New calculator - no tsure where to put this
New calculator - no tsure where to put this
(OP)
I am in the market for a new calculator.
It has been several years since I purchased my current calculator and it is starting to decline.
So I have been doing some looking around when I have time and I ran across Texas Intruments Nspire series calculators.
Has anyone used these?
Are they more for the student than for real world use?
I have the basics from TI's web site but I have more questions.
Can you really do yor calculations on your calculator and save them and then down load to your computer?
Fully programmable?
There are some functions that if they work like I think they do would be nice.
It has been several years since I purchased my current calculator and it is starting to decline.
So I have been doing some looking around when I have time and I ran across Texas Intruments Nspire series calculators.
Has anyone used these?
Are they more for the student than for real world use?
I have the basics from TI's web site but I have more questions.
Can you really do yor calculations on your calculator and save them and then down load to your computer?
Fully programmable?
There are some functions that if they work like I think they do would be nice.






RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
An interesting choice is the TI nSpire CX, which is backlit color and way cool. However, the CX does not have the TI-84 keypad option, if that's something you're looking for. I've yet to actually do transfers with a PC, but that's what the software is for. The PC emulator software can also do what the calculator does, and then files can be transferred with the handheld. Bear in mind that it's quite big, although the CX is somewhat slimmer than the previous models. The TI website has a fairly huge collection of user-submitted files, which are mainly school related, but there may be a few goodies there.
One strong feature is the ability to document the calculations, since it does come with alphanumerics. Its graphics are pretty good for graphing, but some of the controls are clunky, but that might be inherent to a handheld machine without a touchscreen. The CX uses a touchpad, like on a laptop, in addition to click pad upon which the touchpad resides. Makes for a slightly faster interface than with just the clickpad.
There are two versions of each generation, to wit, the CX is the basic calculator version, while the CX CAS is the computer algebra system version. The CAS has a bunch of symbolic solvers, i.e., factor (ax^2+bx+c), etc.
Either version has an interface to a TI module for digitizing measurements, primarily intended for students doing chemistry and physics labs, but clearly, it's a possible LabView alternative, although it's not clear the TI has seen that possibility.
In general, the nSpire is radically different than pretty much any calculator around. TI has invested a lot of money to push this into the educational market, but at $150 MSRP, it's a bit steep, although you can wangle one on EBay for around $110 net.
One major change in the CX is that it uses a custom rechargeable NiMH battery; obvious, there are pros and cons with that choice.
I see it as having great potential, but it's always unclear whether the original visionaries and advocates at TI see the same vision that someone from the outside might.
I also have that Casio as well as the TI-30SX which would certainly also do well for most engineering calculations. Either is substantially cheaper than the CX; I think the Casio was under $15 during back to school sales. Nonetheless, the color display, yeah...
One thing that's annoying about all these calculators is that the "exact" mode, wherein answers are expressed as fractions or multiples of pi, etc., and decimal mode is that it's not easy to switch between the two modes.
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I still have my 41CX too, but the printer and card reader are shot. Frankly, I don't know what I'd do without it.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
The problem with _some_ 35s calculators is missed keystrokes. The key will click, but nothing will be on the display. I'd say mine misses a keystroke on every 3rd or 4th calculation I try, which is not good. I've learned to watch the display to make sure everything goes in. Mine didn't start doing this until I had it for probably about a month. The solution is to keep your receipt and just send it back for another if you get unlucky and your calculator does this.
From what little I've read about the new TI nspire, it seems to be student oriented. All of my students have TIs and I'm definitely not impressed with their calculator punching abilities. I've pushed the buttons on them a few times and it's no wonder. They're like mush. The calculators feel like toys.
I have a funny story. I was teaching steel a couple of years ago and had the students crank through the AISC Lr equation on an exam. Out of 38 students (all with TI calculators), only four or five were able to produce the number. I'd say 20 of them had the right equation written down, but couldn't get it through the calculator. I knew they might give me grief over it, so I timed myself with my HP48. In three tries, I averaged 23-24 sec. and made zero mistakes. There really is a difference between doing this sort of thing RPN or algebraic.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Algebraic calculators require a certain amount of forethought before attempting a calculation that might otherwise use parentheses. Nonetheless, the new calculators, including the Casio and the TIs do have the ability to mitigate some of that with the "last answer," functionality, i.e., if you hit enter followed immediately by an operation key, the operation will use the last calculated answer as the operand.
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
With the use of an operand stack, parentheses are never required, and there's actually no keys for entering parentheses. For most problems posed with parentheses, you can start immediately on the calculation without even thinking about the parentheses, or whether you've nested enough of them, etc.
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
There is little advantage using the RPN notation, except that some calculations can be entered more quickly using RPN... for really complex stuff, I prefere the algebraic logic of TI.
It used to be with the earlier, slower calculators, that the stack architecture used by HP was faster... it mimiced the manner in which data was used by the processor. Now it doesn't matter very much... my TI-89 has a Motorola 68000 processor, once a terror in the times of the Intel 80286.
Dik
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Dik
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I'd also love to replace my Casio fx-7400G PLUS (the ti-83's cheaper cousin).
EIT with BS in Civil/Structural engineering.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Dik
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Here's a link for what HP makes now; htt
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I KNEW there was another to not vote for her in the last election
"if I could have mathcad (or similar) on a calculator I don't think I'd ever write out a calculation again!"
SMath Studio: http://
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
The FX4000P was a fantastic calculator. It had an eighty character entry window. I could assign variables. I could string operations together and recover my entry line. Back before I had access to a spreadsheet, it was indispensable. The Casio fx-991MS I have now, is not as good.
On the other hand, I have not really tried to learn it. Spreadsheets are so convenient, and you have a record of your analysis after you are done.
If I ever see an FX4000P in an old junk shop, I will buy it.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
http://www.hpmuseum.org/hp15.htm
I also have new 35s that I like but I don't use any programing capabilities. I think now days that's completely redundant.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
www.PeirceEngineering.com
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
To answer the intended question: I can only speak for myself: No.
Looks to be geared toward students, but you've probably spent more time researching the subject than I have. I watched a demo video when they first came out and came away thinking I'd never want one. I'm an HP fan, though, so am biased. If HP came out with one with similar features, I still wouldn't want it.
I'm sure the HP50g can do this. It's unbelievably powerful, has USB connection, etc. I have actually thought about developing a vibration spectrum analyzer with the 50g as the base, and have no doubt it could easily handle the FFTs, IFFTs, digital filtering, etc. etc. that would be required. Someone's probably done that by now--last time I looked was 2-3 years ago.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
http://www.FerrellEngineering.com
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
?? see my response stamped 29 Jul 11 12:26
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I pray nothing ever happens to it.
I know the 48G was not allowed onthe PE test when I took it so I used an HP33s. It can be switched back and forth from RPN to standard. Theres no stack. So as I studied for PE and in my everyday work for about 3 months, I used the 33s in order to get used to it.
I'd say once you get used to RPN, you'll never go back
M^2-
Your bro-in-law have any 48G or 48GX laying around?
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Dik
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I tried to buy one about a yr ago b/c I thought mine was toast.
I almost passed out when I saw how much they were begin sold for online.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
The 48 can be had online for a reasonable price. It doesn't (yet LOL) have the cult following of the 10, 15, 32, and 42.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I liked my old 42S, smaller... and lamented the day it gave up... tried to buy a new one without success... guess the same thing will happen with the 48's...
Dik
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I am a HP RPN believer, and remember my 41CV and the magnetic memory cards with hours of programming prep. My dad got one before me, and it was revolutionary, his first "computer". And I remember programming my 48SX for all my engineering classes. I have a few programs on my 48GX, but my calculator has almost been entirely replaced my computer, and MathCad. I use my calculator to, balance my checkbook, check other peoples calcs, and to calculate the geometry of brace frames.
Someone else mentioned the HP 49. It stinks, I had great expectations and was very disappointed. I still have a few 41CV's. I bought 10 from a closing engineer office 15 years ago, because I could not imagine working without them.
Now these programmable calculators are not allowed in the PE exams.
I have a display on my wall of my dad's slide-rules. I should display the 41CV and accessories. And maybe the 48's in a few years. Maybe my kids will display my iPad and laugh about it too.
http://www.FerrellEngineering.com
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Get yourself a simple scientific calculator, and a nice laptop computer.
http://www.FerrellEngineering.com
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
1. Color Screen - Might be good for games but I have never needed (wanted?) color for my calculator.
2. Digital imaging - I can't think of a reason to have this.
3. Rechargable battery - TI says it will last 2 weeks with normal use. AAA batteries in my calculator last longer.
4. Calculate in style - No really, this is one of the features TI states on their site. "The ladies will really dig you with this on your hip!" (I made that quote up)
5. 3D graphing - Never used this for my calculator for engineering.
I stated above that I am hooked on RPN. How numbers are inputted is very critical to error checking while I am calculating on a calculator. In the past, using the standard input methodology, I have produced more errors. I have a higher powered HP for the use of simplifying complicated Integrals and matrices in rare circumstances. Excepting those situations, I think I'd prefer having a simpler, RPN calcualtor not a more complicated TI with bells and whistles.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
2. Digital imaging - It's probably documentation, since the intent is to use the calculator for notations, explanations, etc.
3. Rechargable battery - Only had it for about 3 weeks, but haven't used it quite to the level of "normal," but it's still claiming 100% battery charge
4. Calculate in style - Yeah, that works GREAT! not...
5. 3D graphing - I think that depends on what type of engineering. There are a variety of disciplines where 3D graphing of say, laser beam profiles, is nearly mandatory.
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Oh and by the way, I too am a fan of RPN. It seems a shame that there are no new calculators using it.
Here is a short blurb on the HP 67.
http://www.vaxman.de/my_machines/hp/67/67.html
BA
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I can understand why people would like to have a calculator for quick simple calculations (although I find even those are easier done on a spreadsheet), but what is the benefit of doing complex calculations on a calculator, rather than a computer?
Doug Jenkins
Interactive Design Services
http://newtonexcelbach.wordpress.com/
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
As iPad-like devices get more capable, or laptop/notepads get smaller, they will eventually be capable of running Mathcad directly, and that'll be the end of the matter for me. Right now, I've got an HP emulator and SMath Studio on my pocket PC, but the display is awfully dinky, and the controls are awkward. If either could run on an iPod Touch, that might end things right there.
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
As I mentioned above, a laptop is the best portable calculation tool. I have never found the time required to program a calculator to be time or cost effective, even for simple applications. If portability and durability are factors, there are laptop options. Maybe in eight more months I can leave the office with just my iPad.
http://www.FerrellEngineering.com
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
HP48G, HP35s, and Laprhoig.....sigh.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
TI catches people in the 7th or 8th grade. Their calculators are good enough that there's little motivation to try something new.
I don't know how this came about, but our high school teachers actually require a TI graphing calculator. Something just doesn't seem right about that. I guess if HP could've done anything about it legally, they would've already.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Kinda like Microsoft and most school computers. As part of their anti-trust settlement, Microsoft was required to provide millions of dollars in computer software for academic programs. I am sure that was a tough deal to close.
http://www.FerrellEngineering.com
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I think some people would have issues going to true RPN with a three or four level stack, though. Bumping an entry off the top seems like a "bug" to new users, and I can see where they're coming from. One man's feature is another man's bug LOL.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
And, I don't see HP having a site similar to education.ti.com. And TI is hardly a newcomer, of course; one of their first forays into head-to-head competition with the HP35 was the SR-50, back in 1973-ish, which was the only affordable choice compared to the HP-35, when I was in high school.
One of the nicer bits of the older nSpire was the TI-89 keypad swapout, i.e., you could make the nSpire behave like a TI-89, since there was this perverse requirement in my son's high school to have a programmable calculator for one class, but a nonprogrammable calculator in another. The current CX model of the nSpire has a "press to test" function that disables a selection of functions for tests that don't allow them.
TTFN
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RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Brad
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
I asked, "What's this?", and proceded to do the problems by hand.
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
1) The Casio does not take batteries.
2) Its affordable at $10. Buy several.
3) With the dual line display, automatic recall of the previous answer and ability to edit the previous entry -- RPN advantages are no longer existent.
4) Never understood why the stack cuts off at 4.
That being said it was great mental exercise learning RPN and was a good experience.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
tumbleleaves, I believe you are a TI or Casio stock holder. Going from algebraic to RPN/RPL had no inverse operation. LOL Seriously, if you don't mind, which model HP did you have? Unfortunately, HP put out two unpopular models, the 33 and 49.
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: New calculator - no tsure where to put this