# StartStar > Sailing performance tracker with hands-free voice feedback and route sharing. (iPhone/iPad app by hugh kingdon.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startstar/id944384627 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [hugh kingdon](https://appshunter.io/developer/944384626) - Category: Sports, Navigation - Price: Free - Rating: 3.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 3 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 12.0 · 23 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2014-12-04 - Data updated: 2026-06-10 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startstar/id944384627/reviews.md ## What is StartStar? StartStar is designed to help you: • Tack on the shifts • Count down to the start • Know your distance to the start line • Check your speed 
• Measure you tack and gybe efficiency • Save your routes on your phone • Post routes to Facebook and Twitter • Animate many boats on Google Earth AND • StartStar is hands free. It can speak to you so you don’t need to take you eye off the sails and other boats to know your speed, time or distance to the start line As StartStar uses the GPS in your phone, it is cheaper than dedicated electronic compasses or starting aids for sale in the chandlers, in fact not only is it FREE, it does more too. Please note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. ## Key features - Track shifts and count down to start - Measure tack and gybe efficiency - Check speed and distance to start line - Save and share routes - Hands-free voice feedback - Animate boats on Google Earth ## Recent user reviews (3 of 3) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/startstar/id944384627/reviews.md ### 4/5 — Great App but sound no longer works *2023-07-21* Have used this app for quite a while and found it great. Alas the sound has stopped working so no audio countdown. No development either 😕 still useful though. ### 4/5 — Great for sailing *2019-06-09* Great free app! I wish it could speak the countdown from the Apple Watch. I would give it 5stars if all the features were accessible from the Apple Watch without having the phone sync. ### 3/5 — Great idea *2015-11-10* Seems like a great idea, just what I need, but the countdown sync feature doesn't reset to the nearest minute as it should, it jumps to the timer. ## Frequently asked questions about StartStar ### Does StartStar have ads? No, StartStar is ad-free, allowing for an uninterrupted user experience. ### What devices does StartStar support? StartStar is available on watch, iPhone, iPad, and iPod. ### How often is StartStar updated? The latest version, 5.31, was released on August 5, 2019. The app was originally released on December 4, 2014. ### What is the age rating for StartStar? StartStar has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. ### Can StartStar be used offline? The description does not explicitly state offline capabilities, but GPS usage suggests it may function without a constant internet connection for core tracking features. ### How does StartStar compare to dedicated electronic compasses? StartStar is described as being cheaper and offering more features than dedicated electronic compasses or starting aids, utilizing the phone's GPS. ### What are the main benefits of using StartStar for racing? StartStar helps users tack on shifts, count down to the start line, know their distance, check speed, and measure tack/gybe efficiency, all with hands-free voice feedback. ### What is the user rating for StartStar? StartStar has a rating of 3.0 stars based on 1 rating. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 5.31 — 2019-08-05 Support improved for the latest screen sizes. Facebook problem posting is fixed. Alas Twitter needs to be permanently disabled due to changes in Twitter's support for developers. But the good news we now add your tracks to your photostream so you can use them with all types of social media. Various other bug sorted too. ### 5.17 — 2017-04-04 Bug fix - corrects a bug where tracks sometimes were overwritten and a display issue on iPhone 4S ### 5.16 — 2017-01-27 StartStar on Apple Watch We are excited about the new version of the App running on the Apple Watch. The App on the watch can work both with the phone and without the phone. Lets take a look at the watch working with the phone: for best results, the Apple Watch app should be started and the app should be started on the phone. The Apple Watch displays the countdown timer, your boat speed and distance to the line. It also acts as a master controller for the phone starting and stopping the timer and the recording of the tracks so long as your phone is within Bluetooth reach of your phone. If in doubt trying the ’Ping Phone’ feature of your watch. Please note your phone must be in Bluetooth reach of your Watch to act as the master controller for the phone app.In this version of the software there can be a 2 second delay before the phone app receives, processes and starts the phone. This can lead to the phone timer lagging the watch by a short period. Something we seek to improve in the future. Alternatively StartStar on the watch can be used in standalone mode. The Apple Watch displays the countdown timer, your boat speed and distance to the line. It also acts as a master controller for the phone starting and stopping the timer and the recording of the tracks. Unfortunately the Apple Watch does not allow Apps to continuously record your GPS tracks in standalone mode. If you want this feature, we recommend the app also runs on a paired iPhone. ### 5.1 — 2016-11-25 Bug fixes. ### 4.2.1 — 2016-09-23 To enable pursuit races in some clubs which require countdown times which are not multiples on 1 minute, it is now possible to set the countdown timer to any value by running the countdown and then stop the countdown at the appropriate value. The sailor then start the countdown at the right point. ## Apps similar to StartStar | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Voice Sail Start Timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/voice-sail-start-timer/id1492557181) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Sports | | [Sailrace dinghy race timer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sailrace-dinghy-race-timer/id1547876986) | — | Free | Sports | | [Lights Out Sailing](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lights-out-sailing/id6450532592) | 4.5 (8) | Free | Sports | | [Regatta Clock](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/regatta-clock/id1594997467) | 3.0 (2) | Free | Sports | | [Race Master Sail Timer + Speed](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/race-master-sail-timer-plus-speed/id995452178) | 4.4 (108) | Free | Sports | | [iRegatta](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iregatta/id495549814) | 2.0 (4) | Free | Sports | ## More apps by hugh kingdon - [TrackerStar](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trackerstar/id1124232539) All apps by hugh kingdon: https://appshunter.io/developer/944384626 --- *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 2026-06-10.*