An old companion is dying, have to get a new calculator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 06:28:50 pm
content: This one has served me for years.. but last week i found that one LCD line was not working anymore.. almost. It's very dim.Then, today, the horror.What to do now? I still use it a lot, much faster than the calculator on the computer (switching windows? Naah) or the smartphoneWhich cheapie should i get? This one again? An improved one? I always had casios, back to middle school, i like them.Must have complex numbers (independent of polar or scalar notation)Must have graphical writing (like when writing a fraction is just like if you were writing it instead of a single line, less ambiguous)Must have base-n notationI don't want a programmable one or with graph. i have it somewhere in a drawer... if i need a graph then i have a smartphone or a pc, and i'd end up uploading doom/minesweeper on it, i know it

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 06:34:20 pm
content: You might find that it's just the zebra strip on the display that needs cleaning. It would be shame to ditch an old friend!

author: donmr
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 06:36:20 pm
content: Look at Swiss Microshttp://www.swissmicros.com/They sell new devices that closely resemble some of the old HP calculators, including the 15C and 16C.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 07:11:58 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on May 17, 2017, 06:34:20 pmwill try tomorrow.only one button has wore out, it's still "new"

author: razberik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 07:31:39 pm
content: When I am really stuck to some specific product and its life comes to end - I buy the same product again. Ebay the best friend.Reminds me I should buy some TI-82 as a backup.

author: Housedad
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 07:34:45 pm
content: If you want a direct replacement, new ones are available on ebay for $22.90 shipped from the USA including Europe. So It should be the same price to you in Italy.http://www.ebay.com/itm/SCIENTIFIC-CALCULATOR-Casio-FX570ES-PLUS-417-functions-7-Memories-New-/321728356490?hash=item4ae881208a:g:4LAAAOSwPgxVMSbw#shpCntId

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 07:44:45 pm
content: QUICK, NOBODY BUY A TINow that's over, I suggest HP as the next logical course of action. XDThe HP50g can be found for around 50 bucks. For the price it is the best handheld calculator you could possibly get IMO. As a student I LOVE HP's RPN calculators. I am currently using an HP Prime, which is also a good option, but for a good calculator for basic maths, the HP50G has RPN, Algebraic (If you seriously don't want to use the glory that's RPN), and HP's special textbook entry, although the textbook entry on the 50g is stupid.As it turns out Amazon no longer sells the 50g for a low price. If you can find one on the cheap it's a GREAT choice. Same goes for the 49g, and ever classic 48g. HP calculators are simply the best. They do more than anybody else, and RPN is oddly satisfying and efficient to use. You begin to find shortcuts in the problems you calculate, and get a deeper understanding of them out of a need to figure out how to calculate. They are calculators that are an excalibur in the right hands, but won't be of help if you don't know what you are doing. As odd as it sounds, this is perfect. It means you don't get lazy and stupid just throwing entire problems into the calculator.The HP Prime is 110 USD on the cheap (around 100 Euros or so) so it's by no means a cheapie cheapie calculator, but unlike Ti's offerings, it's worth something. You can get an Ti-84 for the same price, and what do you get from HP? A 400mhz ARM CPU, a capacitive touch screen, a rechargeable battery good for around 10 hours of constant use, a 16 bit colour screen, and a REALLY nice keyboard (Hinged tactile switches)From Ti you get some 30 year old Z80, a low resolution LCD screen, and some crap software that does nothing. The HP Prime can do literally everything (And maybe even more) a desktop CAS program like Maple can do.Sorry, I get ahead of myself with calculators. The tl;dr here is get a HP calculator. They do more and cost less or the same as Ti's offerings. Ti is a complete ripoff, and anybody who has ever paid full price for a Ti calculator has been duped and scammed. I have never used Casio or Sharp calculators, but HP has been my friend since before I started college maths. My HP Prime has got me through a Calc 1 course, and I am expecting a 100 on the class. They are truly great tools for learning, and I always have one of them next to me at all times.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 07:53:41 pm
content: I agree about TI calculators. They can't keep up with me typing formulas using 2 fingers!

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 10:38:14 pm
content: Quote from: Gyro on May 17, 2017, 06:34:20 pmYes, that's a common problem with small LCDs I've fixed numerous calculators, meters etc. just by opening them up and making sure the display is properly connected. If it's a plastic strip, it's probably better not to remove it, as it's difficult/impossible to reattach it: push it down firmly on the glass and hope for the best. If it's a silicone rubber strip with carbon strips then it can be cleaned but it's better to just try manipulating it while it's still on the display.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 17, 2017, 10:44:44 pm
content: This is the latest:http://www.casio.com/products/calculators/fraction-and-scientific/fx-991exHas a new high res display and new engineering notation in the results.I prefer the non-VPAM ones myself, but if you are used to VPAM then that's the one to get.

author: DG41WV
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 01:36:05 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 17, 2017, 10:44:44 pm+1 for the fx-991ex

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 07:00:32 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on May 17, 2017, 10:44:44 pmDoes that New mean the one which mimics the SI-Prefixes, by hiding the exponents so you can calculate 3n*5G and calculator gives output 15.I'm not a Casio user, but the fx-5800p is interesting model in my eyes.http://www.casio-intl.com/asia/en/calc/products/fx-5800P/

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 09:19:07 am
content: "something strange going on" <- get it?typing numbers makes apparently dead pixels live again, others that should be on veeery dim, like the unactive pixels in functional lines. poking around is not doing anything, i would have hoped differentlythe 991x seems very cool, maybe i'll order one later. It's like my bigger programmable casio but i doesn't weigh a ton and i can't be tempted to play games on itsorry dave, but i like the neat and orderly display i get with VPAM very much

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 09:54:23 am
content: FWIW I have an fx-991ES which is the big brother to the almost identical fx-85. The 991 has quadratics and constants and a few bits and pieces but is almost identical to the fx-85 which is a requirement for our children's school. IMHO it is worth paying the small extra for the solar versions.... I've never changed a battery yet. (Of course you subconsciously really want a WP34S)

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 10:22:53 am
content: just checked the fx-991ex on amazon prime...35 fucking euros from germany, 39 euros for italian stock, which will be available mid june???I have to buy it on ebay. unbeliveable.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 10:28:29 am
content: Careful buying amazon.de calculators. Turns out the fx-991ex has german version.

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 11:50:51 am
content: I do have an old Casio somewhere in a drawer, but haven't used it since a long time... My choice today is one of these (sorted in order of task complexity):(on Android - RealCalc)

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 02:02:33 pm
content: My problem with computer calculators is the same as the OP's. As a hobbyist programmer I use both monitors to do things. One is normally a reference or Javadoc to help me do something, and the other is Netbeans. I like to have the calculator as a bit of a third monitor to do maths on. And when I do game jams, I use a single display laptop, in which I can only have the IDE running at one time.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 02:38:11 pm
content: I love the HP 32RPN, sadly hard to find anymore...

author: Muxr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 03:04:33 pm
content: I like my HP 35s.. it doesn't feel as hefty or as robust as HP calculators used to feel, but it's still a very nice calculator with Polish notation.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 03:49:46 pm
content: Quote from: Muxr on May 18, 2017, 03:04:33 pmGet a 50G. Those things feel like bricks. You could throw one at the wall and it would go straight through.The HP Prime however, it feels fantastic. It's the most powerful calculator you can get from HP, and beats everything Ti has ever made to death and back. Seriously, Ti doesn't even sell a calculator as fast as the Prime. It's keyboard is probably the best out of any HP calculator that I have tried (48g, 50g, Prime) and it just feels like it was built by people who knew what they were doing, whereas something like a Ti-83 feels as cheap and scammy as the 100+ USD you paid for a 6 mhz Z80, 32k of RAM, and a screen so cheap you can't see much of anything you try to graph. Not to mention the software does about bugger all.The ONLY, and I repeat ONLY reason ANYBODY buys Ti calculators is because they are told to and/or forced to. They have deals with all of the schools up and down the US. 100 dollars for what is essentially less powerful than a Commodore 128 from 30+ years ago. I am glad my school lets my use my HP calculators, because I would die from using a Ti after I have seen what HP calculators can do.Don't buy Ti. They exist for no reason other than to squeeze as much money out of poor students as possible. Buy HP, they need the business.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 04:59:23 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on May 18, 2017, 10:28:29 amyeah, i figures as much so i bought it on ebay. funny enough turns out the store was 15 minutes from homethough it could have been a good incentive to really start learning germanTwoOfFive gets it.. I also use (extensively) all the options @tatus suggested, minus the app (i tried it several times but meh)problem is, for example, i can't keep switching applications while programming/debuggingand when i'm writing notes down, i find a calculator to be THAT much more handy.. that is probably a remainder from school, i'm fine with it

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 07:55:11 pm
content: Quote from: JPortici on May 18, 2017, 04:59:23 pmLesson 1:Guten tag!Zwei bier, bitte!Danke schön!With this, you can pretty much survive in germany for a few weeks.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 08:01:11 pm
content: Depends on what part of Germany you go to. Bavaria has a different language entirely.

author: steve30
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2017, 11:21:52 pm
content: Tatus1969 posted an image of the Windows calculator from a WikiHow page with a rather curious name. I couldn't help but look up the page:How to Open a Calculator With the Command Prompt:http://www.wikihow.com/Open-a-Calculator-With-the-Command-PromptSounds incredibly useful.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 07:46:59 am
content: Quote from: steve30 on May 18, 2017, 11:21:52 pmI already knew that. I'm disappointed. I was expecting something about issuing commands to the Windows calculator via the command line so it can be controlled using a batch file.Any program can be started using the command prompt and if the program's folder is listed in the system path variable, you only have to type the file name of the program, minus the extension.

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 09:26:17 am
content: Quote from: JPortici on May 18, 2017, 04:59:23 pmYou probably should since after the UK exit the EU the English language is going to be phased outin mainland Europe.https://www.ft.com/content/c16f7b13-2509-3811-8d9f-c0f5f023bb63I believe that English will be available for use under licenced conditions but the details of that will be part of the BrExit negotiations.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 10:11:17 am
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on May 19, 2017, 09:26:17 amEnglish is an official language in Ireland, and Malta, therefore it will remain an official language of the EU.And I know that the French think that french is the "language of diplomacy" and its very refined and everything... But come on. Its a language which gets more and more butchered on the daily basis, and lost the elegance and importance completely. In a few decades, you wont be able to speak french, because "common people decided not to pronounce anything anymore".

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 10:22:04 am
content: Quote from: JPortici on May 18, 2017, 04:59:23 pmThat app almost perfectly resembles my vintage Casio fx-100v (I found it, it is still powering up! Never changed the battery. I remotely remember my mother having bought it for school, maybe mid 1980's). I like it because it is much better than the builtin Android calculator.

author: tatus1969
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 10:26:39 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on May 19, 2017, 07:46:59 amYou don't even need a command prompt for this nowadays, just hit the Windows key and type the name of the EXE/COM:

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 10:36:33 am
content: Sadly my preferred calculator is the HP42s which goes for a staggering almost $400 on ebay.I wish I hadn't lost mine. I have a hideous 33s that I bought in a hurry and I hate it.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 06:15:26 pm
content: Quote from: NivagSwerdna on May 19, 2017, 09:26:17 ameh that's bullshit. we might even start all using italian or french.... even better, why not greek? it all started from the hellenic union about 25 centuries ago, didn't it?i know that french people have too much "pride" to use another language (write them in english/italian, they will always answer in french. there are rare exeptions) and german people have too much "pride" to learn a language properly (german clients' english is usually on par with chinglish. there are rarer exceptions)then we usually don't give a shit and fail to even learn our own language, sadly(I'm not over with the stereotypes of course, these ones however are verified by statistics. Data samples are the emails and texts we get on a daily basis)

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 08:46:40 pm
content: Quote from: JPortici on May 19, 2017, 06:15:26 pmFair point. We should offer Greeks and Romans a discount.

author: georges80
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2017, 10:08:36 pm
content: Quote from: Dubbie on May 19, 2017, 10:36:33 amI fortunately have 2 hp42s calcs (from new), still in great condition as my goto calculators. I run free42s on my android when away from the real ones, which is great other than it doesn't have the wonderful real clicky buttons...cheers,george.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 12:43:25 pm
content: Quote from: georges80 on May 19, 2017, 10:08:36 pmSwissmicros is building HW calc based on the Thomas Okkens Free42 sources. Should be out about this year (hopefully) and beta units are soon send to testers I have heard.

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 09:15:15 pm
content: Well they can sign me up!

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 09:19:42 pm
content: Quote from: Dubbie on May 22, 2017, 09:15:15 pmHere is a teaser for you, it is first publicly seen potrait form prototype.Code:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LK7JotR728https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU-_9x8dEM8

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 11:02:17 pm
content: I thought I was in a similar situation with my Radio Shack EC-4014 (which is a rebranded Casio something- pic is below) but if I recall correctly I think the fix was something like it just turned out that I needed to replace the internal battery which was draining current from the solar cell - with another slightly less dead hearing aid battery - and then put it in bright light.The display had various glitches and also it would not switch out of the hexadecimal modeThis was quite some time ago. the calculator was purchased in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Now it seems to work after I put it under the light.Putting the calculator in direct sunlight a bit helped.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2017, 01:06:01 pm
content: Quote from: cdev on May 23, 2017, 11:02:17 pmI have the Casio version of that same calculator

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 25, 2017, 08:50:34 pm
content: Quote from: Vtile on May 22, 2017, 09:19:42 pmIt's on its way!Exciting! I'll be checking the mailbox a bit more often.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2017, 12:41:38 am
content: Quote from: Dubbie on May 25, 2017, 08:50:34 pmyou mean "its way..."

author: technix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2017, 12:50:06 am
content: If you are buying a TI, avoid the Z80 series.The 68k series is much nicer and feature rich. I have used a Voyage 200 (TI-92 H/W 4.0) in high school (sadly I lost it) and it was fantastic. The TI-89 Platinum is functionally equivalent to Voyage 200 but in the traditional calculator form factor and are accepted in standardized tests unlike the V200.

author: mdszy
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 26, 2017, 12:53:50 am
content: 1. Buy an HP 50G2. Learn how to use RPN3. Feel your life improve tenfold.RPN is the only good way to use a calculator.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2017, 01:12:37 am
content: Quote from: mdszy on May 26, 2017, 12:53:50 amYES! I love my HP32s RNP

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2017, 09:16:42 am
content: Quote from: P90 on May 26, 2017, 12:41:38 amLooks like the apostrophe police are out in force today.

author: P90
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2017, 09:43:51 am
content: Quote from: Hero999 on May 26, 2017, 09:16:42 amI've been letting a lot of them slide...

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2017, 04:52:31 pm
content: This thing actually arrived! It took an awful amount of time to travel 20 km... fucking courier monkeys.It's gorgeous. I'm not a fan of metallized bezels though, but the screen.. wowOn the right, every day more lines are dying out. Good night sweet prince

author: NivagSwerdna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2017, 02:43:19 pm
content: oooooo that looks really nice, much swisher than my 991-ES. Good job!

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2017, 07:51:03 pm
content: Has anybody seen the HP15C emulator software?http://hp-15c.homepage.t-online.de/download.htmIve never used an HP, or RPN. After reading about the popularity of them over time and the Swiss Micro redo of them now I am bit curious about them. HAs anybody switched from one to the other, and of so what was your experience?

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2017, 09:00:32 pm
content: Of course I think most people here started with some sort of algebraic/4 function input, but started to suckle on the amazing teet of RPN.My first RPN calculator was an HP48G my dad had. It was something that I had never seen before. He told me he had no idea how to use it, as it had been many years since he last did. I figured out it's quirks fairly quickly and soon became enamored with it. I used it in my first college maths course, and I have been using HP calculators since.However, the more modern they get, the more algebraic they get. You went from very basic algebraic support in the 48G, to an entire algebraic mode in the 50G, to an entire menu that's almost always in an algebraic mode, but the HP Prime still has RPN support that I still use.It's honestly a really nice calculator. It's the smallest calculator of it's power on the market, and beats out anything and everything Ti has ever sold. It's got a hinged tactile keyboard, brushed aluminium, a 16bpp colour touch screen, and a feel of a solid unit with no wasted space, and everything you could possibly want. It feels more expensive than it is, and operates in the same way. It isn't like any other calculator. I always want to have it when I do any maths, as just using it is a euphoric experience.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2017, 09:45:47 pm
content: Huh. Maybe the HP Prime would work well there. It has a partially aluminium shell, might act as a bit of shielding.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2017, 10:09:57 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on May 31, 2017, 09:40:34 pm50gIt also does have 3 wire UART and SD card for apps. ....And shielding. Plushttps://www.maximintegrated.com/en/design/tools/calculators/hp50g/and metric tons of others.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 31, 2017, 10:20:33 pm
content: Quote from: cdev on May 31, 2017, 07:51:03 pmI got my 1st UoAS degree with TI83+, then for the 2nd degree I got HP50g and in first 5 minutes just something clicked and I realised what were wrong in the world before(Programmin some handy routines on RPLis also so nice. A few key clicks (8 can create and run a new function/command, 2 creating a program object, 2 for new commands inside of it, 1 for closing it, 2 for name and storage and 1 for calling it) and you have a extended function set it your calculator).15C is nice, elegant RPN machine (if I have understood correctly mr. Kahn "the IEC float man" were one of the designers for the algorithms on it), so simple that you can use it blindfolded (physical device). Unfortunately the age of it ( HP15C 1982) starts to show a bit (not as much handholding and automation as modern UIs) in some corners of it.Here is a really simplistic NPV program to 15Cedit.just as an example for random reader.Code:001 LBL D002 X<>Y003 STO 4004 RCL 1005 g X=0006 STO 3007 R?008 1009 RCL 2010 g %011 +012 RCL 1013 Y^X014 /015 STO+ 3016 1017 STO+ 1018 RCL 4019 RCL 3020 RTN

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 09:52:59 pm
content: Happiness!It arrived.I have my new favorite perfect calculator I think!

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 10:54:35 pm
content: Quote from: Dubbie on June 05, 2017, 09:52:59 pmWhere the heck is that on Swiss micros site? Price?

author: Dubbie
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 11:13:50 pm
content: It's still in beta labSpokane, check the forum.I just requested access and they allowed me to buy one.I paid the equivalent of about $120 USD.Worth every penny.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2017, 11:33:04 pm
content: Quote from: Dubbie on June 05, 2017, 11:13:50 pmGood you got your favourite calc back. I must point out thattheyis more like aheas it is mainly a one and half man show what I have understood (from HP calc community).Quote from: blueskullHey, calcs are personal devices. If you are satisfied in the old workhorse why to change. Just get a spare unit in case the fx5800p gets discontinued and turns to unobtinium (case of many HP classics)