SkyTools: What people are saying about it

"My hard drive is full of astro-software, but I could easily wipe it all and survive with just SkyTools 2. Easily. It is that good... OK... I'll say it: one of the best programs--if not THE best program in the astronomy biz right now. Period." -- Rod Mollise in SkyWatch, Jan-Feb 2003.

Jeff Medkeff in Charting the Sky with Software, Sky & Telescope, June 1999: "The charting is very capable and uncluttered, and generates maps perfect for use at the telescope.... But it's in the observation-planning and logging areas that SkyTools really shines... The tools are all the more powerful because they allow extensive customization... Even compared to dedicated observation-planning software, this program shows itself to be powerful, flexable, and, perhaps most important, easy to learn."

"This is exactly the kind program that I have been searching for!" -- A. Brucker, Fenton, MO.

"The flexibility in sorting and filtering are extremely beneficial in planning an observing session. Add in the interaction of the SkyTools list and the NightBar, and you have a powerful tool at your fingertips. ... I find that it addresses all my requirements for observational planning software wonderfully." -- Peter Argenziano (Cloudy Nights review)

"I recently purchased Skytools, since it can produce the charts I was producing with Cartes du Ceil and Powerpoint (I am getting lazy). It can produce a one, two, or three view charts (naked eye, finder, eyepiece - it is your choice) and I find these charts to be very accurate and great for star hopping. The advantage to you is the Herschel lists have already been built. You just check off the objects you want to view and print the charts out in a few minutes. I have been impressed by all of the program's features and believe it is well worth the investment.

I have used DeepSky 2003 in the past to build the observing lists, but the charting capabilities are not as good as Skytools (not even in the same league). It is integrated with Cartes du Ceil, but this integration is cumbersome and less than effective for building charts." -- S. Murphy

"I've only experimented with version 2 for an hour or so, but WOW! This is the tool I've been waiting for. I've used vers 1.x and loved it, but also used others. Oh, I'll keep my copy of Starry Night Pro and enjoy the planetarium, but the tool I'll USE is Skytools 2!! And I'll recommend it every chance I get." -- D. Ranck

"I have used Skytools 1 for a couple of years and particularly liked the logging and search features...

This upgrade really blows me away! I have just installed it and immediately see that it is by far the best combination of search, display and logging features in one package.

The help files are exceptional - this shows your great attention to detail. Congratulations on a superb job!" -- P. Smith

"Your support is head and shoulders above anyone in the business." Roger D.

"As I've said before, SkyTools is "deep" software, and more importantly ST2 sets the
framework for managing all (electronic) forms of related data and to support collaboration and sharing. I think it's going to take all of us awhile to absorb all of the potential." -- K. Thompson

"Compared to the other astronomy programs that I use, this is in a class of it's own. I have planetarium type programs that show you the sky and can show upcoming events but print generalized maps. Skytools has a easy to use interface that hides it's power. It is full of useful and necessary features but is not bloated in size."

and,

"SkyTools is definitely at the top of my most recommended astronomical software list." -- P. Kirk

"This is the first software that really can help me planning observations. I have a lot of other, most planetarium-kind programs, which claim they can also but most of them have so many weak points that you could only use them for a kind of observing-introduction." -- H. Scheenen, UK.

"SkyTools is really a great program, and it's an incredibly good value. There's simply nothing else like it on the market. I rarely take the telescope out without consulting SkyTools first---it's the best way I know of getting the most out of a night of observing. I've used the printed charts to find DSOs that I'd never found without using a telescope with accurately calibrated setting circles. It's as if the skies over my backyard got a little bit darker.

The custom finder charts are incredible time savers, and cut down on the mental gymnastics at the finder. I regularly use several different telescopes, each with different visual orientations for the finders and the main telescopes. It can get awfully confusing, but having a printed chart for a particular telescope really speeds up reorientation." -- T. Cole, Canada

"I recently received my copy of Skytools (for Christmas) and am delighted with the software - I have used several other packages and this one is outstanding in many ways, but primarily because of it's intuitive interface and ease of searching. Well done". -- P. Smith

"SkyTools has the facilities and horsepower, given my experience with it at the last couple of star parties I've been to, to really allow me to outdo myself...to go deeper than I thought I could, and see things I never expected to see (with a little help from the Nexstar 11, natch! :-))...

SkyTools 2 is very impressive in its features--and in its ease of use." -- R. Mollise

"I have recently discovered SkyTools, and I am very happy with it. The program has a very polished interface, and there are a lot of very nice ways to narrow down and search for objects and build observing lists. MHO." J. Setzer

"I find the information obtained so useful in both planning and implementation, that I am now able to spend much more time on technique than technicalities." -- B. Cox

I am blown away by the improvements and additions you have made! D. Silva

"I just purchased a copy of SkyTools, let me say.....WOW! What a _great_ piece of software. I am really enjoying this, and plan to use it for a long time to come." -- K. Pfeifle, NY

"Oh my, *very* nice! I'm as critical and curmudgeonly as they come regarding GUI designs, and there were a lot of annoyances with version 1.x. Yet after two solid hours of poking I have to admit that I like everything about version 2 -- not even a niggle of complaint... I won't even attempt to list all of the cool things -- new and revamped -- that I really like about the new version; I'd be here for two more hours, literally. Congrats and kudos for a job very well done." -- M. Murison

"I use Deepsky 99 also as a tool for keeping a log of any observation's that I may make. Deepsky is a good program but a bit complex for me. I like using SkyTools much better, it is easier for me to use, the tutorial was really handy. I look forward to using the program and getting more familier with using it. It was worth the wait. I also use Sky Map Pro 4 to make my maps. I like Sky Map alot, but the maps that SkyTools puts out are nice to use especially the finder maps, it does make skyhopping much easier-Thank you for a nice addition to my astronomy software and for it's ease of use." -- R. Heimbichner, Fort Collins, CO.

"I just want to thank you for sending me Skytools 2 so fast. The program is more then I expected. Planning and charting features are unreal! Three panel chart - fantastic! Night bar and icons - incredibly useful! customizable horizon - invaluable!

I purchased Deepsky 2000 initially and the adage "you get what you pay for" is true.

I enjoy observing double stars and Skytools generates excellent charts to use at the telescope complete with struve, ADS and HD numbers." -- D. Mathisen

"I regularly use SkyTools to do 'what if' finder views of different telescope configurations, just to see how my 'next' scope will perform. My current default view is the Atlas view, which has been so well rendered that it has prevented me from buying any of the nicer print star atlases. Stars in the printout match up exactly to the view through a pair of 10x50 Orion Ultraview binoculars. Man, I could go on and on. At least once every other day I fire up the laptop and play with your program just to see what will be visible in the backyard -next week-, not just tonight. It beats the other products I have evaluated hands down, and is easily worth more than twice what you charge for it... Your finder view star charts are what sold me on your product, but I must say that it is a fantastic piece of software engineering for a 1.0 version! I write software for MCI and know how difficult it can be to do a thorough job. You have a GREAT product."-- D. Brown, Raleigh, NC

"You do seem to have a winner there Greg. I am a new user of the SkyTools software and so far am very pleased with it. I can work up a nice list of all kinds of things to view for the evening which includes object name and classification, constellation, RA & Dec. coordinates, magnitude, and optimum times for viewing. Also a very useable finder chart for all objects on the list. Highly recommended." -- J. Dunnellon, FL

"I have been using SkyTools for about a month and find it much more user friendly than Deepsky. After spending just 30 minutes with the supplied tutorial, I was completely at ease with SkyTools and able to do whatever I wanted. It certainly appears to me to be every bit as detailed as Deepsky. It does cost more, but the ease of use is worth it, IMHO." -- H. Jiles

"Thank you for developing a great program! I think it will be a big help to those who wish to log their observations in addition to being an excellent charting and viewing tool!" -- R. Coleman, Sheridan, WY.

"I'm a rank amateur, but an avid astronomy buff. In fact, I'm probably not nearly as rank as I was because of your excellent program which I have been using for some time. However, I am a top notch IT professional. I have acquired, used, and discarded more programs than most users will ever see (a lot for personal use, most for my employers). I rejected some because they were useless, some because they did not perform as promised, many because they had problems and I received little or no support. I stick with you because your programs have been and are very useful, they provide what I expect based on the advertisements, but most of all because the support and care you provide exceed ANY company/product I have ever dealt with. If the majority of companies in the software business would provide a fraction of what you do, my job would be so easy, I probably wouldn't have it. Thank you for caring so much about us, your customers. I for one really appreciate it... Thank you again." -- S. Granat

"Skytools 2 is one fantastic program! I have adapted to many of the new features, but I suspect there will be many nuances that I will be learning for some time, and I am excited about that.

I really like the photorealistic mode, and I use it to practice hopping before I get out to the eyepiece to get oriented and find the easiest hop to a given object. The star colors are very helpful for me when it comes to identifying fields. I observe with a 17.5" scope, and the program simulates the appearance of actual starfields very accurately. Very impressive indeed! I have to admit that your programs (version 1 and 2) have been an integral part of my observing and planning, and I would most likely be lost with out it although Skytools has helped me tremendously to learn my way around the night sky. With Skytools 2 it is a real treat to 'observe' at the computer!

It impresses me how accommodating you have been of other's requests, and I know I would not have had the understanding and patience you have had." -- C. Rose

Super job, awesome program, GREAT CHARTS and data!! M. Welninski