SkySafari Reviews

by Brookstr

I’m not an astronomer. One of the main reasons I got Sky was to LEARN, and the fact the phone would automatically adjust what was shown on the screen as I moved it around was a big selling point. My phone will not do this basic function. I have location services on (system does show correct location), but whether I have compass on or AR running (as shown by the blank compass and little “AR” on the screen), my phone screen is static, no matter where I point it. I can manually move the screen around, but that’s pointless because I don’t know what the heck I’m pointing at. Selecting an object on the phone is useless because I don’t know if there’s any correlation between the real world and what I’m selecting on Sky . It’s been this way since I downloaded this piece of junk. This is my first attempt to get it fixed; if the developers can get it working I’ll update my review.

by Longeyes

My initial reaction was a little disappointed. Sky returns to wherever I last looked. There doesn’t seem to be an easy way to get back to the this app overhead at today’s date and time. Would be nice to have something to center on the current zenith. Also when I used the search feature Sky did not have many of the objects I would have expected to be included. Many of the popular nebulae are missing. For example the horse head nebula. I tried searching for the common name and the official designation. The add-in purchase of cosmos does not appear to add those objects. If it did, I would probably purchase the add-in. Overall, I was disappointed. I have several other astronomy apps installed and this one is slightly different but at first experience, does not seem to be any better than the others. I do not own a telescope that supports “control”, so this app safari pro is not an appropriate purchase.

by Cmeyn

I tried Sky for the first time tonight and found it didn’t line up as accurately as I would have liked. I tried using Venus as a visual reference point however when I used Sky overlay the apps location for Venus was different than the actual location. I could actually see both images (the real one and and labeled app one) about an inch apart. The same thing with Mars. Is this user error or app error. Over all first impression is meh but that could change if I learn if I screwed it up vs app error.

by Bulgaria99

Was excited at first to try it, but was a bit of a let down once I paid the initial $2.99. Keeps trying to get you to pay even more for stuff that I thought would be included in the price I initially paid. It also doesn’t move around as you do, like apps such as SkyView do! It’s also not easy to maneuver the map and is very limited to what you can see without paying EVEN more. The plus is that when you do finally get the map to focus on what you want, there is a good amount of info on there, but but nothing that isn’t already made available for free on Google.

by Dobie Acres

Sky goes with me every time I take a telescope out (which is every clear night).

Whether in your own backyard or out on excursion companion, especially when installed on a mobile device with a larger display, as long as you have the built-in GPS of your device (and assuming you have some sort of signal) you can literally swing your tablet/device around and get a map of the this app.

Then you can program the GoTo of your telescope, slew to either Alt/Az coordinates or RA/Dec, or just swing a pair of binoculars.

The dynamic clock feature, and several features whether built in or the optional subscriptions are good for short and long term planning.

The Search with a representative image with "Locate" feature is a plus for determining if you can swing your telescope to a point before you decide to try.

I believe premium versions of Sky integrate with the desktop version. Maybe it would also import and export lists and logs.

To make best use of Sky, learn about the limits of your telescope and your night this app (light pollution) so that you can set magnitude (darkness) limits for stars and other objects in the Settings. Ok maybe you'll only have 10,000 objects that are visible, but it helps with screen clutter.

I also set the Milky Way, horizon and Constellation features and the display becomes aesthetically pleasing.

by #AuntMeme

Incredible App, I could spend days looking at everything, between what is in Sky and all of the astronomy sites connected to it! So much to it/to learn that I do find it a little overwhelming (I began with another AR App before this one which may be attributing to why?)! Personally, for me I think pop ups of “how to” info and facts which could be shut off when you felt you could remember how to do everything would be great- it’s hard to remember or make sense of everything I read when I close out of the pages that tell you how to do everything.
Great App 👏🏼 you can tell a lot of hard work went into creating it. Perfect for home astronomy

by Kevin_in_cs

Looks like a good app, and I was trying to decide whether to upgrade to Plus while the discount was available (or possibly even Pro)—but there are Help files that are unclear, graphic glitches with the Apollo addition, and the voice control (though I understand it’s in “progress”) doesn’t work even with the example commands listed.

It’s less than clear what new features are available in the upgrade version, other than the free Apollo add-in—which I already purchased. So I don’t have enough reason (at least not enough clear reason) to upgrade, especially when I’m having trouble with features already available.

I’ll definitely keep Sky on my phone and use it. Perhaps it’s just me; but, regardless, if I’m already having trouble, there’s little point inviting more. All the basic features seem to work fine, and I’d still recommend the basic app for others—perhaps those who might have better luck (or even sufficient skill) to use it more effectively.

by Rajat Patil

Got a reference from an astronomy group when I accidentally spotted Mars and asked questions for it. Absolutely loved it from the day I installed it.
The best part is there’s no annual subscription involved, makes sense as I am gonna use it that frequently. Just one addition that I would like to see is the visibility index, kinda recommendations that can say if a planet is visible to naked eye or needs a telescope.

by Vermontbriandavies

Fantastic app! I’ve tried many and this is my favorite by far. You can even search for cosmic objects (stars, planets, etc.) and it will direct you to them with an arrow. This is the easiest to use star-gazing app I’ve found. An additional bonus is that it gives elaborate info on all the stars, comets, etc.
my only criticism: You can’t turn off the sound.

by Kimbo Ken

We really enjoy Sky. We have learned so much. It’s fascinating to look at the this app and identify the stars. We live in a rural area where the this app isn’t washed out by urban lights. We are going to invest in a more sophisticated telescope so that the experience of star gazing will be even better. It kind of scary though to know that the universe is so large.

by LlamazReviewGamezOkaiz

Hi!!! I’m a kid (nine years of age) but I LOVE zodiacs and constellations! I’m a prodigy, (and I know I am because I can name the zodiacs frontwards and backwards) But this app safari helps me identify what constellations are in the night. I can see Virgo (my zodiac) Cancer Scorpio Taurus Gemini Capricorn Aquarius Pisces Leo and so much more!!! I rely on this app safari but there’s one little problem that needs to be fixed. So basically I turned on all the labels and it was a little bit laggy but when I went to turn it back off, it wouldn’t turn back off because the button just disappeared. Please fix this!!! I love this app safari but I can’t use it with all these labels!
Kind regards,
SkySafari user

by S.N.F.

I’ve downloaded several different star/constellation/gazing apps and I appears that this one has my heart..! It is truly a great way to spend time with your family
It’s the best star finder simply because it it has the most cosomo info, everything is user friendly and has the capability to make me appear as though I am a genius.
I Just downloaded it today and I’m already navigating the constellations like ima StarBoy!!!

by Scoping In Idaho

You could spend the rest of your life exploring with skysafari6 and never have to see the same object twice. Pure GENIUS! George Jetson didn’t have it this good! NOW you really CAN tell your telescope where to go. We absolutely love all the people and products at simulation curriculum,they are so nice and Very helpful folks. THIS is what cutting edge technology...looks like. S.T.E.M. Is the future,here’s a path forward. With great respect. Dean Janson

by USN SQUID

This is my go to app to set-up my camera on a clock mechanism to do astrophotography. It helps me locate objects to photograph and to check my photos for nebulosity's. The only issue is with stars set visually to maximum magnitude 12 on Sky Sky only reaches out to 9.6 magnitude and photos taken with a 300mm telephoto on a CANON EOS60D "sees" well beyond that. It is still the best "search" app for photography!

by Ecliptomaniac

First and foremost, Sky is very user friendly, even for an extreme neophyte.

This is an amazing app that shows your location under the celestial sphere and allows you to zoom in on any object of interest, from constellation to deep this app object, at will. You are also able to see objects of interest below the horizon in anticipation of later viewing.

Sky keeps track of the this app 24/7 at your location, even during the day, reminding you that the stars are still there even when the Sun is shining. This helps the beginner learn the celestial seasons with the reassurance that in six months this same invisible daytime this app will become the nighttime this app yet again.

Sky will send you notifications of selected sightings of predicted events such as ISS (Zarya) crossings.

by DAM MD

If you had a great observatory with a camera that could WiFi straight to your smartphone and you could use it to observe day or night.
If you had an astronomy library that would allow you to choose a constellation, a star, a planet, or a deep this app object and learn and see what objects it contained.
If you planned a star party and based on what you read in this app and Telescope Magazine everyone would know where to look and what they were expected to find.
You would have seen a little of what this app Safari is

by Old Fogey60

What a app for astronomy buffs! Locate (within a reasonable proximity) that dot of light you see, find out what is known about it, follow its path, past or future, and get updates on upcoming astronomical events! I used it to observe the recent blue (accurately, Orange) super moon eclipse at totality just before dawn, knowing that since it calculates the viewing perspective from my exact location, I could get the eclipse right in the stage I wanted and know exactly where in the this app it was going to be. I like the music, too, but it can be turned off and on.

by M. R. Chesser

Sky is amazing! I’ve been using Star Chart for the longest time, drooling to get my hands on this. Now it’s free! However, it might be a little difficult for first time stargazers because it can have a lot of distractions. I love the voice control, it really helps free up my hands. Forty dollars is a lot for an app, but I love this so much, I think Pro will definitely be worth it. I was surprised to find that it has little to no lag even with all of the items to display. It is a high quality app and I thank Simulation Curriculum.

by Celerondon

Sky is so good that I keep my old this app atlas app around just for the sake of comparison. I use the two apps together as a tool to encourage others to upgrade. I tell them “Look here, I used to use this outdated app but now I cruise the skies with this app Safari!” Once they see the difference, they are sold! If their Internet connection will bear it, they download Sky on the spot.

The feature suite and extras in this app Safari are extraordinary! The display pops with vivid details and well layered information. Sky is surely the Greatest Of All Time in its class.

by JoelG802

Should have just bought pro. Did 2 minutes later and wasted $3 on this version. Bummer. excited for pro though. Make sure you compare the different versions because these is no path to upgrade. I use my phone a lot when doing public events with my astronomy club and the pro is a much better fit.

by Dj.jeffman

Sky does work, even though the user interface is a bit outdated. There’s a lot of info available, but it’s all cramped and cluttered.

There are multiple apps from this developer with the same/similar name at varying costs. Since there are warnings to choose Sky version carefully and after much confusion I just went with the NiteSky app and their $9.99 subscription for a year. Your warning caused me to go with your competitor.

by Billacj

VR is Fantastic, its a bit hard to hold the ipad and put buttons to take the photo(s) while composing the photo but it is do-able. My subject had to stand up on a box and I had to sit very low to compose the photo but the results are truly amazing.

Suggestion: put the ‘shutter button’ somewhere easy to push or use voice commands.

by Bennettlink

This terrific free app is designed with the serious amateur astronomer in mind. Sky contains detailed star charts and a full catalog of all the celestial objects an amateur astronomer could hope to find, with detailed descriptions of these objects. I find Sky to be very useful for finding deep this app objects as the charts are sufficiently detailed for star hopping. A nice touch is “tonight’s best”, which gives good ideas for objects to look for.

by Hulahulahulahey

The developer deserves 5 stars for developing such a great app and for listening to users! I'm impressed by the fact that the developer actually took time to reply and develop features that users want. I think that's what makes Sky so fantastic! A huge thank you for making such a wonderful thing!