Ability to enter a focuser position manually

[gfunkernator]

Using Backyard EOS, I have to move the focuser position using the arrow buttons, +/- 500,100,10, and 1.  It would be nice to be able to enter a position number since I have all them saved for different image trains.  As of now I go into CPWI and enter the position which can be cumbersome when I have the find target window open which covers most of the screen, and also the side panel submenus.  

[admin]

By that you mean a goto function?  You enter a position, press goto, and the focuser goes to that position?

[astroman133]

That is how I interpret his request.

[gfunkernator]

Yes ^^

Just like the Celestron Focuser Control Panel.

[tensorcat]

Just to extend this a bit... Also add this functionality to the API

[astroman133]

Here is a solution that is available today and provides many of the requested features without any changes to BYE.

You can use the ASCOM Device Hub where BYE connects to the Device Hub Focuser and Device Hub connects to your ASCOM focuser. Device Hub has the capability to move to an absolute position, as well as move in and out by a selected amount. Other applications can connect to the Device Hub focuser at the same time, as well.

ASCOM Device Hub is included with version 6.5 of the ASCOM Platform.

When minimized, Device Hub disappears onto the System Tray.

[gfunkernator]

While this Device Hub application does sound neat, it does not solve my issue.  I image using a Microsoft Surface with 8GB RAM and a 4-core HT CPU.  I try to keep minimal applications running while I image, especially when I'm imaging planets.  All I am asking the devs is for the ability to put the mouse cursor over the displayed position number on the focuser tab, click into it, type in a position number, and press enter for it to go to the desired position.  I don't want to have to run more or have to switch between more apps.

To add to that, maybe focuser position preset buttons.  Now that would be awesome.  I could start doing DSO's then when I want to planetary, I could hit the Planetary focuser position preset and begin changing the image train while the focuser changes position.

[astroman133]

I was trying to give you a workaround that you can use today rather than wait several months for a new release of BYE.

Sorry, but 8 GB of RAM is a huge amount of RAM. I have half that on each of my Windows 10 PCs, run as many apps as I need to and am barely over 50% RAM used. DeviceHub typically uses about 5.5 MB. That is less than 1% of the total RAM on your 8 GB machine. It will not be a drain on your resources. 

You also asked to have the MoveFocuserToPosition capability made available via BYE's API. This presumes that some other application will need to be changed to use that API function. More delay while that app developer implements that capability. If that app already has ASCOM focuser control, you can simply connect it to the DeviceHub Focuser device to use its capability to adjust the focuser. Again, this is available today.

[gfunkernator]

I appreciate the suggestion, I wasn't trying to come off with a sense of urgency, it would be cool to do most of the control within one app.  So right now, I have CPWI, PHD2, BYE, and Astrotortilla running, although AT is only used when needed.  I will take a look at device hub.  Does device hub have focus position presets?  Now that would be amazing.

 

Cpu usage is my concern, not so much RAM usage.  Also when I'm out in the field running on battery, the less load I put on the PC the better.

[astroman133]

Sorry, no Device Hub does not have Focuser presets. 

I put target focuser positions for different setups into a text document. For me the actual position will vary by as much as 100 steps, depending on the ambient temperature.

When I wrote Device Hub, resource usage was a concern. It uses <0.1% of the CPU while connected to the ASCOM Simulated Focuser and reading the focuser position and temperature every few seconds.

When I am out in the field I do not rely on the laptop's battery. I power my setup with 2 deep cycle 12V marine batteries. One is for the laptop and the other is at the mount for everything else.