Choice Compass User Reviews

Top reviews

Good idea, poor execution

Reviews from 6-7 yrs ago (app vers. up to 1.2) are almost entirely five stars; since ~5 yrs ago, however, all are one star, including mine. Obviously something went very badly wrong in the update to vers. 1.3 (2 yrs ago) and has remained unfixed despite a complete update to Vers. 2.0 (7 mos ago) and a further tweak to 2.1 (a mere 4 wks ago). Simple example: 1st choice always works fine for me, but 2nd always fails because of “finger placement,” this despite not moving my finger AT ALL! Over and over and over. (Remind anyone of Ben Franklin’s definition of “insanity”?) Also interesting that there are none of the typical dev’s replies to users’ complaints…. Do they not care? Are they not even reading them?
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Response from developer

Hello Upstate Steve -- We'd like to apologize for your experience as well as the delay in getting back to you. Version 2.0/2.1 (2.1 with only a wording change) has seemed to work for most users, old and new. However, it apparently isn't working for you. We are not sure why -- we have tested the most recent version rigorously and it seems not to show the behavior you describe for us or anyone else who has contacted us. Also, the bluetooth heart rate monitor functionality seems to work fine as well. If the app continues to show this behavior for you, please return it for a refund. Also you can use the in-app email form to let us know directly if there are any other issues. Thank you!

Does not work

After hours on step one and two, I just give up! Unfortunately because the idea is cool!

Response from developer

Hi Lisa, I'm sorry to hear that -- and also sorry that we didn't realize we could respond to app reviews, so the response is late as well. For whatever reason (sometimes low blood pressure, sometimes finger temperature) the app doesn't work for some people. I'm sorry it didn't work for you! The good thing is, if you have a Bluetooth monitor compatible with Choice Compass, you can use that instead, and it's a lot easier for most people!

It Doesn’t Work

I like the idea of this app, but it doesn’t work. It was tested using several people and horrifying scenarios such as should someone leave an abusive relationship. It was telling people to stay in abusive relationships. Don’t use this app. Use common sense instead.

Response from developer

Hi JillyBean42 -- This is exactly why we created version 2.0/2.1 -- we had previously calibrated the app for people, but our calibration was based on averages across the population. We realized that this was a problem for some people and would give exactly the incorrect answer. Now we have a version (2.1) that lets people calibrate their own heart rhythms. Much more effective. Having said that, it's always better to use common sense over any other decision-making method! Choice Compass is designed to support and validate your choices, not to make them. Thank you for writing your review.

Unusable

Terrible tutorial, could not get it to work

Response from developer

Thank you for your review, Cazimi. In version 2.0/2.1 we have improved the tutorial. I hope you can give it a try!

Doesn't work

Good idea, unfortunately doesn't work. Tested with a variety of simple choices that should have been obvious (love/hate, joy/sad, food/hunger, etc). this test doesn't work and should not be used to make any important life choices.

Not impressed

Ran tests with obviously far preferable scenarios compared to essentially terrible ones and the terrible ones won out as often. Wish I could get my money back for this claptrap.

Response from developer

Hello JRosey2 -- Thank you for your review! In the new version (2.1) we have made this scenario less likely, as we require each user to calibrate the app for their own heart rhythms. Please give it a try! Take care!

Love the update.

I love the new new gender update! Now Choice Compass can be set for a male or female user. It's much more accurate. I love that this app reads me.

It gives me honest and powerful direction. I trust what it has to say.

Response from developer

Hi Sunshine Deluxe, Thank you for your review! Yes, this update allowed people to choose their gender, which was important for the personalization component. But please consider trying the newest version -- 2.1 -- which also allows you to use a Bluetooth monitor and requires personal calibration of your heart rhythms!

More people need this kind of introspection!

I totally agree with the other users that this is app is great for helping oneself to fully evaluate both sides of a decision and also in that it helps one to trust one's own intuition about a situation. If you need validation to just confirm what you knew in your heart, this is a great method! Also, it brings to light that each person has the answer to a lot of their questions internally! Very cool and I hope more of this technology is continually developed! Very easy to use, and there's really no way to mess up the heartbeat sensor unless you totally aren't reading the directions and are using it wrong, so I'm not sure what the last user was talking about. All in all, great app!
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Response from developer

Hello Enterprise1701E! Thank you so much for your review. It's been awhile, and we've updated the app considerably. In version 2.1 you can use a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, and you are also required to calibrate your heart rhythms so the app can be more accurate for your particular relationship between your heartbeat and positive/negative choices! Please let us know what you think!

Works great!

Using an iPhone 4 even. Practice screen helps get heart beat right. Great for big choices if you do it a few times and see.

Response from developer

Doubledidooo -- thank you! Glad you like it!

A revolutionary way to make decisions

This app is tapping into a profound new way to make decisions that seems to get beyond my normal conscious process. Even if I don't always 'agree' with it, the process itself gives me a moment to step outside my normal thinking process.

Response from developer

Hi Xinixr -- We agree. It's pretty cool. Check out version 2.1, which is designed to be more accurate -- because it's personalized to your particular calibrated pattern. Keep on making positive choices!

Terrible!

I'm gonna get refunded, I was still as a statue in a well lit place it still didn't work. Don't waste your money!

Response from developer

Hi Hitgirl404, Thank you for your review; we're sorry you had a hard time with the finger placement. We're a little late in letting you know -- we are a small shop -- but we have an update out (2.1) that allows you to use a Bluetooth heart rate monitor instead of your finger on the webcam. Consider checking it out!

Follow Your Heart!

Choice Compass gives you insight into your subconscious decision making process.

Response from developer

Hello Parsonics, Thank you for your review! You are already using version 2.1, so you know that it is even better -- but we appreciate your support!

Great app to help you decide!

What a neat app! I tend to be indecisive and struggle with what I know I need to do and what I want to do.

The Compass Choice app really helps me decipher between the two. It's interesting to see how different the outcomes are - what my head tells me to do versus what my heart wants me to do. I've always been told to follow my heart and this app definitely fits the bill for that.

I love how the developers found a way to track your heartrate through the camera. I know I would not have thought of that. A lot of time and energy went into this app and it shows through the details within the app itself.

I highly suggest everyone try it and use it as a part of their decision making.
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Response from developer

Hi Mandy E! Thank you for your kind words; we hope you'll consider trying version 2.1, which has been updated to require personal calibration of your heart rhythms, to make it even more accurate!

Fun and helpful

The updated version produces faster results with fewer glitches. Good fun from interesting science.

Response from developer

Hi Busydaddy63! Glad you like it! Try the even better version 2.1 that supports Bluetooth heart rate monitors!

A tool for understanding yourself

So I did the calibration thing that she talks about in the science tab in settings. Choice compass consistently chose "choose to be miserable" over "choose to be joyful."

Why is that useful? Because it made me realize it's right -- there's a big part of me that's used to misery. It's familiar. And I think I'm used to it.

So I'm using it to train myself to see what happy physiology feels like.
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Response from developer

Hi Jean bridge, Maybe -- but the new version (2.1) has a more sophisticated calibration process that you might consider trying.

Weird and interesting

My fave thing about this app is the way it forces me to think for longer than usual about possible outcomes of my choices. Very interesting what comes into my head!

The results (the winning choices) make me wonder about whether my body feels differently about things than my conscious mind does.

When I use it on the iPad I have to make sure that it's well lit but this is in the tutorial. Definitely take off the phone case if you have trouble with getting your heart beat on the phone. My case got in the way.
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Response from developer

Hi karenmartin41 -- Thank you for your review! Glad you reminded people to take the phone case off. It makes a difference for some people. Also, relaxing your finger!

Sweet!

Inventive, clever and so useful: leverages your phone's camera to put groundbreaking research into action, bringing clarity to decision-making when you need it most.

Response from developer

Hi Michahber! Thank you!

Almost too accurate.

It could tell the nuance in my differing anxiety about big life decisions. I'm not sure I liked having my heart weigh in so heavily, my mind used to running the whole show. I didn't expect it to be so sensitive and practical.

Response from developer

Hi Bigoldoak, This makes sense -- it's surprising what the heart reveals!

Delightful

And it works! Not just a toy but based on real physiological differences that reflect unconscious desires. Recommended as a good way to "dowse" into your unconscious.

Response from developer

Hi DeanRadin, Thank you for your review! It's been awhile, but we have a new update out (version 2.1) that allows Bluetooth heart rate monitors to connect with the app, and that requires personal calibration of your heart rhythms -- to boost accuracy. If you check it out, let us know what you think!