Comparison

Dsky vs NZ Topo Maps

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

Head to head
About

Dsky

Experience the Apollo Guidance Computer DSKY interface on your iPad. This photo-realistic simulator lets you input commands like Apollo astronauts to navigate, using your device's GPS and accelerometers for real-world data.

Highlights
  • Photo-realistic DSKY interface simulation
  • Uses iPad GPS for latitude, longitude, altitude
  • Utilizes iPad accelerometers for attitude
  • Subset of original DSKY verbs and nouns
  • Configurable units (meters, nautical miles, statute miles)
  • Includes help page and usage instructions
Features
Read full description

Description Tap on the 'i' icon lower right for help on using Dsky. Dsky is the Apollo Guidance Computer DSKY simulator for iPad. Dsky simulates the look and feel of the original Apollo DSKY keyboard and user interface used by the Apollo astronauts to navigate to the moon and back in the 1960’s and 70’s. Dsky is a photo-realistic simulation, based on actual photographs of original Apollo DSKY hardware, realistically animated for the iPad to be as close as possible to the real thing. The Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC) and DSKY user interface were installed in every Apollo Command Module (CM) and Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) that flew in the Apollo program. They were used to navigate and control the spacecraft in all phases of flight. The AGC and DSKY were designed and programmed by MIT for NASA, and although they were among the most advanced electronics of their time, the DSKY user interface was necessarily limited and simple. Now you can use this exact same interface to do your own navigation! Its harder than using a Tom-Tom, but you know, this actually is rocket science. And its free! Although you can’t use Dsky to maneouvre your LEM or land on the moon, you can use it for some real-world down-to-earth applications: Current GPS Latitude, Longitude and Altitude Current attitude using the iPad acccelerometers. Distance-to-go, time and velocity, using the iPad internal GPS. A subset of the original DSKY verbs and nouns is faithfully implemented, allowing you to program and use the Dsky just like the Apollo astronauts did. Unlike the original DSKY, you can configure Dsky to use your own choice of units: Meters, Nautical Miles or Statute Miles. See the iPad Settings page. A comprehensive help page and usage instructions is included (look for the little ‘i’ at the bottom right of Dsky).

About

NZ Topo Maps

Access detailed offline topographic maps of New Zealand, including Topo250 and Topo50 series. Download specific regions to save storage and find DOC huts, campsites, and hunting areas. Plan your adventures with route import and distance estimation.

Highlights
  • Offline topographic maps
  • Downloadable map regions
  • DOC huts and campsites
  • Recreational hunting areas
  • Search named locations
  • Import GPX routes
  • Distance estimator
Read full description

Offline topographic maps of New Zealand. • Topo250 and Topo50 maps direct from the LINZ data service • Download just the maps you need and delete the ones you don't to save device storage space • Fast and easy to use • DOC huts and campsites with the latest alerts • DOC recreational hunting areas • Search for named locations • Import GPS routes in gpx format and share them with AirDrop. • Distance estimator let's you measure distances easily on the map

Screenshots

NZ Topo Maps4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Dsky at 86% against NZ Topo Maps's 27%. Dsky also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and rating (4.6 vs 4.3). NZ Topo Maps's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 32 months). On price, ratings volume, 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. NZ Topo Maps sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Dsky asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dsky holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 20 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 86% of Dsky's written reviews are positive against 27% of NZ Topo Maps's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Dsky ships an update every 32 months, NZ Topo Maps monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Dsky versus NZ Topo Maps: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDskyNZ Topo Maps
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (11 ratings) — better4.3 (20 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better27.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1120 — better
Update frequencyEvery 32 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB133 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAirSpayceRajan Fernandez

Customer experience

Dsky

All ratings11 ratings
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

NZ Topo Maps

All ratings20 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative15.0%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive27.0%
Neutral8.1%
Negative64.9%

In-app purchases

None

Dsky

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

NZ Topo Maps

One-time2
  • Routes$3.99
  • Multiple Sheets$7.99

Questions

Is Dsky free?
Dsky is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NZ Topo Maps free?
NZ Topo Maps is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Dsky or NZ Topo Maps?
Dsky is rated higher. Dsky averages 4.6 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while NZ Topo Maps averages 4.3 from 20 ratings.
Do Dsky or NZ Topo Maps have ads?
Neither Dsky nor NZ Topo Maps shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Dsky or NZ Topo Maps?
Dsky ships an update every 32 months, and NZ Topo Maps monthly. Most recently, Dsky was updated on November 1, 2026 and NZ Topo Maps on November 2, 2026.

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