Hi Phil,
Adding a direct step go to entry input on my SharpSky client is not a problem and I will have a look at implementing this shortly - not sure why it is not present at the moment ....
Interestingly, I was only speaking to the SGP developers on Friday evening regarding making setting changes to the driver when connected. As you correctly pointed out when SGP connects to an ASCOM device you lose the ability to pop open the settings dialog window. This is a client specific author choice as I an not aware of any ASCOM standard directive regarding this operation.
So some clients, (eg MaxIm) allow the user to open the settings dialog window when connected and some (SGP) do not. As the SGP developers point out there is no driver property indicating whether it is 'safe' to make changes when connected and so they have decided to air on the side of caution and prevent the operation.
In the case of SharpSky Pro any driver setup window changes are noted and on connection committed to driver persistent storage and if necessary transmitted to the control box for commitment to non volatile memory. The driver also pops up a courtesy message just to let you know you are making a change in a non connected state.
So as you correctly mention when using SGP it is necessary to first disconnect make any required setup window changes and then re-connect.
Safe and effective
Cheers & clear skies,
Dave