Polar Scope Align vs LTM by Metricwire
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Polar Scope Align
This app calculates the precise position of celestial poles in your telescope's polar scope reticle for accurate alignment. It supports a wide range of reticles and corrects for atmospheric refraction, offering precision even at lower latitudes. Features include night mode, moon phase, and astronomical databases.
- Polaris/Sigma Octantis position calculation
- Atmospheric refraction correction
- Reticle centering error correction
- Supports numerous reticle types
- Red-color night mode
- Moon phase and astronomical databases
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Polar Scope Align is a free, ad-supported polar alignment app for iPhone and iPad. It calculates the position of Polaris or σ Octantis in your polar scope reticle for your location, date and time, helping you get a quick and accurate polar alignment with an equatorial mount. POLAR SCOPE ALIGNMENT • Accurate Polaris and Sigma Octantis position for your date and location • Atmospheric refraction correction for better accuracy, especially at lower latitudes - readings may differ slightly from simpler apps that skip this correction, but will agree with precise sources (USNO, scientific software) • Automatic time and location • Manual location support • Reticle centering-error measurement and correction • Zero-position help for common Celestron / Sky-Watcher / Orion style reticles • Full red night-mode interface SUPPORTED RETICLES Polar Scope Align supports 35+ polar scope and finder reticle types, including: iOptron, Astro-Physics RAPAS & PASILL, Takahashi (EM-10/11/200/400/500, NJP, PM-1, P2-Z), Sky-Watcher / Orion (including EQ6/AZ-EQ and Star Adventurer), Celestron, Meade, EXOS2, Bresser, Vixen (Atlux/SX/SXD/SXP/AXD/GP/GP-DX, Polarie), Astrotrac, Losmandy, Kenko, Avalon, Konus, Telrad, Rigel QuikFinder, and several older polar finders (Tuthill, Explore Scientific, Meade 9x60, Vixen Polaris, Celestron 7x50, Carton Optical). OBSERVING TOOLS The free version also includes: • Moon phase • Messier, Caldwell and bright-star database • DSS image downloads for included database objects • Saved, editable and printable DSO lists • 8 astronomy calculators for observing and imaging • Sample Pro tools available from Settings, including aurora forecast • iOptron WiFi Connect - report mount status, set mount Time/Date/Location LOOKING FOR ALIGNMENT WITHOUT A POLAR SCOPE? Polar Scope Align Pro adds the advanced tools many users search for: • Daytime / No Polar Scope Alignment • Camera Azimuth Calibration using the Sun, Moon, planets or bright stars • Laser / Hop Align for night alignment when Polaris is blocked • Push To / manual GoTo for non-GoTo telescopes • Live sky maps for Daytime Alignment, Laser / Hop Align, Push To and Hop To • Full 22,000+ object DSO database • Xasteria astro weather, aurora, satellite passes and widgets • 30+ calculators • Bubble level, compass and iOptron WiFi mount control • Apple Watch companion app • No ads If you only need accurate polar-scope alignment, this free version is a capable tool. If you want alignment without a polar scope, observing planning, weather and field tools, Pro is the complete version.
LTM by Metricwire
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LTM by Metricwire makes it easy for people to participate in digital health research. With your help, we can generate evidence to inform new digital health solutions and improve connected care. As part of your participation in a research study, you will be asked to respond to in-the-moment surveys or assessments and complete tasks. You may also be asked to connect your wearable devices or allow your smartphone sensors to be tracked. The app includes tools to help you communicate with your Study Team and resources to facilitate your participation. Your app experience is unique and has been designed by the Study Team using the Metricwire Research Portal. Catalyst integrates with Apple HealthKit to collect movement data such as sleep, step count, exercise, and distance if enabled by the Study Team. All of the data you submit during your study experience is protected by Metricwire and controlled by your Study Team. If you would like to access any of your data at any time during your participation, please get in touch with the Study Team or reach out to privacy@metricwire.com, and we will help facilitate your request. If you are a researcher interested in collaborating on a study, reach out to reseach@metricwire.com.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LTM by Metricwire at none against Polar Scope Align's 3. LTM by Metricwire also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Polar Scope Align's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price 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. Polar Scope Align sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. LTM by Metricwire asks for nothing beyond the download.
Polar Scope Align ships an update every 6 weeks, LTM by Metricwire every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Polar Scope Align | LTM by Metricwire |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (173 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 91.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 173 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 189 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dimitrios Kechagias | MetricWire Inc. |
Bugs and requests
Polar Scope Align
Reported bugs
6 issues- Date and time dial do not match correctly
- GMT and LST times appear to be switched
- App crashes or fails to initialize for some users
- Alignment accuracy varies inconsistently between sessions
- Location detection issues with cell tower vs GPS
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- Reticle display not rendering properly in some cases
Requested features
7 requests- Online video tutorials demonstrating all features
- Remove or reduce center dot size in reticle
- Larger, bolder font options for better readability
- Brighter star options for southern hemisphere alignment
- Smaller ad button or ad customization
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- Better beginner onboarding and instructions
- More robust alternative alignment methods for southern hemisphere
LTM by Metricwire
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Polar Scope Align
- Tip 1x$0.99
- Tip 4x$3.99
- Tip 10x$9.99
LTM by Metricwire
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Polar Scope Align free?
Is LTM by Metricwire free?
Do Polar Scope Align or LTM by Metricwire have ads?
Which is updated more often, Polar Scope Align or LTM by Metricwire?
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