TPE (The Photographers Ephemeris) now charging for "PRO" services: FYI - On 8/14/2020 I found out that they now charge $4 a month or $30 a year to view using the satellite map and...

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

FYI -
On 8/14/2020 I found out that they now charge $4 a month or $30 a year to view using the satellite map and unlimited address searches. The free account (login is required to use) is only a street map and limited to ??? address searches. I'm waiting for a reply to see how many address searches are allowed with the free account.

Bummer. I don't use it enough to warrant the $30 fee.

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

Use TPE in conjunction with Google Maps and Google Earth. I use Google satellite maps to locate the address of the place I'm interested in, then input the address to TPE to get sun positions. That accomplishes what the old free TPE did, just using one extra step, and it is free.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

lowkick wrote:

Use TPE in conjunction with Google Maps and Google Earth. I use Google satellite maps to locate the address of the place I'm interested in, then input the address to TPE to get sun positions. That accomplishes what the old free TPE did, just using one extra step, and it is free.

I enjoyed having the satellite view IN TPE.
Especially with the phone version also...

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

I saw TPE changed when I visited about a month or so ago. I use usually use Photopils on my phone when I need sunset/sunrise times and all that, so I really didn't see the need to pay money or create a free account on TPE. But it was such a great resource, I was always inquisitive why it was free to begin with

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

johngault007 wrote:

I saw TPE changed when I visited about a month or so ago. I use usually use Photopils on my phone when I need sunset/sunrise times and all that, so I really didn't see the need to pay money or create a free account on TPE. But it was such a great resource, I was always inquisitive why it was free to begin with

I like the azimuth lines for the sun and moon. One could place them right on a building, cliff, island, ..., and watch them change over time.

Satellite info at N2YO.com is free, EarthSky.org also. Guess it depends on someone wanting to make money,
or not.

johngault007 Loc: Florida Panhandle

Longshadow wrote:

I like the azimuth lines for the sun and moon. One could place them right on a building, cliff, island, ..., and watch them change over time.

Satellite info at N2YO.com is free, EarthSky.org also. Guess it depends on someone wanting to make money,
or not.

Yeah, Photopils does that also, that's why I rarely used TPE.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

johngault007 wrote:

Yeah, Photopils does that also, that's why I rarely used TPE.

With the TPE change, I'll go check out Photopils, thanks!

Edit: Hmmm. I do most of my planning/investigating on a PC...

CaptainPhoto

Go with PhotoPills - a lot cheaper and works great. Has tons of FREE tutorials, text or video. I have TPE but never use it. PhotoPills is so much easier to use and understand. You can't go wrong for $10.00

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

CaptainPhoto wrote:

Go with PhotoPills - a lot cheaper and works great. Has tons of FREE tutorials, text or video. I have TPE but never use it. PhotoPills is so much easier to use and understand. You can't go wrong for $10.00

Considering it.
I could use it on the tablet instead of the phone.

tcthome Loc: NJ

I downloaded the Photo Pills app on my iphone & ipad for $9.99, one time fee. I can still use TPE free on my computer & enjoy using the bigger screen for searches & preliminary planning(sun, moon direction). I still ight download the TPE app to my i products but will not do a subscription based plan.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Longshadow wrote:

I like the azimuth lines for the sun and moon. One could place them right on a building, cliff, island, ..., and watch them change over time.

Satellite info at N2YO.com is free, EarthSky.org also. Guess it depends on someone wanting to make money,
or not.

Thanks.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

TPE's costs (like map usage rights) became too much. They were loosing money.
They had to start charging to help offset the costs.
While disappointed, I don't blame them for doing so. They have a great product.

photoman43

See this for more info about map changes in TPE. I still use the free version on my laptop and I have no complaints. I cannot comment on the cell phone version that costs $.

https://app.photoephemeris.com/about

tcthome Loc: NJ

johngault007 wrote:

Yeah, Photopils does that also, that's why I rarely used TPE.

Sure does & you can set object height also. You can also swap out the red & black pin & wiil show exactly where you need to be for the shot. Add in augumented reality.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

photoman43 wrote:

See this for more info about map changes in TPE. I still use the free version on my laptop and I have no complaints. I cannot comment on the cell phone version that costs $.

https://app.photoephemeris.com/about

Yes, that explains a lot.

I'll just miss the satellite view.
(I don't use it a lot.)