PocketPacket vs Strobe tachometer (RPM meter)
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PocketPacket
This app serves as a comprehensive client for the Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), enabling amateur radio operators to send and receive real-time data like position, status, and messages. It features a built-in TNC for direct radio communication and internet connectivity via the APRS-IS network.
- Full-featured APRS client
- Built-in software TNC
- 1200 baud AFSK modulation
- APRS-IS internet connectivity
- Map visualization of data
- Object and message lists
- Real-time weather reports
Read full descriptionHide full description
PocketPacket is a full-featured APRS client with a built-in TNC. The "Automatic Position Reporting System" is a packet communication protocol used by amateur radio operators (hams) around the world, to report position, status, station capabilities, weather or other information in real time. Packets can also be used for broadcasting announcements or one-to-one messaging. PocketPacket incorporates a software-based TNC, allowing you to directly capture and visualize, or encode and transmit 1200 baud packets (AFSK modulation) using a VHF radio transceiver. With PocketPacket you can also get and send packets over the Internet, by selecting one of the available Tier 2 servers of the global APRS-IS network. Incoming data is presented on a map, as most packets define some object, with a specific symbol and location. By selecting a symbol, you can view the latest information sent for the corresponding object, as well as the raw packets that produced it. All available objects are also shown in a list, which allows you to search for the ones you are looking for. Messages and bulletins are shown in a separate set of screens, structured like an e-mail client. With PocketPacket you can follow the status of the APRS network, submit your station's info, monitor moving objects, get real time weather reports directly from local stations and more. PocketPacket is ideal for field work or the ham shack. 73 de SV9OAN
Strobe tachometer (RPM meter)
Measure rotational speeds of objects using your phone's flashlight, laser, or magnetic sensor. Detect precise RPMs with adjustable flicker frequencies and a wide measurement range. Ideal for analyzing fan speeds, engine RPMs, and more.
- Strobe tachometer function
- Laser tachometer mode
- Magnetic tachometer mode
- Adjustable flicker frequency
- RPM and Hz display
- High precision measurement
Read full descriptionHide full description
STROBE TACHOMETER When the flicker frequency of light coincides with the speed of any object, such as a fan, the rotating fan may appear to be stationary. Changing the frequency of the flicker of light may help detect the rotation speed. You may easily use the flicker frequency control buttons to quickly assign the flicker frequency with an accuracy of 0.0001 Hz (0.01 RPM): • Up to 1000 Hz (60 000 RPM) for a connected flashlight (see the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iq6Xiums05o). • Up to 100 Hz (6000 RPM) for the iPhone flashlight. IF THE SPEED IS MORE THAN UPPER LIMIT, YOU MAY STILL DETERMINE THE SPEED BY FIRST MAKING MEASUREMENTS WITH A LOWER FLICKER FREQUENCY AND THEN MAKING A SIMPLE CALCULATION (AS EXPLAINED IN THE APPENDIX). To change the frequency, you should simply press and hold the button. In the app settings, you can adjust the speed at which the flash rate changes when you press and hold the button. The flicker frequency can be displayed either in Hz or RPM. The image you see will be sharper in lower external light. After a long period of usage, in case of overheating, the iPhone flashlight turns off automatically. LASER TACHOMETER • Measurement range from 0.3 Hz (18 RPM) to 1000 Hz (60 000 RPM). • Step 0.01-0.0001 Hz (1-0.01 RPM). • Update time 1 sec. • 5 mW laser power required. MAGNETIC TACHOMETER This tachometer operates by measuring the magnetic field from a spinning magnet. The magnetic field is measured by the iPhone's magnetometer. The magnetic tachometer is best suited for measuring low rotation speeds (from 6 revolutions per minute). It can also be used for measuring medium rotation speeds (up to 2,700 RPM), but at such speeds there is a risk of spontaneous tearing away of the magnet and strong vibration due to center-of-gravity shift. • Measurement range from 0.1 Hz (6 RPM) to 45 Hz (2,700 RPM). • Step 0.2-2 %. • Update time 2-5 sec.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) at Free against PocketPacket's $4.99. Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) also leads on rating (4.3 vs 3.6) and review sentiment (69% vs 51%). PocketPacket's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On update cadence, 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
Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) is free to download; PocketPacket costs $4.99 up front. Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. PocketPacket asks for nothing beyond the download.
Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) has 83 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of PocketPacket's written reviews are positive against 69% of Strobe tachometer (RPM meter)'s.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PocketPacket | Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.6 (13 ratings) | 4.3 (83 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.0% of reviews | 69.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 83 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 19 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Koomasi | Dmitriy Kharutskiy |
Customer experience
PocketPacket
Strobe tachometer (RPM meter)
In-app purchases
PocketPacket
No in-app purchases
Strobe tachometer (RPM meter)
- Full version of the stroboscopic tachometer$2.99
- Laser Tachometer and Magnetic$2.99
Questions
Is PocketPacket free?
Is Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) free?
Which has better reviews, PocketPacket or Strobe tachometer (RPM meter)?
Do PocketPacket or Strobe tachometer (RPM meter) have ads?
Which is updated more often, PocketPacket or Strobe tachometer (RPM meter)?
Other comparisons















