HP Financial Calculator - Black (17BII+) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I really like this calculator. It's the same size as the HP10bII, but slightly rounded to fit more comfortably in your hand. The keys/buttons are much larger. It has a nicely lined case that closes with a magnetic snap. The manual is well-written with a good amount of illustrations, examples and details. My only criticism is that the set-up instructions written on the first two pages do not include "setting the clock" (page 142).

I have used HP calculators forever. I own the HP11c, HP12c (original and upgrade), HP10bII and now this one. There are a lot of arguments or comparisons. Here's my summation: I have never bought anything that I didn't think was worth what I paid for it, or more. Quality, value, capability and capacity are my most important criteria. The buttons on this calculator feel solid and fine - providing enough tactile response, where I can input numbers (and know that they are correct) without looking at the screen. That's good enough for me. Now some specs...

It uses two CR2032 batteries (which were dead in my retail purchase) that require a pen to remove. It has 250+ functions, a clock with date/time with alarms. It offers switchable input between algebraic or RPN. The size is 3x5.5 inches (+/-) 2mm. Orange, red, or blue secondary functions have been replaced by a row of 6 multi-function keys with various menus. There are a few yellow-marked secondary keys (5 arithmetic, 3 memory, 3 data, 4 menu and "OFF") for quick access and one dedicated input/clr data key. But compared to all the other HPs, this keyboard is very clean and easy to read. The left and right sides are slightly rubberized for a solid grip and the bottom has non-slipping feet.

While it takes time to work with a calculator, I think all my other HPs will soon be sold or given away as gifts. And, my original HP12c is now a keepsake.

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Product Description:
More than 250 built-in functions, and function programming. Highlights include two-variable statistics and forecasting. Quickly find solutions using the menus, prompts and messages. Review data stored in list format, scrolling and editing as your data changes. Stay organized with the built-in clock and calendar with alarms. Global Product Type: Calculators-Financial; Calculator Type: N/A; Calculator Style: N/A; Power Source(s): Battery.

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Casio FC-200V Financial Calculator with 4-Line Display Review

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(More customer reviews)I studied Finance and Mathematics.

TI Professional:
Pro:
1. You may use this in Actuarial exams or CFA exams.
2. Once you get used to it, it is a good calculator.Most finance textbooks gives examples using TI calculator.

Con:
1. Harder to use than Casio, but not too hard.
2. Battery supported, you should change your battery before going into the Actuarial or CFA exam if you have been using this calculator for awhile.I believe it lasts about 1-3 years.

Casio
Pro:
1. More features
2. Easier to use
3. Battery and solar supported
4. Navigation feature, you can scroll up and down on few lines of display

Con:
1. You can't use this on Actuarial or CFA exams.
2. School textbooks teach you how to use financial calculator using TI, not this one.

My opinion:
If you are not a hard-core finance person, getting a Casio might be better since it's easier and cheaper to use.However, as an actuary, I use TI most of the time.

If you are a Finance major, plan to take any Actuarial or CFA exams, get TI because you have no choice.(You may use HP for CFA exam, but I think people who started their career many years ago use HP, young people these days use TI)

I hope this review helped.

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Product Description:
Financial calculator with Direct mode key and 4 line display

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HP 12C Platinum Financial Calculator Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been using the HP12C for about 20 of the 25 years it has been around.I love the calculator, and this is why I have used it for so long.I would recommend a purchase of an HP 12C to everyone.I also recommend purchasing the HP 12C instead of this anniversary edition.I only have a couple reasons for this.
1) The keys of the anniversary edition do not respond as well as on the regular HP 12C.For example, when I turn on the anniversary edition, I have to check to make sure it actually turns on.
2) The quality of the anniversary edition is just not on par with the regular HP 12C.For example, the screen on the anniversay edition is already getting scratched up.I have a twenty year old and a five year old HP 12C, and neither of them has any scratches on the screen.Also the keys are just not as solid and they don't have the nice tactile feel of the regular HP 12C.The anniversary edition just feels cheap.

So I would recommend skipping the anniversary edition for the regular HP 12C.

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Product Description:
The HP 12C Platinum Edition is a fast and powerful calculator designed for educators, businessmen, or anyone who needs a reliable tool to handle mathematical and/or financial calculations. With a 400 step memory capacity, the 12C can handle even the most complex computations. For 25 years, the 12C has proven its reputation as the ultimate pocket-size calculator for financial use. The HP 12C Platinum is a faster, enhanced version of the industry-leading 12C, and is designed for the financial professional who demands more options. Its long battery life and small size make it easy to take with you anywhere, and its elegant black and silver design, and engravable metal plate on the back give it a modern, stylish appearance. The 12C Platinum is a powerful tool capable of handling the most complex and detailed analysis and problem solving. With over 130 built-in functions for business, finance, mathematics and statistics including date calculations, this calculator offers fast and reliable programming, finance, and statistical analysis options. With the 12C, you'll enjoy the flexibility of both RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) and algebraic modes of entry, the speed of its processor, and the increased memory capacity.
Precision Business and Finance Features
Ideal for real estate, finance, accounting, economics and business work, this calculator also helps you perform several key functions that allow you to make financial predictions, balance your budget, or calculate percentages of appreciation or depreciation for mortgages, loans, and savings accounts. Advanced editing features like the new "Undo" and "Backspace" buttons ensure precise calculations, while six times faster speeds for calculating TVM, loan payments, and interest rates help you gather and analyze important data in minutes. You can also pinpoint trends by performing cumulative statistical analysis, standard deviation, mean, weighted mean, and linear regression.
Memory For Up to 30 Cash Flows
The 12C offers several modes and an easy-to-use layout for a wide range of practical applications. For example, perform TVM (Time Value of Money) functions like calculating mortgage/loan payments. Or perform NPV (Net Present Value) and IRR (Internal Rate of Return) computations to help determine whether or not to undertake a particular investment project. With memory for up to 30 cash flows, it's a snap to manage a series of complex projects. For additional convenience, the 12C is also permitted for use on the CFP and CFA Certification Exams, and the GARP FRM Exam.
What's in the Box
12C financial calculator, battery, and user's manual.

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Texas Instruments BA Real Estate Financial Calculator Review

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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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Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional Financial Calculator Review

Average Reviews:

(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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Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator Review

Average Reviews:

(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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