Good quality and once get hang of it easy to use, just the instructions not the best.
I was able to make successful images the first time I used the MSM Star Tracker. It's very intuitive and simple to set up. The green laser aiming system seems to be accurate enough for general wide-angle shots, but it would probably be better to use the polar scope for deep-space shots. I have not tried this yet. Great product! Works as advertised, and will probably give me the chance to make some spectacular images.
Easy to setup. Well made. Not able to put it through a night the test yet. Dry run in the house works great.
It is excellent, only when I bought it I thought it came with the base to be installed in the MSM
Got an replacement for the fried laser. Excellent customer service and semi-fast delivery.
Easy to use setup, the manual is very handy. I used the MSM rotator on a week long trip shooting exclusivly astrophotography. I don't have any concerns at this time about the product. Solidly built. Would highly recommend.
I'm a traveler that loves astrophotography. Until now, I wasn't able to travel with a tracker as they are all very massive. The MSM is extremely compact, yet working so well. I was able to get +4min exposure on a 18mm lens and up to 90s on a equivalent 200mm (rokinon 135 + aps-c sensor). Very impressed by this product.
Not had th3 weather to use in anger yet but looks good so far
This is my first tracker and I like it. The polar alignment with the laser is very easy. I've shot exposures up to 2 minutes with a Lumix micro 4/3 camera and a 25mm lens (50mm equivalent) and stars are sharp. The tracker is small and it fits in my camera bag. Very easy to set up, it just takes a few minutes and I can spend my time taking pictures rather than messing with equipment. Excellent for me as a beginning astrophotographer, I give it 5 stars.
The scope is very easy to use and set up, it is clear and easy to see when illuminated with the supplied red light that fits on the end. Using an app makes alignment very easy and quick
I've been using the MSM rotator for little over a year now and I has made a huge difference in the quality of my astro photos. The best thing about the rotator is that I can keep it in my bag at all times since its so light weight. One other major benefit is that it can charge via USB Type C which makes ideal as I have to carry less cables with me when I'm out hiking or camping.
I'm new to photography and especially astro shooting, but the move shoot move made it very easy to align shots; especially when paired with PhotoPills app to make sure I'm aligning to the correct star between locations. I've used the move-shoot-move tracker a few nights now and have been extremely pleased with the results on my a6100 + Sigma 16mm f1.4.
I highly recommend this for wide angle astro.
Background:
- I use the MSM rotator for Milky Way nightscapes. I have not tried it for deep sky viewing.
Pros:
- Easy to use, especially with the laser to get you close to Polaris (takes seconds)
- Small, light, packs down easily into my hiking bag
- Works! I’ve taken up to 4 minute exposures with my Sigma 14 mm f/1.8 lens, which is a HEAVY BEAST, with pinpoint stars.
Cons:
- The laser is unrated and seems too powerful. I purchased another rated 5mW (US legal limit), and it is significantly dimmer.
- The double-sided mounting screw that goes between the motor and the ballhead is definitely at risk of falling out someday. I have extras, but this could be permanently secured to prevent a future problem.
Future:
- I purchased a right angle polar scope adaptor from a German company that screws right on to the end of MSM’s polar scope and even has magnification. No more back/neck pain and dirty knees from stopping/crouching. You guys should make and sell your own adaptor OR design a polar scope with the right-angle built in. It would be the only one on the market for portable star trackers and would be a serious plus.
This tracker works perfectly for wide field Milky Way photography, but also with a careful polar alignment using the polar scope, you can get sharp photos at even higher focal length. I was able to get sharp photos at 300mm focal length and 1 minute exposures of the Orion Nebula. I particularly love how convenient and easy it is to setup and use.
I really like the size and ease of setting up and all the controls are simple and fast. The over all operation is good, I was able to operate it with good quality pictures on the first time.
I tested this out with my Nikon Z7 and the 14-30 as well as the 24-70 kit lens and it worked with both. I had a hard time perfectly aligning the laser pointer with Polaris due to my shaky hands. But, it turns out that even if its not 100% perfectly aligned the tracking is still really great. I was able to get a 2min exposure at 70mm and it was perfect. I was shocked. I am really looking forward to getting out and using it more!
Great tracker: lightweight and works as advertised. Recommend!
I had high hopes for this item but after trying it on a camera/135 mm telephoto lens combo that weighs 5 pounds, I am seeing blurred stars on exposures of more than 20 seconds. When I use it with a lighter 14mm wide angle lens, I can achieve very clear images up to exposures of 90 seconds. The mount appears not to like heavier payloads/ medium telephoto lenses. I am currently aligning only with the laser. Am considering buying the wedge and polar scope to improve my polar alignments. That may resolve the telephoto lens issue. Will update when I get and test the additional hardware.
I’ve been shooting with the 500 rule for a few years, with good luck, but never ‘perfect’. After setting up the MSM with the pole alignment, the photos were incredible. Sharp, no blur, and depth of color, stars like I’ve never seen on my shots. It takes a bit of practice to get the alignment setup, but once you do, 2-min exposures are sharp as a tack. I love how compact the product is, and lightweight. Easy to carry, and setup on a lightweight tripod as well. I highly recommend getting the Wedge and Polar Scope w/illuminator to help with precise alignment, it takes a great shot and makes it 100x better. I can’t wait until the next new moon to get out again!
the order and delivery was fast and very professional. The customer service is very efficient. As the laser pointer is not authorized in Switzerland, the order was quickly adapted. The MSM works very well. Thank you.
Good construction, compact and very accurate.
I switched over from the Sky Watcher Star Adventurer Mini which worked well, but was so difficult to set up. The MSM is soooooo easy. I love it!
This thing is actually pretty impressive when you consider it fits in your pocket! I have been able to get solid shots up to 24mm with simple laser alignment. Very happy!