Planning an outing
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Make a list a possible targets and know where and when the Milky Way will be visible with a planetarium program on your cell phone or computer.
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Choose a dark spot away from city lights on a moonless night. The Dark Sky Finder can help you in this regard.
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Set up the camera on a sturdy tripod. Bring "Hand Warmers" and attach one on your lens to prevent dew formation.
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Choose your iso setting. There is much debate about this, do your own tests. ISO 800 is a good starting point.
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Focus. Practice infinity focus during the day. It is surprinsingly difficult to focus in the dark. At night use live view maximum magnification on a bright star.
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Shoot! The astrotracer can track for a few minutes on wide angle lenses and up to 45 to 60 seconds with short telephotos (135 - 200 mm)