HP Forums

The Kenko FX-82LB scientific calculator is now being distributed in California and other parts of the southwestern US. It is not innovative in terms of features or quality, but it may be noteworthy for its price: 99¢. Check your local 99¢ Only store; they've got lots.

So how much scientific calculator can you get for less than one dollar?

Most of the expected functionality is there: four levels of parentheses, trig and hyperbolic functions, deg/rad/grad modes, logs, factorial, binary/octal/hex modes, complex number operations, statistics, random number generator, DEG<>DMS, rect<>polar, etc.

Complex numbers are handled in CPLX mode, using an "a" and "b" key for real and imaginary parts. So adding (6 + 3i) and (4 + 2i) goes like this: 6 a 3 b + 4 a 2 b = 10 (real part). You then hit the "b" key to get 5 (imaginary part).

Uses 10 digits plus a 2-digit exponent. Only one storage register. No programmability (although the = key has a "constant" function).

Limitations: no combinations and permutations, no way to seed the random number generator, STAT mode can only handle one variable -- not (x,y) values, no linear regression, no fraction mode (although there is a big "FRACTION" label above the display).

Construction feels, well, cheap. Keys are rubber; the function keys are so small that it is hard to press them accurately. No case is provided, but there is a hard cover that is attached to the top of the calculator by a hinge. The cover has 3 modes: (1) it fastens over the keyboard when closed, (2) it swings out of the way behind the calculator to serve as a stand, and (3) it falls off sometimes.

The manual is 32 small pages. The documentation is sparse, poorly translated, and riddled with typos, but mostly comprehensible.

The 1-line display is surprisingly good (at least to a heavy HP 33S user). Big clear digits and legible decimal point, which is offset downward. No commas.

The packaging makes a number of questionable claims, with a few outright lies:

"Scientific" (OK, but this is accompanied by a picture of a graph, which seems misleading in a non-graphing model)

"229 functions" (I haven't tried to count them, but this seems awfully high)

"2-Line Big Display" (nope, only 1 line)

"S-V.P.A.M." (I don't remember what this stands for, but I suspect that Casio's lawyers would not approve)

"Plastic Keys" (nope, rubber)

But I don't want to end this review on a negative note. The Kenko FX-82LB is, to the best of my knowledge, the most powerful calculator that you can get today in the sub-$1.00 price range. It's worth every penny.

Edited: 1 Oct 2004, 7:45 p.m. after one or more responses were posted

Does it have an "enter exponent" (E, EE, or EXP (not exponential)) key?

If so, I'll buy $10 worth and give them to my astronomy lab students, so they can quit bitchin' about having to do "so much math"!

Yes, it has.

Can this one be this calculator? It is an OEM display/chip kit assembled by many companies.

Best regards,

Nelson

Absolutely it has an EXP key. As stated clearly in the manual (p. 15):

"EXP: To enter number in scienthic noation"

Accepts values from 10^-99 to 10^99; anything larger or smaller generates an overflow error

The Kenko FX-82LB appears to be a close relative of the Kadio KD-1006 shown by Nelson Sicuro. The Kenko has exactly the same functions, grouped in exactly the same way; the display also appears to be the same.

However, the Kenko is laid out in the conventional vertically-oriented calculator format; it's roughly the same dimensions as a 32SII or 33S. It is not horizontally oriented, like the Kadio or an 11C.

I'm impressed! The cheapest scientific calculator I've ever seen is $7 USD, a fairly nice algebraic nonprogrammable scientific from Radio Shack (solar with removable cover, too!).

What's interesting is that it includes the logic operators, OR, AND, NOT, XOR, XNOR. Apparently, they are not programming test commands; they return a truth value on the display as used from the keyboard. Interesting, but as a lousy programmer, and nonengineer, how would these operators be used in such a calculator (I use them only in programs).

It is also built with much higher quality than the $9-10 USD ones available in drugstores or seconds shops, though these have a COMPLEX mode. But I had to resolder the lead to my display in one of these drugstore algebraic scientifics.

Alas as well, neither has RPN even as an alternate mode.

While looking for info on the Kenko FX-82LB on the web, I noticed that there also just happens to be a Casio FX-82LB. It looks suspiciously as though the Kenko FX-82LB may be an unauthorized knockoff of the Casio FX-82LB as pictured here.

The Kenko has "fx-82LB FRACTION" printed above the display in exactly the same way as the Casio -- despite the fact that it completely lacks any fraction capability. The Kenko packaging was also probably also copied directly from the Casio packaging, which would explain the inappropriate Casio-like claims ("V-SPAM", "plastic keys", "229 Functions").

This just may be the cheapest and sleaziest scientific calculator in existence, so naturally I am delighted to add it to my collection. I will try to put up a picture this weekend, but I'm afraid that you have to hold it in your hand before you can really appreciate its shoddiness.

And I still can't get over the pricing. Aren't the two watch batteries alone worth more than 99¢?

They're on ebay: 10 for $.99! (Well, not really the seller wants $19 for shipping.)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45097&item=5723696163&rd=1

or for the same price this one has a clock too:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=45097&item=5723682537&rd=1

I forgot to post its measures (KD-1006): 97mm x 61mm x 11mm... is really small, smaller than an 8mm video tape!!

I have one of these. The display is excellent, the keyboard is acceptable (rubber) and don't miss keystrokes, but its internal construction sucks! I have disassembled it (of course!) and the LCD flex cable become loose. Any idea on how to replace a flex LCD contact, for the sake of a challenge? (This calculator I paid about $4.50 here, but the store has't another to replace it).

I can take some pictures of its interior if anyone is interested.

(the calculator page is from here)

Best regards,

Nelson

here's something ive had for a while, you can pick them up here in the 99p stores in the uk. its a clone of quite a good sharp model, in fact, functionally superior to the fx-82 line. it came with a hard plastic case, a manual (badly translated) and two cell batteries!

http://www.voidware.com/calcs/we100.htm

at the current exchange, this would be $1.78. but maybe you can get them for a dollar somewhere?

I'll still cast my vote for the Tozai ATC-763 [which somebody pointed out is the equivalent of the Karce KC-186] that I purchased for well under $10 at Walgreens as the best no-name cheapo value for your money calculator currently available.

Perfect for Halloween, but no complex number or bin hex oct calculations. For that the Spectra 220, which I haven't seen in awhile may be more appropriate for about $5. However, this calc has a terrible fraction mode.

Still, for the price of one of those, you can buy many Kenkos.

Yes, that's it!

And note that "Each unit can easily sell up to $40.00 in RETAIL!" I got a 97.5% discount simply by shopping at my local 99¢ Only store. If you don't live in their sales territory, well, you should move.

For those outside the US, I should acknowledge that retail prices in this country do *not* include taxes. In this case, the California and local sales taxes added an additional 8¢ to the total price, so in fact the overall retail cost of this calculator came to $1.07.

The Kenko appears to be identical, except that it says "Fx-82LB FRACTION" above the display, instead of "WALTHAM WE-100".

And the Kenko is obviously much more competitively priced. Even when US sales taxes are included, the Waltham at $1.78 is selling at a 66% premium relative to the Kenko at $1.07.

Here's a collection of Norris' wry wit in this thread he started. It's rather Tom Lehrer-ish (which I really like):

Quote:

---

This just may be the cheapest and sleaziest scientific calculator in existence, so naturally I am delighted to add it to my collection.

I will try to put up a picture this weekend, but I'm afraid that you have to hold it in your hand before you can really appreciate its shoddiness.

For those outside the US, I should acknowledge that retail prices in this country do *not* include taxes. In this case, the California and local sales taxes added an additional 8¢ to the total price, so in fact the overall retail cost of this calculator came to $1.07.

And the Kenko is obviously much more competitively priced. Even when US sales taxes are included, the Waltham at $1.78 is selling at a 66% premium relative to the Kenko at $1.07.

The cover has 3 modes: (1) it fastens over the keyboard when closed, (2) it swings out of the way behind the calculator to serve as a stand, and (3) it falls off sometimes.

As stated clearly in the manual (p. 15): "EXP: To enter number in scienthic noation"

And note that "Each unit can easily sell up to $40.00 in RETAIL!" I got a 97.5% discount simply by shopping at my local 99¢ Only store. If you don't live in their sales territory, well, you should move.

The Kenko FX-82LB is, to the best of my knowledge, the most powerful calculator that you can get today in the sub-$1.00 price range. It's worth every penny.

---

S-V.P.A.M. (not "V-SPAM") stands for Casio's(Scientific?) "Visually Perfect Algebraic Method" -- information that I couldn't find in my Casio fx-115MS manual even after unfolding the large single sheet it's printed on. I read the definition from a document published by a British educator and critic. He and I both agree that there's nothing perfect about V.P.A.M. The straightforward Casio fx-3600P I got in 1981 is a much more usable tool, even though it doesn't have as many features.

Looking at the pictures posted in this thread, these cheap calcs do appear to be dubious knockoffs of Casio and Sharp models. I'm not sure where the profit is at such prices, even if the perpetrators can escape legal challenges.

-- KS

Edited: 2 Oct 2004, 10:02 p.m.

Karl Schneider's post obviously raises some troubling issues. Like what exactly is the S in S-VPAM ?
And how does S-VPAM differ from ordinary VPAM anyway ?



Fortunately for us all, Casio's official Scientific Calculator FAQs reveal the definitive answers.

**********

Q3. What do the letters V.P.A.M. stand for (fx-992s, fx-670s, fx-122s, etc.)?

A3. V.P.A.M. stands for "Visually Perfect Algebraic Method." It is a system that makes it possible for the calculator to display expressions and for you to input expressions the way they are written. With a model not equipped with V.P.A.M., for example, you would input the expression sin90º using the key operation: [9][0][sin][=]. With a V.P.A.M. calculator, you would input [sin] [9][0][=].

Q4. What do the letters S-V.P.A.M. stand for (fx-991MS, fx-570W, fx-350TLG, etc.)?

A4. S-V.P.A.M. stands for "Super Visually Perfect Algebraic Method." With this method, you get the same V.P.A.M. ability to input mathematical expressions as they are written, along with the ability to view expressions and results at the same time. The display of S-V.P.A.M. shows two lines at a time. You can recall an expression with the Replay feature, make any changes that you want, and then recalculate.

wow, yes, i was had :-)

looks like the cloners are being more sneaky by putting fx-82 on the front. the casio fx-82 series has always been the one aimed at the college market.

A photo of the intenal would be quite interesting.

Katie wrote:
"or for the same price this one has a clock too:"
(*bay link deleted)

Now I'm really curious! Does the clock on that one
include stopwatch and alarm functions? I doubt it from
the photo, it looks like they punched a hole in the case
and glued an LCD watch into it.

Hmmmm, I usually give the Oct. 31st extortionists a choice between candy or a box of Mac & Cheese, but following someone else's suggestion, I'm going to check the $.99 stores for calculator options.

Well, having $40 to spare, I bid $2 for each of the two sets and won them both!

I got then for $.99 plus $18.95 shipping.

I'll report when I get them - with pictures and (maybe) a disassembly.