Customer Reviews (500)

Shiver Bivy • 2025-02-23T15:40:35-07:00

A valuable tool for determining slope angles, location and the new AI feature that highlights the mountain names we can see here in Colorado while I guide backcountry skiing and ice climbing is a huge bonus.

Chicken*hit • 2025-02-19T18:59:14-07:00

I use this when building antennas, and any structure to check for plumb, level and height. On the range for distances when initially zeroing a rifle scope.

lorenpax • 2024-11-16T09:11:13-07:00

This is the most accurate app I use for alt and direction.

Summary of Key Insights

Theodolite is a highly regarded app with a strong base of loyal users who appreciate its accuracy, feature-richness, and usefulness in a variety of professional and recreational contexts. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority of reviews being 5-star. Key strengths include its utility for surveying, documentation, navigation, and outdoor activities. Weaknesses are primarily related to occasional compass inaccuracies (likely hardware related), UI issues in bright sunlight, and requests for specific feature enhancements. The developer's responsiveness is frequently praised.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: High (primarily 5-star reviews)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 86.2% (431/500)
  • 4-Star Reviews: 8.4% (42/500)
  • 3-Star Reviews: 1.8% (9/500)
  • 2-Star Reviews: 1.2% (6/500)
  • 1-Star Reviews: 2.4% (12/500)

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 500 reviews
  • Time Frame: Reviews span from 2015 to late 2023.
  • Analysis Methods: Manual review and categorization of user comments to identify recurring themes, sentiment, feature requests, and pain points. Keyword extraction was used to identify prominent terms.

Key User Pain Points

  • Compass Inaccuracy: Several users report compass inaccuracies, especially on older iPhone models. This is often attributed to hardware limitations but impacts the app's core functionality.
  • UI Visibility in Bright Sunlight: Some users find it difficult to see the camera trigger and other UI elements in bright sunlight.
  • Occasional Glitches After iOS Updates: A few users report temporary glitches or display issues after iOS updates, highlighting the need for prompt updates.
  • Photo Button Placement/Size: Several users requested a larger, more easily accessible camera button, ideally in the upper right corner for right-handed users.
  • GPS coordinate discrepancy: Some users mentioned differences in GPS coordinates reported by the app versus their phone GPS

Frequently Requested Features

  • Military Coordinate Settings: A specific request for Deg. Min. Sec. and Military (mils) angular measurements.
  • Data Export Options: More flexible data export options, including CSV and TXT formats, for both coordinates and photo metadata.
  • Offline USGS Maps: Downloading and using USGS maps as offline overlays or in AR.
  • Shortcut Automation Support: iOS shortcut automation support to trigger the app when the camera is opened.
  • Panorama Feature: A panoramic photo feature within the app.
  • HAM Radio Repeater Locations: Adding HAM Radio repeater locations as map markers.
  • Distance Measurement Tool: A tool to calculate distance based on angle measurements.
  • Auto-Sorting of Photos: A feature to automatically sort photos from the app into a designated folder in the phone's gallery.
  • Customization of Overlay Data: More control over which data are included in the image overlay.
  • Selfie Stick/Bluetooth Remote Compatibility: Support for triggering the camera with selfie sticks or Bluetooth remotes.
  • Reverse Azimuth Functionality: The ability to perform a reverse azimuth calculation.
  • Dual Camera Support: Ability to access both front and rear cameras.
  • HDOP/VDOP Display: Display of HDOP (Horizontal Dilution of Precision) and VDOP (Vertical Dilution of Precision) for GPS accuracy assessment.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Accuracy: Users consistently praise the app's accuracy in providing location, altitude, and directional data.
  • Feature-Richness: The app's comprehensive set of features, including compass, inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, map, and camera integration, is highly valued.
  • Data Overlay on Photos: The ability to overlay geographical data, angles, date/time, and notes directly on photos is a major selling point.
  • Versatility: The app is used in a wide range of applications, including surveying, construction, navigation, search and rescue, hiking, and astronomy.
  • Professional Use: The app is widely used by professionals in various fields, including surveyors, geologists, engineers, and first responders.
  • Customer Support: Several users specifically mention and praise the developer's prompt and helpful customer support.
  • Ease of Use: Many users find the app easy to use, despite its extensive feature set.
  • AR Layers: Users appreciate the augmented reality layers, such as the display of sun, moon, planets, and mountain summits.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address Compass Inaccuracies: Investigate and mitigate compass inaccuracies, potentially through improved calibration algorithms or warnings about hardware limitations. (Impacts core functionality, mentioned frequently).
  • Improve UI Visibility in Bright Sunlight: Enhance UI contrast and provide options for larger fonts or customizable color schemes to improve visibility in bright sunlight. (Impacts usability, mentioned multiple times).
  • Larger, More Accessible Camera Button: Redesign the camera button for easier access, especially for right-handed users. Consider placement in the upper right corner and increasing its size. (Impacts usability, mentioned multiple times).
  • Implement iOS Shortcut Automation: Enable iOS shortcut automation support for seamless integration with other apps and workflows. (Addresses a specific feature request with potential for significant user benefit).

Medium Priority:

  • Implement More Flexible Data Export Options: Add CSV and TXT export formats for coordinates and photo metadata. (Addresses a frequently requested feature, enhances data integration).
  • Add Military Coordinate Settings: Add Deg. Min. Sec. and Military (mils) angular measurements
  • Address Post-iOS Update Glitches Promptly: Prioritize testing and updates after iOS releases to minimize temporary glitches or display issues. (Maintains app stability, impacts user satisfaction).
  • Add Auto-Sorting of Photos: Implement a feature to automatically sort photos taken with the app into a designated album. (Enhances photo organization, addresses a user request).

Low Priority:

  • Explore Panorama Feature: Investigate the feasibility of adding a panoramic photo feature. (Potential enhancement, but less critical than core functionality improvements).
  • Implement HAM Radio Repeater Locations: Add HAM Radio repeater locations as map markers.
  • Distance Measurement Tool: Develop and implement a distance measurement tool based on angle calculations. (Potential feature, but requires careful design and testing for accuracy).
  • Dual Camera Support: Implement support for accessing both front and rear cameras.
  • HDOP/VDOP Display: Display HDOP (Horizontal Dilution of Precision) and VDOP (Vertical Dilution of Precision) for GPS accuracy assessment.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Augmented Reality Surveying Platform: A platform that integrates Theodolite's core functionality with advanced AR capabilities for real-time surveying and mapping.
  • Geotagged Photo Documentation Service: A cloud-based service that automatically organizes and archives geotagged photos from Theodolite, providing secure storage and easy sharing options.
  • Customizable Data Overlay Templates: A tool that allows users to create and share custom data overlay templates for Theodolite photos, catering to specific professional needs.
  • Theodolite-Integrated Drone App: An app that integrates Theodolite's surveying and mapping capabilities with drone imagery, enabling users to create detailed 3D models of terrain.

Trends and Observations

  • Consistent Positive Sentiment Over Time: The overall sentiment has remained consistently positive since 2015, indicating sustained user satisfaction.
  • Professional Use Cases Dominate: A significant portion of the reviews come from professionals in fields like surveying, construction, engineering, and emergency response, highlighting the app's strong appeal in these sectors.
  • Emphasis on Accuracy and Reliability: Users consistently emphasize the importance of accuracy and reliability, suggesting that these are key factors driving user satisfaction.
  • Developer Responsiveness is Key: The developer's active engagement with user feedback and prompt responses to issues are highly valued and contribute to the app's positive reputation.

Conclusion

Theodolite is a well-regarded and highly functional app with a strong base of loyal users. Its strengths lie in its accuracy, feature-richness, versatility, and professional-grade capabilities. Addressing the identified pain points, particularly those related to compass accuracy and UI visibility, and implementing frequently requested features, such as data export options and iOS shortcut automation, will further enhance the user experience and solidify the app's position as a leading tool for surveying, documentation, and navigation. Overall, Theodolite is a highly recommended app with a bright future.

Original App Link

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/theodolite/id339393884?uo=2