Ad Astra - Star Atlas 4+

Apple phone app doesn’t work

The app itself is handy. I sprung for the in- app purchase and like the more detailed star charts. When opened on the watch, no data is displayed

Actually

Update in response to developer:
Fair enough. Worthless was needlessly unkind. I apologize, I’m sure you’re working hard on the app. I would find the app useful if I could see the coordinates of objects and if the app allowed me to zoom to just a section of a chart (again while showing coordinates). I’d really love that. I don’t always want the extras of an app like sky safari. Something like this app, nice and streamlined but with the additional features above (and below) would be great.

Original review:
The free version is worthless. Given that the app hasn’t been updated in a very long time (it doesn’t fill the screen on my iPhone X), I’m hesitant to try the “pro” version. The free version gives you a static image of each map. It would be useful if you could zoom and identify the coordinates of objects. But you can’t. You can sort of eyeball coordinates but that’s not the best way to know where to point your scope. (Mine is an old school refractor, no go to mount, just setting circles so don’t go throwing your shade my way about not knowing about astronomy). This is at best a one star app. Two stars in the hope that the pro version is actually useful.

Developer Response ,

Hi da-wdc, *worthless* is a bit brash, don't you think? There's a lot effort invested into building this app and making it correct. It's meant to be a modern version of a celestial pocket book, like Burnham's or Norton's, but in this case in an app. I hope that clears it up a bit. And at least the new update makes the app fill you entire iPhone X screen, in all it's beauty :)

Large maps terrible

I bought the upgrade version to get the larger charts for each constellation. Example: Virgo constellation on large chart is in the upper right corner of the large chart and parts of it are not viewable. There are other examples. I bought it because Wil Tirion is the cartographer but I’m disappointed with these charts as presented. The constellation chosen should be in the center of the large charts. Buyer beware. Sorry developer, nice idea but issues with this app. Maybe update the large charts to put the constellations in the center of the page.

Developer Response ,

Hi Solar, that's weird. Have you tried re-installing the app? Does that fix the problem? If not please let me know at post@surfcheck.info, so I can fix it in the next update.