7 replies to this topic

[asaint]

Link to the 3 Lunar Software Packages Article

[jrcrilly]

I agree that everyone should try Virtual Moon Atlas first; it's a very powerful product. I haven't yet found it sufficiently wanting to even consider looking at anything else.

[Tom T]

I'm curious - does anyone know what version of LMP is covered in Chuck's excellent review? Riti just released V2.0, and did some significant updates to the initial version released in free downloads...

Thanks

Tom T.

[LivingNDixie]

Is it still possible to get the Virtual Moon off the net. I can't seem to find it...

Preston

[Maverick]

Try here...

[PJ Anway]

Hi Tom,

you wrote:

I'm curious - does anyone know what version of LMP is covered in Chuck's excellent review? Riti just released V2.0, and did some significant updates to the initial version released in free downloads...

Chuck must be referring to vs 1.0, because as you say vs 2.0 has corrected some of his gripes.

He wrote:

Costing more than twice as much as LPP, not correcting for libration, being the slowest of the three programs, and having a very inconvenient copy protection scheme put LMP in last place in this review.

LMP does cost the same as before, but they do have a reduced cost basic version now for $25.
Vs 2.0 now corrects for libration, it has been sped up and the copy protection has been addressed allowing you to load the software without the CD.
Now that these "problems" have been addressed, the package is even more attractive. I use mine all the time, though the other packages mentioned by Chuck are also quite nice, they just don't have as many features. To learn about all the features it now contains, anyone can download the users guide from their site.

Best regards,
PJ

[lewdwig]

I've downloaded Virtual Moon Atlas and have found it to be user friendly and meets my needs so far, though I haven't fooled around with it a lot since I've been spending most of my observing time on Mars.

[Ron B[ee]]

Well I'm a Lunar newbie but have been using the Virtual Moon Atlas. It's a great tools and helped me find my ways or get me out of getting lost.

I don't know about the other two software. However, I think the Virtual Moon Atlas should be called Virtual Moon Atlas-Lite . The reason is that once I get down into a crater, it hardly show or label much if any details (eg. crater A, B, C, rille such and such) like the Rukl. On the other hand, there's little to complain because it's free :money:.

Ron B[ee]
PS - I don't have the Rukl and am still anxiously awaiting the new release .