iOptron Optical Polar Scope vs Bubble Level + Compass
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iOptron Optical Polar Scope
This utility app assists in accurately aligning telescope mounts by showing the precise position of the Pole Star within the polar scope. It employs a sophisticated algorithm to account for various astronomical factors, ensuring sub-arcsecond accuracy for astrophotography and observation.
- Pole Star position calculation
- Sub-arcsecond accuracy algorithm
- 10-minute marker reticle
- Supports Northern and Southern Hemispheres
- Manual location entry option
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This is an app to show the position of the Pole Star (Polaris in Northern Hemisphere, or Sigma Octantis in Southern Hemisphere) in the polar scope of all the iOptron(R) telescope/camera mounts. The app uses the best algorithm to calculate the position of Pole Star: The algorithm calculates 3D space motion of the Pole Star itself, precession, temperature and barometric pressure corrected atmospheric refraction, nutation, parallax, aberration, and etc.). The overall accuracy of the algorithm has reached sub 0.1 arc-seconds now. The app now using a 10 minute marker reticle, the same reticle used in the polar scope of iOptron(R) telescope mount since 2014. A must have for iOptron(R) SkyGuider Pro, iOptron(R) SkyTracker Pro, SkyGuider and SkyTracker users! Also very helpful for any iOptron(R) telescope mount owners. It may also be used with other brand telescope/camera mounts with similar polar scope reticle. No human interaction required when iOS devices can using location service normally. iOS users can manually enter the location when location service is unavailable.
Bubble Level + Compass
This utility app provides a precise bubble level for horizontal, vertical, and surface angle measurements, along with a true-north compass. It offers advanced calibration options and works on iOS devices. A Pro version is available for additional features.
- Horizontal and vertical level measurements
- Surface angle readings
- True north compass
- Advanced calibration
- Magnetic declination reading
- Accelerometer/Gyro switch
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Bubble Level + Compass combines a bubble level and a compass, with advanced controls for users who want more than the basics. Use it to check horizontal/vertical/surface angles, or get compass direction relative to either true or magnetic north. For users who work with physical compasses, magnetic declination is also provided to convert magnetic readings to true north readings. The level includes gyroscope calibration, which is especially useful on phones with a raised camera bump or an uneven back/case. No nagging popups or interruptions. The free version only includes a small banner ad at the bottom. Features • Bullseye level plus horizontal and vertical levels with 0.1 degree precision. • Compass with true north and magnetic north. • Magnetic declination display for converting magnetic readings to true north readings. • Gyroscope calibration for phones that do not rest perfectly flat. • Gyro or accelerometer sensor mode. • Clean interface with no popup interruptions. If you enjoy the app, leaving a review would help. An ad-free Pro version is also available, with more features including Apple Watch support, night mode, slope/inclination %, and pitch, yaw, and roll rotation rate.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bubble Level + Compass at 90% against iOptron Optical Polar Scope's 20%. Bubble Level + Compass also leads on price (Free vs $1.99) and rating (5.0 vs 2.7). iOptron Optical Polar Scope's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On ratings volume, update cadence, in-app purchases 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
Bubble Level + Compass is free to download; iOptron Optical Polar Scope costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Bubble Level + Compass holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 35 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of iOptron Optical Polar Scope's written reviews are positive against 90% of Bubble Level + Compass's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iOptron Optical Polar Scope | Bubble Level + Compass |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 2.7 (12 ratings) | 5.0 (35 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.0% of reviews | 90.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 | 35 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 成城 徐 | Dimitrios Kechagias |
Customer experience
iOptron Optical Polar Scope
Bubble Level + Compass
In-app purchases
iOptron Optical Polar Scope
No in-app purchases
Bubble Level + Compass
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iOptron Optical Polar Scope free?
Is Bubble Level + Compass free?
Which has better reviews, iOptron Optical Polar Scope or Bubble Level + Compass?
Do iOptron Optical Polar Scope or Bubble Level + Compass have ads?
Which is updated more often, iOptron Optical Polar Scope or Bubble Level + Compass?
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