DOTS User Reviews

Customer Experience

Positive experience5.6% of reviews
Neutral5.6% of reviews
Negative experience88.9% of reviews

~ Based on 18 written reviews from the US App Store.

Is DOTS Safe?

Not enough ratings yet to assess DOTS.

Is DOTS Legit?

DOTS: HVAC is no longer available in the App Store. AppsHunter Legitimacy Score for DOTS is 35/100.

Based on 35 of 100 points across 7 verification signals from App Store and developer data.

Score capped because this app is no longer listed.

Top reviews

Failed Technician Generator

This app is supposed to teach technicians to rely on the measurements that their equipment is supposed to simulate out in the field. As a field technician, I cannot get the application to work without severe massaging, and even then only half the time. In all simulators, trying to tap on the hotspots related to the solution result in a non-reading from the app. I had to connect a mouse to my iPad just to come close.

Referring specifically to the heat pump simulation aspect, trying to “connect gauges” is a struggle in locating the hotpoint to tap on, and when I do find the connection point it’s not actually located within the highlight. When attempting to read the capacitor, the multimeter is set for reading microfarads (display reads 0.0 uF) but placing the probes on even whats supposed to be a known-good capacitor shows 0. And this is during the walkthrough sections.

Any application that is trying to teach needs to work during the tutorials. This is a failed application, and the web application is a failed app, as well. I will be requesting refunds from Cengage to cover for my failed grades because I can’t submit a successful completion.
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Do not buy

I got charged 2 times $45 and I did not receive the the digitail goods

No free trail

Would definitely consider a subscription but absolutely NOT without being able to try it first. Bad marketing choice

Response from developer

A free 30-day trial is now offered (v4.0.40+).

Refund

Asked for a refund and it already says I have a pending credit. So I am changing my review to say that the idea of this app is amazing. If the bugs could be worked out of it I probably wouldn’t put it down.
Customer service is quick.
I hope the app is fixed or updated and I will definitely subscribe.
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Response from developer

Thank you for taking the time to review our app. You can get a refund by contacting Cengage Support at +1 (800) 354-9706 or https://support.cengage.com/. This simulation is based on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology by Eugene Silbertstien, et al. and has been reviewed by several notable HVAC instructors. That said, if you have found an inaccuracy or error, we'd love for you to contact us so that we may fix it.

Doesn’t work

Since the update a few days ago, cannot access the login on the professional side. Not happy with the money spent and the app not working.

Response from developer

Contacting Cengage Support at +1 (800) 354-9706 or https://support.cengage.com/ will get you a response in minutes as opposed to posting a review here - which may take months to be noticed. This issue has been noted and is now in the queue to be fixed. [Edit]: This issue was fixed 2022-11-29 15:30 EDT. Maybe you'll consider giving the app a better review.

This app totally shouldn’t be used by schools.

Hello, I’m a student at SJVC and this application totally isn’t user friendly. It is hard to maneuver and complicated.

Can’t even use app

I keep trying to sing in but when I put my info in and hit “log in”, the app just shuts down… very disappointing

Response from developer

Apple has changed something and now this version doesn't work. I've got an update in the works that should be release mid-January.

Idea is there but...

The idea is there, but if you ask me you shouldn’t need to create a account and or shouldn’t need to subscribe to a subscription to use. Just make a free version no account not subscription and just puta few adds in, there’s your money.

Response from developer

Cengage policy is to not allow ads in any application.

Unable to access! So frustrating!

Purchased the 24 mo option! Paid $54 and I’m unable to even access to my account. Every time I try to login I got stuck because they ask for a code I was never provided and then the app freezes!! When can I get my money back? Need help please!!!!

Dreams

It would be the exact kind of thing you need to practice, but the bugs make it impossible to troubleshoot - certain tools, tracking, components don’t work correctly. If you try to troubleshoot, you’ll see things like a fan not working so you’ll follow that path to get it to run again, and you’ll hit a dead end. When you follow the guide it will say the fan is on.. you can see how this is a problem. You can only work with what information you’re Electronics component is alright, teaches you pathways and schematic reading. Hope they fix this, it’s really a great concept.
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Bugs

I really like the app, and whole concept of it, I know it will benefit many. But I do believe it needs some work for the iPad version, it’s come a long way. But things such as bringing up the chart with a double click, sometimes it comes up sometimes never, it’s very hit or miss. Work on things like that would very much be appreciated thank you
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Response from developer

Try single click to open the chart - that shoudl work much better.

Could be much better

I really wish this app were not so buggy. The previous cengage PC version was unusable, and this one at least is better than that. Still, it gets hung up and won’t let you use or place tools, or hook up manifold hoses etc. the theory is good - i really wish it worked.

Server migration

I love this simulation but I recently updated to 3.1 and my gauges stop working.. before I updated everything was perfect besides a few small issues

Needs work

Login screen black nothing comes up, needs work empty App

Hmmm

Can’t login can’t get refund

Needs work

Very useful app, but it's unstable, needs major updates

Not free

You have to pay like $50 a year for this crap. Not happening...

Will not work till you buy it

You have to register before anything will work. And then you have to navigate the web sight looking for who know what to get some kinda code t make the app even work. Waste of HUGE time.