An updated phone holder for the MSM Nomad

The new version of the Nomad phone holder, it can now hold “big” phones

After a number of requests I have made a few changes to the MSM Nomad phone holder that I designed and use. The changes are relatively small and if you already have one that is working for you I would not bother updating. The changes are:

• the phone tray is now 10mm wider for those “big” phones.

• There is now a cut out where the red screw goes on the nomad so it can be used in conjunction with the polar scope or laser

• I have added a holding arm on the control side of the Nomad, not to make it grip better but rather so I can add a big N and S label because I find the tiny ones on the Nomad just about impossible to see.

• I have made the transition from the phone tray to the nomad holder a bit stiffer, because I can.

My normal set-up for astro-landscape these days.

If you would like to get the print file read on.

If you do print it yourself, I used 30% infil and 3 walls in PLA just to add a bit more stiffness. You could possibly get away with less if you are using a stronger filament. Word of warning, not all phones are created equal and some have very average implementations of compass and inclinometers, so you may not get quite as good tracking result (you may even get better), but no matter what it should be fine for astro landscapes where we rarely need to shoot for more than a minute or so (unless you are using Ha filters, but that is a future blog). If you need any information on using phone apps to polar align check out some of my earlier blogs or have a look at the YouTube videos by Richard Tatti which are brilliant.

A few things to note before you print this out.

1. The new version phone holder has been sized to fit phone up to 90mm wide in a case.

2. Unfortunately I have had some feedback that some phones have better compasses and inclinometers than others and so this may effect polar alignment so I cannot guarantee you will get as good results as I have been, but in most cases you should get a good enough result to do typical astro landscape work.

3. The orientation of this holder is for use with apps like Sky Safari Pro or PhotoPils, there is another version that is suitable for PS Align pro which needs to have the phone at 90 degrees compared to this.

4. I am not after any payment for this design, just sharing it with like minded people in case it is useful. Happy if you give me a follow on instagram in return (https://www.instagram.com/eric_wilkes_photography/ ). But I do ask that you do not pass it on or upload the design to any sites for further distribution. If you know anyone interested just point them at me.

5. I will be updating the design as things occur to me so check on this blog occasionally..

6. When printing, make sure you use supports..

7. Finally, get out, look at the universe, take some photos and have fun. It really is worth it.

Download for the new “big phone” version.

Download for the original Nomad phone holder

Download for a version which fits the original MSM Rotator star traker

Download for the tool to make it easier to tighten the levers on the Allyn Wallace V plate.