. I upgraded it to the 2.5 level hoping it would improve the performance. ?Alas, that wasn¡¯t the case.
Others may have better luck, and I hope they do.
I will say in the two occasions it worked, I felt disoriented and ¡¯lost¡¯ having not star hopped to the object myself. Most likely a product of star hopping so long and being a geographer by training.?
?
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Jeff Dunn
https://shorelineastronomicalsociety.blogspot.com/ |
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Appreciate the feedback!? I know the drill. I, too, spent years with charts pushing both my 10" Newtonian I made and then the 16" I made.? Rigel, Telrad and RACI - were all on that scope - some on one side, at least one on the other to chase those elusive comets close to the horizon.?? Eventually, I was physically forced to get GoTo systems.? I can't bend that low and some finders, I just can't reach any more.? After having GoTo systems where friends had to polar align for me with the "good enough for visual" when they were done, it took a lot of time and patience to show, precision isn't just for imaging, it's for doing a GoTo with medium to high power eyepieces.? That sent me to Astro-Physics mounts and eventually their scopes.? with a Right Angle Polar Alignment Scope, I no longer have to ask friends to polar align!? The good news is that my CGEM-DX has now gone to two other club owners so I know it was a good product! I'd sure like to get my 16" out again.? I was hoping the PiFinder v3 or the Astro Devices Nexus DSC Pro would be the right product.?? Thanks for the feedback.? Device failure and replacement is a problem we all deal with.? Glad to hear this vendor took care of you and quickly.? We'll see what the new version has to offer one way or another. Thank you, Jeff! John A. Sillasen
On Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 02:15:17 PM EDT, Jeffrey Dunn via groups.io <jeffreyj.dunn@...> wrote:
I¡¯m a purist (read as poor) so it¡¯s been Rigel quick finders and finder scopes for the entirety of my observing career.
This was a splurge bought directly from the maker / founder /owner.
I¡¯m loath to publicly drag him as he sent me a second unit at no cost. He¡¯s a stand up guy and I applaud the effort of standing up a business. I upgraded it to the 2.5 level hoping it would improve the performance. ?Alas, that wasn¡¯t the case.
Others may have better luck, and I hope they do.
I will say in the two occasions it worked, I felt disoriented and ¡¯lost¡¯ having not star hopped to the object myself. Most likely a product of star hopping so long and being a geographer by training.?
?
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Jeff Dunn
https://shorelineastronomicalsociety.blogspot.com/
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