StarTracker - Mobile SkyMap Review

Stargazing is one of my favorite things to do. I find it not only relaxing but also very educational. For a long time, I did it the old-fashioned way. I would lay on the grass and watch different stars. There was no strategy to it, and I could barely differentiate the different types of stars. All this changed when I came across Star Tracker. This amazing app has completely revolutionized the way I stargaze. Here’s more about it.

Interface

Star Tracker for iOS and Google Android devices has a very user-friendly interface. The menu is conveniently located on the right side of the screen with clear and self-explanatory icons to help you understand what each function does, and the search tool is at the top. This simplicity makes it beginner friendly and fun to use since you do not have to learn a lot of things. There aren’t many colors on this app. Black is the prominent color with just a few white spots and bright pink to show the different celestial bodies. This is great because it makes you focus on what you are looking at. 10/10.

Features 10/10

Star Tracker has plenty of features that make stargazing extremely entertaining and educational. First and foremost, this application has a high-quality graphics display that gives you a clear view of the sun, moon, planets, constellations, and stars. It has a GPS feature which automatically sets your location. However, you can do this manually to increase accuracy. This tool also has an auto-hide menu which is very useful when you point your device towards the sky. With this feature, you will be able to view everything clear without getting obstructions from the menu icons. Last but not least, the app has a cutting edge signal processing technique which gives the app a smooth motion flow and quick response.

The app is compatible with iPhones, iPods Touch, iPads (iOS 8.0 and up is required) and Android devices (Android version varies with a gadget). 10/10.

Performance

This App Store and Google Play app for stargazing is fantastic. I have used it plenty of times, and I haven’t had any serious issues. I can see the celestial bodies clearly, and it offers a very reliable guide. However, I have noticed that some of the menu items disappear from time to time. This has happened several times after I have used the auto-hide menu feature. Other than this, the app has been very consistent in its performance. The developers have also updated it with a number of improvements which have made it even better. In the latest version, they have introduced a meteor shower and enhanced render performance tuning. 9/10.

Pricing

This iOS and Android app is free. However, it contains in-app purchases. The in-app purchase basically enables you to upgrade to the pro version which has no ads, gives you a view of the full 88 constellations and deep sky objects, it has a 3D compass in AR mode and night mode switch among other features. This goes for $2.99.

The Verdict

Star Tracker is without a doubt the leading stargazing app. It is very easy to use, and it has plenty of valuable features. I have learned a lot about stars and deep sky objects using this app. It is my ultimate stargazing companion. I would recommend it to anyone who loves this hobby or anyone who would like to learn more about sky objects.