Comparison

Theodolite vs Light Pollution Map

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

Head to head
About

Theodolite

This app combines a compass, inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, and map with augmented reality features. Capture photos and videos with overlaid geographical data, and navigate using detailed offline maps. Share locations and collaborate with others for various outdoor and professional uses.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality viewfinder
  • Compass and inclinometer
  • GPS and map navigation
  • Data-overlay photo/video camera
  • Offline map support
  • Rangefinder and nav calculator
  • Coordinate system support
Read full description

Theodolite is a multi-function viewfinder that combines a compass, two-axis inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, map, nav calculator, and geo-overlay photo/movie camera into one indispensable app. Theodolite was one of the very first augmented reality (AR) apps when it was released in 2009, and it’s been downloaded and used by millions of customers since then. Uses are endless, and the app is great for land measurements, outdoor sports, sightseeing, navigation, and finding your way around. Theodolite is a pro grade app and is used extensively by surveyors, geologists, architects, engineers, competitive sportsmen, first responders, military personnel, and search and rescue workers around the world. Theodolite lets you take data-overlay photos and movies with 2X-8X zoom. Overlay geographical data, angle markings, date/time, author/company info, and project notes directly on photos and movies for later reference. The same data is written into the metadata record of images, making image files self-contained data records. Third-party apps can tap into Theodolite's advanced camera functions with a camera sharing feature. View current position on the built-in map with optional offline Outdoors maps that include topo contours, roads, trails, landmarks, campgrounds, ski lifts, and more. Live map markers continually update distance/heading relative to the current location and also show wayfinding info in the main viewfinder. Draw polygons on the map to mark things like property boundaries and trails, and import/export polygon data via KML. Share map markers and nav calculator points with other users of Theodolite via text messages or e-mail. This powerful capability opens up a wide range of collaborative uses including team land surveying, accident investigations, spotting wild fires, triangulation of landmarks, and advanced tactical observation and targeting. With an optional in-app purchase to enable team tracking, you can share location with up to 20 people on Theodolite's map. Theodolite includes features for serious users like a reference angle mode, nav calculator, map marker import/export, manual and automatic data logging with CSV and KML export, clipboard integration, %grade display, mil compass readout, optical rangefinders (including a mil-based reticle, sniper-style stadiametric graphs, and a variable 4X-24X scope), and night filters to improve use in dark conditions. Theodolite can provide location in military grid reference system (MGRS) coordinates, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, British/Irish National Grids, US National Grid, Maidenhead locator system, Map Grid of Australia, and six latitude/longitude formats. Optional US State Plane coordinates include SPCS27 and SPCS83 zones covering all US States. The optional Datum Pack adds over 230 geodetic datums to the app to improve position computation from GPS data, covering regions and countries on all continents around the world. AR Layers include navigational aids like the sun, moon, planets, and Polaris (North star), and the optional US Mountain Summits layer that shows over 70,000 US mountain summits in the viewfinder. Theodolite has been shown in Apple Keynotes, featured on the App Store, and has been a #1 selling Navigation app in App Stores around the world. Since its introduction in 2009, Theodolite has defined augmented reality navigation. The app continually introduces new technologies, pushing the limits of iOS app development and taking advantage of new hardware capabilities. Find out why Apple named Theodolite one of the most amazing apps available and showed it being used to explore the Great Wall of China. Where will you take it on your next adventure? Note: Theodolite is an iPhone app -- see “Theodolite HD” for use on an iPad. And be sure to check out the all-new "Theodolite for Watch" and put Theodolite on your wrist!

About

Light Pollution Map

Visualize sky brightness data, including VIIRS and SQM measurements, to understand light pollution levels. Explore various overlays like cloud coverage, aurora forecasts, and observatory locations. Offers offline access to essential maps.

Highlights
  • VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas, Cloud, Aurora layers
  • Color blind friendly color options
  • Cloud animation
  • SQM/SQC readings submission
  • International dark sky parks overlay
  • Offline mode
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The map displays VIIRS/World Atlas/Clouds/Aurora/IAU observatories and the user SQM measurements. The primary use is to show VIIRS/DMSP data in a friendly manner, but over time it also included some other interesting overlays that concern light pollution like SQM/SQC, World Atlas 2015 zenith brightness, clouds, aurora and IAU observatories. If you have a permanent SQM reader installed you can add it to the map by sending me an e-mail. Please send comments and requests for new features via email (look under help) Functionalities: - VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas 2015, Cloud coverage and Aurora forecast layers - VIIRS and Sky Brightness layers can be displayed in color blind friendly colors - Road & Satellite base maps - Cloud animation for the last 12 hours - Get detail radiance and SQM values from layers at a click. For Sky brightness/World Atlas 2015, you also get Bortle class estimation. - SQM, SQM-L, SQC, SQM-LE, SQM readings submitted by users - International dark sky parks overlay - Submit your own SQM (L) readings - Observatories layer - Save your favorite locations - Distance measurement tool with azimuth angle report - All-sky view of light pollution with real horizon - Offline mode (Sky brightness map and a base map are saved to your device, so it will be displayed when you are offline)

Screenshots

Theodolite4 screens
Light Pollution Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Theodolite at 4.7 against Light Pollution Map's 4.1. Theodolite also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 57%) and ratings volume (902 vs 46). Light Pollution Map's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and price ($4.99 vs $8.99). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Theodolite costs $8.99 and Light Pollution Map $4.99 up front. Theodolite sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Light Pollution Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Theodolite holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Theodolite has 902 ratings behind it against 46, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Theodolite's written reviews are positive against 57% of Light Pollution Map's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Theodolite ships an update every 4 months, Light Pollution Map every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Theodolite versus Light Pollution Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTheodoliteLight Pollution Map
Price$8.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.7 (902 ratings) — better4.1 (46 ratings)
Positive reviews87.8% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings902 — better46
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#7 — better#38
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCraig HunterJurij Stare

Customer experience

Theodolite

All ratings902 ratings
Positive92.8%
Neutral2.9%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews475 reviews
Positive87.8%
Neutral4.8%
Negative7.4%

Light Pollution Map

All ratings46 ratings
Positive76.1%
Neutral4.3%
Negative19.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Theodolite

One-time8
  • 1,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$0.99
  • Team Tracking$1.99
  • World Datum Pack$2.99
Show 5 more
  • US Mountain Summits AR Layer$2.99
  • 5,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$4.99
  • 10,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$8.99
  • 20,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$17.99
  • US State Plane Coordinates$24.99
None

Light Pollution Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Theodolite free?
Theodolite costs $8.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Light Pollution Map free?
Light Pollution Map costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Theodolite or Light Pollution Map?
Theodolite is rated higher. Theodolite averages 4.7 out of 5 from 902 ratings, while Light Pollution Map averages 4.1 from 46 ratings.
Do Theodolite or Light Pollution Map have ads?
Neither Theodolite nor Light Pollution Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Theodolite or Light Pollution Map?
Theodolite ships an update every 4 months, and Light Pollution Map every 3 months. Most recently, Theodolite was updated on September 24, 2026 and Light Pollution Map on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, Theodolite or Light Pollution Map?
Theodolite currently peaks at #7 in the App Store charts, and Light Pollution Map at #38. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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