Comparison

MNsight vs Backseat Geologist

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

Head to head
About

MNsight

Explore Minnesota's subsurface geology with this app. Tap on the map or use your GPS to discover soil, glacial geology, and bedrock information for any location. Learn about the types and ages of the bedrock beneath the surface.

Highlights
  • Map-based geological data
  • GPS location information
  • Soil and bedrock details
  • Glacial geology insights
  • Bedrock age and type
Features
Read full description

Tap anywhere on the map within Minnesota to get information about the soil, glacial geology, depth of the bedrock below the land's surface, and the types and ages of the bedrock in that location. Press the 'below me now' button to instantly get the above information about your current GPS determined location.

About

Backseat Geologist

This app provides audio explanations of the geology visible from your car. Explore geological features, create custom routes, and learn about earth history on the go. Offline access and adjustable audience settings enhance the learning experience.

Highlights
  • Audio descriptions of geology
  • Interactive geologic map
  • Custom route creation
  • Offline map and data access
  • Adjustable audience settings
  • Points of Interest (volcanoes, earthquakes)
  • Background audio playback
Features
Read full description

Ever wanted a geologist to ride along and explain what's outside your window?  Being a geologist myself, I went on vacation and wished I had someone to read geologic map descriptions as we drove across the countryside. When I got home, I started working on Backseat Geologist to do just that! Backseat Geologist will give you audio descriptions of the rocks below your feet or wheels as you travel. - Browse the geologic map and tap around to see details about the geologic units that are near you - Start an Explore session and get updates on the geology below you as you move around - Overlook Mode scans the geology of what you can see and tells you all about it - Create Routes to listen to the geologic story of your commute, road trip, or family outing. Routes combine the context of each geologic unit you pass to create a more cohesive set of descriptions. - Routes can be saved offline for areas with bad service - Long tap on the map to drop a pin and tap again to create a route to that location - Adjust descriptions for any audience from kids to geology enthusiasts - Geology data is powered by Macrostrat, USGS, GEM, Paleobiology DB, and more - Explore Points of Interest of recently active volcanoes and historic earthquakes - Choose between different base maps - View regional stratigraphic columns - See the paleogeography of Earth when rocks formed - Audio plays from the background and doesn't interfere with navigation or other apps - Works well with other playing audio like music or podcasts - Widget for the geology of your current location - Live activity shows on Lock Screen, Dynamic Island and CarPlay - App Intent gives Siri access to geology information from the app without opening it. Say "Hey Siri, use Backseat Geologist" - Sync with iCloud between iPhone, iPad and Mac Premium and Max users get: - Improved audio quality - Topographic map background layer option - Download geologic map tiles and data for areas of the map to use offline - Custom route creation - Import GPX files in custom routes - See further in Overlook Mode Download Backseat Geologist and discover the millions and billions of years of Earth history rolling by your window. If you find any bugs or issues please contact me at support@backseatgeologist.com Privacy Policy: https://backseatgeologist.com/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://backseatgeologist.com/terms-of-service End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MNsight3 screens
Backseat Geologist4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Backseat Geologist at 92% against MNsight's 0%. Backseat Geologist also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (86 vs 6). MNsight's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Backseat Geologist sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. MNsight asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backseat Geologist holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Backseat Geologist has 86 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of MNsight's written reviews are positive against 92% of Backseat Geologist's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
MNsight versus Backseat Geologist: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMNsightBackseat Geologist
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (6 ratings)4.8 (86 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews92.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings686 — better
Update frequency—Fortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size42 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRegents of the University of MinnesotaBlake Morgan

Customer experience

MNsight

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Backseat Geologist

All ratings83 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral3.6%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative7.7%

In-app purchases

None

MNsight

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Backseat Geologist

Subscriptions4
  • Premium Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • Max Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Premium Annual$17.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Max Annual$39.991 Year
One-time3
  • Colorado I-70 Route Pack$4.99
  • Seward Highway$4.99
  • Moab Utah Route Pack$9.99

Questions

Is MNsight free?
MNsight is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Backseat Geologist free?
Backseat Geologist is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MNsight or Backseat Geologist?
Backseat Geologist is rated higher. MNsight averages 4.3 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Backseat Geologist averages 4.8 from 86 ratings.
Do MNsight or Backseat Geologist have ads?
Neither MNsight nor Backseat Geologist shows ads.

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