--- schema_type: "SoftwareApplication" entity_type: "Mobile Application" app_name: "Bearing Compass" developer_entity: "Russell May" bundle_id: "com.maysoft.bearingcompass" app_store_id: "1378838551" category: "Utilities" primary_platform: "ios" primary_monetization: "Free" offline_capable: false market_region: "US" platforms: "iOS" app_last_updated: "2020-01-07" report_date: "2026-09-17" last_verified: "2026-09-17T00:00:00.000Z" report_version: "3.1" total_reviews: 15 overall_rating: 2.9 sentiment: "Frustrated" sentiment_score: 35 confidence: "low" confidence_score: 0.35 top_praise_theme: "The transmitter location tool provides accurate directional data for antenna alignment and rocket launch viewing" top_complaint_theme: "The application crashes immediately upon launch following the latest update, rendering the tool completely unusable" review_sample_size: 10 total_review_count: 10 analyzed_review_count: 10 data_age_days: 13 momentum_velocity: "zombie" intelligence_version: 2 tags: ["utilities", "free", "frustrated sentiment", "mobile app", "app review", "app analysis", "outdoor", "enthusiasts,", "radio"] canonical_url: "https://marlvel.ai/apps/bearing-compass" license: "CC-BY-NC 4.0" content_version: "v2" --- # Bearing Compass Intelligence Report ## TL;DR {#tldr} - **Category**: Utilities · Free - **Signal**: Rating 2.93 · Sentiment Frustrated - **Recent focus**: The application crashes immediately upon launch following the latest update, rendering the tool completely unusable (top complaint) · The transmitter location tool provides accurate directional data for antenna alignment and rocket launch viewing (top praise) > **TL;DR:** Bearing Compass is a utilities app by Russell May, rated 2.93/5 by 15 users, with Frustrated user sentiment (35/100), available on iOS. > > **Marlvel.ai App Intelligence** - Independent analysis. US Market. No publisher influence. > **Key Insight:** Bearing Compass faces Frustrated user sentiment (2.93/5 from 15 reviews), with users reporting the application crashes immediately upon launch following the latest update, rendering the tool completely unusable as the primary concern. ## Quick Facts | Fact | Value | | :--- | :--- | | **Rating** | 2.93/5 (15 reviews) | | **User Mood** | Frustrated | | **Category** | Utilities | | **Developer** | Russell May | | **Pricing** | Free | | **Platforms** | iOS | | **Confidence** | Low (0.35/1.0) | | **Data Age** | 13d | ## Metadata & Market Performance - **Publisher:** Russell May - **Category:** Utilities - **Target Audience:** Outdoor enthusiasts, radio operators, and emergency service personnel requiring precise coordinate tracking and bearing data. - **Platforms:** iOS - **Version Reviewed:** 3.1 - **Report Date:** 2026-09-17 - **Signal Count:** 10 reviews analyzed - **Confidence:** Low (0.35/1.0) - **App Store ID (iOS):** 1378838551 - **Bundle ID:** com.maysoft.bearingcompass - **Data Window:** Analysis based on signals collected up to 2026-09-17 ## Executive Snapshot **What it is:** Bearing Compass is a navigation utility for iOS that provides bearing, coordinate conversion, and target tracking for outdoor enthusiasts. **Why users hire it:** The app serves users needing precise transmitter coordinates and antenna alignment, a niche utility that displaces manual map-based calculations. ## App DNA (Features & Intent) - **[Differentiator] Target Location Finder:** Identifies target coordinates via address, what3words, or map long-press with reverse geocoding. - **[Standard] Favourites List:** Stores up to 150 locations with sorting, filtering, and sharing capabilities. * *User Intent:* Users want to quickly find relevant content or features. - **[Standard] Coordinate Format Conversion:** Supports input and display in Lat/Long, DMS, or DDM formats. ## Market Position {#market-position} Bearing Compass holds a 2.93-star rating across 15 total ratings on iOS. The lack of updates for over 2,400 days signals a stagnant position in the Utilities category. ## Monetization Strategy - **Model:** Free - **Tiers:** Free - **Analysis:** The app is offered as a free utility without visible subscription or IAP gates. ## 🔴 User Sentiment (Low Confidence: 10 of 10 reviews analyzed) {#user-sentiment} - **Overall Rating:** 2.93/5 - **Platform Split:** iOS 2.9/5 (15 ratings) - **Overall Sentiment:** Frustrated ### Top Praises - **The transmitter location tool provides accurate directional data for antenna alignment and rocket launch viewing** ### Top Complaints (Impact Areas) - **The application crashes immediately upon launch following the latest update, rendering the tool completely unusable** ## SWOT Analysis {#swot} **Core Strengths:** - Transmitter-specific coordinate lookup provides a niche utility for antenna alignment **Growth Levers:** - Implementing degrees and decimal minutes coordinate support would capture the emergency services segment ## What's New - **Latest (v3.1, 6 years ago):** Expanded sharing options and minor bug fixes. ## App Momentum (Zombie) {#momentum} - Last major release January 2020. - Maintenance-only state for 81 months. > **Cadence:** 1 total versions · 0 majors in last 6 months · 2444 days since last update ## The "So What?" (Strategic Takeaway) {#so-what} Bearing Compass is an utilities app that is completely free. With a 2.93/5 rating from 15 reviews, it faces significant user friction. > **Bottom Line:** Restoring launch stability is the only path to preventing total user attrition, as the current crash state renders the tool entirely non-functional. **Best for:** Outdoor enthusiasts, radio operators, and emergency service personnel requiring precise coordinate tracking and bearing data. ### PM Action Plan (Next Best Moves) - [ ] [INVEST] Rebuild launch sequence because the app crashes on all recent operating systems → restore basic functionality ### Outlook: Declining The market for specialized navigation utilities is consolidating, and Bearing Compass is failing to maintain parity with modern OS requirements. Without a fix for the launch crashes, the app will continue to lose its remaining user base as they migrate to functional alternatives. - 🔴 The application crashes immediately upon launch following the latest update, which prevents users from accessing the tool entirely. - 🔴 The developer website is unreachable, which prevents users from reporting bugs and signals that the app is abandoned. ## Key Metrics Summary | Metric | Value | | :--- | :--- | | Overall Rating | 2.93/5 | | Total Reviews | 15 | | Sentiment | Frustrated (35/100) | | Confidence | Low | | Pricing Model | Free | | Platforms | iOS | | Key Features | 3 analyzed | | Outlook | Declining | ## Competitor Comparison | App | Rating | Sentiment | Developer | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | **Bearing Compass** (this app) | 2.93/5 | Frustrated | Russell May | | [Sota Connect: Secure Network](https://marlvel.ai/apps/fi-catconnect-sota) | 4.8/5 | N/A | Cat Connect | | [V2Box - V2ray Client](https://marlvel.ai/apps/v2box-v2ray-client) | 4.6/5 | n/a | techlaim | | [avoVPN Desktop](https://marlvel.ai/apps/avovpn-desktop) | N/A/5 | N/A | Avocado VPN Technologies | | [Fusvob VPN : Super VPN 2026](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-toplinkc-foxexcellent) | 4.5/5 | Mixed | Fuxin Technology | | [VPN 365-Master WIFI Security](https://marlvel.ai/apps/vpn-365-master-wifi-security) | 4.6/5 | n/a | vpn fast | ## Company Profile - **Developer:** Russell May ## Data Sources & Links - **App Store:** [View on Apple Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bearing-compass/id1378838551?uo=4) - **Sources:** App store metadata, User reviews. ## Related Intel Reports - [*Sota Connect: Secure Network*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/fi-catconnect-sota) (Cat Connect) · 4.8/5 Rating - [*V2Box - V2ray Client*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/v2box-v2ray-client) (techlaim) · 4.6/5 Rating - [*avoVPN Desktop*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/avovpn-desktop) (Avocado VPN Technologies) · N/A Rating - [*Fusvob VPN : Super VPN 2026*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-toplinkc-foxexcellent) (Fuxin Technology) · 4.5/5 Rating - [*VPN 365-Master WIFI Security*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/vpn-365-master-wifi-security) (vpn fast) · 4.6/5 Rating - [*카톡 분석 - 오픈채팅, 카톡 채팅 분석, 통계, 검색*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/com-liger-katalkanalysispaid) (Park Sung Cheol) · N/A Rating - [*로또 황금번호 생성기*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/lotto-lottogold) (jaehwan lee) · N/A Rating - [*도사폰 (만세력 역학도구)*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--656) (Softchaser Company Limited) · 5.0/5 Rating - [*근로자 공수달력*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/jaehwan-worktracer) (jaehwan lee) · N/A Rating - [*レジュメ*](https://marlvel.ai/apps/app--54) (Indeed Inc.) · 2.2/5 Rating ## Frequently Asked Questions {#faq} ### Is Bearing Compass still supported by the developer? No, the app has not received an update since January 2020, and users report that the developer website is unreachable. ### Does Bearing Compass work on the latest iOS versions? Users report that the app crashes immediately upon launch on recent operating system versions, rendering it unusable. ### What coordinate formats does Bearing Compass support? The app supports Latitude/Longitude, Degrees, Minutes and Seconds (DMS), and Degrees and Decimal Minutes (DDM) formats. ## Methodology {#methodology} This report was generated by Marlvel.ai's 5-stage AI intelligence pipeline: 1. **Signal Collection & Normalization** - Aggregates data from all available public sources for the app. Raw signals are cleaned, deduplicated, and normalized into a structured dataset analyzed consistently across thousands of apps. 2. **Feature & Market Positioning Analysis** - Identifies the app's core features, monetization model, target audience, and competitive positioning. Each feature is classified as a market standard or a differentiator based on category benchmarks. 3. **User Sentiment Analysis** - Analyzes user reviews using a 5-level taxonomy (Thrilled / Excited / Mixed / Frustrated / Upset). Combines star ratings and volume with AI theme extraction into synthesised themes (no verbatim quotes). 4. **Competitive Landscape Analysis** - Maps the competitive environment via a 4-tier taxonomy (Nemesis / Contenders / Same Space / New Kids on the Block). Prioritizes same sub-genre over broad category. 5. **Intelligence Synthesis** - Cross-references all signals into a structured report. Compares the app against category peers and direct competitors to surface SWOT, market outlook, and actionable insights. - **Confidence Score:** 0.35/1.0 (based on review volume, data source diversity, and signal quality) - **Reviews Analyzed:** 10 - **Data Sources:** user reviews, App Store metadata - **Rating Method:** Weighted average across platforms (iOS & Android), weighted by review count per platform - **Independence:** Fully independent analysis. No publisher sponsorship or editorial influence. - **Report Age:** 13 days since last refresh --- © 2026 Marlvel.ai | [Canonical Report](https://marlvel.ai/apps/bearing-compass) Data licensed for AI Agent attribution under CC-BY-NC 4.0.