Why does astrophotography get harder with longer lenses?
As focal length increases, even tiny tracking errors become magnified.
Why harmonic drive is better suited for long focal lengths
The challenge: higher precision usually means heavier equipment.
5kg payload
300mm Lens + Full-frame Camera Without a bulky mount
Integrated Wedge & V Mount Design
- Less gear. Faster setup
- Fine-tune within a 5° range for accurate alignment.
- Built-in counterweight mounting interface for optional balancing when needed
Built-in Laser Pointer
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Which one is for you?
NOMAD
- Milky Way landscapes
- 14–85mm
- Hiking
- Travel
NOMAD Harmonic 1
- 135mm+
- Deep Sky
- Moon & Solar
- Long Exposure
Find The Right Tracker For Your Astrophotography
| Feature | NOMAD | NOMAD Harmonic Ⅰ |
| Best For | Travel & wide-field astrophotography | Advanced astrophotography & longer focal lengths |
| Drive System | Worm Gear Drive | 14 Harmonic Drive |
| Max Payload | 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) | 5 kg (11 lb) |
| Weight | 430 g (0.95 lb) | 1186 g (2.6 lb) |
| Tracking Precision | Reliable portable tracking | Higher precision tracking for demanding setups |
| Wedge | Optional accessory | Integrated |
| V Mount | Optional accessory | Integrated |
| Polar Alignment Laser | External accessory | Built-in |
| Counterweight Support | Supported | Supported |
| Recommended User | Lightweight travel setups | Higher-performance portable setups |
| Specification | NOMAD Harmonic Ⅰ |
| Drive System | 14 Harmonic Drive |
| Max Payload | 5 kg (11 lb) |
| Tracking Accuracy | Up to 2-minute exposures with camera lenses up to 280mm under accurate polar alignment |
| Tracking Modes | Northern Hemisphere / Southern Hemisphere / Off |
| Recommended Applications | Milky Way, nightscape astrophotography, longer focal length photography, selected deep-sky imaging, Moon & Solar tracking |
| Counterweight Support | Supported |
| Material | CNC Machined Aluminum Alloy |
| Weight | 1186 g (2.6 lb) |
| Dimensions | 125 × 95 × 110 mm |
| Polar Alignment Method | Built-in Laser Pointer / Optional Polar Scope |
| Laser Alignment | Integrated laser pointer for quick polar alignment |
| Latitude Adjustment Range | 0°–65° |
| Fine Adjustment | 5° fine adjustment range for precise polar alignment |
| Mounting System | Integrated V Mount |
| Wedge Design | Integrated precision adjustment wedge |
| Power Supply | USB-C |
| Operating Modes | Manual equatorial tracking |
| GoTo Function | Not supported |
| Auto Guiding | Not supported |
FAQs
NOMAD and NOMAD Harmonic Ⅰ are designed for different photography needs.
NOMAD is an ultra-lightweight star tracker built for travelers and astrophotographers who prioritize portability. It is ideal for Milky Way photography, nightscapes, and lightweight camera setups.
NOMAD Harmonic Ⅰ is designed for photographers who need more payload capacity and tracking precision. With a 14 harmonic drive system and a 5kg payload capacity, it provides more stability and performance headroom for heavier setups and longer focal lengths.
Some experienced photographers have pushed NOMAD beyond its recommended setups, but Harmonic Ⅰ is built for those who want a more comfortable and reliable experience with demanding configurations.
NOMAD Harmonic Ⅰ is designed to support a wide range of astrophotography setups, from wide-field landscapes to longer focal length photography.
With accurate polar alignment and proper balancing, Harmonic Ⅰ can achieve stable tracking performance for up to 2-minute exposures with camera lenses up to 280mm.
For focal lengths beyond 280mm, tracking performance depends on the complete setup, shooting target, and exposure strategy. For short-exposure targets such as the Moon and Sun, Harmonic Ⅰ can still provide stable and reliable tracking support.
A counterweight is recommended for heavier camera setups to improve balance and tracking stability.
For lighter configurations, Harmonic Ⅰ can be used without a counterweight depending on your setup.
A properly balanced system helps reduce stress on the drive mechanism and improves overall tracking performance.
No. NOMAD Harmonic Ⅰ is a manual equatorial star tracker designed for portable astrophotography.
It does not include GoTo or built-in auto-guiding functions.
Instead, it focuses on accurate tracking performance, portability, and a simple shooting workflow for photographers who prefer a lightweight system.
Compared with traditional worm gear systems, the harmonic drive provides higher transmission precision with virtually zero backlash.
This allows NOMAD Harmonic Ⅰ to deliver smoother and more stable tracking performance, especially when using heavier camera setups and longer focal lengths.