# Observer Pro — user reviews

> 120 indexed App Store user reviews of Observer Pro by Joshua Bury, rated 4.60/5 from 49 ratings.

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observer-pro/id462392803/reviews
- App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/observer-pro/id462392803.md
- Rating breakdown: 5★ 41 · 4★ 3 · 3★ 2 · 2★ 1 · 1★ 2

## What do users think of Observer Pro?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🎯 Excellent target planning and visibility forecasting
- 🌍 Custom horizon mapping feature is intuitive and unique
- 📊 Comprehensive visualization graphs and charts
- 🔍 Extensive DSO catalog with detailed object information
- 📸 Offline object images included
- ⏰ Accurate altitude and timing calculations
- 🌙 Moon phase integration for planning
- 💰 Good value for the price
- 🎨 Clean, intuitive user interface
- 🌐 Works globally for any location
- 📱 Lightweight and responsive performance

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes when selecting catalog groupings (recent)
- 🐛 Keyboard doesn't dismiss after input (iPad issue)
- 🐛 Data loss - observer lists disappearing
- 🐛 Search function missing in recent version
- ⏱️ Lack of developer updates for extended periods
- 📱 Poor iPad optimization and landscape support
- 🔧 Limited to DSOs - no planets, comets, or asteroids
- 🎨 iPad experience suboptimal compared to iPhone
- 📤 No export functionality for observer lists
- 🌙 Moon visualization missing from sky view
- 🔄 No cross-device syncing capability

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes when selecting catalog groupings (Galaxy, Planetary Nebulae, etc.)
- iOS keyboard doesn't dismiss on iPad after clicking Done
- Observer lists and custom data disappearing after app closure
- Search feature missing in version 1.4
- Continuous crashes since recent updates
- Horizon drawing feature unreliable - drifts while drawing
- Menu items on far right side of screen unresponsive
- Incompatibility with iOS 8 (historical)
- App crashes on startup with certain iOS versions
- Weather feature broken

**Most requested features**

- iPad native app with landscape mode support
- Search functionality restoration/improvement
- Export observer lists to other apps (Sky Safari, etc.)
- Support for planets, comets, and asteroids
- Observing notes and session logging
- Field of view/scope focal length comparison
- Color object photographs
- Additional catalogs (Sharpless, etc.)
- Moon visibility in sky view
- Azimuth-based sorting for telescope positioning
- Filter options for object types
- Cross-device syncing between iPhone and iPad
- Print functionality for observing plans
- User-created custom catalogs
- Screen auto-rotation support
- Weather forecast integration

## Newest reviews (18 of 120)

### 2/5 — Looks good, but lost my observer list

*2025-01-03, version 1.4*

I liked the look of this, and I was interested in the custom horizon capability, so I drew my boundary and made an observer list of things that would be visible tonight from my backyard. However, when I came back this evening to look, the observer list was gone. Losing data is hard to excuse (I’m a retired programmer). Additionally, I imagined there would be a way to export the list so that I could load it in Sky Safari and use it to drive my scope, but I don’t see that.

Kevin

### 3/5 — Search seems to have disappeared?

*2024-11-12, version 1.4*

Currrent version seems to be missing search - one of the best features of a good app??

Use to be able to search for any object simply by entering numbers - even across the various catalogs. 

Sure some of the filtering and sorting will get you there…but FAR less quickly and conveniently.  Is search really gone for good?

### 3/5 — Crashes since the last update

*2024-09-22, version 1.4*

I loved this app but since the last update it continually crashes.

### 4/5 — Awesome observing app, easy to set horizons

*2024-09-17, version 1.4*

This is the observing app I’ve been looking for. I am surrounded by woods, with only a few observing windows widely spaced around my property in various directions. I also have an observation site a couple blocks away on the edge of a lake. This app is perfect for comparing the different sites and deciding which is best, and how long I have on target for astrophotography. Also, the method for tracing the horizon at each site couldn’t be simpler. I only had to spend 15 minutes in freezing weather to measure the horizon at six sites around the yard. 

This latest release is very welcome, fixing a bug with the onscreen keyboard. The iPad experience is still a little suboptimal, but that’s a minor quibble considering how useful this app is. 

Edit- I increased the rating to 4 stars with this latest release (v.1.4). If a native iPad version is released, this would be a 5-star app.

One last note to those thinking about whether the app is worth $14- considering what you probably spent on your astronomy or astrophotography setup, this cost is a drop in the bucket and it will save you much time and irritation over using other apps that don’t really come close in functionality. However, the developer hasn’t updated this app in 3 years, and it has a bug, so don’t expect curb service for your $14.

### 3/5 — Awesome observing app, easy to set horizons

*2024-02-09*

This is the observing app I’ve been looking for. I am surrounded by woods, with only a few observing windows widely spaced around my property in various directions. I also have an observation site a couple blocks away on the edge of a lake. This app is perfect for comparing the different sites and deciding which is best, and how long I have on target for astrophotography. Also, the method for tracing the horizon at each site couldn’t be simpler. I only had to spend 15 minutes in freezing weather to measure the horizon at six sites around the yard. One little issue I’m seeing is that on my iPad Pro 2022 with iPadOS 17.3 is that when I edit a site name the on-screen keyboard won’t go away when the “Done” button is clicked. I have to close the app and restart it to get rid of the keyboard. One other reviewer also noted this behavior. Also, this app is for iPhone, so those of us with iPads have to deal with the clunky interface. If the keyboard bug gets fixed, and a native iPad version is released, this would be a 5-star app.
One last note to those thinking about whether the app is worth $14- considering what you probably spent on your astronomy or astrophotography setup, this cost is a drop in the bucket and it will save you much time and irritation over using other apps that don’t really come close in functionality. However, the developer hasn’t updated this app in 3 years, and it has a bug, so don’t expect curb service for your $14.

### 5/5 — Fantastic but not perfect

*2024-01-06, version 1.3*

Utility is wonderfully useful. I do have one bug to report. Once the iOS keyboard is up to search or type it won’t go away. Have to force close and reopen.

### 5/5 — Love horizon measurement tool.

*2023-12-29, version 1.3*

It shows exactly when an object comes into view and when it leaves.

### 5/5 — Outstanding astronomical observing app

*2023-10-12, version 1.3*

I concur with what other reviewers have said here. This app is super useful for planning observing sessions. 

It’s especially useful for those of us who are forced to observe the sky with many obstructions around - tall trees, buildings, etc. The app allows users to build site specific obstruction profiles that then show what objects are visible at what times. Each object in the database has a graph showing if it’s visible and what times it will be visible along with other observing data. 

Can’t recommend this app more especially if you view from an obstructed site. I only wish the developer would make an iPad version of the app. 

Clear skies!

### 5/5 — Use it every session

*2023-10-09, version 1.3*

Great for planning. Just wish it included planets, comets, and asteroids

### 5/5 — How can I get refund

*2022-08-06, version 1.3*

Sorry this app not for me  
I want to delete it  is there any way to get my money back??? Thank you

### 5/5 — Really good

*2022-07-27, version 1.3*

Excellent app for knowing when your target will be visible and the best viewing times.

### 5/5 — Very useful and unique

*2022-06-17, version 1.3*

Very useful in helping prioritize targets for areas with obstructions. Have not figured out how to prioritize targets where I am doing narrow band  imaging and don’t care so much if the moon is up. Can sort on just nebula I guess but it still ranks items based amount of time they are up when the moon is not.

### 5/5 — Fantastic

*2021-10-02, version 1.3*

I’ve used this app for a little over a month now.  It has become indispensable when planning for a night of astrophotography.  I, for the most part, do not travel with my scope and keep it in one spot all the time.  I have a “decent” view of the night sky.  Being in an urban setting, I have to deal with buildings and trees.  However, with this app, I am able to plan, minute by minute, what I want to image on any given night and even nights in the future.

One thing I’d like to see added is a feature that would enable planning to be done across different devices, i.e. iPad to iPhone.  Just a suggestion.

### 5/5 — GREAT APP But…

*2021-08-06, version 1.3*

Please update for iPad in landscape mode. Most iPad users use keyboards. Thanks for listening.

### 5/5 — Works perfectly

*2021-01-30, version 1.3*

A wonderful app to use, every session I make use of this to plan. The ability to export your local horizon is worth the app usage alone, now you can use these directly in N.I.N.A (1.11 Nightly) by replacing the commas with spaces to make it even more useful 👍

### 5/5 — Great, nearly perfect

*2020-10-20*

This is a extremely good app for planning nights.
My favorite!
It will be more than perfect if it was possible to import/export observation lists from SkySafari or thru a livesky account.

### 5/5 — Amazing and Very Powerful

*2020-09-23, version 1.3*

Excellent app that has amazing functionality. I used to use it just checking what's visible and had missed all the detailed info and more powerful features e.g. local horizons (easy to setup within app) which tells me which site in garden is best for specific objects). Different people will use it is different ways but surprisingly powerful and feature rich.

### 4/5 — Great app with a little bug

*2020-05-20, version 1.3*

Awesome app for planning out observations. The custom horizon tracing feature is awesome, especially if you observe at multiple sites. One thing I would like to see is a way to filter object lists. For example, in the featured objects section you have the option to sort the list by various attributes, but there is no way to filter certain types of objects out. Lastly, there is a bug where tapping on menu items doesn’t register on the far right side of the screen. It doesn’t hinder the function of the app, but it can get a little annoying.

## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated)

### 1/5 — Crashing app

*2024-12-19, version 1.4*

Updated to the recent release, but the app crashes every time I select any of the groupings (Galaxy, Planetary Nebulae, Galactic Nebulae, etc.) in the catalogs part of the program.

### 1/5 — Waste of money

*2020-09-15, version 1.3*

It's a below average catalog/plannner, and very limited to that, with the only interesting feature being the custom horizon drawing, that is not working at all.

Tried on two different iphoneXs and while you draw it keeps moving and 'following' you so it cannot make proper use of the phone sensors to reliably 'understand' and remember where exactly you were drawning the limit for a house or a tree (also after rebooting and resetting the phone compass and inclinometer that are both correctly reporting).

### 1/5 — Crashes on start

*2014-10-05, version 1.0.1*

Crashes on startup on iOS 8

### 1/5 — Crashes every time I open it

*2014-10-03, version 1.0.1*

Worthless. Have yet to get it to open.

### 1/5 — Not working on ios 8.0.2

*2014-09-30, version 1.0.1*

The app is not working , always crash

### 1/5 — Observer pro

*2014-09-27, version 1.0.1*

Crashes at startup on iPhone 5s (ios8)....plz fix

### 1/5 — Ne marche pas

*2014-09-27*

Plante sur I5S sous iOs8

### 1/5 — Can't open it

*2014-09-25, version 1.0.1*

I bought this app before I updated to Apple ver 8. Now I can't even open it. It's a great app if it would work. I hope the developers will give this glitch all of their attention.

### 1/5 — App keeps crashing

*2014-09-24, version 1.0.1*

Will not open on either my iPod touch 5th gen or iPhone 4s. Shows the app and crashes

### 1/5 — Catastrophe, incompatible avec IOS8

*2014-09-23*

Cette Apps ne fonctionne pas avec l'IPhone 6 et l'IOS8:(

## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated)

### 5/5 — A hidden gem

*2026-06-26, version 1.4.1*

One of my favourite Astro planning apps. So convenient. Super handy for assessing best targets by hours of visibility and for keeping track of favourite or partially imaged objects and their future visibility. Whenever I see an inspiring Hubble or JWST image I open the app and in seconds can check out the galaxy coordinates, size, magnitude and visibility from my site.

### 5/5 — Very, very nice app

*2026-06-21, version 1.4.1*

Excellent efficient use of space and graphic presentation of information.  I particularly like the local obstruction mapping.  I was considering developing my own app, but this is better than I could have done.

### 5/5 — Fantastique !

*2026-06-04*

Outil indispensable pour planifier une soirée d’observation. 
Mille mercis au développeur !!!

### 5/5 — Absolutely Essential for Image Planning

*2026-04-04, version 1.4.1*

I’ve used ObserverPro for years now to determine which imaging targets are feasible from my location and optimal imaging months for each one.  Love it!

### 5/5 — Great App

*2025-04-02, version 1.4.1*

Thank you so much for fixing the sort functions.. This is absolutely my favorite planning app.

### 5/5 — Observer pro search

*2024-10-31, version 1.4*

Search bar missing in new version 1.4 I am using iOS 17, could that be the problem?

### 5/5 — Indispensable. Saved me frustration and sleep.

*2024-09-18*

I have a few locations that I scanned the horizon of, including my home balcony. This app saves me the guesswork of deciding to setup my equipment or just stay in bed so it’s definitely paid for itself in hours of sleep saved. The new interface is clean and crisp. I could only wish for one more thing which might be hard to implement: sun and moon tracking which would allow for planning solar/lunar timelapses. :-)

### 5/5 — Just what I was looking for

*2024-05-30, version 1.3*

I was looking for an app which could quickly and simply tell me what the best AP targets are at at the current time. This app is ideal as you can organise the lists by size, type, mag, altitude, etc and for each object there is a handy graphic which show at a glance the altitude and highlights the suitable targets in green. Also the catalog of targets is pretty comprehensive. 
Could be cheaper, but worth the money. Great app.

### 5/5 — Eigentlich eine der besten Apps …

*2024-05-25*

Eine sehr schöne und gut durchdachte App. Die Funktion einen eigenen Horizont hinzuzufügen ist prima. Leider wird die App seit 4 Jahren nicht mehr weiterentwickelt. Hin und wieder stürzt sie bei mir ab. Trotzdem gebe ich alle Sterne da sie konkurrenzlos ist und in den allermeisten Fällen ihre Aufgabe erfüllt.

### 5/5 — Excellent app to plan DSOs

*2024-04-24, version 1.3*

I have a limited view from my yard so this is incredibly helpful for planning out which objects are visible and the timing. I’ve tried a bunch of apps and methods and this is by far the best solution. Very, very well done. 

My only tiny request would be to add a filters. 

Thank you for an amazing app!

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-30.*