what you could do is set piston 2 to be on an inverted signal from piston 1, instead of having a unique timing.
what this would do in effect is that piston 2 is extended by default, until an item passes in front of your observer, then piston 2 retracts and piston 1 extends, dropping the item in front of piston 2. and then when the pulse ends piston 1 retracts and piston 2 extends
Jason left the Modem Rogue??