2.4.0

v2.4.0 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.4.0.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

New Features

Sky Quality Meter (SQM) - Experimental

A new Sky Quality Meter feature measures sky brightness and displays the corresponding Bortle scale classification. This is the culmination of a lot of work to adjust the imaging system and was pulled together by @mrosseel 🎉

There is a dedicated SQM screen under Tools/Experimental which will display current SQM for the area of sky the camera is being pointed at along with Bortle equivalent and the title bar info now also rotates between SQM and constellation abbreviation.

We're excited about this new feature and are looking for feedback! It should report values close to other devices that report SQM, but due to variation in field of view, spectral response, and calculation techniques it may not exactly match. However values reported by PiFinders should be very comparable between units and for the same unit at different sites and different parts of the sky. With the 10 degree FOV of the PiFinder it's easy to compare different areas of the sky to map overall site quality 🌌

Help us improve this feature: If you have another device that displays SQM (Magnitude per arcsecond squared) please let us know how the PiFinder numbers compare. Hold down the SQUARE button from the SQM screen and choose CORRECT to enter the SQM from another device, capture a test images from the camera, and prepare a zip file for sending to the PiFinder team, which will take several seconds during which the UI will not respond. This will NOT send any data and will only save the .zip file to the shared PiFinder storage where you can grab it and send it via email at a later time 👍

Camera Auto Exposure - Experimental

Automatic exposure control using a PID-based algorithm that adapts to changing sky conditions 📷 This should be huge help to new and experienced PiFinder users alike. It will automatically adjust exposure downward as the sky darkens through the night, or will lengthen exposures if you are pointing at a brighter area of sky!

This is an experimental feature and is not enabled by default. To turn this on, go to Settings/Camera Exp and choose Auto. You can switch back to a constant exposure at any time.

Press the SQUARE button while on the Focus to get an overlay with current exposure and star count from the most recent solve.

WDS Catalog

We're happy to now include the Washington Double Star catalog with over 150,000 double star pairs! This is by far the largest catalog the PiFinder software includes and there was a lot of optimization to make this perform well. The catalog loads in the background and you'll received a message shortly after start up when it's fully available. This paves the way for other large catalogs and offers a lifetime of double star observing!

For more information on WDS, pleased see: https://www.astro.gsu.edu/wds/

Improvements

Cedar-Detect System Service

Cedar-Detect now runs as a dedicated system service rather than a subprocess, improving stability and resource management. This change is transparent to users but provides better crash recovery and memory handling.

GPS

• Configurable baud rate: GPS baud rate can now be configured via the Advanced settings menu (#345)
• Reorganized GPS settings: GPS options now grouped under Settings > Advanced > GPS Settings
• GPSD improvements: Fixed lock_type handling for GPSD-based GPS messages (#358)
• Early dongle fix: Fixed issue where some GPS dongles never reported sky data (#373)

Catalogs

• WDS catalog: Improved loading speed with background loading for better UI responsiveness (#352, #355)
• Async search: Search is now asynchronous for improved responsiveness
• Comet catalog: Better refresh and download handling with non-blocking updates (#353)
• Bright stars: Fixed off-by-one error in bright stars catalog

User Interface

• EQ mode: Push-to now uses +/- buttons rather than arrows for clearer directional guidance
• Settings reorganization: Advanced settings (PiFinder Type, Camera Type, GPS Settings) now grouped under an "Advanced" submenu
• Preview cleanup: Removed background subtraction and gamma functions from preview
• Experimental menu: Moved higher in menu structure for easier access

Bug Fixes

• Fixed preview crash when marking menu items are missing
• Fixed crash when screenshot title contains a slash
• Fixed OSX logging levels by applying log config in each subprocess
• Fixed various solver stability issues with improved error handling
• Fixed typo in SkySafari documentation
• Fixed typo in menu

Hardware & Documentation

• Adjusted GPS antenna holder sizing
• Improved case tolerances and new dovetail design
• Updated shroud with tighter tolerance
• Added instructions to build guide for testing LEDs and buttons
• Clarified DIY vs Assembled parts in case documentation

v2.3.0

v2.3.0 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.3.0.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

This release is a hearty mix of new features, enhancements and bug fixes along with a big overhaul in the catalog data and import system by @mrosseel 👏 The Steinicke NGC/IC catalog is widely considered the definitive compilation of the New General Catalog and features many corrections and updates to this venerable data set.

Another long awaited and much requested feature is the ability to type in arbitrary RA/DEC coordinates for push-to guidance!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this release! It's not always been obvious in the past how many people contribute time to the project, but this has been growing over time and I'll be including contributors at the bottom of the release notes from now on 👍

New Catalog Support

• Steinicke Catalog Integration (#323) - Replace NGC and IC catalog data with Revised Data from Dr. W. Steinicke - http://www.klima-luft.de/steinicke/ngcic/rev2000/Explan.htm

🌟Improvements and Enhancements

• Custom RA/DEC Entry (#330) - New manual coordinate entry system for precise targeting
• Magnification Display (#324) - Show current eyepiece magnification in the interface
• Analog Sky Bloom Support (#327) - Added new PiFinder hardware variant with dedicated configuration
• Menu System Updates - Improved menu text and overall UI experience
• Pi HQ (v2) Camera Sensitivity (#335) - Improved light sensitivity for better low-light performance
• IMU Sensitivity Adjustment (#351) - Adjusts amount of motion required to switch to IMU estimates

🐛Bug Fixes

• Web Interface Fixes (#334) - Fixed popup message visibility in web interface
• IMU Fallback (#348) - System now gracefully handles IMU sensor failures without crashing
• Debug Camera Fixes - Restored debug camera functionality with proper start/stop logic
• Debug Dump & Save Picture (#329) - Split debug dump and picture saving into separate hotkeys
• Fixed catalog image path resolution (#350)
• Added sanity checks for object locations and RA/DEC coordinates
• Fixed local keyboard functionality
• Improved object filtering for unknown types
• Various typo fixes in comments and documentation

🔧 Technical Improvements

• Babel Command Improvements - More specific babel commands to avoid virtual environment conflicts
• ModemManager Handling (#343) - Better error handling and rerun capability for ModemManager conflicts
• GPS UBX Replay (#305) - Added GPS replay functionality with fake hardware support
• Enhanced type checking and error handling
• Improved catalog import architecture with modular loaders

New 3D Printed Adaptors

• 90-degree dovetail adapter
• Tube clamps with plate for adding finder shoe to a tube in 25mm, 30mm, 38mm O.D.
• Dovetail bottom tripod adapter - Adds hole for 1/4-20 threaded insert to bottom of dovetail
• USB cutout shroud for front panel - Allows access to single RPI USB-A port for debug/experimentation

Contributors:

• Richard
• mrosseel
• Jens Scheidtmann
• d33psky
• c3n

v2.2.2

v2.2.2 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.2.2.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

This release fixes an issue with the software update screen in v2.2.1 which can prevent future updates. If you are running version 2.2.1 and have issues with the software update screen please reach out to info@pifinder.io for assistance.

v2.2.1 notes

This is a minor bug fix release that restores the missing Comets menu item and addresses crashes related to the new equipment system.

Software Updates

• Restores Comets menu item under Objects ☄️

Bug Fixes

• Fixes several potential crashes related to deleting equipment 🔭

v2.2.1

v2.2.1 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.2.1.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

This is a minor bug fix release that restores the missing Comets menu item and addresses crashes related to the new equipment system.

Software Updates

• Restores Comets menu item under Objects ☄️

Bug Fixes

• Fixes several potential crashes related to deleting equipment 🔭

v2.2.0

v2.2.0 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.2.0.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

This release is all about the fantastic new GPS enhancements and features from @mrosseel and while there are also a few little parts, hardware, documentation and QOL fixes... the GPS is definitely the star of the show! 📡 📶 Location locks should be detected reliably, there is a great new screen to monitor GPS Status, and a system for boosting reception by turning off the camera when the GPS Status screen is showing.

To work this magic Mike implemented a new way to communicate with the GPS module, bypassing the buggy parts of the GPSD library. Note: This new functionality is designed for the non-USB receivers in the v2/v3 series of PiFinders and will be enabled by default. Original v1 PiFinders with external USB GPS will need to use the Settings screen to set the GPS type back to GPSD.

The main menu has been re-organized to help highlight this start-up flow: Focus, Align, GPS. By renaming Camera to Focus and putting these three items under a Start menu, we're reducing clutter when observing and helping to make the flow clear for first time users 🤝

Software Updates

• Brand new communications system for the GPS to detect locks reliably and provide more details status info
• Great new GPS Status screen to monitor satellites and lock types along with key data
• Camera is paused when the GPS Status screen is displayed to reduce EM interference and allow quicker locking, especially for obstructed use such as inside an observatory
• New system log viewer and download system added to the Web Interface
• Menu system reorganized to put Focus (Camera), Align and GPS in one place

Documentation

• Adjusted docs to reflect new menu structure
• Add information about GPS Status screen
• Clarify documentation versioning notices

Bug Fixes

• None

Case

• Updated 38mm tube clamp to accept deeper M4 inserts

v2.1.1

v2.1.1 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.1.1.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

This is a minor which includes a few important bug fixes and adjustments, but does not add any major new features.

Software Updates

• Brightness control is now biased towards smaller steps on the low-end
• GPS Status is more unified across screens/title bar
• Console screen contents persists through startup into regular operations

Documentation

• Updated README for case parts

Bug Fixes

• Fix crash on decimal/non-numeric equipment data input via web interface
• Fix timekeeping bug which resulted in PiFinder internal clock running slow
• Fix Planet locations 🪐 related to timekeeping issue

Case

• Added some new adapters

Hardware

• v3 PCB gerbers updated to clean up silkscreen and use smaller footprints for LEDs to help alignment

Full Changelog: v2.1.0...v2.1.1

v2.1.0

v2.1.0 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.1.0.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

Due to the Holidays and a tumultuous start to the year in Southern California, this release took a bit longer than usual to get put together and tested. We hope the list of new features and bug fixes makes it worth the wait 👍

Highlights

Comets!
If an internet connection is available the PiFinder will download and save orbital information to use for presenting a catalog of active comets ☄️ 🎉

Equipment 🔭
Using the PiFinder's web interface you can enter information about your scopes and eyepieces to be referenced and used in various PiFinder functions including more specific object image FOV's and orientation!

Cedar Detect and Solve Upgrade
We've updated the star detection and plate solving library we use to a more recent version with a variety of bug fixes and enhancements we can use to add new functionality 🎯

New Alignment System
After testing as an experimental feature for several months, the new Align function is ready along with new, improved documentation and an easier to follow flow

Software Updates

• Comets orbital info download and Catalog
• New Alignment System
• Camera imaging now uses raw sensor output for more dynamic range
• Added support for the Sony imx462 Innomaker camera to help with supply issues on the imx296
• GPS monitoring is more robust with independent time and location locks
• Remove object images from background of the Push-To and Object details views
• Add system restart option to menu
• User equipment system
  • Easily access magnification, fov and other details for your eyepiece/telescope combo
  • Used to present object images at a more specific scale which exactly matches your eyepiece
  • Allows import of equipment from DeepSkyLog
• Upgrade Cedar detect & solve components
• Add option for AZ arrow reversal
• Jump immediately to Push-To instructions when receiving GoTo objects from SkySafari

Documentation

• Updated build guide for v2.5 upgrade
• Fixes and updates for developer docs
• Add architecture docs
• New note about IP address vs. pifinder.local when accessing web and using SkySafari

Bug Fixes

• Fix chart updating when pending GPS lock
• Fixing magnitude filtering bug
• Fix sharpless catalog import to correct some positions
• Update testing scripts tooling to reflect new keypad
• Catalog filtering bug fix
• Fixed some object types in the catalogs
• Corrected position of m45

Case

• Updated parts for new GPS antenna
• Updated readme and parts organization for v2.5

Misc

• All v3 PCB files updates with tested POS and BOM files for JLCPCB Production

New Contributors

• @WimDeMeester made their first contribution in PR#255 🎉

Full Changelog: v2.0.4...v2.1.0

v2.0.4

v2.0.4 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.0.4.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

Hot on the heels of the v2.0.3 official release is this patch to fix up a couple of bugs and refine a few rough edges.

Software Updates

• Improve the completeness of the Recent Object List
• Chart rendering is faster and has less distortion
• Experimental Alignment Feature added for testing
  • This is experimental and very lightly tested. You can find this under the Tools/Experimental menu. The existing alignment feature is still recommended for general use!

Bug Fixes

• Fix chart updating when pending GPS lock
• Fixing magnitude filtering bug
• Fix sharpless catalog import to correct some positions
• Update testing scripts tooling to reflect new keypad
• Catalog filtering bug fix

Full Changelog: v2.0.3...v2.0.4

v2.0.3🎉

v2.0.3 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_2.0.3.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

This is a major version release which introduces a whole new user interfaces, support for a new camera, and configurations for new v3 PiFinder hardware.

So much has changed with this release that it's difficult to list all of the new bits. Here's a top-level overview:

• All new scrolling menu system which allows easy access to all PiFinder functions in a consistent way.
• All non-numeric buttons have been relabeled and their behavior is more consistent
• All functions are available by scrolling using the arrows, pressing right to select/move deeper into the menus and left to go back.
• Text on most screens is larger and more legible and at the same time we've shifted to more descriptive names and less abbreviations.
• For shortcut/quick access functions we've implemented a context sensitive Quick Menu available via a long-press on the new SQUARE key.
• There is now one object list which you can be loaded from any catalog, or all catalogs, globally filtered, sorted by nearest, and more. This is the heart of your observing sessions and any object can be selected to get Push-To info, object images and detailed catalog info 🙌
• Full text search is now available with T9 style text entry 📱
• All settings and tools are available through the Settings menu item and are organized for easy discovery and access.
• New Help system for screen/function specific info
• Just so much more.....

I'd suggest checking out the updated Quick Start and User Manual to get a better sense of the changes:

Due to the significant changes and little tweaks that have gone in during a short public testing period, this is the 3rd minor release of this new software.

Bug Fixes

This v2.0.3 release includes many minor bug fixes and tweaks from the 2.0.0/2.0.1/2.0.2 releases that were found by early testers. Thank you for all the great bug reports.

Feedback on releases is always welcome and we very much appreciate the bug reports to help us continue to improve the PiFinder!

v1.11.2

v1.11.2 Release

The prebuilt image for this release is available at:
https://ddbeeedxfpnp0.cloudfront.net/software/PiFinder_1.11.2.img

For information about how to update software versions:
https://pifinder.readthedocs.io/en/release/user_guide.html#update-software

Notes

This is a minor release to address some data issues discovered in the ARP catalog and fix a couple of bugs. These release notes include version 1.11.1 and 1.11.2

Software Updates

• No feature or software changes

Bug Fixes

• Fixed position of some ARP catalog objects
• Regenerated images for all ARP objects to better frame objects
• Added more cross reference names in catalogs
• When pushing objects from SkySafari, PiFinder now properly displayed Locate screen

Documentation

• No Changes

Feedback on releases is always welcome and we very much appreciate the bug reports to help us continue to improve the PiFinder! I'll leave you with some of the great new objects in the ARP catalog!