I just saw your post, interesting timing!

I had thought about the PoleMaster as, once polar alignment is done, the camera doesn't have a much useful purpose. Using any camera that has been replaced by a newer one is also a good idea for cloud (or visual obstacle) detection, as long as it's parallel to the optical axis of the scope and it has an appropriate FOV for the purpose. The simplest way do evaluate a change of condition would be to process subsequent images and check for differences at the edges of the frame, I assume. More involved processing techniques could probably get a better estimation of the sky conditions.

More food for thoughts!

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