Loving astrophotography means knowing this all too well: setting up a star tracker can be a hassle—bending over, fiddling, and hoping Polaris shows up in the finder—costing both time and patience. With the Nomad by Move Shoot Move, I’ve finally found a solution so simple I wonder why every star tracker doesn’t work this way.
The secret: a laser pointer.
Compact, Robust, and Always On Hand
The Nomad is a compact, motorized star tracker that fits both beginners and seasoned astrophotographers. Its sole purpose: to track the stars—and to do it as simply as possible.
Specs at a glance:
- Weight: 430 g (including Li-Poly battery)
- Max payload: 3.5 kg
- Dimensions: 89 × 67 × 55 mm
- Material: CNC-milled, anodized aluminum
- Battery life: approx. 6–7 hours per charge
- Charging: 2–3 hours via USB-C
- Mounting: V-Style dovetail, Arca-Swiss compatible
- Hemisphere switch: usable in both Northern and Southern hemispheres
To me, it’s the most portable tracker I’ve ever used—and I’ve tried quite a few.
Polar Alignment Done in 10 Seconds
I’m using the budget version of the Nomad, and it’s more than enough for my needs. What makes it brilliant is the laser pointer. Here’s how it works:
- Screw the laser pointer into the thread securely.
- At night, power it on and aim it at Polaris.
- That’s it—polar alignment done in 10 seconds.
No bending, no polar finder—just aim and shoot. For wide-angle and short focal lengths, it’s perfectly sufficient. Even with my 135 mm lens, I could manage 10-second exposures with no star trails. Of course, only use the laser briefly, and absolutely avoid using it near airports or when aircraft are in the sky.
Faster Setup, More Motifs Captured per Night
The Nomad has made astrophotography significantly faster for me. Previously, setup took up most of the night, limiting me to just one or two shots. Now, I can align the tracker in seconds, start shooting—and move to the next target.
In one night, I was able to capture four great targets:
- The Andromeda Galaxy
- The Pleiades
- A supernova remnant
- The Iris Nebula
This speed would have been impossible before.
A Few Small Hurdles at First
Getting started wasn’t entirely effortless—two minor issues cropped up:
- The ball head mount was too tight at first—mounting it required patience and a bit of strength. Now, it’s rock solid.
- The laser pointer wouldn’t light up, despite being charged. The contact spring was too short. A gentle tweak with my finger fixed it immediately. Now it works flawlessly—it’s the heart of this system.
Used in the Field—Harz Mountains, Danish North Sea, and More
I’ve tested the Nomad at various locations:
- Harz (Sankt Andreasberg) – dark sky with the Milky Way visible to the naked eye.
- Danish North Sea coast – perfect for astrophotography on moonless nights.
In these environments, the Nomad shines. It fits in any camera bag and is ready at a moment’s notice when the sky clears. Want to find the darkest spots near you? Try lightpollutionmap.app.
Conclusion – My New Favorite Star Tracker
The Nomad from Move Shoot Move is, for me, the simplest and most portable astronomical tracker on the market. It’s compact, durable, travel-ready—and thanks to the laser pointer, aligned in seconds.
Sure, laser pointers are technically prohibited in the EU—but without it, the usability would only be half as good.
If you’re serious about astrophotography and want a hassle-free, no-fuss solution, this is a great investment.
Buy NOMAD from MoveSHootMove
