Thanks so much Richard. Just ordered my kit using your link. Starting my tracking journey after years of landscape photography. Many thanks for your wonderful instructive videos. Peter
The fact that they asked your advice is awesome Richard ! Companies asking professionals at the coal face is an indication of a great product ! Well done mate 🎉😅👍
Thank you Richard for all your improvements for the Nomad and thank you MSM to listen to experts in the field like Richard! I implemented all of your suggestions with a small exception. Meanwhile, I use a Z-mount instead of a ball head on top of the V-mount. This still gives me up/down/left/right freedom for panos without the unwanted left/right rotation that comes with ball heads.
This video was good timing. I am from New Zealand and I was looking at getting one of these. For years I've been stubborn and avoiding a tracker, satisfied with stacking short exposures. I often do hikes so having a lightweight and minimalist kit is important to me. But after seeing how compact this unit is, it might just be the ticket for an image quality upgrade.
They do help to get great sky shots but no help at all for foregrounds. So blending becomes the key to great final images. But it's a lot easier now than it used to be.
Interesting to see how dynamic this company is. One tool I would love to have is a combined indexing pan+tilt pano head. I bought too separated tools but they could design a compact one that would be a killing tool for panorama
Thank you, Richard! I didn't have good luck at all with the original MSM. I will look into the NEW phone mount and NEWLY improved Alyn Wallace V mount. BOTH look like they will make a huge difference for me. This was a great video!! Thanks AGAIN!
Wow, these are big improvements compared to my gen1 msm. Defintily will purchase this package, it´s the best lightweight tracker, you can get for money. Well done by msm, that they reacted quickly on users improvement-suggests. Thanks, @Richard, after Allyn passed away, you´re my biggest inspiration for astrophotography-handeling on youtube.
Fantastic - great to see they listened and moved to improve. Perhaps they'll offer an upgrade deal to existing buyers for some of the new components...
That's great they asked you for your input with the upgrades, well done Richard. I have the Nomad so I'm going to head on over to MSM and check it all out. I also love that rotating collar. I need to look into that as well. I'm using an L bracket which is annoying when I need to get to the cameras outlets. Nice images and another great and informative video. Thanks Richard.
Fantastic review and images Richard. Looks like MSM have really improved the product. Would love to see you in the field going through your pano process using it in the future. Would be great to see the widefield PA process for us southern deep space nuts that use the ASI air etc 😅 Cheers Simon
@ Yeah the ASI air is more for deep space but does make PA process pretty easy That being said the MSM looks pretty user friendly for landscape tracked photography Enjoy the channel Richard Keep it up 👍
Thanks so much. I'm using the Silence Corner Atoll bracket. They make them to suit whatever brand of camera you are using. silencecorner.net/collections/atoll-series
Thank you for your videos they have been very helpful. I bought the msm Nomad with the phone kit for my sister and one for myself for Christmas. It is on back order and can’t wait to use it. Keep the videos coming they are so helpful for us beginners 😊
Happy New Year Richard. Fantastic that MSM took on your thoughts on their product and went to the expense of making the changes. Extra fantastic that they are happy to credit you for the ideas and advertise it as such. Well done.
How awesome that they’ve taken your thoughts on board! Great video, Richard. All these seem like great tweaks to an already excellent bit of kit. The rotating base is definitely a win - a real time and hassle saver, especially on uneven ground. The one remaining area I’d like to see an improvement is the switch, which I find a bit fiddly and the movement not as positive as I’d like, and then the N/S writing to be larger (I struggle every time - easily solved with a piece of tape indicating north). But I’ve managed 3 minutes comfortably with this mighty little mount, at 35mm and 50mm. It took decent 135mm 60s exposures for me too - not perfect, but good enough. Incredible for something that so easily slots into a camera bag. I can’t imagine using my Star Adventurer again!
Thanks Paul. I can see what you mean about the switch. I think they deliberately made it hard to accidently turn on . .as is the case with the star adventurer 2i.
Happy New Year, Richard! I was introduced to MVM by Alyn, but I was encouraged to buy the NOMAD by you! Although still using a Canon 6D (released in 2012) I'm getting good results. Best Wishes from Brazil! By the way, wonderful images in this video!
Great work as always Richard and happy new year 🎉 Good job to MSM to offer this kit and recognise your talent and dedication to the field of astrophotography.
Happy new year Richard, looks like a wonderful set of improvements by MSM. They will definitely make travelling with a tracker orders of magnitude easier. I continue to be amazed by how accurate it can be. My poor Polaris is now feeling very left out in my last couple of shoots 😂 but my aging body is loving the gear reduction and the time to set up these day is literally a minute of so. It all means more time actually composing and taking photos and enjoying the night sky.
A great review Richard, loving those individual improvements that all add up, certainly something I might order now for panos after a mountain hike rather than my Star Adventurer GTi
I got my Nomad in late 2024, and only got to use it last night for the first time, it was -10°C out but it was the first clear night in WEEKS... and I wouldn't have been able to polar align if it weren't for your method, so thanks first of all for that. Funnily enough, when I got the tracker I pulled up your video on modifications and was going to do as many as I could, but to my surprise most of the things you fixed with yours were already fixed on mine so I figured they had already changed everything based on your recommendations 😅(I also got the updated V-mount it seems, RIP Alyn Wallace) I wish there were more easily available and easy to follow instructions on how to use these things, that's one area where MSM are kind of lacking still. Now I've looked around like crazy for an affordable rotating base plate, so seeing that they're now offered on MSM I ordered two right away, it still turned out cheaper that way than if I would've gotten a single Feisol or similar, so thanks for that as well I guess ✌🏻
I have long been a fan of yours Richard, and love your images. I have been putting off getting a tracker because I wanted simplicity. So when I saw your video, I immediately went on and ordered the kit. It has arrived today and I can’t wait to use it :)
Thanks Richard for telling us about the Silence Corner (ATOLL D+ (PLUS version)) - their website is a bit confusing on compatibility as I have a Z8 and mostly use the 14-24mm f2.8 S lens - so I will keep researching if that will work. again thanks!!
I got my msm in early Dec, it has stopper screw, I have a tripod head for it, works similar to wedge. I have other brands of rotator and low profile ball head. Am starting to get used to it now. My current problem is fogging, even with lens warmer on, on inside of my red enhancer filter. I'd like to get a lens collar like yours though. Happy new year Richard.
Awesome stuff Richard and Happy New Year, one of these is definitely on my wish list although i will need to switch to PS to use the sky replacement unless I can figure out a way to blend them in gimp.
'Thanks Ivan. They list the maximum total weight at 3.5 kg. I would never put that much weight on it though . .especially if it's off axis. I know a few people have used the Nomad with long telephoto lenses with success but I'd prefer a tracker which incorporates a counterweight for such things.
Great to see MSM making these incremental improvements - can see the phone mount and updated MSM base with grub screw in my future 😊. I'm still sticking with the skywatcher wedge for now. I use the benro 3way geared head on top of the nomad/v plate rather than a ball head. It gives me much more precise control for panos but definitely at the cost of weight high up the mounting stack. I would love to find a lighter geared head.
Nothing wrong with the Benro geared head Greg. We all approach this a little differently . .maybe a carbon fibre gear head or something lightweight will emerge ..!!!
Hi Richard, I use both the older MSM tracker as well as the nomad and I just really like the simplicity of them. I am interested in the Silence Atoll rotator... will save a lot of hassle using an L bracket. Cheers and happy new year to you! Take care, Jerry
Can’t give msm product and support enough of a thumbs up , great product and great support , shame we can’t get the v plate levers in australia without paying a lot of US freight , think it was about $5 for the lever and $40 freight
Thanks for the video and good to hear that they have updated the product as per your requirements. I am looking at second tracker after modifying for Astro Mod and may give a serious consideration to this .. One more sugggestion will be to have V Bracket mount straight to Tripod without using the converter screw.. I usually do not like that part.. the images at the end were so great and loved the Aurora images.. Assumign they were from 1st Jan?
Thanks Virat, yes images of aurora from Jan 1. I don't think I'd trust the V Bracket (or Z) to be holding everything up there securely. The Nomad is a very good little tracker.
Thank you for the great video. Some have advocated rechecking the polar alignment after the camera is mounted by using the older technique of using the phone mount on back of the tracker. You did not see much drift?
That’s awesome! 👏 I’d love to go shoot down under and I was wondering how good those apps work, I can’t ever get my phone compass to work when I’m shooting in the desert
Thank you for this video! You could use instead this ball head and V-plate an inverted ball head like the Arca-Swiss p0 for reducing height and possibly weight…
Nice changes made to the tracker!! what is the name of the portrait to landscape bracket called? i didn't quite catch the name of the product and i didn't see it listed in your equipment list. i have to add, Wow! your photos are beautiful!!
Richard, those Aurora shots are unbelievable, you should be proud of them, I know I would be. Make for good wall hangings. Was that the Jan showing? Did you have the tracker in motion to take the Aurora images? I looked at the MSM tracker many years ago but nothing ever eventuated, it has developed a lot since I was looking at it. Cheers Robert
Very nice Richard, and good on ya for helping the HW side improve. I don't see a balance weight, how do you think it would fair w my D850 and a 16-24mm? Is that too much weight?
It's great that MSM is moving towards the customer. Another thing I really didn't like about the Nomad device is the small and inconvenient power button. I couldn't turn it on or off the first time, because it switches from the northern hemisphere to the southern with more pushes. Only because of this inconvenience I sold the Nomad and stayed with the IPtron tracker, where the switching is very convenient and you don't need to light the scope before starting to use it.
Thanks for watching. I think they may have made that a deliberate thing. A lot of people got burned by the Star Adventurer being so easy to accidently turn on in a camera bag.
Hi Richard, based on your videos, I ordered the MSM. Just an FYI, I used your affiliate link to MSM, however it does not appear as though it is working or entered correctly in this youtube video description area, above. I went ahead and try to type it in myself so you could get the credit. Might want to look into how to correct that affiliate link in this video. Kudos and take care. --Ed
I wish u a good start in 2025, too Richard. I recently bought the nomad. But weather denied field tests so far. But to be honest i am a bit concerned about all the fiddly parts and screws. I have the feeling that i will ose stuff in the night. I wanna try the laser first. I dont know if it is possible to leave it on the tracker while shooting. Greetings from the northern hemisphere.
Hi Richard, as useful a very insightful and helpful review. Do you still use the Benro Polaris or Star Adventurer Pro 2i or you now prefer the MSM Nomad? I use both the Benro and SA but find they have their idiosyncrasies and can be cumbersome to carry and fiddly to setup. Based on your comments, perhaps the MSM is worth a look to simplify the amount of equipment i need to carry. Love the photos!
I never go for the Polaris . .too much effort to get that thing up and running. The SA2i is fine and I'll use that for heavier setups. The Nomad is really simple and easy to use.
Hi Richard I assume when you are polar aligning with the phone mount the phone is aligning down to the north celestial pole so when the tracker is mounted it is pointing up and therefore aligned to the south celestial pole?.
If not doing a pano do you think the Alyn Wallace Z bracket with an A-S clamp in lieu of a ballhead would make a functional compact kit? Thank you again.
Yes it would work. There are many ways to shoot with a tracker doing panos. It all comes down to how easy you want to make it .. and how compact you like to work.
@@michaelgordon6071 If you are going to connect a ball head directly to the Nomad I would use a larger ball head .. not the small compact one. But I like to use the V plate with a compact ball head on top.
Hi Richard from a freezing cold South Wales, the original place, could you answer a question please? If I ordered the Astro kit from you, would I be able to use the laser pointer with any adapter needed from a U.K. supplier? I have been looking to get the MSM set up but U.K. suppliers are only supplying the original pieces, I would prefer the updated model, thanks in advance
Hey David. I reckon you could contact MSM and they will make a kit to suit what you require. I know their website puts the items into bundles but they are really good to work with and I'm sure they would accommodate a mix and match. Let me know how you go.
Why is the ballhead on the top needed? Why not to mount the camera directly on the V Plate or on a level plate on the V Plate? As I can see the V plate can also be adjusted in two axes..
Want to improve anything for Astro photography......just ask Richard! Looks good, now can you invent something that gives us clear sky's on demand please? 🤪🤪🤪
Hey Richard, thanks for the updates. Just to let you know, I generally use the MSM Nomad with higher focal length astrograph lens, like the Askar FMA135. Even at those higher focal lengths the Nomad works well for me. There are a few videos on my channel demonstrating this; the most recent is: th-cam.com/video/QFpmB3hHxJM/w-d-xo.html. Cheers! PAUL
Maybe check out these videos: th-cam.com/video/7lNpfoZMoR0/w-d-xo.html Or this one: th-cam.com/video/6ZJxZx83_5o/w-d-xo.html Or this: th-cam.com/video/seQiDJK2pg0/w-d-xo.html
I am desperately trying to turn off this automatic synchronization. It is absolutely horrible. I am US American and it gives me automatic synchronization into German in a horrible voice, and I can’t find on your automatic synchronization how to turn it off. I cannot listen to this video like this even so I’m very interested
Unfortunately, it’s a new feature that TH-cam has implemented. It auto dubs all content on the perceived user language with a horrible AI computer voice. I actually don’t know if you can turn it off, because on some videos, I can turn it off myself - on yours I cannot. Even though I’m currently in Spain and I am US American TH-cam perceives me as being in German, and therefore translates and audio dubs into German by AI with a computer voice. It’s absolutely horrible, it sounds like the audio from Stafford wives, slowed down by 25% or something like that. Yes, it’s a male voice, and somebody must perceive it as soothing. In my case, it makes me crawl up the walls. Sorry, because I like your content, and I thought you ought to know. Maybe you can make the audio, dubbing optional, I don’t know if that’s possible.
@astridhall6667 0 seconds ago It seems that auto dubbing has replaced subtitles. However, subtitles always were in the viewer’s perceived language. So I always turned it off. Now one does not have a choice.
The real problem is nobody is making disassemble. O be bought their first model and the main bearing died even without camera attached. The insides of it is really simple and bad made. Hope the new version was redesigned, but I don't want to pay another tracker to check it
I have been using iOptron Sky guider pro. It has got a job done well. However, it is quite heavier than this tiny MSM. i am thinking if I should replace it with this one ......
Thanks so much Richard. Just ordered my kit using your link. Starting my tracking journey after years of landscape photography. Many thanks for your wonderful instructive videos. Peter
Thanks for checking out the video Peter. I'm sure you'll go very well.
The fact that they asked your advice is awesome Richard ! Companies asking professionals at the coal face is an indication of a great product ! Well done mate 🎉😅👍
Thanks Greg. They have been really easy to work with.
just got the new polar scope red light module today really impressed lights the alignment grid up perfectly
That's fantastic Chris. Thanks for watching.
those images are certainly a great advertisement for the tracker 😊
Thanks Trevor. It is a great tracker. We have many awesome choices these days don't we.
Thank you Richard for all your improvements for the Nomad and thank you MSM to listen to experts in the field like Richard!
I implemented all of your suggestions with a small exception. Meanwhile, I use a Z-mount instead of a ball head on top of the V-mount. This still gives me up/down/left/right freedom for panos without the unwanted left/right rotation that comes with ball heads.
Thanks for watching Holger. Always appreciate your comments.
So nice that they considered your comments and implemented improvements!
Yes I was very pleased.
Another great video, great to see companies listening and making positive changes. Well done
Good on you Alan, always appreciate your comments mate.
This video was good timing. I am from New Zealand and I was looking at getting one of these. For years I've been stubborn and avoiding a tracker, satisfied with stacking short exposures.
I often do hikes so having a lightweight and minimalist kit is important to me. But after seeing how compact this unit is, it might just be the ticket for an image quality upgrade.
They do help to get great sky shots but no help at all for foregrounds. So blending becomes the key to great final images. But it's a lot easier now than it used to be.
It does look like a significant improvement over the previous model. Many thanks for such a thorough review and update, Richard.
Yes I really think it is Simon. Thanks again for watching.
Interesting to see how dynamic this company is. One tool I would love to have is a combined indexing pan+tilt pano head. I bought too separated tools but they could design a compact one that would be a killing tool for panorama
Thanks Raphael. You never know what they may be working on.
Great update Richard - Thanks.
Thanks as always Tony.
Meilleurs vœux pour l'année 2025 beaucoup de photos et vidéos bon ciel Richard !
Thanks so much for your kind support Patrick
Thank you, Richard! I didn't have good luck at all with the original MSM. I will look into the NEW phone mount and NEWLY improved Alyn Wallace V mount. BOTH look like they will make a huge difference for me. This was a great video!! Thanks AGAIN!
Thanks for watching Helen. The Nomad is far superior to the original MSM Rotator.
Thanks Richard! Awesome that you pointed out the improvements MSM has made and your images, as always, quite amazing!
Thanks again for watching Kerry
Wow, these are big improvements compared to my gen1 msm.
Defintily will purchase this package, it´s the best lightweight tracker, you can get for money. Well done by msm, that they reacted quickly on users improvement-suggests.
Thanks, @Richard, after Allyn passed away, you´re my biggest inspiration for astrophotography-handeling on youtube.
Yes they did some great improvements indeed. Appreciate your support.
Fantastic - great to see they listened and moved to improve. Perhaps they'll offer an upgrade deal to existing buyers for some of the new components...
That would be a great idea Phillip.
Happy new year Richard !
Thanks so much my friend. Same to you.
Excellent video. Great as an intro to star trackers in general. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for watching Chris
That new wedge looks interesting! Also had a bit of a fiddle every now again with the sagging. Thanks for sharing. And great photos as always Richard!
Yes the sagging was a common problem it seems Jeroen.
Thank you Richard. Appreciate your ongoing advice.
Thanks for watching Brian
Fantastic update Richard & great changes by the company 👍.
Love the images at the end, very impressive 👏👏🥰🇮🇪
Thanks again for tuning in Vivian.
Great video Richard. Hey Sorry I missed you when you did the Delta Photo Club.
All good Frank, no worries at all.
That's great they asked you for your input with the upgrades, well done Richard. I have the Nomad so I'm going to head on over to MSM and check it all out. I also love that rotating collar. I need to look into that as well. I'm using an L bracket which is annoying when I need to get to the cameras outlets. Nice images and another great and informative video. Thanks Richard.
Thanks so much for tuning in Steve, really appreciated.
This is awesome. Something that I'll look at buying for my birthday present
Yes a good solution I reckon.
Fantastic review and images Richard. Looks like MSM have really improved the product. Would love to see you in the field going through your pano process using it in the future. Would be great to see the widefield PA process for us southern deep space nuts that use the ASI air etc 😅
Cheers Simon
Good on you Simon, appreciate you watching. I've never used the ASI air though.
@ Yeah the ASI air is more for deep space but does make PA process pretty easy
That being said the MSM looks pretty user friendly for landscape tracked photography
Enjoy the channel Richard
Keep it up 👍
@@Si-fp2ij Thanks Simon
Happy new year Richard, hope your staying cool. I found your video very interesting
Thanks as always for your great support Julie. Hope 2025 is great for you.
Excellent updates from M.S.M based on his experience, as always beautiful photos.
A Fantastic 2025 Richard, Tks.
Thanks so much Mario, same to you my friend.
Another great video Richard. Happy new years
Thank you as always for tuning in.
Awesome stuff Richard 👍 beautiful images in the end of video ❤
Thanks as always Aaron
Good updates on the MSM tracker. It's great to hear that MSM are listening to you and improving their product accordingly. 👍😎
Thanks Geoff. I guess we all have our ideas for improvements and it's good to see what they are coming up with.
Hello Richard, a nice video as usual. Can you indicate the references of the lens collar please?
Thanks so much. I'm using the Silence Corner Atoll bracket. They make them to suit whatever brand of camera you are using. silencecorner.net/collections/atoll-series
Thanks so much for your reply and thanks so much for all your incredible vudeos. Sebastien from france @@nightscapeimages.richard
Great vid Richard , I’m gonna have to upgrade some of my bits if they do them as parts, clear skies 🖖
Thanks for checking it out Gavin.
Thank you for your videos they have been very helpful. I bought the msm Nomad with the phone kit for my sister and one for myself for Christmas. It is on back order and can’t wait to use it. Keep the videos coming they are so helpful for us beginners 😊
I'm really pleased you enjoy the videos Rosemarie. I'll be keen to see how you go with the Nomad kit.
Happy New Year Richard. Fantastic that MSM took on your thoughts on their product and went to the expense of making the changes. Extra fantastic that they are happy to credit you for the ideas and advertise it as such. Well done.
Thanks Brad. I think there were quite a few people who influenced these ideas.
Richard. Gorgeous shots (as always). And appreciate the update with such clarity in your explanation. Great stuff Mate🙏🏽 Thank you 😊
You're always very welcome Manjul.
Great video! I may be headed to Moab, Utah for an Astro adventure in March and this would be so much nicer to carry than the Star Adventurer. 🙌🏼
Yes it's really light weight Jay.
How awesome that they’ve taken your thoughts on board! Great video, Richard.
All these seem like great tweaks to an already excellent bit of kit. The rotating base is definitely a win - a real time and hassle saver, especially on uneven ground.
The one remaining area I’d like to see an improvement is the switch, which I find a bit fiddly and the movement not as positive as I’d like, and then the N/S writing to be larger (I struggle every time - easily solved with a piece of tape indicating north).
But I’ve managed 3 minutes comfortably with this mighty little mount, at 35mm and 50mm. It took decent 135mm 60s exposures for me too - not perfect, but good enough. Incredible for something that so easily slots into a camera bag. I can’t imagine using my Star Adventurer again!
Thanks Paul. I can see what you mean about the switch. I think they deliberately made it hard to accidently turn on . .as is the case with the star adventurer 2i.
@ yes that makes sense! That used to drive me potty with the SA!!
Happy New Year, Richard! I was introduced to MVM by Alyn, but I was encouraged to buy the NOMAD by you! Although still using a Canon 6D (released in 2012) I'm getting good results. Best Wishes from Brazil! By the way, wonderful images in this video!
Yes I remember when Alyn first spoke of the MSM products .. time really flies doesn't it.
Great work as always Richard and happy new year 🎉 Good job to MSM to offer this kit and recognise your talent and dedication to the field of astrophotography.
That's very kind of you Gurdeep . .thank you.
Congrats on being even more famous!
Haha, well fame can be very fickle Leon ...!!!
Happy new year Richard, looks like a wonderful set of improvements by MSM. They will definitely make travelling with a tracker orders of magnitude easier. I continue to be amazed by how accurate it can be. My poor Polaris is now feeling very left out in my last couple of shoots 😂 but my aging body is loving the gear reduction and the time to set up these day is literally a minute of so. It all means more time actually composing and taking photos and enjoying the night sky.
My thoughts exactly Eric. I think simplicity of operation is something a few other manufacturers could certainly take note of.
Have a few MSM gadgets myself. They're quite innovative.
Oh, and great images as usual
Thanks for tuning in.
Great video Richard, wish they would list the panoramic base and wedge separately as i already have the tracker and v mount
The panoramic base can be bought separately as a non MSM product via Amazon. The wedge is MSM only.
A great review Richard, loving those individual improvements that all add up, certainly something I might order now for panos after a mountain hike rather than my Star Adventurer GTi
Yes it's certainly a different beast to your GTI Alasdair but as they say . .horses for courses ..!!
@ anything to lighten the load would be great on the old legs 😊
awesome kit !!
Thanks for watching.
Happy New Year Richard, great to see you again and all credit to you for what you do best!
Thanks so much Les, same to you mate.
I got my Nomad in late 2024, and only got to use it last night for the first time, it was -10°C out but it was the first clear night in WEEKS... and I wouldn't have been able to polar align if it weren't for your method, so thanks first of all for that.
Funnily enough, when I got the tracker I pulled up your video on modifications and was going to do as many as I could, but to my surprise most of the things you fixed with yours were already fixed on mine so I figured they had already changed everything based on your recommendations 😅(I also got the updated V-mount it seems, RIP Alyn Wallace)
I wish there were more easily available and easy to follow instructions on how to use these things, that's one area where MSM are kind of lacking still.
Now I've looked around like crazy for an affordable rotating base plate, so seeing that they're now offered on MSM I ordered two right away, it still turned out cheaper that way than if I would've gotten a single Feisol or similar, so thanks for that as well I guess ✌🏻
That's wonderful to hear. I'm sure you'll get some excellent results with that gear.
I have long been a fan of yours Richard, and love your images. I have been putting off getting a tracker because I wanted simplicity. So when I saw your video, I immediately went on and ordered the kit. It has arrived today and I can’t wait to use it :)
Thanks Richard for telling us about the Silence Corner (ATOLL D+ (PLUS version)) - their website is a bit confusing on compatibility as I have a Z8 and mostly use the 14-24mm f2.8 S lens - so I will keep researching if that will work. again thanks!!
Thanks for watching Paul. I agree about the confusing Atoll website.
I got my msm in early Dec, it has stopper screw, I have a tripod head for it, works similar to wedge. I have other brands of rotator and low profile ball head. Am starting to get used to it now. My current problem is fogging, even with lens warmer on, on inside of my red enhancer filter. I'd like to get a lens collar like yours though. Happy new year Richard.
Thanks so much Suzie. I've never used any filters so I'm not too sure how to fix that problem.
Awesome stuff Richard and Happy New Year, one of these is definitely on my wish list although i will need to switch to PS to use the sky replacement unless I can figure out a way to blend them in gimp.
Thanks Robert. Yes the blending can certainly be an issue with using a tracker.
Congratulations upon becoming the Southern Astro Celebrity. I'm curious, what is the max recommended camera/lens wieght the MSM will support?
'Thanks Ivan. They list the maximum total weight at 3.5 kg. I would never put that much weight on it though . .especially if it's off axis. I know a few people have used the Nomad with long telephoto lenses with success but I'd prefer a tracker which incorporates a counterweight for such things.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Hey thanks mate. Would I be confident with it supporting combined camera/lens weight of 1.5 kg?
@@ivan7453 Yes I think that would be fine.
Great to see MSM making these incremental improvements - can see the phone mount and updated MSM base with grub screw in my future 😊. I'm still sticking with the skywatcher wedge for now. I use the benro 3way geared head on top of the nomad/v plate rather than a ball head. It gives me much more precise control for panos but definitely at the cost of weight high up the mounting stack. I would love to find a lighter geared head.
Nothing wrong with the Benro geared head Greg. We all approach this a little differently . .maybe a carbon fibre gear head or something lightweight will emerge ..!!!
Hi Richard, I use both the older MSM tracker as well as the nomad and I just really like the simplicity of them. I am interested in the Silence Atoll rotator... will save a lot of hassle using an L bracket. Cheers and happy new year to you! Take care, Jerry
Good on you Jerry. Yes I love the Atoll rotator.
Can’t give msm product and support enough of a thumbs up , great product and great support , shame we can’t get the v plate levers in australia without paying a lot of US freight , think it was about $5 for the lever and $40 freight
Thanks so much Mark. Yes their service is really good .. as well as communication.
Thanks for the video and good to hear that they have updated the product as per your requirements. I am looking at second tracker after modifying for Astro Mod and may give a serious consideration to this .. One more sugggestion will be to have V Bracket mount straight to Tripod without using the converter screw.. I usually do not like that part..
the images at the end were so great and loved the Aurora images.. Assumign they were from 1st Jan?
Thanks Virat, yes images of aurora from Jan 1. I don't think I'd trust the V Bracket (or Z) to be holding everything up there securely. The Nomad is a very good little tracker.
Thank you for the great video. Some have advocated rechecking the polar alignment after the camera is mounted by using the older technique of using the phone mount on back of the tracker. You did not see much drift?
With a wide angle lens I don't see this issue at all.
Thank you.
That’s awesome! 👏 I’d love to go shoot down under and I was wondering how good those apps work, I can’t ever get my phone compass to work when I’m shooting in the desert
Yes phones can be troublesome at times . .although I find the Sky Safari app to be pretty reliable.
Thank you for this video! You could use instead this ball head and V-plate an inverted ball head like the Arca-Swiss p0 for reducing height and possibly weight…
I've not seen those before, but they look interesting . .although quite expensive. There are many way to get the desired results. Thanks for watching.
Nice changes made to the tracker!! what is the name of the portrait to landscape bracket called? i didn't quite catch the name of the product and i didn't see it listed in your equipment list. i have to add, Wow! your photos are beautiful!!
Thanks so much for watching Erik. It's called the Atoll from Silence Corner: silencecorner.net/collections/atoll-series
Richard, those Aurora shots are unbelievable, you should be proud of them, I know I would be. Make for good wall hangings. Was that the Jan showing? Did you have the tracker in motion to take the Aurora images? I looked at the MSM tracker many years ago but nothing ever eventuated, it has developed a lot since I was looking at it. Cheers Robert
Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes this was from start of January 2025.
Very nice Richard, and good on ya for helping the HW side improve. I don't see a balance weight, how do you think it would fair w my D850 and a 16-24mm? Is that too much weight?
It doesn't have provision for a counter balance system. The D850 with lens will be on it's limit for longer exposures. But it will take the weight.
It's great that MSM is moving towards the customer. Another thing I really didn't like about the Nomad device is the small and inconvenient power button. I couldn't turn it on or off the first time, because it switches from the northern hemisphere to the southern with more pushes. Only because of this inconvenience I sold the Nomad and stayed with the IPtron tracker, where the switching is very convenient and you don't need to light the scope before starting to use it.
Thanks for watching. I think they may have made that a deliberate thing. A lot of people got burned by the Star Adventurer being so easy to accidently turn on in a camera bag.
Longer levers on the V & Z brackets are a good idea.
Yes they sure are.
Hi Richard, based on your videos, I ordered the MSM. Just an FYI, I used your affiliate link to MSM, however it does not appear as though it is working or entered correctly in this youtube video description area, above. I went ahead and try to type it in myself so you could get the credit. Might want to look into how to correct that affiliate link in this video. Kudos and take care. --Ed
Thanks so much Ed. I'll look into it.
I wish u a good start in 2025, too Richard.
I recently bought the nomad.
But weather denied field tests so far.
But to be honest i am a bit concerned about all the fiddly parts and screws.
I have the feeling that i will ose stuff in the night.
I wanna try the laser first.
I dont know if it is possible to leave it on the tracker while shooting.
Greetings from the northern hemisphere.
Yes that's why I usually leave most of the components assembled so I won't lose anything. .and the bonus is how quick it is to get running.
Nice work Richard. I already bought the kit last year with the Benro 3-way geared head. Do you recommend the new wedge over the benro?
The Benro 3 way head will be more robust that the wedge .. the wedge is small and light weight though for portability.
Hi Richard, as useful a very insightful and helpful review.
Do you still use the Benro Polaris or Star Adventurer Pro 2i or you now prefer the MSM Nomad? I use both the Benro and SA but find they have their idiosyncrasies and can be cumbersome to carry and fiddly to setup.
Based on your comments, perhaps the MSM is worth a look to simplify the amount of equipment i need to carry.
Love the photos!
I never go for the Polaris . .too much effort to get that thing up and running. The SA2i is fine and I'll use that for heavier setups. The Nomad is really simple and easy to use.
Richard, I can't find the lens collar on your equipment list, unfortunately I can't use amazon, otherwise would get via link
This is the product: silencecorner.net/collections/atoll-series
A lot of camera suppliers have these now. But they are camera model specific.
@@nightscapeimages.richard cheers Richard
Hi Richard I assume when you are polar aligning with the phone mount the phone is aligning down to the north celestial pole so when the tracker is mounted it is pointing up and therefore aligned to the south celestial pole?.
Yes that is exactly how it works .. and the reason it also works in the northern hemisphere in reverse.
If not doing a pano do you think the Alyn Wallace Z bracket with an A-S clamp in lieu of a ballhead would make a functional compact kit? Thank you again.
Yes it would work. There are many ways to shoot with a tracker doing panos. It all comes down to how easy you want to make it .. and how compact you like to work.
Thanks. I don’t have a Z bracket. Is the compact ballhead easier?
@@michaelgordon6071 If you are going to connect a ball head directly to the Nomad I would use a larger ball head .. not the small compact one. But I like to use the V plate with a compact ball head on top.
You're finally famous!! (You were anyway)
Haha .. well as I always say Carmel . .Fame is very fickle.
@@nightscapeimages.richard I do hope you are getting paid something for each kit they sell...
Hi Richard from a freezing cold South Wales, the original place, could you answer a question please? If I ordered the Astro kit from you, would I be able to use the laser pointer with any adapter needed from a U.K. supplier? I have been looking to get the MSM set up but U.K. suppliers are only supplying the original pieces, I would prefer the updated model, thanks in advance
Hey David. I reckon you could contact MSM and they will make a kit to suit what you require. I know their website puts the items into bundles but they are really good to work with and I'm sure they would accommodate a mix and match.
Let me know how you go.
Why is the ballhead on the top needed? Why not to mount the camera directly on the V Plate or on a level plate on the V Plate? As I can see the V plate can also be adjusted in two axes..
Yes you could do that in theory. . but in practice the ball head is a much easier option.
Want to improve anything for Astro photography......just ask Richard! Looks good, now can you invent something that gives us clear sky's on demand please? 🤪🤪🤪
Haha, yes I needed to find that solution when I was in your fine country Rob ..!!!
Hi Richard, can you recommend an app for iPhone
The Sky Safari app I showed works on iphone. If not, then PS Align Pro. apps.apple.com/au/app/polar-scope-align-pro/id970161373
Wie heißt die Halterung für Hoch und Querformat an der Kamera?....😮 Grüße aus Germany
That's the Silence Corner Atoll bracket. silencecorner.net/collections/atoll-series
Hey Richard, thanks for the updates. Just to let you know, I generally use the MSM Nomad with higher focal length astrograph lens, like the Askar FMA135. Even at those higher focal lengths the Nomad works well for me. There are a few videos on my channel demonstrating this; the most recent is: th-cam.com/video/QFpmB3hHxJM/w-d-xo.html. Cheers! PAUL
That's great to hear Paul. I haven't tried longer focal lengths but it looks like you're producing some great images.
@@nightscapeimages.richard Better than I expected! Cheers!
I’m 3 minutes into the video and I still have no f-ing clue how this supposed to work 😂
Maybe check out these videos: th-cam.com/video/7lNpfoZMoR0/w-d-xo.html
Or this one: th-cam.com/video/6ZJxZx83_5o/w-d-xo.html
Or this: th-cam.com/video/seQiDJK2pg0/w-d-xo.html
I am desperately trying to turn off this automatic synchronization. It is absolutely horrible. I am US American and it gives me automatic synchronization into German in a horrible voice, and I can’t find on your automatic synchronization how to turn it off. I cannot listen to this video like this even so I’m very interested
I have no idea what that is . .I've never heard of it.
Unfortunately, it’s a new feature that TH-cam has implemented. It auto dubs all content on the perceived user language with a horrible AI computer voice. I actually don’t know if you can turn it off, because on some videos, I can turn it off myself - on yours I cannot. Even though I’m currently in Spain and I am US American TH-cam perceives me as being in German, and therefore translates and audio dubs into German by AI with a computer voice. It’s absolutely horrible, it sounds like the audio from Stafford wives, slowed down by 25% or something like that. Yes, it’s a male voice, and somebody must perceive it as soothing. In my case, it makes me crawl up the walls. Sorry, because I like your content, and I thought you ought to know. Maybe you can make the audio, dubbing optional, I don’t know if that’s possible.
@@astridhall6667 Can you mute the sound and use subtitles ..???
@astridhall6667
0 seconds ago
It seems that auto dubbing has replaced subtitles. However, subtitles always were in the viewer’s perceived language. So I always turned it off. Now one does not have a choice.
Yep, this new "feature" is crap. You can change the language in "your menu" on the top right, but you have to do it for each and every video.
The real problem is nobody is making disassemble. O be bought their first model and the main bearing died even without camera attached.
The insides of it is really simple and bad made. Hope the new version was redesigned, but I don't want to pay another tracker to check it
In my opinion this new Nomad is far superior to the original rotator model.
first
Thanks so much for looking.
Far more interesting before you went tracker crazy now it's boring.
I'd be interested to know what you enjoyed more without the tracker stuff ..??
I have been using iOptron Sky guider pro. It has got a job done well. However, it is quite heavier than this tiny MSM. i am thinking if I should replace it with this one ......
The Sky Guider Pro is a good solid unit . .I have one. But I haven't used it in 2 years now.