Confused by the Many MSM Phone Mount Options? Here’s Which One to Choose
First, an important point:
All of these phone mount/holder options can be used in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The main difference is how the phone is mounted and how you use it for polar alignment.
| Phone Mount / Holder | How is the phone mounted? | Can it be used with NOMAD? | Northern Hemisphere | Southern Hemisphere | Compatible with other polar scopes? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSM Phone Mount Kit | Directly on the back of NOMAD | ✅ Yes | ✅ | ✅ | — | The simplest direct-to-NOMAD setup |
| Richard's Phone Clamp | On the wedge / ball head | ✅ Yes | ✅ | ✅ | — | Aligning the wedge or ball head before attaching NOMAD |
| Eric's Phone Holder | On the side of NOMAD | ✅ Yes | ✅ | ✅ | — | Attaching the phone directly to the side of NOMAD |
| Phone Mount Adapter for Polar Scope | On a polar scope | ✅ Yes | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ Yes | Attaching the MSM phone mount to NOMAD's or another tracker’s polar scope |
Here’s a simple guide to help you choose.
1. Want to attach your phone directly to NOMAD?
MSM Phone Mount + Phone Mount Adapter
This is the most straightforward option if you want to attach your phone directly to NOMAD.
The phone mount attaches to the back of NOMAD, and you can use your phone to complete the polar alignment.
Works in: Northern & Southern Hemispheres
Setup guide:
https://youtu.be/maUx43nOmlg
Polar alignment guide:
https://youtu.be/bfHH0_bkbKE?si=xLt28GcHZTNhJ0oQ
2. Want to use your phone to align the wedge or ball head first?
MSM Phone Clamp in Richard's Kit
This one works differently from the first option.
Instead of attaching the phone directly to NOMAD, you attach the phone clamp to the wedge or ball head — the part that connects NOMAD to your tripod.
You then use your phone and the alignment app to adjust the wedge or ball head until it is correctly aligned with the celestial pole for your hemisphere.
Once the alignment is complete, remove the phone clamp and attach NOMAD to the wedge or ball head.
So, with this method, you use the phone to align the mounting platform first, rather than aligning NOMAD directly.
Works in: Northern & Southern Hemispheres
3. Want to attach your phone to the side of NOMAD?
Eric's NOMAD 3D Phone Holder
This phone holder attaches to the side of NOMAD.
Although Eric originally designed it to make polar alignment easier for users in the Southern Hemisphere, it can actually be used in both hemispheres.
There is one important thing to understand about this holder:
Once your phone is placed on the holder, the phone's alignment direction is exactly opposite to NOMAD's normal alignment direction.
Therefore, you need to align your phone toward the opposite celestial pole from the one you would normally use for NOMAD.
For example:
-
Northern Hemisphere: NOMAD normally aligns toward the North Celestial Pole, but with Eric's phone holder, the phone is facing the opposite direction, so you need to align the phone toward the South Celestial Pole / Sigma Octantis.
-
Southern Hemisphere: NOMAD normally aligns toward the South Celestial Pole, so with Eric's phone holder, you need to align the phone toward the North Celestial Pole / Polaris.
Works in: Northern & Southern Hemispheres
4. What is the Phone Mount Adapter for Polar Scope used for?
MSM Phone Mount Adapter for Polar Scope
This kit is a little different from the three options above.
It was mainly developed for users who want to attach the MSM phone mount to the polar scope of other trackers, such as the Sky-Watcher polar scope.
It can also be used with the MSM polar scope, but if you are using NOMAD, it is generally not necessary because the three options above already provide different ways to achieve polar alignment.
Works with: Polar scopes from other trackers, as well as the MSM polar scope
Which one should I choose?
| If you want to... | Recommended option |
|---|---|
| Attach your phone directly to the back of NOMAD | MSM Phone Mount |
| Use your phone to align the wedge/ball head first | Richard's Phone Clamp |
| Attach your phone to the side of NOMAD | Eric's Phone Holder |
| Attach the MSM phone mount to another brand's polar scope | Phone Mount and Adapter for Polar Scope |
The simplest way to think about it:
Phone directly on NOMAD → MSM Phone Mount
Phone on wedge/ball head → Richard's Phone Clamp
Phone on the side of NOMAD → Eric's Phone Holder
Phone mount on a polar scope → Phone Mount Adapter for Polar Scope
And remember: all three NOMAD phone mount solutions can be used in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The main difference is the physical mounting position and the direction you need to use for polar alignment.