Starmap Pro

Not particularly user friendly.

By: DoctorJoeE

For this much money, an app should be a lot more intuitive than this one. I'm slowly getting the hang of it but it ain't easy. I'm sure real astromers find it very useful - but if you're an amateur schlubb like me who just wants to know what he's looking at, StarWalk does that much better at a fraction of the price.

One of the very Best iPhone Apps

By: Buckaroo Bonzai

Great for experienced astronomers and particularly those with only a passing interest. Will satisfy your every need -- a well thought out and excellently implemented app. Can't reccomend it highly enough. I saw Neptunethrough a scope (8" f4 Newt without a computer drive) for the first time with this app. Thank You!!

Best in class

By: Cheule

I own Pocket Universe, Star Walk, Planets, iEphemeris, Stars, Uranus, and Distant Suns, as well as a few others. If I had to keep only one, it would be Star Map Pro without hesitation! If I had to keep only two, it would be Star Map Pro and Star Walk (I like Star Walk's rendering of DSOs as images, as well as time animations). This app is head and shoulders above the pack though. Mag 16 star catalogue. 8000 named stars, another 8000 named objects, Eyepiece view, and telescope control!! (currently Mac only)

Outstanding App

By: dapence

This being the most expensive applet I've purchased to date, I must say it's the best I've purchased as well. Well worth the price when you consider the vast amount of information at your fingertips. For those who do purchase this or the more basic version, be sure to visit the developers site to watch the tutorial videos to get a grip on what Starmap can do. Also, remember to activate the compass support in the Settings/Navigation settings. P.S. This is the product of basically just one man, so be sure to encourage him in his work on this great applet.

If you’re interested in Astronomy get this app!

By: Adam5504

I purchased this app in anticipation of getting my first telescope and let me tell you it is worth every penny. This application is loaded with great features all of which are easy to use even for people like myself who have no experience navigating the night sky. The compass feature is a tremendously helpful tool in helping the beginning amateur locate planets, nebulae, galaxies, star clusters, and even comets.

Compass Control is the BOMB!

By: Kingfish10

Just downloaded the latest version which incorporates the electro compass feature in the 3G S. This is beyond cool. I had previously downloaded what was at the time the best astro program available. It incorporated the inertial sensors to simulate moving about the sky, but it was all but useless. This works! I can just point the Iphone up in the sky and immediately identify lesser known stars that I am not already familiar with. Great for selecting alignment stars for goto scopes. It’s a shame one has to upgrade to the new S model for this feature, but such is the world of technology.

Finally, a "real" astronomy app for the iPhone

By: plawler

All of the astronomy apps I have tried until now (including the non-pro version of Starmap) have really been for the astronomy dilettante, or the casual stargazer. For example all of the other apps idea of "deep sky" objects seem limited to the Messier list of 110, whereas Starmap Pro includes the 7,000 object NGC catalog.

Best 'Serious' Star Map / Astronomy App

By: MFago

A serious tool, rather than a 'sky tour.' Meant to accompany a telescope. Very full-featured. So much so that the interface is a bit complex and could use more organization in the "menu" screen, but not a serious issue. The pro version has such a large database that it takes ~3 seconds to load on a 3Gs. The developer was very responsive to questions. The price is higher than many iPhone apps, but it really is worth it.

Great Application

By: Moabastroviewer

I bought this to use as a "pocket star chart" and I'm very pleased. It is easy to use and is great for naked eye, binocular, or telescope viewing. I use it with the Sky and Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas. I find it to be very stable, easy to setup, and flexible. The night viewing feature is nicely done.

Comprehensive and smooth

By: Mitrow

Easily the most all-inclusive app for amateur astronomers. Very well done. The author is enthusiastic and actively developing the app, which is important. Congratulations to the author.

Love it!

By: ZureaL

This is the most money I've spent on an iPhone app, and this one hasn't dissapointed. I've owned it for about a month now, and I love using it with my Meade LX200GPS. It's also a great ambassador application to show people the power of the iPhone. Highly suggest it for astronomers at any skill level.

Best starmap app out there!

By: RodGroinfro

This app has everything you need in a star map. I just recently obtained my first real telescope and already this app has helped me find way around the skies way better than any starchart could. I bought the original starmap (didn't realize there was a pro version) and was incredibly pleased but this one blew it out of the water. Recomended to all amatuer and expert astronomers.

incredibly powerful; expensive but worth every penny

By: robertofoto

I was reluctant to spend the 18.99 (it's the second most expensive app I've purchased), but after reading the reviews I took the plunge and have no regrets. This app combines the capabilities of many other astronomy programs and more in one streamlined package. I am a long time amateur astronomer and this powerful app replaces star atlases, ephemeri, catalogs and even a night vision flashlight in one shot, and it's on my phone! I have spent several days working with it and have just scratched the surface. For beginners, it would be a great learning tool, and it won't become obsolete for more experienced observers. It's settings are very customizable, expanding its usefulness as a practical observing tool.

Director, Space Science for Schools

By: pguttman

Finally! This is a product that the active observational astronomer can take into the field and use in conjunction with star parties and just private observing runs. Excellent intuitive screens and seamless scroll make this a joy to use. The night red screen needs to have adjustable brightness control. With a larger database, stock quality images of common objects, and a USB out link to ASCOM telescope control platform, one could leave your laptop computer at home! Great potential for this product to grow into a must have app!

Marvelous app, but some reservations...

By: AstroPaul

Responsive, fast, well-designed, and loaded with features. I echo the many accolades in other reviews (see them for details). Especially value the DSO labels, Telrad, manual, and customization of colors. Still, it may be helpful to point out some issues that could matter to others.

Wonderful astro app

By: RocketLX90

As an amateur astronomer, I have tried virtually all of the astronomy apps in the store and while several are quite useful, Starmap Pro is in a class by itself. An amazing amount of horsepower to carry around in your pocket. Beautifully implemented, this app will delight the casual observer and help more experienced users plan a night's observations. Simply excellent.

Absolutely Amazing

By: alteran1

I'm an astronomy student, and this app is absolutely beautiful. No more checking star charts for me!

Amazing!

By: retswerb

I love this app!!!

Nice

By: Octans Solutions

Not much I can say that hasn't already been said. Very appy with the app, only down side is the steep price, I do feel it's a little high for an iPhone app. But I would still recommend it to anyone that has an interest in Astronomy.

A must get!

By: OrionTheStargazer

If you are tired of lugging maps from viewing session to viewing session, then this is the app for you! Once set up with my preferences, I was already using it with my scope. Super east to use! Glad the author sided with the majority and left Pluto as a planet! Wish list: comet and meteor elements Good job, and cannot wait to see what you do next!

Great so far

By: CarterAus

I've spent about 30 mintues playing with it so far, and have been mightly impressed. The trickiest thing for me has been how the maps rotate near the zenith. So if you flick up, the maps might rotate right. Otherwise, everything is very impresseive and you should watch the 15-minute you tube video on the website to see it in action.

Absolutely the best!

By: Electronic StarBird

This is absolutely the best star map application in the iTunes store. Beautiful, responsive interface, all the features one could want and then some, and a deep catalog. Does the work of three or four separate applications, all in one package.

Very capable, but...

By: macuaig

But the star graphics and sky text are very soft, almost blurred. Priority improvement needed, please. Thanks for comprehensive tools!

ABSOLUTE BEST

By: Galaxyhunter

I love it . I have been waiting for a planetarium program that is as in depth as this one to come out. Personally, I have been an amature astronomer for almost 30 years. The pro version has everything that you would need for serious observing. It works well on my iTouch. The owner is quick to answer replies which is one of the marks of a good product. Just take a look at the 15 min. movie on his web site if you are unsure. Thank you Frederic  Clear skies, Galaxyhunter 

A well designed, amazingly useful observing tool

By: drtromo

Seeing a demo of StarMap sold me on the iPhone, and now StarMapPro has made me wonder how I ever survived without both. It amazes me to have so much power and data right in a pinch (i.e. at my fingertips). With SMP, I no longer need to print out star charts from my desktop--I have access to everything I need, including eyepiece views, right at the scope. SMP is also a great planning tool with the "tonight" feature which gives a nice chart of what will be visible from my location and when. Moreover, I can add filters to the chart selecting only objects that should be visible by the naked eye, or binoculars, etc. In fact, SMP has supplanted my desktop for the bulk of my observation and planning tasks.

Splendid software!

By: lost_horizon

Elegant interface, extremely well thought out. There is a tremendous amount of information packed into this app, and it is easy to find and use. Really one of the best pieces of software I've seen, iPod, Mac or PC. Brilliant job!

There is intelligent life on Earth!

By: unknown reason

Finally, a fully featured, intuitive, and highly detailed astronomy tool for serious sky watchers and casual observers alike who want to know and see more. A pro level app with a big data base that's worth every penny. And it runs on a phone! One of those rare apps that is well thought out, well organized and well executed. The first night you use it, you'll be amazed. Don't go into the dark without it.

For Serious Amateurs and Professionals

By: AstroK

Starmap Pro is as close to a desktop planetarium program as can be expected on the iPhone. The only (quite excusable) disadvantages I can discern are an incomplete atlas (it's got a lot, but not everything and most stars are not provided with identifiers) and a lack of internet interface with services such as Simbad or SDSS or 2MASS image servers. It is totally understandable why these features would be excluded from a handheld planetarium program. The advantages of Starmap are numerous: It is easy to bring with you when observing. It has many features specifically designed to aid while outside with a scope or binoculars. It automatically detects your latitude and longitude to use when producing the sky view. It has intuitive twilight and star magnitude sliders. Accurate to sub-arcminute scales. Etc etc.

Wonderful App

By: William_H

There is no other astronomy application for the iPhone or iPodTouch that compares when it comes to the number of objects in its database. It is easy to use. More powerful than the average user will need at first, but it is ready for advanced users. The catalogue identifies many objects beyond my scope's capabilities. I especially like the bottom menu that changes as you select menus, remembering the latest four selctions recently made. It makes it easier to do repeat operations without having to hunt them down in the menus page.

FINALLY!!!!

By: ItsDarts

A planetarium app for us serious astronomers, amateur and pro alike. The other star chart apps are ok for the casual observer who wants to know "what's that bright object over there" is or for someone just wanting to learn the constelations. This app is for those with telescopes and binos who want a large catalog of deep sky objects along with the usual suspects of objects.

Best iphone Astronomy App

By: Ad_Astra

One of the best features is helping you know what objects are up to help you decide what to observe. I'm a serious observer and I can recommend this program at the eyepiece for star-hopping. that database of objects is massive and even has a field of view for your finderscope is helpful for starhopping. A small critique that is not the programmer's fault: The negative I do see is the red-light feature makes it hard to see the stars at the eyepiece without making the brightness too high. When you do this the glow of the iphone can still make you lose your night-vision. A work around is to use some red-film that can still accept the touch response. That's what I'm doing. This program is perfect!