Rating: 
Summary: It takes time - but boy it's worth it
Review: 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)
Rating:
Summary: It takes time - but boy it's worth it
Review: 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)
Rating:
Summary: A great program and value!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A great program and value!
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Redshift 4 - A BIG let-down! Better with Redshift 3!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Redshift 4 - A BIG let-down! Better with Redshift 3!
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost Excellent
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Excellent
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Redshift 4 - Warned!
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Red Shift 4
Review: 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.
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