Which FREE Android Planetarium SW ??

[ronin]

Have Nexus 7, want to put on it some software for holding the thing up and being able to get told what is there.

Tablet seems to have everything to know where it is and where it is pointed, better idea then I have.

Want FREE, so saying that SSP is good at only £29.95 is not going to get considered - It doesn't match the FREE requirement.

So far Skeye and the google thing look options but there must be others.

[pete_l]

Google sky -  the only one I've needed to use

[Stargazer33]

I've got Google Sky Map, SKEye, and Astro Tools on my phone.

[wuthton]

Stellarium is the one I've settled on. I don't think it was free but it certainly wasn't expensive.

Superb app, essentially the same as the PC app.

[Astrobits]

Download ALL the FREE aps and you can then decide on your favourite.

Nigel

[ronin]

Nigel, I bought the tablet thinking it would be a good addition. How it has not been thrown through a window or thrown in the deep end of a lake I have no idea. Have worked in computers all my time, but this seems to miss managing to do what I want. The one thing it does that I find remotely useful is make a noise when new mail arrives. After that I cannot think of anything.

Even the mail app is not actually working correct, half the time it won't sync with new mail and doesn't send mail out. Which for an email app is sort of fundimental to fulfilling it's sole purpose in life. As to Delete a mail, I don't think it knows what delete means. So I end up back on the PC 4 times out of 5. It's the Yahoo mail.

Other day it said 3 new mails received, opened it up and there were 7. Flaming thing cannot count either it seems.

Friend of mine finds it hilarious, half my emails have the title "This blank blank blank blank tablet!!!" Add whatever you like to the "blanks" but nothing nice.

Bryan, which of the 3 do you prefer??

[ghostdance]

Isn't there a free Sky Safai in the Play store? May not be the latest version but still good. Seem to recall there's quite a few free ones. Good advice to download em all, then choose.

[Astrobits]

Sorry to hear that your tablet isn't doing what you want. I just reasoned that if it's free there is no downside to trying it and discarding it if it doesn't work as you want it to. I have Skeye, Google Sky and Sky Chart Lite on my phone. Tried Stellarium when it was free via Amazon and it looks very good but I could only open it once. Had to re-boot the phone to open it again. It might be my vintage Galaxy 2 giving incompatability. Hope you get your requirements sorted.

Nigel

[dobbie]

Hi Ronin I have a samsung s5 mini and use skeye I've tried them all ,I think, so far skeye the best for me I've attached it to my scope then calibrate it with the scope .ie find a star with my scope then move the phone to match the sky . So far it's working ok find objects easy with a 32mm lens. John.

[ronin]

Nigel, don't think there is any problem with the tablet. The problem is the grumpy old user :eek: . It and me are not sort of compatible. As mentioned a friend has said I am not suited to a tablet, I think they said it before I actually got it , and I suspect that that is the real problem.

Equally I really dislike the vast assortment of things on it that I do not want, Google seem convinced that people want everything they throw out, and I prefer almost nothing. I would like Android and about 4 apps, whereas I have a screen full of apps that if I try to remove one I am warned it may foul up everything.

Better go try a few of the planetariums then.

[Akiainavas]

Equally I really dislike the vast assortment of things on it that I do not want, Google seem convinced that people want everything they throw out, and I prefer almost nothing. I would like Android and about 4 apps, whereas I have a screen full of apps that if I try to remove one I am warned it may foul up everything.

Everything that can be uninstalled, you can get rid of safely. Everything that cannot be uninstalled but can be disabled - you can disable safely.

If it is really required by the system, it will not let you touch it unless you root your device, which I don't think you want to do

It's a scare tactic on their side to make you keep their apps etc.

[JG777]

You can download Skyportal for free which is a cut down version of Sky Safari. I found it to be pretty good and better than Stellarium  which does not remember your settings!

Eventually I upgraded to SS4 Pro and haven't regretted it, both SS4 and Sky Portal do a good job of controlling my scope.

[happy-kat]

My Nexus 7 is invaluable. It is the first 2012 edition model.

I use it connected to my Canon 1100d to image with, jolly handy and (DSLR Dashboard free).

I use it with a webcam to image the Moon (UBWebcameras free).

I use Stellarium (less than £2).

I use Google Sky (free).

Also have Sky eye Pro (couple quid I think it was).

Aurora Watch UK (free).

You can control having just the apps you want to use on the home screen, all the rest can be removed. They will stay on the tablet unles you installed them but you don't have to see them on your home screen.

[greglloyd]

The basic edition of Sky Safari 4 is currently free on the Apple App Store. I just got it last night for iPhone and iPad. They compliment the Plus edition I am running in the Mac nicely.

They seem perfect for couch browsing or for finding objects. Stars down to 9th magnitude so not bad. The Plus edition on the Mac goes to 16th so I can refer to it when required.

I recommend trying the free editions on iPhone and iPad.

[Steve-O]

I use stellarium and Google sky, I can recommend both of them

[Anthonyw85]

I use Stellarium, sky safari, astro tools. Having tried all the apps these are the ones I settled on. Also make sure your inbuilt compass is set up correctly as I have to reset it every time I use it. S4 android.