If you’ve ever tried photographing the night sky, you know how limiting it can be to shoot at short shutter speeds to avoid star trails. That’s where star trackers come in, and the MSM Nomad is one of the most compact and beginner-friendly options available today.
I recently tested the MSM Nomad during our annual Tenerife photo tour, where clear skies and long nights gave me the perfect opportunity to put it through its paces. Despite having limited experience with star trackers, I had it set up and tracking within minutes, a great sign for anyone curious but intimidated by more complex gear.
In this review, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the MSM Nomad, from what it does to how it performs in the field. Whether you’re just starting with Milky Way photography or looking for a portable tracking solution, this article will help you decide if the MSM Nomad is right for you.
You can get a 5% discount on the MSM Nomad using the code capturelandscapes at checkout via this link.
This is not a sponsored review; it is just my honest thoughts based on using the MSM Nomad in the field. The link above is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What Is a Star Tracker (And Why Do You Need One)?
A star tracker is a device that rotates your camera in sync with Earth’s rotation, allowing you to take much longer exposures without the stars turning into streaks. The result? Sharper stars, cleaner images, and the ability to shoot at lower ISOs for better image quality.
This is especially useful in Milky Way photography, where the best detail often comes from stacking longer exposures. Without a tracker, you’re typically limited to a few seconds before star trails become visible. With a tracker, you can often expose for several minutes, depending on your focal length and alignment.
Trackers like the MSM Nomad are designed to make this process as simple and portable as possible; perfect for photographers who want better night sky results without carrying bulky gear or dealing with steep learning curves.
Recommended Reading: Beginner’s Guide to Night Photography: Tips, Settings & Gear [2025]
Who Is the MSM Nomad For?
The MSM Nomad is ideal for photographers who want to improve their night sky images without hauling around a large equatorial mount or diving into complex alignment procedures. If you’re into Milky Way photography, shooting wide-angle nightscapes, or simply curious about astrophotography, this tracker is an excellent entry point.
It’s especially well-suited for:
- Beginners who want something lightweight, easy to set up, and portable
- Travel photographers looking for minimal gear that doesn’t weigh down their backpack
- Nightscape photographers working with wide or moderately long lenses (up to ~50mm)
What sets it apart is just how approachable it is. Even if you’ve never used a star tracker, you can get the MSM Nomad up and running in minutes, including polar alignment.
That said, this isn’t the right tracker for deep sky astrophotography or setups involving heavy telephoto lenses and full-size mounts. If your gear is on the heavier side or you’re chasing galaxies at 400mm, a larger, more robust star tracker is a better fit.
Key Features of the MSM Nomad
Here’s a quick rundown of the features that make the Nomad stand out, especially for nightscape photographers:
Ultra-Lightweight & Portable
This is one of the lightest star trackers on the market, light enough to fit in a jacket pocket. That makes it incredibly practical for travel, backpacking, and situations where every gram counts.
Beginner-Friendly Setup
The MSM Nomad comes with a printed quick-start guide that walks you through setup and alignment. It’s intuitive, even if you’ve never used a star tracker before. No complex polar scopes or apps required, just a laser pointer and a clear view of the North Star.
Compatible With Most Mirrorless & DSLR Setups
You can mount your camera and a ballhead directly to the MSM Nomad. It handled a Nikon Z6II with a 14-24mm f/2.8 lens and a Sirui E10 ball head with no issues.
Laser Alignment
Instead of a traditional polar scope, you align using a green laser pointer. Just point it at Polaris (or the Southern equivalent), and you’re done. It’s a much faster workflow, especially in the dark.
Built-in Rechargeable Battery
You don’t need to pack AA batteries or an external power bank. The built-in battery lasted through several sessions without a recharge.
Hands-On Experience: Field Use in Tenerife
I first tested the MSM Nomad during a photo tour in Tenerife. I hadn’t practiced with it beforehand, and I’m relatively new to using star trackers, but the experience couldn’t have been easier.
Setting it up in the field took just a couple of minutes. I mounted it on my Leofoto tripod with an LH-36 ballhead, then attached a Sirui ballhead on top to hold my Nikon Z6II and Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8. Everything felt solid, and alignment was fast.
Using the laser pointer, I simply located Polaris and matched the laser beam to it. That’s it. No guesswork, no phone apps, no calibration routines.
Despite being a first-time user, I was tracking stars successfully on the first attempt, even in the dark. I shot most of my images at 14mm, but also tried exposures at 35mm; all sharp, with pinpoint stars even at longer exposure times.
As someone who’s been skeptical about adding more gear to an already heavy kit, I was impressed by how lightweight and travel-friendly the Nomad is. It easily fits in a jacket pocket, making it one of the few pieces of astro gear I wouldn’t hesitate to pack for a hike or trip abroad.
There were no real downsides during my use, at least for wide-field astrophotography. It’s not built for heavier gear, but for my needs and the way I shoot, it was pretty much ideal.
Things to Consider: Pros and Cons of the MSM Nomad
Like any piece of gear, the MSM Nomad isn’t for everyone, but in the context of nightscape and Milky Way photography, it gets a lot right. Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience:
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and compact; fits in a jacket pocket
- Beginner-friendly setup with printed instructions
- Laser alignment makes polar alignment fast and intuitive
- Built-in battery removes the need for extra power gear
- Quick to assemble and balance even in the field
- Ideal for wide-angle and travel photography
Cons
- Not suited for deep-sky or heavy telephoto gear
- Laser alignment isn’t allowed in all locations and may be less precise than a polar scope
- Optional polar scope is available (via the Complete Kit) for more accuracy, but it adds a bit of complexity
If you’re planning to photograph in areas where laser pointers are restricted (such as near observatories or in some national parks), it’s worth considering the polar scope upgrade. It offers more precision, especially for longer focal lengths, though it does require a bit more time to set up.
MSM Nomad vs. Other Star Trackers
There are several popular star trackers on the market, but the MSM Nomad stands out for its simplicity and portability. Here’s how it compares to two of the most commonly used alternatives:
| Feature | MSM Nomad | Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i | iOptron SkyGuider Pro |
| Weight | ~0.5 kg | ~1.2 kg | ~1.5 kg |
| Max Payload | ~3.5 kg (balanced) | ~5 kg | ~5 kg |
| Polar Alignment | Laser (or optional polar scope) | Built-in polar scope | Built-in polar scope |
| Ease of Use | Very easy | Moderate | Moderate to advanced |
| Portability | Excellent | Fair | Fair |
| Tracking Modes | 1x Sidereal | Sidereal, Lunar, Solar | Sidereal, Lunar, Solar |
| Best For | Beginners, travel, wide-angle | Heavier setups, deep sky | Advanced users, deep sky |
While the Sky-Watcher and iOptron models offer more payload and tracking modes, they’re also larger, heavier, and require more setup time, including polar alignment through a scope. If you’re looking for something that’s grab-and-go and gets you shooting in minutes, the MSM Nomad is hard to beat.
A Quick Note on Post-Processing Tracked Images
One thing to keep in mind when using a star tracker, especially if you’re including foreground elements in your composition, is that tracked images usually require a bit more post-processing.
Because the tracker follows the movement of the stars, any stationary elements in the foreground (like mountains or trees) will become slightly blurred during long exposures. To solve this, many photographers capture one frame with the tracker on (for sharp stars), and another with the tracker off (for a sharp foreground). These two images can then be blended in post-processing to create a single, clean result.
If you’re new to this, don’t worry, the process is easier than it sounds, and well worth the effort for cleaner, higher-quality Milky Way shots.
Final Thoughts: Is the MSM Nomad Worth It?
After using the MSM Nomad in the field, I can confidently say it delivers on its promise: a lightweight, beginner-friendly star tracker that just works.
It removes many of the common barriers that keep people from trying astrophotography, bulky gear, steep learning curves, and complex setup routines. If you’ve ever hesitated to bring a tracker because of weight or hassle, the Nomad might be the one that changes your mind.
It’s not meant for deep-sky imaging or heavy telephoto setups, but for wide-angle Milky Way shots, travel photography, and on-the-go nightscapes, it performs beautifully. The quick laser alignment, printed instructions, and compact form factor make it approachable even if it’s your first time using a star tracker.
If you’re ready to take your night photography to the next level, without adding bulk or complexity, the MSM Nomad is well worth considering.
You can get a discount on the MSM Nomad using the code capturelandscapes at checkout via this link.
Have you used the MSM Nomad or another tracker? I’d love to hear how it worked for you. Share your experience in the comments below.
FAQ: MSM Nomad Star Tracker
Yes. The Nomad supports most DSLR and mirrorless cameras with a ballhead mount. Just make sure your total setup weight is within the tracker’s payload limit (around 3 kg).
It’s ideal for wide-angle and short telephoto lenses. I used it at 14mm and 35mm with sharp results. For longer lenses, precise alignment becomes more critical.
Yes, the laser is part of the basic kit. Just note that lasers may be restricted in certain areas. The Complete Kit includes a polar scope for more precise alignment.
Yes. You’ll align to the Southern Celestial Pole instead of Polaris. The laser can help with this, or you can use the polar scope if you prefer a more accurate method.
The built-in battery easily lasted through multiple nights during my field test. It recharges via USB, so it’s easy to top up in the field.
