Review of Texas Instruments BA Real Estate Financial Calculator

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(More customer reviews)During the many years going to college (I majored in Finance), working as a Banker, and now as a Realtor/Loan Officer, I have used many different financial calculators made by Sharp, HP, and Texas Instruments, etc. Each of the calculators I've tried has some good points and some bad ones. However, if you work in real estate, this calculator is made for you. It is loaded with excellent features specifically designed for this industry. I paid over $80 for my calculator when it first came out, and I felt I got every penny's worth. At the current price of less than forty bucks, it's absolutely a bargain!
Another reviewer on this page complains about the responsiveness of the keys. I simply don't have any problem like that at all. He or she must have had a defective one. I always tap the keys very fast, and the numbers come out all right.
In short, if you're heavily involved with real estate and mortgages, I highly recommend you to give this calculator a try!

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Product Description:
BAIIPlus Financial Calculator

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Review of Texas Instruments TI-86 ViewScreen Calculator

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(More customer reviews)IMO, this is one of the best calculators ever made. My original one ended up with some problem on the display and I was pleased to find I could still get a used one. I'm an engineer and this calculator fills the opening between the simple stock computer calculators and the more advanced computer programs (i.e. matlab, mathematica...).

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Product Description:
MODEL- TI86OHD VENDOR- TEXAS INSTRUMENTS FEATURES- ViewScreen Calculator Kit includes ViewScreen ViewScreen calculator carrying case Guide- book AC adapter unit-to-unit link Calculator poster and trans- parency. www.ti.com/calc/docs/viewscreen.htm

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Review of Saunders DeskMate II Plastic Storage Clipboard with Calculator, Letter Size 8.5 inch x 12 inch, Orange (00543)

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(More customer reviews)I have been through clipboards for myself and my personal trainers and I think that if you want a storage clipboard, then get a metal one.This is hard to open because the plstic is too soft and it just bends when you try to open it and no way you can fit any pens inside!The calculator's buttons keep falling out.

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Product Description:
Saunders DeskMate II with Calculator (00534, Letter Size) is made from durable polypropylene and features a solar powered and battery operated calculator.Bottom opening to large internal storage that holds pens, pads, etc.! Strong low profile clip holds up to 1/2 inch paper securely. Bright color is perfect for those in public safety, construction, coaching, sales, etc.! Get organized for life!

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Review of Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional Financial Calculator

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(More customer reviews)Finally!This is a superb upgrade to TI's previous BA II product.I hated the previous model with a passion given the near "touchless" keypad (allowing for frustrating key entry).THIS is the calculator that I would want to use for the CFA exam (did I mention how much I HATED the previous TI BA calculator??).

For those thinking of the HP12C line, I had a 12C for many years and loved it.However, after it got ruined due to a playful two year old, I bought a new one and found it cheaply made compared to the one I bought in the 80's (very disappointing) and have since abandoned using it.Interestingly, I found the following calculation example from a review of the HP 12C Platinum edition to be very interesting:"If possible, I would suggest that potential users and buyers try this data set on both the 12C and 12cP before buying. Clear register. Find [i] after input [PMT]=-1458;[FV]=0,[n]=84,[PV]=103600. The HP12C would take 20 seconds "running" while the HP12cP would take about 30 seconds to give the same answer [i]=0.4059!"

How long for the BA II Plus Professional?I timed it at about one second.

As calculators go, this is a mighty sweet device -- especially given the clear HP-like display viewable at all angles!!Count me as a definite TI BA II convert!

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Product Description:
The BA II Plus Professional calculator features all the great features of its predecessor while packing in even more time-saving functions to make short work of complex equations. It's an ideal choice for entry level and advanced finance, accounting, economics, investment, statistics, and other business classes. It's also a great choice to bring to the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam. Along with the standard capabilities of time-value-of-money, accrued interest, amortization, cost-sell-margin, and depreciation calculations, users can calculate more advanced business and finance related issues. It will handle net future value (NFV), modified internal rate of return (MIRR), modified duration, payback, discount payback, and more. Its rugged metal exterior, firm-touch keypad and anti-slip rubber feet make it ideal for anyone in accounting, economics, investing, statistics, and related businesses. It also comes with a black protective case.

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Review of Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator

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(More customer reviews)The TI BA Plus II is a better calculator than most of the current TI models.
Pros:
It's a nice conservative brown color and not a day glo blue or some other candy color.
The button feel (button feel a critical factor in buying a calculator) is much better than most TIs but it still could be improved.(It is not as good as the HP 12c).One shouldn't have to keep looking at the display to see if the number was keyed correctly.
The different colored keys make it easy to find the various functions.
The display is uncluttered and easy to read.
The alpha characters on the left side of the display make it easy to know what data you are entering and what the resulting number from a calculation refers to.
It has a backspace key.
The manual is well written and very complete.
Cons:
The number of key strokes that you need to do the simplest things is unbelievable.For example, to change the decimal format you have to press 2nd, format, [the number referring to the number of places], enter, 2nd, quit.Compare this to the HP 12c where you just press F and the number referring to the number of places.Six steps on the TI verses 2 on the HP.
The calculator has no weight to it.It seems flimsy.I would be very afraid of dropping it.The HP 12c is a tank by comparison.
The hard plastic slip "case" doesn't fit securely.
There is no way to change the contrast of the display.
Extra steps are required to do TVM calculations as compared to the HP 12c since with the TI you have to press the CPT key to get an answer.If you forget to do that then the display number becomes a new, unintended variable.
It doesn't retain the display when you shut the calculator off.
The arrow on the backspace key points the wrong way.Compare it to the backspace key on your computer.
It's easier to change the battery in your watch than it is in this calculator.
The "cheat sheet" in the plastic cover is only paper and very easy to loose.The HP has it printed on the back of the calculator.
No rubber feet!How much can these cost?That means you have to use two hands with this calculator; one to hold it so it doesn't slide around the table and one to enter data.You can't enter data with one hand and keep track of your place on a list of numbers with the other.
Not noticeably faster than the HP 12c which was designed over 20 years ago.
Conclusion:This calculator is better than most on the TIs in this price range mostly because of the improved button feel and the quality of the display but it would do well to take some lessons from the 80's and incorporate some of the features of the HP 12c.It's the little things that make a good calculator a great calculator.A calculator should be like an extension of you and not something that you have to constantly think about in addition to the business/math problems that you are working on.My first choice for a business calculator is the HP 12c but, if you are short on money, this is a good second choice.

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Product Description:
We're definitely taking this along with us the next time we shop for a house. Though it takes a little effort to master the collection of financial worksheets available on the Texas Instruments BA II Plus, you'll be glad you invested the time and money in this fine financial calculator.
The BA II Plus operates in standard calculator and worksheet modes. The standard mode lets you perform common math as well as operations involving the time value of money--that is, applications such as mortgages or annuities in which payments are equal and evenly spaced. You can also perform trigonometric functions in standard mode.
The more hard-core worksheet mode includes tables for amortization, bond, depreciation, and compound interest. If you're not familiar with such calculations, the very helpful user's manual will guide you through the process. All previous worksheet values are stored in memory, so you don't have to retype all the bond maturity or cash flow analysis figures.
The average user who wants to calculate a basic loan payment will be more comfortable working in the standard calculator mode. We were using the BA II Plus tools for calculating basic interest and payment periods within minutes. Still, it's good to know that the more advanced features are available for those who require heavy-duty financial computing.
Finance students and average users alike will find much to like in the Texas Instruments BA II Plus. --John Frederick Moore

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Review of Casio FX-115ES Advanced Scientific Calculator with 2-Line Natural Textbook Display

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(More customer reviews)I bought this calculator's distant ancestor six or seven years ago in College and loved it ever since.The old model was the first calc that gave you graphing calculator editing capabilities in a small calc package and it was a steal for the $12 or $14 I paid for it then.This new generation is nothing short of a quantum leap forward.For the first time you can enter equations exactly as you would write them.The font switches to a smaller size, so you can review the whole equation at once.It also has a solver funtion that is intuitive and quick; I used it all the time on open channel flow problems, or any equation that would require more than mild rearranging of terms.This may be the only calc on the PE approved list that has this ability.

Other high points:
* excellent battery life and solar ability
* Table function

Minor quibbles:
*you may have to slow down the pace when keying in as it will miss keystrokes if you type too fast
* you have to hit Shift to get to 'X' (alpha) or Pi
* when editing an equation, very slow to cursor to where you want

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Product Description:
The Casio FX-115ES Advanced Scientific Calculator features over 279 functions and provides its user with everything they need for most mathematical calculations. The calculator's functions include complex number calculations, matrix and vector calculations, statistics, and 40 metric conversions. Its standout feature is its 2-line natural textbook display that displays fractions, formulas, square roots and other expressions as they would in your textbook. It is extremely versatile, and can be used in courses ranging from basic pre-algebra to calculus, and also has applications in physics, engineering, biology and statistics.
What's in the Box
FX-115ES scientific calculator, slide-on hard case, instruction manual, and quick reference guide.

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Review of TI-Nspire CAS Graphing Calculator

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(More customer reviews)This is a calculator with tons of potential, however it is not nearly as user friendly as every other TI graphing calculator is.I'm an AP Calculus teacher and ordered one of these through school funds to test out.It can do everything that the TI-89 does and has much more potential than the TI-89, but the thought of teaching my students to use one of these just scares the bejesus out of me.

Pros:
1. Large screen with good resolution.
2. little green letter buttons make it easier to enter commands.
3. WYSIWYG typing means you don't have to remember calculator syntax.It's much easier to enter a definite integral or limit.
4. Graphing window allows you to graph rectangular, polar, and parametric equations simultaneously.
5. Click and drag feature on the graph screen is nice.

Cons:
1. The letter buttons are always in the way while I'm trying to enter numbers.
2. Screen can be difficult to read.
3. There is not a model that hooks up to a TI presenter.It does come with software where you can use a computer version of the calculator (assuming you have an LCD projector), but it's much slower than simply hitting actual buttons.
4. Finding max, min, roots, and intersections takes longer than on the TI-89.
5. When you do find the things from my #4 con, the calculator displays them right in the middle of the graphing screen, so you have to click and drag them out of the way to continue viewing the graph.
6. The "y=" screen is included as part of the graph screen, taking up graphing space.
7. Viewing a function table isn't difficult, but I can't figure out how to view a window containing ONLY the function table.It splits the screen with the graph on the left and the table on the right.This keeps you from being able to see several function values at the same time.Also I can't figure out how to close the table. I'm sure there's an easy way, but due to the completely inadequate user manual I have no idea what it is.
EDIT: I figured out how to view a function table on a different page/tab in the calculator, so the split screen problem is solved and it's much easier to close the function table.It still is not very intuitive at all and if I weren't very tech savvy I'd have never figured it out.
8. I have yet to find a differential equation graphing mode, and internet searches lead me to believe there isn't one.Why in the world would TI include this with the TI-89 and not with their new, supposed top-of-the-line model?

I may edit this as I find more pros or cons.I've had this calculator for 3 or 4 months and I do get it out on occasion to give it another shot, but each time I'm just as disappointed as the last.I keep think it just has a steep learning curve and I'll eventually catch on but it's not happening.That being the case, I have a feeling that if I tried to get my students to use this calculator I would be spending too much time just teaching them to use it.

If this calculator was only $50 and the TI-89 Titanium stayed at about $150 I'd still encourage my students to get the 89.

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Product Description:
The TI-Nspire CAS handheld and computer software has all the functionality of TI-Nspire technology plus built-in CAS (Computer Algebra System) capabilities. Explore, evaluate and simplify expressions, numeric problems and variables symbolically. Experience all the functionality of TI-Nspire technology plus built-in CAS capabilities, which provides the ability to explore, evaluate and simplify expressions, numeric problems and variables symbolically. The TI-Nspire CAS handheld does not include the snap-in TI-84 Plus Keypad, which is compatible exclusively with the TI-Nspire handheld.White box.

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