Contact Solar Eclipse Timer Support

by Dangalangadingdong

Well-intended, but needs a redesign for use ability in low-data environments (a necessity in this specific intended use). App said Sandusky wasn’t in totality, whether using gps or manual input. Glad I wasn’t distracted trying to use during critical moments - would have had the opposite of intended effect if I had used it. Meh.
EDIT: The developer sent me a personal response to this review, suggesting that I did not follow the “simple instruction(s)”. Not only did I follow all of his specific, exact “simple instruction” on the day of the eclipse, I did so on multiple devices. It recognized where I was, yet stated we were “not in totality” for the 4/8/24 eclipse. Developer’s attempt at damage control comes off badly and they need to take a step back and realize that: 1) if they have a go-to response that the “simple instruction” was not followed, they are indicating a larger U.I. Issue, 2) need a refresher on how to not be passive-aggressive in wording their response - it comes off especially badly when the suggestion is incorrect, and 3) indicate thusly that they are not interested in utilizing feedback as a tool for improvement. They put a lot into this app, but they are thwarting their own efforts by not making it great.

by Derek84worth

I saw this app on Smarter every day and figured if Destin recommended it, it should be amazing. Unfortunately, that was not my experience. I went through all the tutorials and made sure the tests were successful on my iPhone prior to the 8 Apr 2024 eclipse. However, on eclipse day, the app kept telling me I was not within the path of totality and it did not give me any voice notifications or reminders. I personally did not find the app intuitive or value added, especially since it did not work as advertised or have any interactive maps. I found the video tutorial way too long and believe a well-designed app shouldn’t require such a video… it should be intuitive without explanation. I feel the intent for this app was good, but execution fell short of its intended target.

by Nick.Williams

Used this app in August 2017 and it was *perfect*. I was so glad to see that it has been updated for 2024 as well, and it makes perfect sense to pay a meager $1.99 per eclipse. But I’m pretty frustrated that the developer has decided that annular eclipses don’t matter. They even updated it to support *partiality*, but state in a note on the app that the upcoming October 14 eclipse won’t be supported because “there is no totality.” This doesn’t make sense. If you’re going to support partiality, why not annularity, which is partway between partiality and totality? Even though glasses on/off prompts wouldn’t be applicable, the app could still help with timing around the ring of fire events. Now I have to go find *another* app to help me time this eclipse, if there even is one. :-(