Redshift 5

Anybody got any experience with this? The ad is certainly flashy enough, but to be honest I was really disappointed in 4. Is the new version an improvement, or am I better off just working away on SN Backyard?

hi Shane,

from what I hear about R.S. 5 we shouldn't touch it ... certainly maybe as a pure sky charting tool. That's the biggest fault ever since version 3. Sky Map Pro beats it hands down in that area. As an educational program it is very good -- those narrated tours are great to leave running on a PC at an exhibition or meeting.

in that sense, the program might be trying to cover too many bases and, as a consequence, is weak in areas of interest to actual amateur astronomers.

I have to admit though I'm only going on hearsay and have not seen the program in action.

in a way, I base the usefulness of astronomy software on what I consult for the production of the annual Sky-High magazine. Starry Night is my program of choice for the visibility of a conjunction or some event.

I continue to rely on the old Skyglobe DOS program because of its lightning speed to step through a full year quickly and collate details of events of interest.

must ask Bart to create another directory for Software as I've a few utilities picked up on the 'net that might be of interest to people; lunar librations, Saturn's satellites, comet viewer, etc. -- all are pretty small in size.

John

I haven't had a chance to play with RedShift 5 my self but I have never really been a fan of their stuff, it always dissapoints me. I guess Skymap just has me spoiled!

must ask Bart to create another directory for Software as I've a few utilities picked up on the 'net that might be of interest to people; lunar librations, Saturn's satellites, comet viewer, etc. -- all are pretty small in size.

Good idea, will create that folder over the weekend some time when I create the Arcturus one.

Bart B.,
IFAS Webmaster.

I, too, have a copy of 5, and yes, I think its abit clumsy. I am actually disappointed in it really. I find it tiresome to try and save a frame as a .jpg (which, I STILL haven't found how to yet!), and even though I don't save the image when I exit, I get jumbled contents almost each time I open it... sound confusing? IT IS!!! :roll:

Seanie.

Anybody got any experience with this? The ad is certainly flashy enough, but to be honest I was really disappointed in 4. Is the new version an improvement, or am I better off just working away on SN Backyard?

My two-page review of REDSHIFT 5 is in the January issue of Astronomy & Space published yesterday. As you will read, the program is somewhat of a curate's egg!

Gordon