how accurate is android dishpointer software

Google "Brunton SurveyMaster Professional". It's a little expensive ($150 or so) but it's a very nice tool for viewing azimuth and elevation.
 
esto said:
Google "Brunton SurveyMaster Professional". It's a little expensive ($150 or so) but it's a very nice tool for viewing azimuth and elevation.
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Almost identical to the SAC one.


Another is the "Suunto Tandom", much better quality than the SAC one in my opinion (tried it as well), but was unable to find somewhere to buy it a reasonable price.
 
The one I'd like is this one Peco DCC-1 Digital Compass/Clinometer
 
iwol said:
hi all been playing with dishpointer on the android [...] i could do with knowing how accurate it is,im using it on my htc desire
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If you calibrate the Desire the elevation will be spot on 100% of the time. Azimuth can only be as accurate as a magnetic compass because that is what it is. Any interference in the local magnetic field will cause it to misread just as it would with a conventional compass however much it might cost. For best results make sure the desired satellite is dead centre of the image as this will eliminate any problems due to lens distortion.

Even if the app were only correct to within 5% (that's the width of 2 fingers when held at arm's length) it would still be a very useful tool, but ultimately it is down to the operator to learn how to use it and decide when the result warrants an additional form of line-of-sight test such as that suggested by Rolf above.
 
As already previously stated. I only use it as a 1st glance rough estimate to the direction of the wanted satellite. If there are trees in that direction. I have found it pretty accurate providing you give it a minute or so to settle down and get its GPS location properly.
 
Analytical Graphics make an App similar to dishpointer called Augmented Reality _http://blogs.agi.com/agi/?p=2500
The App is here: _https://market.android.com/details?id=com.agi.android.augmentedreality (FREE!).

I haven't tried it , but I'm guessing it's going to be a similar accuracy to the dishpointer app. There's some instructions in the above blog (linked to you_tube) on calibrating your Android compass.
 
futumsch said:
I haven't tried it , but I'm guessing it's going to be a similar accuracy to the dishpointer app. There's some instructions in the above blog (linked to you_tube) on calibrating your Android compass.
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It's completely different. Dishpointer is working out fixed points along the geo arc; Analytical Graphics needs a data connection and sends your position to a central server and it works out the actual positions of the satellites based on NORAD data, which it sends back to the phone. Before any of that happens Analytical Graphics decides whether or not you (based on your location) can even have the data you are requesting, or whether you are a "security risk" to the United States. The nice thing about the Analytical Graphics app is it is not just for geostationary satellites, and it superimposes a star map to help locate satellites that can be viewed with the naked eye.
 
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