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
Wait a moment, it may take around 10s to load all gifs.
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.
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 🎁
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Thomas Looy (Fairfield, US)
Great products for a newbie
I’m new to astrophotography so I appreciate the simplicity of the MSM tracker and the Flex Tilt and Pan Head. I got the laser pointer which works amazingly well in aligning to Polaris.
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Jeffry S Gordon (Harriman, US)
I love this device!!
Yesterday evening i was taking pictures of the Milky Way. My exposure was 10 subs at 25 seconds each. In the past, the stars look like little hyphens (the 500 rule doesn't hold with contemporary cameras). I quickly polar aligned it using my phone. Had to buy some additional plates. Wasn’t perfectly accurate on the alignment but it was good enough for perfectly round stars. I love this tracker.
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Javier Rosano de Lucas (Madrid, ES)
A Solid Upgrade
I had the previous V-shaped plate and was very happy with it. I used it with heavy equipment (like a Sony 70-200), and it's true that tightening the clamps was a bit of a struggle. With the upgrade, everything is much simpler, faster, and more secure.
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Vincent, Belgium (Leuven, BE)
A smart piece of equipment
Every single part of these Z&V mounts had been deeply thought to afford a sturdy, ingenious and smart piece of equipment. Can't mind my rig without anymore. Easy to carry, easy to use, easy to store....both can easily replace a ball head or even a wedge! Made of a sturdy piece of metal that can handle heavy payloads without any flexions or vibrations. Manufacturing quality is of the best possible. Levers are very efficient and allow the tightening of the plates in every single orientation possible. It's really an awesome product.
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Borut Krajnc (Maribor, SI)
"Buy nice or buy twice" - so true
I received the flex, pan and tilt head and i have to say that there is some honest engineering in this item. The head is nicely made, sturdy and good material. I am happy with the purchase. More so as i ordered some other brand earlier and had to return it as the base of the head was wobbly. So as the noughty title says "buy nice or buy twice" it is very true and in the process saving time and money if the quality item is bought in the first place.
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Gail Porter (Uniontown, US)
It to a while to get things straightened but Hanna was great
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Venki Prathivadi (Melbourne, AU)
The Z & V mount are indispensable
I bought the Alyn Wallace Z and V mounts from MSM. Don’t know how I managed without it so far. They are excellent.
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Patrick (Denver, US)
Love the Mounts!
The MSM V and Z mounts are terrific. They provide a solid platform to do astrophotography and they are flexible in their design. I consider them to be essential components in my astro kit. Very highly recommended!
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Stephen Mills (Broadstairs, GB)
Nomad friendly
I purchased a Goto tracking mount but have never used it being unwilling to add it to the combined weight of my astro shoot. The MSM Nomad complete kit is much more manageable and fits into my backpack easily. I also find the Alan Wallace V mount invaluable in use and compact in design. All the above at a fraction of the price.