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Sky Safari Pro 6 (UX Feedback) | Angular Separation With Double Tap To Second Object

The feature to measure angular separation from a selected object (A) to any other object (Z) by double tapping on the second object is no longer available. A benefit to this feature is that one can measure angular separation with several times by double tapping different second objects (Z). Each time, the measurement is provided relative to the selected object (A).

In SSP6, after selecting an object (A) one has to go to menu Selection : Measure From and then select the second object (Z). If one wants to measure to several (Z) objects, one has to go to the menu Selection : Measure From.

I use this feature often when starhopping and sometimes when writing observing descriptions for others. I hope this feature can be restored in an update.

Additionally, with regard to the Selection Menu, the Center Object command is buried in a menu rather than with menu level. The result is that two taps are now required rather than a single tap.

In Settings : Display Options, Appearance & Behavior : Toolbar Icon Order, it would be great if user could customize by the menu by adding some sub-menu commands to the top-level. Doesn't necessarily mean move the the command but duplicate it so it is more readily accessible.

Thank you for the consideration and for producing the best mobile astronomy app on the market.

 

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14 comments

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    Bill Tschumy

    That feature is still available but as you have noticed you don't get at it by double tapping.  We've had too many complaints of people accidentally getting into measurement mode by an inadvertent double tap.

    You now chose "Measure From" from the Selection popup.  It will enter measurement mode and measure from the selected object to any object you tap on.  If you want to measure to other objects, just tap and drag the endpoint to something new.

    I agree that Center now takes too taps.  We felt that consolidating everything that operates on the selection into the Selection popup was worth the simplification of the toolbar.  This is NOT engraved in stone.  If we get enough push back we can reverse this.  However, I'd like people to use it a while and get used to it.  The extra tap takes like 1/2 second?

     

     

     

     

  • 0
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    Peter Tagatac

    Thank you for the prompt response. Tap and drag is just as effective for multiple msmts.

  • 0
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    StuartTMDavis

    I'm glad I read this post. I was finding the new measurement system a little clunky but with the tap and drag feature it works very well, better than before.

    Regarding the centre option, I would like at least the option of customizing the toolbar to be able to put it back as a first level selection. Whilst I'm getting used to the new way, I still prefer being able to choose it directly.

    Thanks :)

  • 0
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    Venj Chu

    I really want the double tap to measure feature. Can you add an option to enable/disable that instead of remove it completely? The measure feature in SS6 is too many clicks away especially when I want to measure many many times. I have to switch back to SS5 to using the double tap measure feature although I have purchased SS6.

    Please, please, please add an option to enable double tap to measure!

  • 0
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    StuartTMDavis

    I wonder if the measure from could be added to the toolbar customisation just like Centre so that people who use it a lot could access it more easily? I do find the drag and drop feature works well for measuring from the same start position, but I guess it is more difficult if wanting to choose many different start points.

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    Stuart,

    Regarding the centre option, I would like at least the option of customizing the toolbar to be able to put it back as a first level selection. Whilst I'm getting used to the new way, I still prefer being able to choose it directly.

    This is already there.  Go into Settings > Appearance & Behavior > Configure Toolbar.  You can add the Center and Info button back to the toolbar if you wish.

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    Venj,

    It is unlikely we will be bringing back double tap to enter measurement mode.   We go too many complaints about accidentally entering the mode.  I don't want to have yet another configuration option.

    I'm curious what you are doing that requires use of measurement mode so much?

  • 0
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    Venj Chu

    I’m sorry th hear that you are not even consider add an option for double tap to measure.

    I don’t have a go-to equatorial mount for my telescope, so I rely heavily on the angular separation to determine how much I should turn my telescope to find a target, especially when the target is not visible by naked eyes and should be located by some bright stars as reference. I know my field of view, so I can calculate how many “field of views” I should move base on the measurement. During the search, I may use some much dimmer star (and its angular distance to the target) in “field of view” as a relay to “correct” where and how much further I should turn my telescope.

    You may not understand how hard it is without a convenient measure feature.

    I may upgrade my equatorial mount with go-to someday soon, but I will still love to have a convenient measure feature. But since you have clearly stated that you are not add it back, all I can do is give up on SS6 Plus and stick to SS5 Plus, until it is not usable on future iOS upgrade.

  • 0
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    Bill Tschumy

    If you are using this feature for star hopping, you will find it much easier to define a field of view indicator that matches you scope/eyepiece combination.  Then it is a very simple matter to hop from star to star.  I think  you are making things unnecessarily difficult for yourself.

  • 0
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    Venj Chu

    And I think what Stuart mean is, you may consider make Measure a top level option on the toolbar, instead of a secondary menu item nested in “Selection”, just like we can make “Center” on the toolbar, which will save us some click.

  • 0
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    Venj Chu

    Hi Bill, thank you for your advice. I will give it a try.

    You may think me stubburn, but I really love to measure distance here and there. And what I can’t understand is why and in what situations would someone feel annoyed about this easy to use measuring feature. It just shows a tiny useful information and not interferes any other features. Now the double tap did nothing useful, even confusing. When you have double tap to measure, when you want to use the double tap to see object information, you see a blue line appears, and you clearly know you already selected another object; but now, it did nothing, even the selection change needs another click, sometimes you may even double tap several times to before you realized it is not app hang, just anther object is selected.

    Anyway, everybody have there own use habits. I can’t force others to accept mine. But I still disappointed that the double tap to measure feature is gong forever. Don’t misunderstand me, I still love SS, and still think it is the best app for amateur astronomers.

  • 0
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    Robbin Conner

    I agree with Venj.  Using your logic how hard is it to single tap before double tapping.  The old interface was great, intuitive and easy to use for a quick measure.  The new one is clunky, buried and a pain in comparison. Did you survey users or just listen to some who couldn't figure out the extremely easy click sequence?  Also as mentioned why not make it an option; obviously you have the code written to implement the old way?  Finally on MacOs the measure from selection does NOT show the angular measure any more only distance.  This is now officially a bug and not a feature in every way.

  • 0
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    Keiron Smith

    Hi Robbin, 

    You are welcome to create a NEW post in the community forum here:

    SkySafari | Feature Requests

    Discuss what you want changed, and ask other users to UPvote your idea if they again.

    In your discussion please also post a link to this discussion for reference.

    We can review this for SS7.

    Thanks!

  • 0
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    Robbin Conner

    Thanks Keiron.  Will do.

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