Scientific Review

Wireless Weather Station

2009-08-09T17:21:00.001-07:00

Wireless Weather Station

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In / Out Thermometer Hygro Rf

2009-08-08T17:41:00.001-07:00

In / Out Thermometer Hygro RF

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Sharp EL501WBBK 10 Digit 131 Function Calculator

2009-08-07T18:05:00.001-07:00

I am very pleased with sharp's calculators.Is a matter fact I count to buy a lot more to donate to students in a Haiti.There children can not afford a simple calculator for their school's work.

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Datexx DS-736 283-Function 2-Line Scientific Calculator

2009-08-06T18:35:00.001-07:00

10+2 Digit extra large LCD with 283 functions make solving problems fast and easy. Designed for scientific, engineering or electronic applications, its perfect for students or professionals of any age.

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Datexx DS-638 136-Function Scientific Calculator

2009-08-05T17:42:00.001-07:00

This unit is ideal for Mathematic Calculations, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Algebraic functions. Easy to read clear function keys combined with the assistance of a step-by-step instruction manual to make learning scientific calculations almost painless.

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Bazic 10-Digit Scientific Calculator with Flip Cover (Case of 48) (3003-48)

2009-08-04T17:08:00.001-07:00

BAZIC 10-Digit Scientific Calculator w/ Flip Cover

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Oregon Scientific PE828 Pedometer with Calorie Counter

2009-08-03T18:24:00.001-07:00

I love this pedometer it works great and is easy to figure out. I love the panic alarm it truly is loud enough to alert others around you that you may need help. The memory is awesome I use it for the 5 days at work that a co-worker and I walk and I can keep track of last weeks walk so I can increase my distance each week. The numbers are large enough to read without my reading glasses on. I clip it thru my belt loop onto my pocket so if it falls off I will not lose, however it is very secure clipped to my pocket. A great buy you will not be sorry you purchased this.

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Oregon Scientific RP107 Altimeter/Barometer Watch with Wireless Bike Computer and Wireless Heart Rate Monitor

2009-08-02T17:05:00.001-07:00

I bought this product as an "open box" return for maybe 20% of retail. The guy had replaced all of the batteries (there are about 8 of them, the little coin type). I didn't have high expectations, but if it worked at all, I'd be happy, and it does work!

Here's what it does: records your speed and cadence (how fast your pedals turn), plus barometric pressure, altitude, heart rate, and temperature. It records in the watch's memory and you download it to your PC with software that comes with the unit. You can plot the recorded variables against time or distance.

I'm going to pick on it now. I shouldn't, because I got it so cheap, but just in case you buy this one, or the newer RP109, you'd be smart to have a heads-up. The RP107's "dock" to download to your computer is RS232 (a "COM port"). Most "modern" computers have not got a COM port anymore, just USB. The software, copyright 2005, looks clunky, but basically works (don't expect a lot of flash with the software). At first I couldn't get the watch to download to my computer at all. Then I discovered a small plastic "china" sticker on the back of the watch that was preventing a ground connector from contacting the watch (groan...bad manufacturing quality control). Removal of the sticker solved the problem, though, and it downloads great now. The altitude function isn't very accurate. I start a "tour" and do a round trip, so my total uphill should be equal to my total downhill, and those values should be around 175 feet, but they might come-out with a difference of 30 feet. In general, the altitude thing works, just not highly accurate. It seems like the beginning of the tour it's erratic, then settles down.

Ok, batteries were a big discussion item on my poking around the net. The situation doesn't seem that bad to me. I've used the unit every day for a month. The chest belt heart rate battery got weak and sent data erratically (zero, then valid, then zero, etc). I replaced the battery and it works again. My work-around is to just pull the battery unless I'm using it. I'll have to update this review (as if someone cares!) concerning the longer view of battery life.

This device has a lot of functionality, and it works as designed. Originally was just looking for just a heart rate watch, and the price I paid was the same as a new one of those, so I can't complain, even if I need to buy batteries now and then.

EDIT: This thing does go through the batteries. After about six weeks of daily use, the speed and cadence sender batteries have run out. Each sender uses two RL44 batteries. Since I don't care about cadence, I'll keep feeding just the speed sensor new batteries (which cost about $0.50 each on eBay in lots of 10). It would be a pain to remove these batteries when not riding, so I guess I'll just invest the $10 per year to keep the speed sensor working.

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Texas Instruments TI34II Calculator

2009-08-01T18:46:00.001-07:00

This calculator was specified by the school. I had to buy two for my kids. My kids are happy. The teacher is happy. The only drawback is that they only come in one color.

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EL-501WBBL 10 Dig 1 Line Calc 131 Function Scientific Graph Blue

2009-07-31T18:19:00.001-07:00

10-Digit, 131 Function, Ergonomic Scientific Calculator features new ergonomic design for comfortable, error-free calculating. Offers one-line LCD display, one independent memory and attached hard cover.

Main Features

Manufacturer: Sharp Electronics

Manufacturer Part Number: EL501WBBL

Manufacturer Website Address: www.sharpusa.com

Product Type: Scientific Calculator

Number of Functions: 131

Display Screen: 1 Line(s) x 10 Character(s) - LCD

Power Source: Battery

Dimensions: 5.75" x 9.625" x 1"

Weight: 0.4 lb

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Oregon Scientific PE823 Pedometer with Calorie Counter and 7-day Memory

2009-07-30T18:03:00.001-07:00

Bought this with high hopes because of its compact design and supposedly good features - BUT: 1) The setup is very long and tedious. And if you don't complete it the moment you change batteries, it's very difficult to do so later. 2) The buttons have all the tactile feedback of a pencil eraser. They are almost impossible to operate. Very poor quality. 3) The darn thing keeps falling off! And every time it falls off, the battery pops out and it forgets everything, of course, and so it demands that you go through the tedious setup again. Basically, I have never bought anything Made In China by Oregon Scientific and NOT been bitterly disappointed.

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Oregon Scientific PE829 Talking Pedometer with FM Radio

2009-07-29T17:20:00.001-07:00

I purchased the pedometer and it all works fine. It took me some time to set it up but all is good. I use it to walk in the shopping mall in the morning and the radio works fine.
I like the size of the pedometer and it works good.

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Oregon Scientific ATC 5K Waterproof Action Cam Flash Memory Video Recorder with 1.5-Inch Color LCD Screen, Still Image and Web Cam Capabilities (Blue)

2009-07-28T17:09:00.001-07:00

Received this camera as a gift. Idea was to mount it to my ski helmet and be able to easily shoot video while skiing, without removing my gloves. What a failure. Several reasons:

1. The mounting accessories are flimsy and not very well thought through. You'd expect a helmet camera would be able to mount on a *round* surface (which helmet isn't round?). This thing is impossible to mount so that it points into roughly the right direction.
2. The buttons for video and still images are too close to each other. Once again, since you don't actually see the camera while you use it (remember, it's mounted to your helmet), it's easy to get the wrong button. There's no clear audible indication which one of the buttons you pressed.
3. There is no way to turn off the display while the camera is on stand by (i.e. ready to take video). As a consequence, it runs through the two AA batteries in less than half an hour -- without ever shooting any video. This is even worse because it's close to impossible to use the on/off button, even with gloves off. It's tiny, and needs to be pressed very hard (ideally, with a pen, etc).

Overall, I wish I hadn't gotten this. I feel bad my brother spent this much money on such a piece of useless technology.

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Datexx DS-883 889-Function Graphing Scientific Calculator

2009-07-27T18:41:00.001-07:00

I bought this calculator for an algebra class before I realized my husband owned a TI-83. It does most of the same functions as the TI-83, but it is harder to use, and if your math instructor is teaching you functions using a TI calculator (which most likely they would) then it will do you little good and you will have to figure everything out on your own.

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Oregon Scientific THT312/BLRW Indoor/Outdoor Probe Thermometer

2009-07-26T17:04:00.001-07:00

We bought this after trying a LaCrosse Technology wireless unit. The LaCrosse unit was always off by 2 to 5 degrees when measured against a calibrated thermometer of known accuracy. Then it stopped working altogether about a year after we bought it.

Wireless units are becoming popular--but the older, physically connected, wired sensor units like this one WORK and are ACCURATE.

The large display makes reading the unit from across the room possible. The light on the display is a nice extra touch if you need or want to read it at night without turning on the room lights. It is easy to reset the max/min temperature memory. Does what it is intended to do without too many extra bells, whistles, techno-wow, blinkylights and eye candy. No nonsense functionality--HOOORRAAAHH!

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TI-30XS Multiview Calculator

2009-07-25T18:07:00.001-07:00

I got this calculator in anticipation of the upcoming FE exam, and thus far have been impressed. The button layout is pretty similar to the TI graphing calculators, so right off the bat I was able to find everything i needed. The multiline screen is also really useful.
In all, for the price it's a really great buy for when you need something that's less than a graphing calculator.

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Wireless Thermometer and Humidity for WMR112A(model#THGR968)

2009-07-24T17:34:00.001-07:00

As with the other reviewer I will have to buy an entire new unit. Bought the WMR968 John Deere weather station Christmas 2006 and temperature sensor stopped working recently. I couldn't find a replacement for the Nimh battery pack so was forced to buy another one. I guess this is how they stay in business. I can't afford to purchase another weather station. I wouldn't purchase a Oregon Scientific brand again.

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Casio Scientific Calculator FX260SLR-SCHL-IH

2009-07-23T18:44:00.001-07:00

I have an old casio that I have had for more than a decade, so I bought this calculator. I have no complaints. Casio makes great calculators.

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Aurora SC150X 8 Digit 131-Function Hardcase Scientific Calculator

2009-07-22T18:23:00.001-07:00

I work as an engineer, so a basic function calculator is not good enough for me. This calculator has all the scientific functions most people will need (including conversions to and from binary, hex, octal, and decimal). Although not programmable, it does have several levels of parenthesis (RTFM for the details ;), and some statistic functions. The main thing about this calculator I like is the size. Its slightly bigger than a playing card and thin as a candybar type cellphone. Because its small and light, I can carry it around in a shirt pocket. I liked the SC150 better (older model) because it was even smaller (about 3/4 the size), and that's what I wanted when I bought this. I guess they must have gotten some complaints about it being too small, because this new model is now the size of many other calculators.

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Sharp Scientific Calculator (EL344RB)

2009-07-21T17:48:00.001-07:00

This is an great product. Fits in pocket comfortably and does the job especially the metric converting. This is the second one I have had. My first ,an early model , has worked for me for the pass 8 years on constructions sites including falling from my pocket on to a flooded floor from about 10 feet up about 3 1/2 yrs ago. I let it dry out and it has continued to working even now. I bought this new one as the first one is a bit tacky looking now.

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Weather Station, EB313HG/BLRS Hand

2009-07-20T17:46:00.001-07:00

Know the weather forecast wherever you go! This pocket-sized weather forecaster provides a 12 to 24 hour forecast and local temperature and humidity readings in a compact handheld design. The forecaster also doubles as a travel alarm clock with a cresc

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Oregon Scientific THGN123N Ultra Cold Temp/Humidity Sensor

2009-07-19T18:16:00.001-07:00

Ordered the itemwhich was defective when received. Requested a return authorizatiion which tookalmost two weeks. Returned the item almost a month ago with no response. Would not buy from this company again.

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Dual Power Scientific Calc

2009-07-18T17:50:00.001-07:00

I admit it, I am a calculator snob. I love the feel of the keys on HP calculators. I am picky about keyboard feel as well. Using a calculator or keyboard with bad feel, an entirely subjective subject to be certain makes me feel as if I am sticking my fingers in poo. It REALLY bugs me.

Now that you understand I am a loon about this sort of thing, key feel is the only reason I rated the HP three stars. If you too suffer this "feel" malady and are looking for a simple calculator go for the HP 6S Solar. Don't let the name fool you, it has a battery backup.

If you are a normal person you will likely be very happy with the advertised calculator.

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Sharp EL-531WB-BL Translucent Blue Scientific Calculator

2009-07-17T18:10:00.001-07:00

This is a pretty good stats calculator. It does 2-variables statistics like correlation, regression, slope, intercept, predicted value for Y, standard deviations, etc. The data input is straightforward and easy to use. It's not the best calculator of this type, but it is pretty solid. DOES NOT give p values or significance tests.

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Casio FX-115MS Plus Scientific Calculator

2009-07-16T18:01:00.001-07:00

Everyone gets jealous when they see my FX-115MS with S-VPAM. Even the TI-89 jockeys get red in the face. This little math machine can do anything except graph with the same computational power as some of the big-boys at 1/10th the cost. Best calculator I've owned, hands down. Blows anything in the same price range by TI, Sharp, or any others right out of the water. I'm always finding new helpful functions as I take higher level math courses, it hasn't left me stranded ever.

Good for chemistry, AP chemistry, geometry, precalc, calc, physics... I've had this little computer since freshman year of high school... Now I'm a freshman in college. I don't see anything else replacing it, except maybe the newest in the FX-*MS line, even in graduate school.

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Oregon Scientific RMR382A-BK Wireless Indoor/Outdoor Thermometer with Self-Setting Atomic Clock, Black

2009-07-15T18:19:00.001-07:00

The device works just fine, a little temp variance but its within acceptability for its price. The major design flaw has been discussed in the other comments, that it beeps every time the temperature changes if between 29 and 35-ish. That means if it goes from 29.4 to 29.6, it starts beeping. This means that for the four hours a day that it is between these temps (two in the morning and two at night), the stupid thing intermittently beeps. Sometimes for a full minute, sometimes for four seconds, but you never know whether its going to turn off by itself so maybe you walk all the way across the room only to have the alarm end before you touch the stop button.

I kept complaining at my boyfriend to turn the alarm setting off, and he kept insisting that there was nothing in the instructions to help, but finally we see on here that some users have discovered the secret of Channel 2. Meanwhile, the stupid thing has been driving me crazy for a week. So, lesson learned. Check with Amazon before blaming Jeremy the perfect boyfriend.

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Casio FX300ES 2-Line Scientific Calculator

2009-07-14T18:58:00.001-07:00

I chose this calculator after looking at 6-7 other candidates. I teach a Mathcounts class at a local middle school and this calculator has several key features. First and foremost is the 2 line, editable, display that shows me what a student keyed. That's crucial in helping me see where they made an error when they get a wrong answer. The 'editable' feature usually means that a few keystrokes are all that are needed to correct an error rather than re-keying the entire expression.

The second feature is the list of readily available functions. Mathcounts topics (mathcounts.org) cover a wide spectrum of mathematics far beyond what a typical middle school curriculum requires so the calculator had to have permutation, combination, and factorial functions. This calculator has them.

It handles fraction and radical notation nicely - it displays the square root of 12 as 2sqr(3) which helps the students check their conceptual understanding when we're rationalizing or simplifying radical expressions. Flipping between displaying 1/2 and .5 requires but a single keystroke. Flipping between mixed number and improper fractions requires only two keystrokes.

The solar panel has saved at least one student from having a completely dead calculator when he drained his battery. The panel ekes out just enough juice to give you a glimmering display which is better than nothing. A slightly larger solar panel would be nice.

Finally, the manual is available online so you don't have to try to read a multi-lingual manual printed in 6 point type on rice paper. Kudos to the project manager for posting the pdf. Much appreciated!

Unfortunately, there's a bug in the firmware which turned up in a calculator exercise. If you key in 75025 and ask for it to be represented to 4 significant digits in scientific notation, the calculator gives the correct result, 7.503e4. However if you arrive at 75025 by computing the 25th fibonacci number using f(25) = ((1+sqr(5))^25-(1-sqr(5))^25)/(2^25*sqr(5)), the calculator displays 7.502e4. Reset the display to show an integer result and it correctly shows 75025. Somehow, doing the calculation, as opposed to entering the number, confuses the display routine.

We work around the bug by rounding the result ourselves instead of relying on the calculator to do it but the bug somewhat reduces my confidence in the calculator's ability to correctly compute. Hopefully, the bug will be fixed by next school year when we buy another class their calculators. Were it not for the bug, I'd rate the calculator at 5 stars.

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Sharp EL-506WBBK Scientific Calculator

2009-07-13T19:15:00.001-07:00

I bought this scientific calculator for my husband. He's a teacher at a technical college and his old calculator (actually mine from when I studied physics - made straight "A's" by the way!) began to malfunction. I don't use the Sharp EL-506WBBK but I chose it purely based on the previous Amazon reviews - thanks everyone! I read many reviews for various calculators and finally decided that this was the one I felt would be best. My husband was very pleased when I gave it to him (a birthday present) and since I have not heard him complain about it I am assuming he is still pleased with it. If it gives him the least bit of grief I will hear about it! I don't think he will be using even half of the functions so it was probably way overkill for him as far as a calculator goes, but I tend to like scientific things and was searching for the best I could find under $20.00. And I knew he would not be needing a graphing function so that made my choice easier. It's nice that it is solar powered as well as battery powered.

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Oregon Scientific RM313PNA Self-Setting Projection Alarm Clock with Indoor Thermometer, Blue

2009-07-12T17:21:00.001-07:00

This is a perfect alarm clock. Small, easy to use. All the right features. Sets itself by the satillite, automatic daylight savings time. It even has a progressive alarm sound (starts low, builds if you do not respond to it). Great 8 minute snooze intervals. You get totally dependent on the time projected on the ceiling, like a friend in the dark night. I bought one of these, have then bought another two for other family members so that they would not take mine.

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Sharp EL531WBBK (Black) Scientific Calculator

2009-07-11T17:13:00.001-07:00

I have this calculator for about 1 year and the paint of the digits have completely faded away.
Often when I push a button, the calculator does not respond.
When you push a calculation button twice, for example +, or first push - and then +, the calculator gives an error, while other calculators would take the last entered calculation button.
When you would like to see a subtotal, for example 3+5+8+ other calculators would calculate at every entry of the +. This calculator doesn't, so you have to enter = first and then do the rest of the calculation.

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Texas Instruments TI-30XIIB Scientific Calculator

2009-07-10T17:06:00.001-07:00

I've had this calculator for the longest time now... I bought the first one in middleschool and my two youngest brothers ended up borrowing it from me. It lasted me through my second year in college (math models class) and I just bought it again for pre-med stats class in college. It is a great calculator...its all you need for statistics without having to carry an expensive and heavy graphing calculator around. Make sure when you buy a Ti calculator that is is a solar or a battery calculator. you can see this by looking at the model #. example:
TI-30XIIB This model ends with a B so it is battery powered. S would be solar. Hope this helps!

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Oregon Scientific ATC 3K Waterproof Action Cam Flash Memory Video Recorder with Web Cam Capabilities (Black)

2009-07-09T17:39:00.001-07:00

I have mounted this camera on the handle bars of my Four Wheeler, On my Helmet while I Snow Board And on the Gun Barrel while I play Paintball. It's very tough, easy to use and Fun to make movies with. The video can be a little Jumpy in Rough activitys and the audio Is ABSOLUTLY worthless in EVERY situation because of the waterproof seal over the mic. For the money this is a perfect tool for beating the snot out of electronic gear and sill getting a mid level video. You wont get X games quality out of it, But you can clearly see a 300 feet per seccond paintball slam into your buddys head, the spray of snow as you almost land a 25 foot jump and the rise of a 40 foot sand dune in front of you.,,,Totaly worth it.

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Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator

2009-07-08T18:15:00.001-07:00

I'm in college and couldn't afford buying a TI-87? or 93? (can't remember what is what) but anyways, this does the job. I'll eventually end up buying the more expensive calculators but in the mean time- I use this calculator every other day and it holds up well. I strongly recommend this product for a high school student or a beginning college student. Otherwise, if you have the extra cash, you should just invest in the more expensive texas instrument calculator to save you from having to buy two calculators!

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Texas Instruments TI-NSpire Math and Science Handheld Graphing Calculator

2009-07-07T19:04:00.001-07:00

My school loaned these to us for a year, so I had the opportunity of using the nspire alongside my ti-84+ silver edition. TI had some great ideas with the nspire, such as being able to multitask by keeping multiple things open at once with the tab based window management system and the nice big screen. However, in my experience it still takes me much longer to do actual math on this calculator than on my ti-84 once you get past pretty workbooks and things the teacher can distribute.

Pros:
Awesome data and statistics and Lists and spreadsheet programs. (Though their interface is a little confusing too.)
Cool file management system.
Tab based window management.

Cons:
Keyboard:
The number of buttons in the same amount (actually less) space has basically doubled with the addition of separate keys for each letter and symbol. At first, this seems like it might be a nice thing for typing, but in my experience it 1: causes a lot of mistakes when trying to type in numbers and consequently makes me type them much slower, and 2: actually causes me to type LETTERS slower. That's right, I was really bored in class and timed myself :-). Of course, I am something of a ti-84 touch typist, so that might have influenced that.

Graphs and Geometry:
Graphs and Geometry is by far the worse designed application on the inspire IMHO. Everything that is extremely straightforward and usually requires one or two button presses on the 83/84 takes travel through multiple menus etc... to figure out. For example, to change window settings on the nspire you have to press MENU, then WINDOW, then WINDOW SETTINGS. This may not seem that annoying, but, at least to me, it is. I wish they had a few more hard buttons that could accelerate these kinds of tasks. Another thing that doesn't work very well in Graphs and Geometry is trace. Accessing tracing is three key clicks, it is painfully slow, and it is also, as far as I know, the only way to find things like maximum and minimum values of a function. The y= window has been merged into the graphs and geometry window, which takes up space and obscures the graph, not to mention the confusing interface to switch between it and the graph. The labels for stuff on the graph which are always coming up often appear on top of one another and you have to drag them around to read them. But the most annoying thing about graphs and geometry for me is having to use the incredibly slow and cumbersome cursor/pointing device so much.

Lack of programmability and hackability:
On my Ti-84 I have tons of third party software, as well as some I've written myself. This includes interfaces to run assembly applications which are light years faster than Ti-BASIC, an awesome program called Omnicalc which adds a lot of features and another program called Symbolic which actually adds some symbolic math capability such as crude symbolic derivation and simplification of expressions to the calculator (like the ti-89.) I believe that the nspire, however, has DRM built in to prevent assembly programs from running and has practically no third party ti-BASIC software. I have not been able to run anything on my inspire- I typed in a prime number calculation program and couldn't make it run even after looking through the terrible documentation.

Conclusion:
Spare yourself a lot of hassle and get a ti-84. (Or I guess you could get an inspire and use the ti-84 keyboard, which I don't have.) You won't be sorry. Here's hoping for an nspire 2 with function keys just like the ti-89 and 84, a usable keyboard, and a more open and malleable software design.

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Casio FX-300MS Plus 229-Function Scientific Calculator

2009-07-06T18:17:00.001-07:00

I acquired this calculator to do physics problems during my residency program. What I find most useful is the ability to keep track of the numbers that I am tabulating in a formula format so it is synomous with writing out the formulas by hand (i.e. Sin 37 = 0.6018). This is easier than older calculators where you had to enter the number then push the function key (i.e. 37 -> Sin = 0.6018). With the parentheses you can enter a series of calculations rather easily. A button for fractions is quite useful for day to day use.

A 4 directional button in the center lets me backtrack without having to re-enter numbers in more complex calculations.

The Solar Power works very well compared to 1st generation calculators. The sliding case protects the buttons and the solar cell from damage.

Luckily, I passed Physics and all I use my calculator is to do simple calculations such as volume and adding up numbers for bank statements.

I like the added versatility of this calculator over standard non-scientific calculators.

I highly recommend it.

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HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A)

2009-07-05T18:05:00.001-07:00

The HP 33s is one of the few calculators approved for use on the NCEES tests, including the LSIT and the EIT. It is programmable, and has the built in "solve" feature which solves for multiple variables within an equation. Reverse Polish Notation allows the user to input complex formulas with ease. They are cheap enough to own two just in case of failure during the test.

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Sharp EL-W516B Scientific Calculator with WriteView (Black)

2009-07-04T18:49:00.001-07:00

Let me first say that overall, I really like this calculator. However, rather than focussing on the EL-W516's strengths, of which there are many (well documented in these reviews), I want to point out a couple of significant shortcomings. These are not shortcomings that would necessarily disqualify this calculator for most people, but there may be some for whom they are significant.

A few other reviews have done a nice job of comparing this model to the Casio FX-115ES. One thing I have not seen in those reviews, though, regards what I consider to be a significant shortcoming of the EL-516W, in comparison to the FX-115ES. There is no way to enter a generalized equation with multiple variables, such that the user can enter all of the unknowns except one, and have the calculator solve for the remaining variable. The Casio's FX-115ES has a "SOLVE" function, in which an equation (not just an expression, but a full equation) can be entered, and then any variable solved for. For example, if I enter "2X + 3Y = 14, X", and then hit the SOLVE key, the calculator prompts me for a value of Y, and then calculates X. I can easily change it to "2X + 3Y = 14, Y", and the calculator then prompts for X and solves for Y. If I enter "AX + B = Y, B", the calculator prompts for A, X, and Y, and solves for B. I use this handy capability from time to time, and it's something the EL-W516B can't do.

I am an engineer, and have generally used HP calculators over the years. A couple of things I love about HPs are the RPN input notation and the great tactile feedback of the buttons. But HP has (short-sightedly, in my view) abandoned RPN for their lower-priced calculators, and they don't have any calculator with anywhere near the EL-516B's capabilities in this price range. But oh, how I wish Sharp (and Casio) would emulate the feel of the HP buttons. It takes way too little force to push the EL-516B's buttons, so that as my fingers try to move quickly from one button to another, it is easy to inadvertently press buttons incorrectly. I end up using the backspace key much too often. Granted, I may be unusually clumsy, but these mushy keys drive me nuts.

Overall, though, this is a very good calculator. It was nice to be able to get a calculator for my son, who is in his first algebra class, knowing that it will be a great tool for him for years, while not having to worry about him losing or breaking an expensive calculator. That said, I would favor the FX-115ES by an eyelash over the EL-516B, primarily because of the equation solving feature I discussed above.

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Oregon Scientific ATC 2K Action Cam Flash Memory Camcorder

2009-07-03T18:50:00.001-07:00

First off, the shipping was FAST! It shipped out Saturday (got the notification Sunday morning) and it showed up on Wednesday, very pleased with that.

This thing is durable, I used it for paintball the same day I got it to test it out. It took a shot to the lens, and two to the back cap (where the card and batteries are) and it still works perfectly. The back cap has O-rings on it so when they said "water proof" they meant it. Im a pilot and im going to be using this same camera when I go flying, and when i go rock climbing.

It comes with a lot of adapters to mount on anything, handle bar mount and a helmet mount and it comes with Velcro straps and rubber straps.

It also comes with a USB adapter to directly link to your computer and even video cables so you can hook it up to a TV, It also comes with silicon grease for the O-Rings on the back cap.

Now you are getting what you are paying for, resolution is pretty low, frame rate bounces around (only noticed it twice in an hour long paintball test) and the sound is kinda pixelated. The mounting and camera adjustment can be a little stiff and could piss you off if your in a hurry. Mode selection is confusing even when looking at the manual (change resolution, frame rate, sound, etc) stock everything is at the highest settings and if you have a 2 gig card in there you really don't need to change settings (hour long video was just under 2 gigs).

Considering the price this camera is a steal, 5/5.

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HP 35s Scientific Calculator

2009-07-02T18:07:00.001-07:00

This is a good product, but it is very difficult to use for people who need to use it for the first time. I purchased this calcultor to be used for Mathematics Applied to Electronics. The manual - although lengthy, was difficult to follow. Additionally, even some math tutors complained about being able to figure out how to use the calculator. There is just not enough detail for a beginner. However, should you be comfortable with higer level maths and have used a calculator for some time - like an engineering professor, you probably won't have a problem. My professor had to train me on some of the functions. I like the display - nice clear, large numbers, but be careful not to confuse the period with a comma. At certain angels they are difficult to distinguish. The cost was very reasonable. Also if you want a calculator, but do not need the graphing capabilities this is the one you should use. I tried to the TI 36XII and it was even more difficult to manuever. However, as I use the calcultor more, I am gaining an understanding of how to use it.

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

2009-07-02T07:30:00.001-07:00

I'm a pre-pharmacy student and this calculator is the BEST!!! I wouldn't recommend a TI or HP* over this Casio. This calculator does so much for its $20.00 price tag. I am not permitted a graphing calculator in ANY of my chemistry, math, stats or biology classes and this fits the bill and takes care of it all.

The only con is the crappy manual that folds out like a road map. I can't believe that they seriously gave that to us. Other than that, this calculator won't let you down.

*I still recommend the HP 12-C if you are a finance student.

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