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Hi Peter, Richard.
Thanks for the info on INDI. Looks as if this could be really good project. Those other small control boards look good too. They have more std features than the Pi built in, like RS232 wireless...but they are more expensive (panda board costs$? U/k, BeagleBoard $200+. Not that the Pi cannot be added on to run RS232 or wireless..it's just these other boards have the hardware already onboard.
I noticed they also have a camera controller, the Pi does as well although I think it is for webcams. These camera controllers on the PandaBoard and Beagleboard looks like they will run DSLRs. I need to research this some more. Although you can run DSLRs thru USB.
To me the cost of the mini controller is not the major issue, its the features size and ability to run things like: PHD; DSLR control; focusers, and for many other...filter wheels etc.....ect.
All stuff this should be able to be controlled using VNC as long as the client can interpret the controller computer. Using as a VNC you shouldn't need to connect a monitor/keyboard to the controller, just connect and control it from another host computer.
The beauty of these small controllers is not so much that you can control over greater distances (which is a big plus) it's that you have the resources, in a small package, to run all your hardware devices. Thus you reduce all those annoying leads to and fro the OTA/mount. Even if your 3 metres away the ability to reduce leads is a big plus.
This is why I'm interested in these products.
So, What I'll do is sit down and look at the controllers. Looking to get one that has the ability to run the astro devices, one which will suit now and possibly the future and one that other Astro users will be using as well. No use re-inventing the wheel. Not sure on the ability of the Pi to have the bandwidth resources to run astro devices. I did read somewhere that it was hogged down when running PHD under linux.
This is probably why the Pi is attractive. there is a lot of interest in it and it appears to be building.
If anyone has any thoughts ...chime in I'd be interested in other peoples thoughts and experiences. I can do the hardware side of anything that needs controlling...it's just the software side that I'm at the weak end of the gene pool.
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