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.
Very good stuff, although the locking levers for attaching the camera are very small and fiddly. Communication about shipping is also pretty sparse and rare. But both mounts do a good job!
M
Mario Andrade (Finglas, IE)
MSM Nomad
I'm happy with this product, the polar aligment is a little bit tricky , but average its a good product
S
Sergio Tumminello (Gallarate, IT)
Sembra facile!
Quando vedi un esperto all'opera sembra tutto facile. Quando la stessa cosa devi farla tu, cominciano le difficoltà. A questo punto chiunque legge queste righe risponde immediatamente: "devi fare pratica". E la pratica puoi farla quando ti applichi tutti i giorni anzi, tutte le notti. E puoi farlo soltanto quando vai in montagna e quando si vede qualche stella, ovvero molto raramente.
Lo strumento comunque è carino ma trovo scomodo il tasto di accensione, soprattutto quando fa freddo e hai le dita gelate.
D
Dan Nolan (Hebron, US)
Loose on Nomad
Nomad base plate doesn’t stay tight on 360 mount and camera will rotate. Had to drill an extra hole for threaded set screw to improve stability
B
Bala Raman (Phoenix, US)
Polar Scope
I have yet to use the MSM Nomad star tracker in the field. I hope to do so in the near future by traveling to a spot with a lower Bortle rating. Meanwhile, I was trying to see if the Polar Scope needed calibrating.
It is literally a pain in the neck trying to align the center of the reticle with a distant pointed structure. It is impossible to keep my eye steady relative to the eyepiece of the Scope. The slightest movement is amplified multi-fold, making the target move erratically.
If I rotate the Scope ever so lightly, it wobbles making it difficult to see if both axes are aligned. I have to abandon the notion of using the Polar Scope correctly in the field.
Frankly, I think the Polar Scope should be factory-calibrated. Unfortunately, this responsibility has been shifted to the customer.
I am assuming the LaserPointer has been factory-calibrated. Otherwise, I will have the same problem if I try to calibrate since this device wobbles as well when checking alignment.
f
francisco javier pineda gonzalez
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 🎁
D
Devoll Duka (Helsinki, FI)
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 🎁
S
Stephen Phelan (Killarney, IE)
Nomad
Does exactly as described. Boom.
M
Michal Rajtak (Bratislava, SK)
360 V plate
Excelent plate for photography.
T
TrevM
Alyn Wallace 360° Flex Tilt & Pan Head - Z&V Mount
A great deal of thought has gone into these well engineered and practical mounts. Worthy of the association with the late and much missed Alyn Wallace. For use with any star tracker and great value, especially if you buy during one of MSM's discount offers.