Customer Reviews

Redshift 4

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After using Redshift 3 which is excellent, and smooth running. I found Redshift 4 a big dissapointment. Main reasons is its sluggish speed. It sometimes crashes especially if you do not change back to disk 1 from disk 2 immediately. The user interface is more difficult than Redshift 3 , and unlike R3 appears to have NO keyboard commands or control. I noticed some things missing, like the 3d orbital view windows as with R3. No improvements in graphics, Open GL option would have improved and speeded up graphics. Other than the extra Tycho2 and Hubble information Redshift 4 is a BIG let down. Should have named it Redshift 2.5! I will stick to Redshift 3.

As an amateur astronomer who has experience using a great variety of astronomy/planetarium software, I eagerly awaited the release of Redshift 4. One or two of the features I had requested in correspondence to the developer were to be included in this release. In my opinion, Redshift 4 shares very little with its wonderful predecessor, Redshift 3. Though you have more options and improved control in selecting what you wish to see regarding deepsky objects, limiting magnitudes, object labels, zoom levels, etc., it all gets lost in a very cumbersome interface that leaves you frustrated and willing to compromise.
Two other areas where I found the software very below expectations were in having to open or create a work session, or event screen to begin, and in the printed sky charts. At least with my equipment, stars on the printed charts appeared the same size whether they were magnitude 2 or magnitude 6. Not good for starhopping or use as finder charts at all!.
In the Redshift legacy, I am so grateful I retained Redshift 3. Though support has dwindled for this release (when I last checked, Piranha Publishing and Maris Multimedia were no longer providing updates for new comets and asteroids - you may want to check for yourself), Redshift 3 still ranks as premiere astronomy software which is useful at just about every level (wish it had eyepiece and telrad fov indicators). Where it is unsurpassed however, is in its fun and educational factors. It's hard to find a better program to learn the sky and the awesome hobby of astronomy.

Redshift 3 was, hands down, the you-know-what in this software category. It was near-perfection! They have brought it down to the garden variety of its competitors. I will stay with Redshift 3!

BTW, I am a PhD in astronomy, so if I seem upset, please see the other posts. I am not alone. This is its competitor with the little squeaky hand, not the great Redshift we have come to know and love.

Navigation is terrible, and frames change settings with views. I am going to be ill. Excuse me. Nooooo!

After reviewing other similar products, this is the best value for the price, and a wonderful program.

I did find the program a challenge to learn and as a result was initially dissappointed. However as I became more familiar with it, I have been very pleased. I used Redshift to assist me in teaching a astromony unit for a couple 6 grade classes. It had the flexibility to allow me control the complexity of what was viewed so that I could easily help the students grasp difficult concepts.

Big suggestion for the Redshift people - The program doesn't allow the viewer to export views, so they can be used in other programs. I needed to use certain views of astronomical objects in another program (Powerpoint) and the only way to generate them was rather cumbersome. This should be an option through the Redshift program.

In summary, after a short learning curve, a very good program and value.

RedShift 4 is the fourth version of our highly successful product, which has now sold over 750,000 copies and won over 25 international multimedia awards. RedShift 4 is the definitive desktop planetarium that brings the exploration of the universe to your computer and has been designed so that anyone interested in astronomy will find something of value in the product. RedShift 4 contains many databases covering 20 million stars (from the Tycho-2, 4M and Hubble Guide Star Catalog), over 70,000 galaxies, 15,000 asteroids and 1,700 comets. RedShift4 main mode of operation is a planetarium mode that allows you to view the night sky from anywhere in the solar system over a 15,000 year period. Alongside this are a range of multimedia features, such as an exstensive photo gallery and narrated lectures, to enhance your knowledge and understanding of astronomy. A final unique feature in our latest version of RedShift is the use of mulitple windows allowing you to view an event simultaneously from several different locations. RedShift 4 is the best version yet of our product and represents outstanding value of money.

I wish I'd first read the other reviews here. I though a Version 4 should include and improve on the features of version 3. It seems half the things in version 3 that I really liked, have been removed (such as being able to indivdualy zoom objects), and in return what do we get, multiple views and a few more stars... Well at least I now have a full collection of all 4 versions of redshift..

A biased review from a non-astronomer! There is almost too much here and I am sure that I will still be discovering more amazing things that this amazing package is capable of for years to come. Well worth running the turorials and even better try and get hold of some example workspaces - then the real worth of multiple 'windows' becomes clear.

The review by Chris Lawton sets the seen and covers what is there but can only give a hint of the joys in store.

As a non Astronomer Red Shift offers a fascinating insight, a wealth of information and a rich, enjoyable educational experience. having seen the package used by amateur and professional astronomers I know that there is even more for me to discover.

Worth ever penny (or even dollar)

I recieved Red Shift 4 via UPS today. I have found it not up to the ease of use as Red Shift 3 which was top notch. Red Shift 4 is a big let down. I sure would like to return it and just keep my old Red Shift 3.

Although this software might take a little time to learn. It's well worth the wait. Great star maps and excellent images of the solar system, although not much for deep space.