Symbols for scientific notation

[JoelB]

I am looking for a new calculator and I like what I see in the HP 35s, but I have two concerns.

My current calculator has scientific notation prefix symbols from atto to exa and I value these. Without these I would be entering many zeroes or exp, n, +/-, which is an extra keystroke I can do without. Does the 35s offer an easy way to do this?

Secondly, how is the screen's aspect ratio in practice? I am used to something closer to the 33s.

[Walter B]

1. No.

2. The LCD is identical with the one in the 33s.

HTH

[DaveJ]

That would be engineering notation.
Not many calcs offer this, and all that I have seen are just standard scientific calc's, not progammables like the 35S. Come to think of it, has any HP calc ever offered it?

Some of the Casio's have it.

Dave.

[Thomas Radtke]

Casio's fx-4500p had it, plus it was programmable. Of course, no match for the 35s which is far easier to use and likewise powerful.

[DaveJ]

Quote:

---

Casio's fx-4500p had it, plus it was programmable. Of course, no match for the 35s which is far easier to use and likewise powerful.

---

Actually, my old FX-61F has it and it is actually keystroke programmable.

Of the current casio programmable models available, only the FX4500PA has it:
http://edu.casio.com/products/program/fx4500pa/

The FX-5500LA has "Engineering symbol calculations" but not engineering notation entry.
http://edu.casio.com/products/program/fx5500la/

Dave.

[JoelB]

I've been using the fx-580 link for more than 15 years now. (It's taken one too many coffee spills and now despite best efforts I've lost part of the display.)

My main use is in electronics/physics calculations.

I'm not sure I need it to be programmable but I like the idea of storing my most used formulas.

The things I like from reading about the 35s are the solid build, the sensible styling, and I have to admit I'm a little RPN curious. I have used RPN calculators before but not as an engineering tool.

[DaveJ]

Quote:

---

I've been using the fx-580 link for more than 15 years now. (It's taken one too many coffee spills and now despite best efforts I've lost part of the display.)

My main use is in electronics/physics calculations.

I'm not sure I need it to be programmable but I like the idea of storing my most used formulas.

The things I like from reading about the 35s are the solid build, the sensible styling, and I have to admit I'm a little RPN curious. I have used RPN calculators before but not as an engineering tool.

---

Being used to a basic algebraic scientific like the FX-580 for so long, I suspect that you may find the 35S frustrating for everyday use. The 35S is optimised as a powerful programmable calculator, hence the keyboard is designed as such. That means less dedicated keys that you use in everyday calculations. If you think you'll miss the engineering notation entry, then the lack of basic primary keys like ENG and LOG might be enough to drive you up the wall.

Then of course there is the RPN hurdle.

By all means get a 35S to play with, but I would also get one of the new casio scientific's to replace your old faithful as your everyday calc.

If you are into electronics then you may like to check out the old Casio FX-61F which is optimised for electronics calcs. They still come up on eBay occasionally. It has engineering notation entry, impedance modes, and a very handy parallel key.

Dave.

[JoelB]

Quote:

---

the lack of basic primary keys like ENG and LOG might be enough to drive you up the wall.

---

Oh, I hadn't noticed...I think it would.

Quote:

---

I would also get one of the new casio scientific's to replace your old faithful as your everyday calc.

---

Sadly, they have nothing current that excites me. I thought my field was a common market target, but apparently not. This both concerns and saddens me.

Quote:

---

If you are into electronics then you may like to check out the old Casio FX-61F

---

I might do that, thanks.

[DaveJ]

Quote:

---

Sadly, they have nothing current that excites me. I thought my field was a common market target, but apparently not. This both concerns and saddens me.

---

What features would excite you?

The great thing about Casio's is that there are plenty of all the older models on eBay, and prices are very low compared with the ridiculous prices being had for the HP's.

Dave.

[DaveJ]

There is an FX-580 going on eBay if you want a replacement:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Casio-fx-580-Scientific-Calculator-With-Case_W0QQitemZ230163138511QQihZ013QQcategoryZ11713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Dave.

[JoelB]

Quote:

---

What features would excite you?

---

My needs are fairly simple, I think: log, indicies, eng notation, nested parentheses, rect/polar, trig, constants, screen editing facilities, and a formula store would be good.

Quote:

---

There is an FX-580 going on eBay if you want a replacement:

---

Tracking that, thank you. Even if I win it, though, I may keep looking for something new.

Edited: 24 Aug 2007, 7:51 a.m.

[Bruce Bergman]

Interesting!

I've never seen that Casio model before. Casio seems to have a never ending supply of different calcs out there, even in current production. Every once in a while I spot a new one and am intrigued by the diversity (or similarity, in some cases) of their line.

Very interesting (read: strange) company, they are...

thanks,
bruce

[Alain Mellan]

It may be a typical case of "process oriented" company (Casio) vs. "result oriented" company (HP).

Asian companies tend to have a refined process, that allows them to churn out incrementally improved models very quickly. Especially when it comes to consumer electronics it seems.
Western companies usually tend to be more "result oriented", and come out with new models only in big steps, and not very often.

I wish HP would be a little bit more like Casio in some respects: fix the bugs quickly and ship a new version of the machine. Then add P->R, R->P, IMG, RE, etc, and ship yet a new version ...