For months we have been refining a new product designed together with professional landscape astrophotographer, Alyn Wallace (website). Now, we're ready for pre-order.
Below is a quick review of the journey, we hope you enjoy:
On the 14th June 2020, MSM ambassador Alyn Wallace told us that he has an idea for a new star tracker platform to solve the following problems:
The Problem:
- When at latitudes close to the equator it becomes very difficult to use the ball head on top of a star tracker.
-It’s also difficult to do panoramas, regardless of latitude.
The Solution
Adding a “Star Tracker Platform” so that the ball head becomes level. The angle can be adjusted and locked into place and the platform can also be rotated. The platform is a perfect match for the Move Shoot Move rotator but also works with any star tracker..
Later, we researched all the possible alternative solutions, practicing and using, finally came to the first version as below:
1st Version,mainly verifying the mechanism to lock the angled platform and also the rotating base.
2nd Version, Enlarged the center rotation section.
3rd version,
- Wrapped the rotating disc to prevent dust entering.
- Changed screw to handle.
4th Version,
Added more space for the bottom handle, so we can operate with gloves.
And Finally, the final 5th Version, with some minor improvements to launch the production.
Below is the performance of the MSM Platform
Below is the performance of OTHERS
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Work as a tripod head
V or Z? Which Should You Buy?
The V and Z platforms both solve the problem of having your ballhead at an awkward angle when on a star tracker. So what's the difference?
The V platform is for those who want to save weight. If you're already using a heavy setup you may not have much room to add weight on top of the MSM which has a payload of 3kg.
The Z platformhas the added benefit of being able to be used to replace the ball head on a tripod when not using a star tracker at all. You can also use the Z platform as a table-top tripod. So it's an exchange of versatility for a little added weight.
I’ve used this now for andromeda and Milky Way pictures and it has worked great! Love the compact form and how easy it is to setup
R
Ruppbike (Queensbury, US)
Expectations met and beyond.
I've been waiting for clear skies so I can try out my new MSM Nomad.
Last night there was about an hour window open between full sunset and incoming clouds and the moon rising. I managed to get a backyard Milky Way and a peek at Andromeda, our nearest galaxy neighbor, before the clouds and moonlight washed them away. The next night I tried Andromeda again this time for 3 1/2 minute exposures and with a 105 mm lens. I was delighted with the ease of locking up and pointed to Polaris with just the laser pointer. No stair trails and a great result.
C
Carol A Overholts (Eaton, US)
360° Flex Tilt & Pan Head - Z&V Mount Designed with Alyn Wallace, Buy Nice or buy Twice - The best gift for you and your loved ones 🎁
B
Bernd Eckstein (Düsseldorf, DE)
Perfekt.
Alles passt wunderbar,
J
J.Sioda (Galway, IE)
Very Pleased
Received Nomad and Z plate, it arrived in perfect condition and did not take too long to arrive. I have only had one clear night to try it out, but already I am impressed with long exposures without star trailing.
A
Adam Pasternak (Tokyo, JP)
Nomad and its usability
I have recently purchased MSM Nomad. As a beginner in this field it’s an ideal product to start gaining more experience and on the other hand it’s perfect for travels. At my level of Milky Way photography that’s absolutely more than enough! Adam
A
Antonio Oliver Servera (Palma, ES)
360° Flex Tilt & Pan Head - Z&V Mount Designed with Alyn Wallace, Buy Nice or buy Twice - The best gift for you and your loved ones 🎁
J
Juergen Hoffmann
Nomad Review
Very simple to use and very small. One will make less faults with this little tracker. I owned the ferst version... and now the Nomad.. Very good improvement.
J
Jeff Baker (Aiken, US)
Z Mount
Z bracket is made well , good quality and works great. Would recommend 👍🏻
R
Roger G (Southampton, GB)
Move shoot move 360° flex and tilt & pan head Z&V mount
Great piece of kit which I use with my cannon eos 6d camera. I have both the Z and V mount which work well for me. Light weight and very easy to use.