# Theodolite — user reviews > 475 indexed App Store user reviews of Theodolite by Craig Hunter, rated 4.70/5 from 902 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theodolite/id339393884/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/theodolite/id339393884.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 765 · 4★ 72 · 3★ 26 · 2★ 16 · 1★ 23 ## Newest reviews (17 of 475) ### 2/5 — Stopped working on 15 Pro Max 7/9/25 *2025-07-09, version 9.1* Suddenly stopped working on 15 PM. Been using for 7.5 yrs on multiple iPhones. Screen is black. No photo appears in photo app. Works on my work iPhone 13 regular. Weird. Please help. ### 4/5 — Enjoy features and technical *2025-05-28, version 9.0.3* This is a good camera application. It has the functions and features that are useful. Direction calibration could be better . I use on an iPad without cellular application so I use an external GPS which works well with theodolite. ### 3/5 — Nice app—Bundle isn’t complete *2025-04-22, version 9.0.3* Visually beautiful. Clear on-screen layouts and useful outdoor navigational information in the theodolite and compass apps. Altimeter…meh, informative but not eye-catching but maybe that’s its point (?). Weather? Yeah, there are hundreds of apps that do that, so it’s not really the selling point of the app. However, I am very disappointed that (1) the bundle does not include the Apple Watch apps and the various datum sets and (2) even more puzzled/peeved that the purchase of the datum for one app in the bundle does not make those datum available for use with the other apps in the set. It doesn’t really seem like a “bundle” especially when there are other apps available from other vendors that do as much but without the “nickel and dime” price escalation every time you open the preferences. In short, I’m pleased with the compass (on the phone) but will likely not find use for the rest of the apps as they each require additional purchases for base map datum($3) and localized maps/state plane coordinates ($25). ### 5/5 — Very Useful *2025-02-20, version 9.0.3* I use this when building antennas, and any structure to check for plumb, level and height. On the range for distances when initially zeroing a rifle scope. ### 5/5 — Most accurate app for me *2024-11-16, version 9.0.3* This is the most accurate app I use for alt and direction. ### 3/5 — Few bugs and design issues *2024-10-23, version 9.0.3* I'm in the IT industry, and a colleague introduced me to Theodolite. I find it useful and it serves my needs well. However, I encountered a few bugs and design issues during my first use: 1) I am unable to close the app directly. The only workaround I found is to swipe up to access the notification center and then open another app. From there, I can close both apps by swiping up, which feels inconvenient. 2) I took several photos in both landscape and portrait modes, but all of them are saved in portrait orientation in my Photos library, which is frustrating. 3) I added notes to my pictures, which worked well. However, the position of the "take photo" button and the backspace key on the pop-up keyboard are too close to each other. This caused me to accidentally delete parts of my notes multiple times, which was time-consuming and frustrating. Overall, the app is helpful, but addressing these issues would significantly improve the user experience. ### 5/5 — Great app *2024-10-06, version 9.0.3* Use it for chopping down trees. Aim up 45 degrees and tree will land 2 steps behind and just miss the house. Phew! Lots of other uses too! Update still using 5 years later. One of the top apps for the iPhone. Multitude of uses for “near enough” surveying. Thanks for a great app ### 4/5 — Theodolite *2024-07-09, version 9.0.3* This is a very handy app. My only issue with it is , it doesn’t have a setting fo Deg. Min. Sec. For angular measurements. Military (mils) are not used on the large percentage of maps. Other than that it is a great app. ### 5/5 — Great app even after years of use *2024-06-24, version 9.0.3* I’ve been using this app since 2017. It is reliable, rarely crashes, and very useful. I only use it for photo markups and don’t use the A-B distance estimate or other functions. I occasionally find that rotating the camera orientation creates a glitch where the screen goes blank and the app needs to be closed to regain functionality. Please update to change options for stamped info: I want to customize each line of the stamped information but can’t seem to turn each piece on or off. I only want Date-time, UTM position, and my photo note. Is this possible? I’m looking for an alternative app currently that is more streamlined for these markups but I would love to keep using theodolite. ### 5/5 — Theodolite *2024-06-19, version 9.0.3* What a great tool! ### 5/5 — Excellent *2024-06-13, version 9.0.3* Perfect ### 5/5 — Best photo app for work *2024-06-12, version 9.0.3* This is an excellent app for the professional in the field taking photos of a project or work site as it progresses. Thank you! ### 5/5 — Great app used it for years. *2024-06-05, version 9.0.3* This app will give you a lot of info on the lay of the land. The only caveat I have is the camera button placement. I would like to use my right hand index finger at the upper right hand corner with a decent size button and right underneath it the zoom button. At the moment I have to search for it which in turn disrupts the photo. ### 5/5 — Theodolite *2024-04-27, version 9.0.3* Great Product: is there any way to export coordinates in a txt or csv format? Either the coordinates shown on Theodolite, or the coordinates of the photo (at minimum). I am testing Theodolite as a quick/ handy Data Collector. Thank you! ### 5/5 — Perfect for setting up solar panels *2024-04-16, version 9.0.3* Found true North and angle of declination for my solar panel all with one app. ### 2/5 — Camera trigger button to small *2024-04-15, version 9.0.3* Almost useless in bright sun where I use the app. Cant see the camera trigger Other than that this is a great app. Needs option for big button easy to see like Solo has ### 5/5 — Shows the best of a smartphone *2024-03-20, version 9.0.3* I have had this app for many years. I write very few reviews and this is one of the few I felt compelled to comment upon. This is probably one of the best and most powerful apps I have seen and shows the best of what a smartphone can do. Many, most may not need or appreciate something like this but I find it remarkable what can be done with a phone in our pocket. If you are reading reviews on this app though, you are probably in the other category. If you know anything about maps, orienteering, surveying, flying or navigating this is remarkable. Get it. I buy almost no apps but this one I did and still think it is so worth it. To the devs, sincerely thank you. Be very cool if USGS maps could be downloaded and used as some kind of offline overlay or AR, IDK but a thought that occurred to me…. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Calibrate! *2025-07-01, version 9.1* The calibration button does not work on a horizontal surface. When the phone is lying on a surface ### 1/5 — App freezes/crashes frequently *2025-06-19, version 9.0.3* Having the “Note” feature enabled frequently caused a black screen upon trying to capture a photograph; instead of bringing up the interface for writing the note after tapping the shutter button the whole app becomes inoperable. Cannot be relied on. Waste of money. ### 1/5 — Not that user friendly *2024-07-26, version 9.0.3* Maybe I just can’t work it out, but removing all info off the screen i.e. crosshairs, angle etc isn’t obvious. I went into camera settings and turned crosshairs etc to off and they still remain on the screen and in the photo. ### 1/5 — App won’t work. *2023-05-02, version 9.0.1* Buy the app for 8.99 and it doesn’t work. My screen stays black and it doesn’t take pictures. Great purchase. ### 1/5 — Can’t load theodolite for watch *2023-01-25, version 9.0.1* I have paid for this app ( twice), but it does not appear either on phone or on watch, but in App Store it confirms that it has been purchased. I can’t even delete it and try to start again because it just does not appear anywhere. Can someone help? ### 1/5 — Data logging not working *2022-03-14, version 8.2.2* When I log data, copy, then mail it I get the picture and point that the app saw when I hit the copy button. Disappointing ### 1/5 — Does NOT work properly *2022-01-31, version 8.2.2* iPhone 11, I can turn a full 360 degrees & the compass barely moves. Got the app for surveying purposes & it’s basically useless for me. Really disappointing after spending the $. Seems like a great app, if it worked the way it should. ### 1/5 — Poor guide for lay user *2021-02-01, version 8.2.2* No simple how to use guide to provide a survey of land area and topography surely you should be able to record multiple heights position and draw similar to measure facility . Assumes user semi professional . ### 1/5 — No instructions on how to make it work *2020-12-07, version 8.2.2* This app is recommended by my company as being very worth while. For me this app is completely useless and a waste of money but most important is time lost trying to get this thing to work. I would not recommend this as you will never be able to use it. It is like a work of art that you can only look at. Useless. ### 1/5 — Spurious orientation measurements *2020-06-03, version 8.2* I’m a relatively new user and I was working through validating and verifying the dip and azimuth data displayed. I used Apple’s Compass app and Field Move to check my measurements. I found that Theodolite was producing spurious values. What’s more, while checking these values I found that the other programs would start to produce spurious values after I initiated Theodolite and switched between them. I restarted the phone and Compass and Field Move were reliably showing correct readings. But as soon as Theodolite starts, the values become spurious. Additionally, when I lay my phone down, the tilt values jump around all over the place. The look and feel of the app is excellent, please address this critical issue and I would be more than happy to increase my rating! At the moment, it is unusable. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Excellent tool *2026-07-21, version 9.1* Provides good mapping and direction for stored targets. The direction indicator always seems to be slightly off the real heading, but close enough ### 5/5 — The best app in this class *2026-06-26, version 9.1* I have been using Theodolite for over 12 years. It never fails and is always working as intended. Perfect for remote locations. Thanks for the best app and continuous updates. ### 5/5 — Very Useful *2025-10-13, version 9.1* Update. If I hated the iPhone, I’d buy a used one just to have this app. I use this when building antennas, and any structure to check for plumb, level and height. On the range for distances when initially zeroing a rifle scope. ### 5/5 — Incomparable! *2025-10-01, version 9.1* This is one of the best apps I’ve ever owned. ### 5/5 — Response tool *2025-09-06, version 9.1* We used Theodolite while responding to oil spills along the East Coast of Vancouver Island. The USCG DRAT from the 13th CG District introduced us to Theodolite and it’s powerful trig features using GPS, angles and calculated distances. The photo background is a great asset also. This app is very easy to use. With a little practice it becomes a powerful field tool. ### 5/5 — 55 *2025-07-10, version 9.1* This is a awesome app Very professional ### 5/5 — Daily Use in Work & Play,... Amazing App *2025-07-02, version 9.1* As a Location Scout in the Film Industry and an amateur Astronomer, I use Theodolite almost every day. Amazing & Reliable,... 'Absolutely love it! ### 5/5 — Great App to back up mechanical compass. *2025-05-09, version 9.0.3* I have used Theodolite to crosscheck compass accuracy in our Scout Troop. It is not only versatile, but accurate. It is very helpful when setting up compass training courses for our Scouts. As I have not used all the features, I am still learning how much it can do. Be Prepared ### 5/5 — best location app *2025-04-25, version 9.0.3* used for many years in construction admin … highly recommended for location data in pix form … fast/quick … pix or vid and send … done ### 5/5 — Huge value *2025-02-23, version 9.0.3* A valuable tool for determining slope angles, location and the new AI feature that highlights the mountain names we can see here in Colorado while I guide backcountry skiing and ice climbing is a huge bonus. --- *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 2026-09-08.*