Sun Surveyor Alternative: Discover the Best Tools for Sun & Moon Tracking
Sun Surveyor is an incredibly powerful application for anyone needing to calculate Sun and Moon positions, understand sunrise and sunset times, track Golden and Blue Hours, and much more. Its 3D Compass, Augmented Reality View, and Interactive Map features make it indispensable for photographers, filmmakers, solar professionals, architects, and many others. However, if you're looking for a Sun Surveyor alternative that might better fit your workflow, budget, or specific platform, you're in the right place. This guide explores the top alternatives that offer similar, and in some cases, unique functionalities to help you visualize, track, and predict Sun and Moon paths.
Top Sun Surveyor Alternatives
Whether you're seeking a free web-based tool, a dedicated photography assistant, or an app with specific alarms, these alternatives provide excellent options for tracking celestial movements.
The Photographer's Ephemeris
The Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE) is a highly respected Sun Surveyor alternative, particularly for photographers and filmmakers planning outdoor shoots. It's a map-centric tool that excels at helping users plan natural light photography, especially for landscape and urban scenes. Available across multiple platforms including Commercial, Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, and iPad, TPE offers robust Location-based and Mapping features, making it a comprehensive choice for anyone needing precise sun and moon data.
SunIZup
SunIZup is another excellent Sun Surveyor alternative, particularly appealing to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and tvOS users. This Commercial app provides crucial timings for various sunlight phases, including the coveted Golden Hour and Blue Hour, often referred to as Magic Hour by photographers. While it may not list extensive features, its focused utility on these key lighting periods makes it a straightforward and effective tool for those primarily interested in capturing the perfect light.
Sun Intervals
Sun Intervals offers a unique and visually intuitive approach as a Sun Surveyor alternative. Available for Commercial use on iPhone and iPad, it presents a functional diagram and an easy-to-read interface that clearly displays the amount of daylight remaining. This simplicity, combined with the ability to enable other useful features, makes it a great option for users who prefer a quick glance at essential daylight information without being overwhelmed by complex data.
Sol: Sun Clock
For those who travel frequently and need timely reminders about sunrise and sunset, Sol: Sun Clock is a compelling Sun Surveyor alternative. This Commercial app for iPhone and iPad is perfect for photographers, offering Golden Hour times for any date and location. Its key features include Alarm and Timer functionalities, combined with Location-based tracking, ensuring you never miss those critical lighting moments, no matter where you are in the world.
Suncalc
If you're looking for a Free, Web-based Sun Surveyor alternative, Suncalc is an excellent choice. This little online application features an interactive map that vividly displays sun movement and sunlight phases for any given day and location. Its primary strength lies in its Calculators feature, providing quick and accessible sun and moon data without the need for a dedicated app installation, making it perfect for casual users or those who prefer browser-based tools.
Each of these alternatives offers unique strengths, from detailed photography planning to simple daylight tracking. Consider your specific needs, budget, and preferred platform to explore the best fit and enhance your ability to leverage the power of the sun and moon.