Best rpn calculator 2020.
1 – DM42 – The Most Precise Calculator.
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I’m a hot-rod enthusiast when it comes to computational devices. I’ve long-missed my old HP-42S and the wholly functional design it had, but I have to admit this thing is MUCH better! It is INCREDIBLY beautiful in comparison, with a superior display, superior keys (in that it has the extra row so the top menu keys can be separate), superior memory (by FAR), and superior speed (it isn’t even a fair comparison).It is pretty much identical to program this unit as the original 42S, and I use images of the original calculator manuals as a guide for doing so. But, there are actually ways to TYPE programs and make them suitable for download, which I am looking forward to. Amazingly, there is even a means to backup and recall the entire memory state of the calculator — built right into the calculator, itself! Basically, it’s the convenience of a flash drive, without having to stick in a flash drive.It really is the most precise calculator in the world. Thus, my calculator will easily accept and deliver accurate answers that would give other calculators FITS, due to it’s use of a very high precision floating point library.Ever try to take apart a calculator? Not me — that is, until I got this one. I noticed on YouTube there are videos on how to disassemble the unit, and it’s actually quite easy to do. That just speaks to me of the care and thoroughness of design that goes into these guys. SwissMicros has really captured the beauty and spirit that HP once had in this product.One last thing. I am very impressed by how much of this project is standard design. For example, the calculator connects with a simple USB micro-B connector, makes it as easy to charge as a cell phone – and you can use the very same cable. Also, I’ve since discovered that much of the project is actually open-source, with an example Hello, world program included in the downloadable project (w/ links from the SwissMicros website). .
I nearly lost my HP-42S a few years ago. I eventually found it, but it was so important to me I soon realized that I didn’t want to risk it again. Of all my HP calculators (and I have dozens), it is by far my favorite.But, I still want a decent walk-around replacement. Thus, I ordered one of these. And it’s everything I hoped for. It feels like the actual article, but adds a few goodies that make it better. It feels right, it works, and as advertised, it’s quite a bit faster than the original As close as I can analyze this, it’s a solid piece.Of course, it runs pretty much the same Free42 software that’s available on iOS and Android (as well as desktop systems). If anything, the copy I run on my Note 9 is faster than this calculator. And, I’m more likely to have the phone with me. And the phone has a backlight, whereas the calculator doesn’t (and could probably use one).What the phone doesn’t have is actual buttons that click when you push them. Which are great.It’s hard to justify the purchase of something like this because like I said, you can get the same software on a phone. But, for a traditional calculator experience, it can’t be beat. And when the young’uns scratch their heads and ask me what it is, I tell them it’s just a calculator app without a phone in it. .
I really like the functionality of this calculator and I am looking forward to using it, but I have to say my initial impression was lukewarm. The included CR2032 battery was stone cold dead. The seller isn’t making a ton of these (this is sn/4243) so just a little time checking the functionality before sending it off would be a great idea.Edit: I replaced the CR2032 and watched in slow-motion horror as the battery gauge dropped a bar or so each day until the second battery was also dead (with little to no usage). I got in touch with SwissMicro and was informed that a couple of capacitors on the circuit board need to be replaced and was given the option of doing it myself or shipping it back to them for the repair. I opted to do the replacement myself and I will report back with the results.Needless to say, my earlier comments about checking out the calculator before shipping still hold. This is a pretty easy defect to spot and there isn’t really any reason why the seller should be sending out calculators that drain their batteries in less than a week. .
I am a structural engineer and have used one of my three HP-42s calculators daily since they came out around 1988. I was very excited to learn about the DM-42, but when I got it I was very disappointed with the keyboard. If you use a scientific calculator for more than 5 minutes at a time do NOT buy this calculator! The keys are very heavy and take a lot of force and end with a dull thud . The primary key function is printed way smaller than it could be and with a dull white color. The yellow background functions which are seldom used are much brighter and visible than the primary function. Additionally, the ENTER key has two sensors behind it so it sometimes seems like it was pushed once, sometimes twice (very annoying). Worse still, some keys occasionally click but do not register so you have to watch the display at ALL times while doing major calculations. None of this may be important to the casual user, but if you use your HP or HP-42s more than 10 minutes a day like I do, do not get this calculator! I do really like the display and time functions and the whole 4 line faster operation and only write this so the manufacturer can please redesign the keyboard. I would happily buy another one with a keyboard update. .
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2 – RpnCalc
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This app downloaded & installed seamlessly on my Samsung 10.1 Note tablet, the screen renders beautifully (using Stretch to Fill Screen, on Zoom to Fill Screen the buttons are washed out, so select the correct rendering which on mine was the default screen setting), and all functions appear to work as they should. There is a Basic 4-function screen, & Scientific screen; both support engineering notation for very big & small numbers. I like the + – x / button arrangement in their 10-key positions on these screens (+ at bottom right) for efficiency (I hate having to look at the screen for non-standard key layouts on other calculators, and 10-key fixes that). This is version 2.13.Preferences are limited to Screen Orientations- Auto (rotate), Landscape (locked), and Portrait (locked). Would like to see colors other than the basic gray/brown motif, but that is not a complaint worthy of docking a star, after all I’m here to do math and not decorate. Calculator supports a 16-stack memory, which for real RPN users will accomplish pretty much any memory function you will need ITRW.Nice job on this calculator, it has all I need for engineering math short of repetitive calcs for which I’ve got spreadsheets. Thanks to the Dev who also has RpnCalc Financial  (also on Amzn App store) for $10 at the time of this writing; I occasionally do mortgage math, so I’ll be checking that out also. Per its screen shots the Financial version appears to include this scientific version as well; nice to have both in one calculator for less app clutter. .
RPN calculators are my favorite (old time HP -45 user) and this works great and it’s always hand. The tape feature works well for reviewing calculations. The high contrast display looks looks great and enhances readability. Nice work and thanks for making a RPN calculator available. .
If you want a rpn calc and don’t want to spend any money . It does everything the others do without being a look-a-like.It took me 5 minutes to add a couple numbers on a reg calc as I kept hitting the equal sign at the wrong time. Once you’ve used a rpn for a while you can’t go back. Nor would I want to.This is all I need. .
I have used Hewlett-Packard reverse Polish notation, RPN, for over 43 years, at the university, and throughout my engineering career, as well as for daily calculations since I retired. It eliminates the need for parentheses, and has a 4 stack register. Most people prefer the “equal button” calculators, which I find to be inconvenient, and cumbersome, and that is their choice. I always have my phone at hand, which means I always have my rpn calculator at hand. .
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3 – Victor V12 Financial Calculator
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There are several versions of the HP-12C calculator. Roughly speaking, there are the classic versions ( HP 12C Financial Calculator  and HP 12c Financial Calculator (Limited Edition) , and the platinum versions ( HP 12C Platinum Financial Calculator  and HP 12C Platinum Calculator ). The Platinum versions have some additional features, the most significant might be the support for Algebraic entry in addition to the normal RPN. The V12 is a clone of the Platinum version. You can tell that because it has support for the ALG mode and the addition of the x^2 function, among other things.I already own the HP-12C classic 30th Anniversary Limited Edition. I bought this clone as an extra RPN calculator for the kitchen. It is an amazing bargain at 10 dollars. Don’t even think of buying it at the list price of 40 dollars. If you are willing to pay that much, spend the extra 20 dollars and buy the real thing.Two selling points of this clone for me were the larger LCD display and the regular AAA batteries. It’s true, the digits are larger than the 12C. But for reasons that I cannot comprehend, the decimal points and commas are microscopic. Under dim light, it is quite difficult to see them. The tilt of the LCD screen is another attempt to make the screen more legible. But here’s the problem. The red sub-labels on black keys is a suboptimal color combination. The red labels become impossible to read when the desk lamp reflects at a certain angle. When I rotate the calculator to make the red labels legible, I can no longer read the LCD screen because of the tilt. Sigh. It turns out that the HP-12C, with its smaller keypad and LCD screen, is actually easier to read than this bigger clone.I’m not sure sure how long the AAA batteries will last, but one of the 2 AAA batteries was dead on arrival. I replaced it, and the calculator worked without problems.In summary, 4 stars at 10 dollars. 2 stars at 40 dollars. As long as you pay only 10 dollars, and remember that you often get what you pay for, you’ll be happy. .
I have the HP 12C that stayes in my computer bag. I wanted something similar to have in my office, so I thought I’d give this a try. It is a chinese copy of the 12C- the only difference is the f and g keys have become b and r keys. Same layout and RPN data entry.Cons:- Build quality: the HP is designed to be thrown in a briefcase and have things dumped on it. The V12 is much more of a desktop style. THe HP feels like it uses more of a polymer/epoxy frame, while the V12 is hard plastic and looks a bit cheap.- Key feedback: the HP has a satisfying clich, while the v12 is a bit more mushy. The key fit a bit better in the cut outs on the HP.- Size: Despite having almost the same footprint (the V12 is a bit bigger), the form factor of the V12 is a lot bulkier.- Case: I like the pouch for the HP 12C Gold better- it protects the calculator without being bulky. The new HP Platinum 12 case is a bit bulkier than on the 12C Gold, but is real leather. The V12 had the bulkiest case of any of the three and is made of pleather or some such petrolium based product. It still works.Pros:- Uses AAA batteries instead of CR2032 batteries in the HP platinum or watch batteries in the regular HP.- Screen is a bit larger and angled on the V12 which is nice when you are using it on a desk.- 1/3 of the price of the HP 12C.- I’ve tested it out on some medium difficult time value caculations and got the same answers as the 12C. Always a good sign.- RPN!!! I love RPN- Looks cheap- less likely to be stolen off a desk.Factoring in the price, definately a 4-5 star purchase. I’ve only had it for about a month, using it every work day, so we’ll see how long it lasts. .
What’s not to love? 1/3 the price of the name brand option, bigger screen Just for the record, I also have a 12c Platinum. I like the buttons on the 12c more than the rubber membrane on the V12, but the bigger screen on the V12 makes up for that.Also, if you haven’t drunk the RPN kool aid (which I suggest you do it is a really great way of interacting with a financial calculator) you can press the “R” button followed by the “EEX” button, and the calculator will switch into standard algebraic operation. To switch back to RPN, press “R” followed by the “CHS” button. .
Excellent port of the HP12C to a less expensive calculator.Pros: — Works just like the HP12C Financial Calculator and is faster. — Uses AAA batteries rather than CR2032’s. Costs less and stays up longer. — Since cost is minimal, I don’t worry about taking it out of my home.Cons: — Keyboard is a bit mushier, display is not quite as easy to read. — Original no-name batteries are subject to leaking chemicals. Throw away upon arrival and put in a good set of Duracell or Energizer AAA’s, save yourself some grief. .
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4 – DM16L
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Faithful or better quality than the original. Feels more solid and durable. Keys are flat design without slanted second function panel, but are very legible. The keyboard has excellent click and feel. Overall it is at least equal to my original HP-12C in quality, and better than my new version HP-15C. Surpasses my already high expectations from two previously purchased calculators from SwissMicros. .
Well made, received quickly considering importation from Switzerland. Every bit as great as its inspiration: the HP-16C and it has a USB port! Perhaps the only nearly insignificant ding is the use of flat keys as opposed to those HP sculpted keys, the HP key version was easier to see. On the other hand, the HP device was at mortal risk just from a battery change. This device is the best of both worlds. .
Great metal case, great key feel, very fast. .
Fantastic build quality. I had emulators of the HP model but until you have it in your hands and appreciate the hardware and software together it’s hard to describe the experience! Amazing and well worth it!! Download the HP-16C manual and you are good to go! .
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5 – Algorithms for RPN calculators
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Written in 1978, Ball is still one of the few books that clearly describes the inner workings of many calculation algorithms used in calculators and chips, even today. Sure, there are hundreds of books on how to use calculators, or even how to program CAS systems all the way down to assembly (Maxfield is another classic:Â The Definitive Guide to How Computers Do Math : Featuring the Virtual DIY Calculator ). But no others exist that detail the underlying logic.The applications of the methods given can either be hard or soft– we can program a processor to execute the steps in many language levels (from assembly to basic, C, python, fortran, etc.), or we can even design a circuit to calculate a square root with transistors, or a sine the old fashioned way with voltage signals and/or the cross sections of the resistors and displays.This field was, and still sometimes is, called special functions. It’s now subsumed under CAS, but rarely covered in electronics due to the prevalence of library modules for these functions, which themselves may have, but not even describe, the basic algorithms shown here. It’s sort of like looking under the hood OF the hood. Most books this important eventually go used as classics for $400 plus– yet some here are still available very reasonably. You’d be wise to get yours while this phenomenon remains. It’s quietly on the shelves of many engineers at HP and TI, but still not widely known. Finding the circuits that mimic these algos is a task in itself– they are scattered among tens of thousands in encyclopedias, manufacturer cut sheets, and the web, and there is no complete collection organized yet. Advise you to pick this up soon if you have interest in not only RPN, but calculator logic in general.One, albeit expensive exception to the paucity of books on this topic is:Â Inside Your Calculator: From Simple Programs to Significant Insights . It is more of a how your calculator works book than circuits and algorithms for designers, but, except for the price, is a good intro for those interested in this important field. I mention this only because these are hard to find, and if you’re into it, you need to know about it!Library Picks reviews only for the benefit of Amazon shoppers and has nothing to do with Amazon, the authors, manufacturers or publishers of the items we review. We always buy the items we review for the sake of objectivity, and although we search for gems, are not shy about trashing an item if it’s a waste of time or money for Amazon shoppers. If the reviewer identifies herself, her job or her field, it is only as a point of reference to help you gauge the background and any biases. .
There are very few books on this subject and those few can be quite expensive. That said, I feel that this book is worth every penny I spent and more. I am a big fan of RPN and the calculators that use such technology. I am still reading it so can’t provide a thorough review at this time but even so I consider this book a must-have and highly recommended. .
For anyone of a fan of RPN, this is the definitive book to own if you can find it. At the time it is based on the HP-35, but it can relate/translate to any RPN. A treasure to have. .
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6 – DM-15
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I bought this item and its full size model (DM15L). Their functionalities are equal as advertised. However their quality as hardware was not.I am satisfied with the bigger brother, it is even better than the original HP in some points. But this one has substantially poor design. Mine appeared with the front panel partially detached (there was a gap between them) and some keys did not work. It seems that the main board warped slightly and was not attached to the front panel securely. So I tried to fix it by bending the board backwards and managed to improve a little, but some keys still need to be pressed so hard to respond. I liked the concept, but it did not meet my high expectations .
It’s great! I bought this gadget as a replacement of the HP 15C anniversary edition & I’m very impressed with its performance. It’s small, it’s solid, it’s compact and not so expensive, it’s RPN. Take care that the housing could look some crafted but that gives it more attractive! Good choice for the price. .
I love it! This is my new friend. I’m a long time HP RPN fan and have always loved my 15C but this allows me to really take it anywhere. And that means you’ll use it more and sharpen your skills (if you’re a real engineer or math nut). Thank you Swiss Micros! Can’t wait to get a 41 next. On small vs. large, if you have large hands, get the larger one else, the small is super portable and that really adds value for me. Awesome! .
By looking at the picture of the calculator you may be led to believe that the key are like the keys in a HP15C calculator, just smaller, They are not. The key pad is just a picture of the HP15C calculator key pad. Although the key pad is somewhat three dimensional there are no actual keys, just locations to press for the function. The “keys” have tactile feedback but that doesn’t mean that when you get the feedback the display actually records the key you pressed. Watch out for that. You may press a “3”, for example, and you will get tactile feedback, but the “3” may not actually show up in the display. The pouch that came with the calculator was silver and looked like something your pre-teen daughter might have in her purse. But I guess that doesn’t matter because the calculator would not fit in the pouch anyway. I tried forcing the calculator into the pouch and was only able to force it in about 3/4th of the way. Useless and ugly. So, is it worth the $100? I’m not sure. I will probably keep it but I’m disappointed.12-21-15 The seller pointed out that the calculator case was just included as a freebie but offered to replace it with a nice leather case. I have received the new case and it is very good and much appreciated. .
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7 – A Scientific and Financial RPN Calculator (HP-12C & HP-15C likewise)
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I love this calculator. Besides having tried many other RPN calculator apps on my iPhone and a Nexus 7 tablet. I also own and use four classic HPs: the venerable 42S, a 17BII, a 15C, and a 12C. This little gem of an app is delightful and probably easier to use. The calculator is well thought out and includes various useful macros/scripts for performing financial and statistics functions, conversions, working with constants, etc. My only wish would be for the developer to put as much effort giving it aesthetics similar to a physical HP RPN calculator. Terrific value, highly recommended. .
Examples of a couple of the accuracy tests I ran on this app:–The one divided by nine test: Basic fractional math tells us that one divided by nine and then multiplied by nine (1/9 x 9) should equal one. An accurate calculator will spit out the number 1, while an inaccurate one will report the answer as 0.99999. This app? Answer: 1 (Nice!)Another example:–The square of root two test: When you calculate the square root of two and multiply it by the square root of two, you should get back the original number in the equation– 2. An accurate calculator will show the result as two, while a less accurate calculator will display 1.99999. This app? Answer: 2 (Nice!)I did other tests also and I cannot find a problem with the accuracy of the calculations.Very, very good! You’d be surprised how difficult it actually is to find an always accurate calculator on ANY OS, much less on Android.Now then, how about the app itself? Well, if you know how to use an HP calculator, the learning curve on this is about 60 seconds. If you don’t, this may not be the app for you UNLESS you wish to learn. To do that, simply look around on the internet and you’ll find real HP calculator manuals. They pretty much work on this app.I DO think that the developer should provide some good documentation or at least some links to resources or help BUT I cannot remove a star from this app because it really is nice.Also, NO adware, third party addons or odd permissions. This app and developer respects the user’s privacy.My PROPS to Amazon AND this developer for giving the world such a useful app (if you are inclined to find use for it) as a FAOTD for today (the day I am reviewing it).From the description: It features classical 4 operations, logarithms, trigonometry, statistics, financial, conversions tables, and macros for easy programming. It also features complete support for complex numbers along with 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degree equations solving.Yes, yes indeed, it does. This is some serious power in one app. Classic HP calculators have never been bested. This app acts like one, computes like one, is as useful as one and can even be programmed like one.Five stars. This app is excellent,. .
I used RPN all through college. Both the HP 12 and 15C, and I loved both (still have them, and use them occasionally). This app works exactly like you’d hope and does all the functions of both calculators. I have not used advanced functions like matrixes, but everything I have used has worked great.Warning: If you don’t know what RPN is (reverse Polish Notation, used primarily by older model HP business and scientific calculators), I advise skipping this app. .
There was a lot of thought and effort put into this app. I have owned many HP RPN calculators and still use two of them frequently. But, you can only fit so much stuff in one’s pockets. It is not an exact replica of any one HP calculator, but really a mash-up of many. I might suppose it is really closest to the HP-35 in function, with an HP-1x layout. The constants and conversion functions are a nice addition and they work well. .
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8 – HP 32Sii Scientific Calculator
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I’m completely satisfied with the calculator. The picture was of the actual calculator I received. (I had assumed someone obtained a batch of used calculators from a school and was re-selling the ones that were still functional and that the picture was probably just the pick-of-the-litter.)The package included three new batteries which would have cost me a couple of bucks apiece locally.The packaging was nicely done with the calculator wrapped in bubble wrap, new batteries in a separate small ziplock bag, and all heat-sealed in a plastic bag with a label with description, item number, and bar code. All-in-all a very professional job.The package arrived in two days as promised despite being ordered during the 2015 Christmas rush and delivered on Christmas Eve.The only downside was the cost. I think my trusty original HP 32Sii cost less than $50 new. It lasted well over a decade of everyday use. Our Maine Coon cat caused it’s final demise by turning over a glass of lemonade on it. I expect this one will last as long. It arrived in very good shape. It’s a shame some math department minion did such a poor job of permanently scarring the back of it with a heated branding iron. Twice. On both the calculator and the slip case. I’ll use my original case instead. .
Arrived on time (Amazon Fulfilled).Unit appeared like new. Only blemish was “108-06” marked on the back just below rubber foot near top. Looks like an engraving tool was used, engraving only deep enough to be readable.Easily covered by a label with my name on it. No biggie there. No other blems or scratches. No crud around keys, markings on keys show no wear. Could pass as new.Key feel on all keys – great!First thing I did was do a clear memory (got the MEMORY CLEAR message) to restore defaults, then set up like I prefer.Tested a few quick functions – 69! takes maybe 1 second. So it’s not a dog, perhaps not a screamer, but plenty quick for my needs. Fractions, display modes, etc. work fine.So, no complaints at all. Worth the extra $$ to me using the “used-good” from Samson Cables.Would definitely use this vendor again. .
I have a small collection (~20) of calculators, most of them being 80/90s era HP handhelds.I prefer older HP calculators due to RPN and superior build quality.Although not my all-time favorite calculator (that would be an HP 42s) this is my favorite EDC for banging out quick calculations to supplement/check work done on the computer (HW Engineering field).I actually bought this used to replace an HP 35s, and found it is quicker and more reliable.It also has a smaller form factor and better build quality, particularly noticeable with the keyboard.Surprisingly, it is also at least as fast as the later 35s model, its ‘replacement’, for most caculations.I prefer using this calculator for the following features:- Compact size (truly shirt pocketable, second only to the HP Voyager line such as HP12c and 15c).- The quality (feel and reliability) of the Pioneer series buttons (again, second only to the HP Voyager line).- Few nested menus and 2 shift keys, so most of the funtions are, at most, a shift-key away.- The screen contrast is sharp, and the characters are large and readable.- Simple but powerful RPN keystroke programming method.- Fast calculations and program execution.- Fraction handling.- Form factor and key Iayout are very good (although room for improvement, IMO)- Built-in equation editor and solver.There are, of course, also a few drawbacks:- The 1-line display. I prefer 2-line for the added context when programming and for recovering in case of lost concentration.- No built-in physical constants.- Complex numbers require 2 stack registers, and are rather limited and very clumsily implemented relative to the HP 42s.- Has limited user memory (~384 B).- Programming usability is hampered due to single-letter limited labels/variables, making it difficult to recall what the labels refer to.- IMO wasted keys with the unit conversions, could have been moved to its own menu.Overall the HP 32sii seems an excellent execution in design compromise for a mid-range pocket scientific calculator in terms of industrial design and functionality vs. usability, therefore I rate it 5 stars. .
I **love** this calculator. I bought my first one in 1988 to take college trig, my engineer friends said you will never go back to using algebraic notation even for basic math. They were right get, once you get the hang of RPN. There has never been another calculator made by HP, or anyone, of this quality. It was still working 30 years later and I lost it 😫. I searched high and low and found this one, it came today and works great so far. .
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9 – HP HP20S Scientific Calculator
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The last decent calculator made by HP. Why do I say that? There is nothing unique about HP calculators compared to other brands in the basic way they work other than RPN notation if you are into that sort of thing. What was truly unique about pre 1990s HP calculators was button feel – a little tactile click that let you know that the button was depressed without having to look at the screen. This really speeds up any calculator operations. Compare to typical casio and TI calculators with very mushy button feel that you definitely have to look to make certain the button was depressed. After this generation of calculators, HP started making mushy button calculators like everybody else. I already had two of these and wanted a backup. If you want a basic scientific calculator with crisp buttons, this is it. There isn’t any other. .
I bought this calculator in 1989 while getting my engineering degree. Since then it has gone everywhere with me, through thick and thin. Nothing else was as convenient or had all the functions I needed without the useless frills. The buttons were hard, not rubber, and positively engaged when pressed. I used this in -40 F environmental chambers and then went straight into 100 F and 95% humidity test chambers, it never missed a beat. It endured exposure to large electrodynamic shakers in the test lab which scrambled computer monitors from 10 feet away. It has been baked, frozen, bombarded with electromagnetic fields and dropped on concrete floors more than once but never failed to perform. Mine was made in Singapore although I see newer models were made in Malaysia.Sadly in early 2015 it went missing. I have torn through everything I own and been unable to locate it. I also am unable to find something as simple, complete, and durable looking as this wonderful tool. .
I acquired a HP-20S in the late 1980’s, used it as an engineering aide until the keyboard failed a couple or years ago. As it was discontinued at that time I acquired a sucession of calculators hoping to find something similar, but found either overly simplistic or near uselessly complex affairs. I only recently I discovered that used 20S’s were available and have so purchased one. The main reason that I like the 20S is that the fairly simple programming system gives it enormous capability. It’s actually an astonishing peanut sized computer with subroutines, comparative statements, and so on. As with programing any computer it helps to write an outline of the major steps and by so doing you know what information is needed and how to quickly enter it – all without having to memorize the awkward operation of a limited selection of internal routines .
These are out of production! As Such, they cost more now than when they were available from HP. I’m lucky enough to have several of them that are in good to excellent condition, and they are the only calculator that I will use for work, play, or anything that I need to punch into a calculator. My wife thinks I’m a little OCD about it. But These are the ones I want. The action on the keys is very tactile, and you get good feed back when using the HP20S. When I can find these at a reasonable price, I just buy one, and put it in my desk for future use. You can have all the rest! These do what I want, and they are the calculator of choice for me! .
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10 – HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A),Grey
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My institution has some odd restrictions on calculators, they like to make sure students have the mental abilities to perform and have banned graphing calculators for chemistry. Struggling with cheap non-graphing calculators I asked my favorite professor what non-graphing calculator I should get for chemistry and he told me, Get the HP 33 and thank me later.I did thank him later. There is a reason these things go for twice as much on Ebay.There was a visiting PhD in my class last week and he noticed my HP 33 and commented that I must be a serious student to have such a quality calculator.If you have to do any work that requires precise sig. figs., this is your beast. Yes, I know, anyone can track sig. figs. by hand without much effort. Most errors in high math and chemistry come down to misplaced decimal places, why wouldn’t you want a calculator that can function completely in scientific notation?If you’re like me, and you can’t track 2.36×10^24 + 5.34×10^21 in your head, get an HP 33. You will have many moments where you go to work on a problem in a group and and your HP 33 will solve the problem in half the keystrokes of a TI-86 and people will say, Your calculator does what?! Where do I get one?!Also, read the manual. Reverse Polish is nothing like a normal calculator, don’t be intimidated! Just sit down and read the manual and complete the provided sample problems and eventually the light bulb goes on in your head. After that, you won’t be able to function without your HP 33 and you’ll start snickering at all those TI folks who are still punching in parentheses while you’re onto the next question. .
I’ve been using HP scientific calculators for almost three decades. They’ve been going down hill for a while, but the 33S marks the start of a turnaround. It still isn’t back to the solid reliability and excellent design of the HP calculators of the 1980s that oozed quality, but it’s a step back in the right direction.HP deserves credit for fielding a small and lightweight RPN scientific calculator with a lot of useful features at an affordable price. I’ve owned several of the handheld computers and while they have their uses and make great ubergeek status totems, as a practicing engineer I seldom need the heavy duty features. The feature list on the 33s covers almost all the bases for a wide range of technical disciplines including computer science, all branches of engineering, chemistry and physics.The display could be a lot better. The decimal point is so small I can barely see it with my 40 something eyes. I set a flag that swaps to the European mode where a comma is used instead of the decimal point. It’s odd for the US, but at least I can see it.The keys are a little better than the last HP scientific calculator I bought, but not by much. Keys are a crucial element of a calculator. These keys have held up well for over a year of light use, but they feel a bit cheap and sometimes a key will have a tactile click feel but the keystroke won’t register, so I’ve learned to verify each number I enter before pressing a key for the numerical operator. With good HP calculators, I could trust the feel of the key clicks and know the number was entered correctly.The learning curve is easy for anyone with RPN scientific calculator experience. I no longer have any desire to spend time learning how to use a complex calculator. The 33s is mostly free of dead end mode traps, where you press a key and find yourself in some odd mode and can’t find your way back to calculator mode without the manual. It’s a calculator you can immediately use because it works the way you’d expect, and you won’t need to devote 20 hours of study to use most of the features.I don’t care much about style, but what preferences I have tend toward clean and simple designs that are understated. The V-shaped arrangement of the keys on the 33s looks a bit like a Romulan tricorder to me.This is currently the best calculator in its class, but based on past experiences with HP calculators I know it could be much better. I look forward to the next version of this calculator. Based on the HP 50g, it looks like HP is finally listening to their customers again and is recapturing the lost art of making great calculators that HP pioneered a couple of decades ago.HP calculators are very good investments. I sold several of the classics I owned for a lot more than I paid for them. People realized the classic scientific calculators were better than anything currently available, and I regret selling a couple of them despite the financial gain. The market sets the value, and this is solid evidence that HP calculators have not been as good lately. Hopefully, HP is getting back to their previous calculator glory. .
This review is geared more toward engineers taking the FE/PE exam just FYI.I found this calculator to be adequate for taking my FE exam however did feel it could have been better. I also purchased years later the TI-30X Pro which blows this calculator out of the water as it also meets NCEES calculator standards. This only has 2 lines of text (the TI has 4 I believe). Some functions I thought were a little difficult such as rectangular to polar notation. I found myself getting confused with the instructions and much trial and error to figure out different functions. The TI tends to be more intuative.I would say the only plus of this HP is that it can do reverse polish notation. And that only means something to those who use it.Not really recommended for the FE/PE exams. Get the TI! .
I have been using HP calculators since 1980 when i purchased an HP41C. It survived until 1992 when the keys wore out. I bought another HP scientific calculator and used it for several years. Then I happened upon this gem. I don’t use programming or graphing functions since I work with computers that do far more than any calculator might be able to do. I love this calculator because my family can use it as well as I can. One daughter is in higher level math and science and used it for her classes. It is far more intuitive than offerings from TI and Sharp. I am teaching a course in physics to high school students and find that the access to the constants and the general lay out of this calculator is just right for the types of computations and problems we are performing in class. I have two of the 33S calculators; my daughter complained when I hijacked hers (she too likes RPN). Needless to say, it is compact, well-featured and didn’t cost a lot of money. For what it’s worth, I would recommend it for any high school science student. .
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11 – HP 15C Limited Edition Scientific Calculator
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The HP-15C was my go to calculator at my first post-college job, and for many years after. RPN was already my go-to calculation mode, and the rich functionality, gorgeous display, fantastic keyboard, and incredible battery life of the 15C made it a joy to use and an extremely useful part of my toolkit.The Limited Edition gives up a little bit (battery life, mostly, and maybe case quality), but you get super fast performance in return, and the keyboard and display are as good as I remember. Super lightweight and shirt-pocket sized, it’s still a fantastic calculator.Sure, there are larger, more powerful calculators, and there’s probably a 15C emulator for your smartphone that will cost a whole lot less, but the tactile feedback of the keyboard is worth it, at least for me when I take into account the very fond memories it evokes with every use. .
I totally LOVE the HP15C model, and when my original calculator failed after decades of use I was happy to see it reissued in the “Limited Edition.” HOWEVER, I am finding that the key strokes on the version (made in China) sometimes (a) do not register, or (b) “bounce” so as to effectively be registered twice. In case (a), this is particularly annoying for the RCL function – if I don’t press firmly down on it, it will enter a new number “4” when I key in “RCL 4”, instead of the number stored in register 4, having failed to register the “RCL” command. In case (b) I have many times gotten to the end of a long calculation and on the final stroke a “bounce” or double-key entry registers so that the answer appears in a brief flash and then is replaced by another answer as it performs some 2nd, unintended operation.All in all, my affection for this rendition of one of the best scientific calculators ever made is fading – I find myself rechecking almost every calculation to make sure it “got it right.” The reliability is important. .
While nice, it has a few problems. The original had very low battery usage while this need batteries monthly (rather than maybe once every year or two) but the real issue is a bug in the code does not allow the PSE command to work. No having this command limit the ability to program it. Also you have to be careful the key debounce is not as good as the old ones as well. .
A side by side comparison with my 30 year old HP 15C and the new HP 15C Limited Edition confirms that HP has done well bringing back this vintage calculator. The case seems to be based on the current 12C platform, that uses dual CR2032 batteries. It is substantially similar to my 30 yr old version, with the snappy buttons, exact same color scheme and LCD display look. The few perceptible differences that I noticed are the buttons are not shiny smooth like the original, but instead have a mat finish and texture. It has Limited Edition stenciled on the aluminum bezel under the 15C logo, but it doesn’t detract much from the look of the original. Others have noted the f and g shift buttons being wobbly, but I can’t tell any difference on mine compared to the other buttons, which don’t seem at all wobbly. The back label is inverse of the original, and looks way too bright and shinny. Wish they would have used the original colors for the rear label. I don’t use it much, so it’s a minor gripe.Overall I’m happy they brought back the 15C, and hope it’s not too limited of an addition. But I think I’d rather have the simplicity of the 10C these days since I don’t every imagine using the programming features, matrix capability or definite integral solver. But it’s worth the nostalgia of having the original back on my desk. Kudos to HP for bringing back this piece of scientific/engineering history. .
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12 – Mastering the RPN & ALG Calculators: Step by Step Guide (Surveying Mathematics Made Simple) (Volume 18)
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I learned enough from this book to use the hp 35s to do most of what I needed it to do. Had I not bought this book with the calculator, it would be functionally identical to a dollar store calculator since I knew nothing of scientific calcs going in. Good investment if you are new to the subject, I’d say. .
Thanks for the concise explanation! This allowed me to follow each key stroke and to understand the different modes on this calculator. .
This is an excellent little book for beginning surveyors! .
Nothing you can solve googling it. .
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13 – Engineering Scientific Calculator
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Should mention it came without batteries .
My school wanted to buy a calculator for like 20 bucks and I’m only taking 1 math class so I wasnt about to waste my money on something I’ll probably never use. This did the job for me especially with my final. So it’s not pricey and it’s well worth .
Nothing took me awhile to learn to use this thing. .
All the functions I needed for my college statistics class. User friendly! .
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14 – Acron RPN Calculator
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Looks like a very excellent little calculator, with large buttons and submenus, and lots of space for stack results and give algebraic expressions that computed the value. I’m still discovering features. Like exponent (EE) button appears after you type a decimal, so you can’t write 1e9, but need 1.e9. And undo pulls last numeric entry off the stack to be edited, while “C” is a simple pop operation.I haven’t yet found a “backspace” operation to delete a mistyped digit, since undo/clear both remove the entire field. Probably undo should remove one character in that context. .
This is the best calculator there is. Easy to use, very intuitive. Makes the hardest job easy. Keeps the simplest job simple. My daughter is in fifth grade and loves it. I showed it to several engineers and they fell in love .
This is an excellent implementation of RPN. The algebraic expression next to each number in the stack makes everything so much clearer. The “undo” feature unwraps each expression one step at a time: fantastic! .
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15 – RPN Calculator
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Not for Blackberry Passport. The rendered screen is fixed aspect. .
Works great. Almost (almost) makes me not miss my HP calculator. .
I have been a RPN user forever. It’s great to find one for my phone for sci and egnrg. very useable. .
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16 – Hewlet Packard Hp 15C Program [Original Version.Made In Usa ] Advanced Scientific Calculator
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Exactly what we wanted! .
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17 – HP QuickCalc Simple Calculator
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Item was pink, not gray like pictured. Description did not indicate it was pink. .
This little HP calculator is compact and durable. .
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~~ best calculators ,
Best rpn calculator 2020.
Best rpn calculator 2020.