StansWeather.net

[rating:4.5/5]
Version: 1.2.0
Price: $9.99
Author: Base Velocity, LLC
Media: Screenshots | RadarScope Intro Video (provided by Base Velocity, LLC)
Purchase: iTunes App Store

There are a variety of weather apps for the iPhone, but being able to see radar relative to your location is probably the most important app to have. RadarScope from Base Velocity, LLC is currently my favorite radar app for the iPhone. While the $9.99 price tag might push some away, I think it is well worth the money for what you get. Rather than downloading a radar image, RadarScope actually downloads raw level 3 radar data and renders it into an image. This gives you much better resolution and accuracy than downloading a simple image. It also uses the iPhone’s built-in GPS to plot your location relative to the radar.

While the name of the program may imply a sweeping radar scan feature, it is only there for looks and can be disabled in the settings if you find it annoying. When you zoom in on the radar, numerous city names reveal themselves which is very handy if you’re in an unfamiliar area. The app offers base reflectivity, base velocity, and storm relative velocity radar products. Finally, there is a recently added animation feature which downloads and loops the last 6 radar scans.

Pros:

Uses raw data instead of canned radar images

Clean and quick user interface

GPS location plot

Radar animation

Works well even on slower EDGE connection

Cons:

No road overlays

No watches/warnings

The app is lacking a few things like road overlays and watches/warnings. I’d also like to see the ability to either create your own custom overlays and/or use feeds from providers like AllisonHouse. This would let you add things like METAR, APRS, spotter network integration, lightning, etc. I have mentioned this to the author of the program and they are looking into this but could not guarantee anything. Overall it is the most useful radar app out there right now for the iPhone and worth the $10 in my opinion. I used it on a short chase last year and it worked pretty well. I look forward to future updates from the author of RadarScope.