Comparison

NESS Programmer vs Directional Survey Methods

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

NESS Programmer

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The NESS Programmer allows users to easily configure the NESS downhole tool in a matter of seconds using Bluetooth communication, avoiding the need to use dip switches on the tool's controller board. Avalon Research's NESS downhole tool is a Non-Explosive Setting System. This proprietary, self-contained system runs on battery power and hydraulic fluid. It is lightweight, simple, and incredibly inexpensive to operate. It requires minimal redress and can be used for multiple runs with minimal downtime. Electric power is provided by the onboard re-chargeable Ni-Cad battery pack. Run in tandem with a modified multi-stage setting tool, the NESS is unaffected by wellbore pressure. The hydraulic pump is capable of generating 15,000 psi of continuous hydraulic pressure. The pump uses a specialty heat transfer fluid to provide hydraulic pressure and does not operate on wellbore fluids to prevent contamination. The electronics are encased in an insulated thermal flask and the system is designed to withstand up to 400F for 2 hours. Primary Applications: β€’ Off-shore fields requiring heli-deployed non-explosive setting tools. β€’ High-risk areas where transporting explosives is prohibited, restricted, or unwise. β€’ Operations where multiple well completions require several runs per day. β€’ Time-sensitive jobs that can’t depend on the logistic deployment of explosives, or the availability of a blasting tech. For more information on the NESS visit our website at https://wirelinetools.com

About

Directional Survey Methods

Features
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This application uses the formulas to calculate the survey parameters (diff of TVD, N/S, E/W, DLS) between two stations of the methods: 1. Tangential 2. Balanced Tangential 3. Minimum Curvature 4. Radius of Curvature 5. Angle Averaging Also available the formulas of the methods. This app was developed based in existing spreadsheets. There is no comparison with any other software. You can contribute with suggestions for improvements, reporting bugs and spreading it to your friends. Our portfolio for Directional Drilling available on the App Store: - "Directional Drilling" a complete app (building and plotting) with well planning, survey, multi-lateral, etc. - There are also stand-alone applications for Well Planning, Well Survey and Multi-Lateral Wells. - "3D Interpolation" to calculate a survey data between two stations. DISCLAIMER: These tools & materials are provided 'as is' without warranties of any kind, express or implied. Please verify the tools provided by this application by yourself before you use them. Ensure you understand the impact of using these tools. Any use you choose to make of these tools & materials is undertaken by you entirely at your own risk. Thanks

Screenshots

NESS Programmer3 screens
Directional Survey Methods4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: NESS Programmer at every 21 months against Directional Survey Methods's every 50 months. Directional Survey Methods's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NESS Programmer ships an update every 21 months, Directional Survey Methods every 50 months. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 4 level
NESS Programmer versus Directional Survey Methods: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNESS ProgrammerDirectional Survey Methods
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 21 months β€” betterEvery 50 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” better
Requires iOS15.612.0 β€” better
Further details β€” not scored
Size1 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIain SimpsonCarlos Moura

In-app purchases

None

NESS Programmer

No in-app purchases

None

Directional Survey Methods

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NESS Programmer free?
NESS Programmer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Directional Survey Methods free?
Directional Survey Methods is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do NESS Programmer or Directional Survey Methods have ads?
Neither NESS Programmer nor Directional Survey Methods shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NESS Programmer or Directional Survey Methods?
NESS Programmer ships an update every 21 months, and Directional Survey Methods every 50 months. Most recently, NESS Programmer was updated on September 10, 2026 and Directional Survey Methods on September 15, 2026.

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