Customer Reviews (100)

Peter Lambrecht • 2025-03-04T12:34:52.910Z

Exceptional app, easy to use, great video tutorial, combines many tools of several apps, simply great! World be nice to add a feature for sun and moon eclipse. Thank you very much!

Angelo A • 2025-01-07T10:38:42.715Z

Good app, but a caveat for those wanting to use it in South Korea. The satellite layer has extremely poor resolution compared to other countries (this is a Google Maps issue in Korea).

Steven Archdeacon • 2024-11-25T17:17:12.724Z

App still crashing every time I use it as I have an older Android Motorola Z4. Great app when it works, but it's been crashing on my phone for the past 3 weeks. Hope it can be fixed soon...

Summary of Key Insights

Planit Pro: Photo Planner is a highly regarded app for landscape, travel, nature, and astrophotography planning. Users praise its comprehensive features, accuracy, and the developer's responsiveness. However, recurring issues include app crashes, difficulties with the user interface, and concerns about pricing and feature access. The overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with a significant majority of users giving the app a 5-star rating. The app effectively combines multiple tools into one, saving photographers time and effort.

Quantitative Metrics:

  • Overall Rating: High (based on review distribution)
  • 5-Star Reviews: 77%
  • 4-Star Reviews: 4%
  • 3-Star Reviews: 4%
  • 2-Star Reviews: 6%
  • 1-Star Reviews: 9%

Key Strengths: Comprehensive features, accuracy, VR mode, developer responsiveness, offline functionality. Key Weaknesses: App crashes, UI complexity, pricing concerns, feature access issues, map resolution in certain regions.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on the reviews, it spans several years, with some reviews referencing specific updates and past experiences.
  • Analysis Methods: Sentiment analysis (identifying positive, negative, and neutral opinions), keyword extraction (identifying frequently mentioned features, issues, and requests), and thematic analysis (grouping reviews based on common themes).

Key User Pain Points

  • App Crashes: Several users reported frequent app crashes, particularly after updates or when moving the app to an SD card, significantly hindering usability.
  • UI Complexity: Many users find the UI overwhelming and confusing, requiring significant effort to learn.
  • Pricing and Feature Access: Some users complained about features that were previously free now requiring payment, feeling it was "greedy". There are also issues with purchasing or accessing paid features.
  • Map Resolution Issues: Users in South Korea reported extremely poor satellite layer resolution.
  • Data Loss: Some users reported losing their saved plans and markers after updates.
  • Password Reset Issues: Some users are not receiving password reset emails.
  • Storage Access Issues: Some users are experiencing issues with the app accessing the phone's storage, preventing them from using certain features like the viewfinder picture feature or downloading elevation files.
  • Forced Updates: Users find forced update notifications annoying, especially when they interrupt the app's use.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Eclipse Prediction: A feature for predicting sun and moon eclipses.
  • PC/Desktop Version: A desktop version of the app.
  • Weather Conditions: Integration of weather conditions, including astronomical and stargazing weather.
  • GoPro Settings: Integration with GoPro settings.
  • Improved Street View Integration: Full functionality in Street View with overlays.
  • Syncing with External Calendar: Ability to sync plans with external calendars.
  • Indicator for Active Task: A clear indicator of the task currently being worked on.
  • Building Models in VR View: Inclusion of 3D models of buildings in the VR view.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Comprehensive Features: Users appreciate the wide range of features available for planning various types of photography.
  • Accuracy: The app is praised for its accurate predictions of celestial events and location data.
  • VR Mode: The VR mode is a standout feature, allowing users to preview scenes with terrain data and plan shots remotely.
  • Developer Responsiveness: Many users commend the developer's responsiveness to questions and feedback.
  • Offline Functionality: The ability to use the app offline is highly valued, especially when exploring remote locations.
  • Value for Money: Despite some pricing concerns, many users feel the app offers excellent value for its price.
  • Comparison to Alternatives: Some users explicitly state Planit Pro is superior to other similar apps like PhotoPills.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

High Priority:

  • Address App Crashes: Investigate and fix the causes of frequent app crashes to improve stability and usability.
  • Improve UI/UX: Redesign the UI to be more intuitive and user-friendly, potentially with guided tutorials or a simplified mode for beginners.
  • Resolve Feature Access Issues: Clarify pricing and feature access, and address any bugs preventing users from accessing paid features.
  • Fix Storage Access and Permission Issues: Address the reported storage access issues that prevent users from utilizing certain features.
  • Address Password Reset Issues: Ensure that password reset emails are consistently delivered to users.
  • Prevent Data Loss During Updates: Implement measures to prevent data loss during app updates.

Medium Priority:

  • Improve Map Resolution in South Korea: Address the poor satellite layer resolution in South Korea.
  • Implement Forced Update Controls: Allow users to postpone updates without forcing the app to exit.
  • Add Building Models to VR View: Include 3D models of buildings in the VR view to enhance planning in urban environments.
  • Develop More Tutorials: Create more video tutorials, especially for new features, with practical examples.

Low Priority:

  • Implement Eclipse Prediction: Add a feature for predicting solar and lunar eclipses.
  • Develop PC/Desktop Version: Explore the feasibility of developing a desktop version of the app.
  • Integrate Weather Conditions: Integrate weather data, including astronomical and stargazing conditions.
  • Add GoPro Settings: Integrate with GoPro settings.
  • Implement Calendar Syncing: Allow users to sync plans with external calendars.
  • Add Task Indicator: Implement a clear indicator of the task currently being worked on.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • AI-Powered Composition Assistant: An AI-powered tool that analyzes the scene and suggests optimal camera settings and composition based on user preferences and the environment.
  • Collaborative Planning Platform: A platform where photographers can share their plans, locations, and tips with each other.
  • Augmented Reality Photography Education: An AR app that overlays real-time information about camera settings, composition, and celestial events onto the user's view, providing an immersive learning experience.
  • Hyperlocal Weather Data for Photographers: A specialized weather service that provides detailed information relevant to photographers, such as cloud cover, light pollution levels, and atmospheric conditions.

Trends and Observations

  • Positive Sentiment: The overall sentiment towards the app is overwhelmingly positive, indicating a strong user base.
  • Long-Term Use: Many users have been using the app for several years and continue to find it valuable.
  • Comparison to PhotoPills: The app is frequently compared to PhotoPills, with some users preferring Planit Pro for its features and developer support.
  • Active Development: Users appreciate the regular updates and new features, indicating active development and commitment to improvement.
  • Tutorial Reliance: Users rely heavily on video tutorials and user manuals to learn the app, highlighting the need for clear and comprehensive documentation.

Conclusion

Planit Pro is a powerful and highly regarded tool for photographers, offering a comprehensive suite of features for planning various types of shoots. While the app has many strengths, including its accuracy, VR mode, and developer responsiveness, addressing the recurring issues of app crashes, UI complexity, and pricing concerns is crucial for maintaining user satisfaction and attracting new users. Prioritizing these improvements will solidify Planit Pro's position as a leading photography planning app.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yingwen.photographertoolspro