Customer Reviews (500)

cyborg0008 • 2025-02-20T04:31:40-07:00

Excelent app

Hal NYC • 2025-02-03T13:32:38-07:00

I gave the app to my real estate buddy, he points it at the window and it tells him what time they will see sun coming through - or the sunset and he brings his client then! I need to know between what times I’ll get direct sun for photography. I’ve been using it for a decade, and I am always impressed 😎🇺🇸✅

SeanB129 • 2025-01-14T03:03:13-07:00

I don’t usually leave reviews for stuff, but I have used this tool as a working commercial cinematographer for many years, and it’s hard to imagine life without it. It just works. Bonus points when it helps me determine daylight hours in my garden.

Summary of Key Insights

  • Sun Seeker - Tracker, Surveyor is a highly regarded app, particularly among photographers, filmmakers, gardeners, and architects, for its accurate and comprehensive solar tracking capabilities.
  • The app's strengths lie in its augmented reality (AR) view, map view, and detailed solar information, enabling users to plan activities and projects based on sunlight conditions.
  • While overwhelmingly positive, some users report issues with compass calibration, 3D view accuracy, and occasional glitches. There are also requests for additional features, such as moon tracking and improved map functionality.
  • Overall sentiment is very positive, with a strong majority of users awarding 5-star ratings.
  • Quantitative Metrics:
    • Overall Rating: Highly positive based on review content.
    • Score Distribution:
      • 5-star: 83.8% (419/500)
      • 4-star: 6.8% (34/500)
      • 3-star: 2.2% (11/500)
      • 2-star: 1.4% (7/500)
      • 1-star: 5.8% (29/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but the reviews span several years based on mentions of older iOS versions and app updates.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manual assessment of review sentiment (positive, negative, neutral) based on user comments and ratings.
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently mentioned features, issues, and user requests.
    • Categorization: Grouping of reviews based on user profession (e.g., photographer, gardener) and use case.

Key User Pain Points

  • Compass Calibration Issues: Many users report problems with compass accuracy, leading to inaccurate sun position readings, especially in the AR view. This can be exacerbated by magnetic interference from nearby objects.
  • 3D View Inaccuracies/Glitches: Some users experience inconsistencies or glitches in the 3D augmented reality view, including incorrect sun positioning, upside-down lettering, and slow orientation.
  • Location Accuracy Issues: A few users reported the app showing incorrect location.
  • Intrusive Rating Prompts: Some users found the frequent "rate this app" pop-ups disruptive.
  • Lack of offline map preloading: Some users want the ability to preload maps for use in areas with no signal.
  • Address Search Inaccuracies: Some users have had trouble finding the correct address.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Moon Tracking: A significant number of users request the addition of moon tracking features, potentially integrated into the existing app or as a separate app.
  • Improved Map Functionality: Users suggest enhancements such as the ability to zoom in further on aerial views, easily drop pins for new locations, and see terrain or hillside data that might obstruct sunlight.
  • Shadow Projection: Some users would like the app to show shadow projections on the views.
  • Unlimited Notifications: Users would like to set as many notifications as they want.
  • More detailed instruction: Some users find instructions on how to use the app difficult to find.
  • Language Setting: Some users want to change the language.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Accurate Solar Tracking: Users consistently praise the app's accuracy in predicting sun position, sunrise/sunset times, and golden/blue hour.
  • Augmented Reality (AR) View: The AR view is highly valued for its ability to visualize the sun's path in real-time and plan activities accordingly.
  • Map View: The map view is considered helpful for understanding solar direction and elevation for different times of the day.
  • Detailed Solar Information: The app provides a wealth of information, including sunrise/sunset times, twilight times, solar angles, and more.
  • Versatility: Users find the app useful for a wide range of applications, including photography, filmmaking, gardening, real estate, solar panel installation, and outdoor planning.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Many users appreciate the app's ease of use and intuitive design.
  • Regular Updates: Users appreciate the frequent updates and improvements to the app.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Improve Compass Calibration: Address the reported issues with compass accuracy through improved calibration algorithms and clearer user instructions. Provide troubleshooting steps for common interference problems.
  • Fix 3D View Glitches: Resolve the identified glitches and inaccuracies in the 3D augmented reality view to ensure a reliable and consistent user experience.
  • Reduce Intrusive Rating Prompts: Implement a less disruptive approach to requesting app ratings, such as displaying prompts less frequently or offering an option to disable them.

Medium Priority:

  • Add Moon Tracking: Consider adding moon tracking features, either as an integrated feature or a separate app, to cater to user demand.
  • Enhance Map Functionality: Implement requested map enhancements, such as improved zoom, pin dropping, and terrain data, to provide a more comprehensive planning experience.
  • Address Search Accuracy: Improve the accuracy of the address search function.

Low Priority:

  • Shadow Projection: Add shadow projection on the views.
  • Language Setting: Add a language setting.
  • More detailed instruction: Provide more detailed instruction on the app.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Integrated Sun and Moon Tracking App: Develop a single app that combines both sun and moon tracking features for a more comprehensive celestial planning tool.
  • AI-Powered Shade Analysis: Create an app that uses augmented reality and AI to analyze shade patterns in real-time, taking into account surrounding buildings and trees.
  • Solar Panel Placement Optimization Tool: Develop an app that helps users optimize the placement of solar panels based on their specific location and sunlight conditions.

Trends and Observations

  • Positive Sentiment Dominance: The overwhelming majority of reviews express positive sentiment, indicating high user satisfaction.
  • Long-Term User Base: Many users have been using the app for several years, suggesting strong loyalty and continued value.
  • Professional Use Cases: A significant portion of users are professionals (photographers, filmmakers, architects) who rely on the app for their work.
  • Impact of Updates: Updates can have a significant impact on user sentiment, with some users reporting issues after specific updates.
  • Geographic diversity: The app is used in locations all over the world.

Conclusion

Sun Seeker - Tracker, Surveyor is a valuable and well-regarded app with a strong user base, particularly among professionals who rely on its accurate solar tracking capabilities. While the app has several strengths, addressing the reported issues with compass calibration and 3D view accuracy is crucial to maintaining user satisfaction. Implementing requested features, such as moon tracking and improved map functionality, could further enhance the app's appeal and expand its user base. Overall, the app is a worthwhile investment for anyone who needs to track the sun's position for planning purposes.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sun-seeker-tracker-surveyor/id330247123?uo=2