Dsky vs NZ Topo Maps
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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).
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.
- Offline topographic maps
- Downloadable map regions
- DOC huts and campsites
- Recreational hunting areas
- Search named locations
- Import GPX routes
- Distance estimator
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. NZ Topo Maps sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Dsky asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Dsky | NZ Topo Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (11 ratings) — better | 4.3 (20 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 85.7% of reviews — better | 27.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 20 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 32 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 133 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | AirSpayce | Rajan Fernandez |
Customer experience
Dsky
NZ Topo Maps
In-app purchases
Dsky
No in-app purchases
NZ Topo Maps
- Routes$3.99
- Multiple Sheets$7.99







