What's your EDC Calculator?

[nightshade]

RBR,

Those Addiators are in wonderful shape! Every example I have seen , in person, has been non-functional. Those and the Curta mechanical calculators are works of art, imo.

[ericjohn]

TI Math Explorer (90's version.) I used to use a TI-89, but I sold it. Could kick myself for doing so. On the Explorer, I like its ability to do Fraction to Decimal conversions and Exponents...I don't really use a lot of Mathematics in my daily life, except for DIY projects, which it is very useful. I always had scientific calculators around me growing up, as my mom is a Geometry teacher. She would always bring home ones that students gave up or to help her grade papers.

A few months ago, I saw a calculator at the Dollar General for $5. It was a knock off of the TI-30XIIS (90's version), and had the same keypad layout and firmware. Couldn't pass up that deal.

As for the TI-89, I used it almost as a PDA. I was also trying to create a program for generate pressure/temperature charts for any given type of refrigerant. The science department at my high school used all sorts of accessories for their TI graphing calculators, such as thermometers and other types of instruments. Now 6 years out of there and all students and faculty use iPads for everything.

[Wrend]

I picked up a Nexus 7 tablet a few months ago, but haven't found any advanced calculator apps that I like for it well enough to use. I still use the TI-89 more or less daily.

If you're looking for one, I think you can still find the Titanium models new pretty easily. Same capabilities (plus a couple minor functions) as the older models. I prefer the classic retro look of the older versions though. There's also the Voyage 200, which is essentially the TI-89 Titanium with a qwerty keyboard and larger screen. I've thought about picking one of these up for the better viewable graph resolution.

Someday I hope to program my Arduino (open-source microcontroller board) to interface with my TI-89 and use various components for data gathering. I could do that with my Nexus 7 too (that would actually likely be easier to do), but then I wouldn't have the same variable manipulation capabilities built in.

[mgscheue]

HP-15c LE. I much prefer RPN to algebraic-entry calculators and the 15C is such an elegant machine. It's especially great for calculations with complex numbers.

I also have some vintage HPs--42s, a couple of 41CVs, etc., but tend to use them less for daily use because of their age. They work great, though. And I have an HP-30b repurposed as a scientific calculator, the WP-34s, which is incredibly fast and powerful.

[Wrend]

Yeah, nice looking re-release of an 80's classic, for sure. Seems they made it a lot faster with more modern internal components. Not really a fan of RPN myself, but I understand the appeal.

[mgscheue]

It was great that HP did that. Original 15Cs, especially ones in very good condition, go for some pretty big money so it's nice to be able to get one that I'm not afraid to use. And like you say the new one is much faster. I also have a 15C emulator on my iPhone that works very nicely but I prefer the feel of a real one.

There are some people in Switzerland who make a credit card size clone of the 15C (along with the 10C, 11C, and 12C, too) and it's pretty nice.

[FlashGordon]

Used the HP-48SX in college, but now have a great freeware program call Free 42 by Thomas Okken ( http://thomasokken.com/free42/)
This is a HP-42S simulator that runs on pretty much everything! I really like RPN calculation and this has a skin identical to the HP-42S, so I have it on my Iphone, Ipod Touch, and all my PCs. It even runs on Android.

BTW, if anyone has a real HP-42S for sale, send me a line, I've got a bit of a collection going...

[nightshade]

Thanks for the link FlashGordon, added to my PC and Roid. And good to see you around as well.

[Ralf]

+1 for the wp34s. Incredible Project. I searched for an replacement to save my hp48sx from daily use. I finished the wp34s over easter and I am really happy with it.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/wp34s/

Cheers
Ralf

[Phil828]

I bought an HP-41 after I got out of engineering school. Too bad they didn't come out before then. That was my EDC until last year when I discovered the HP41 app for the iPhone. Since I have my phone with me most of the time I have a very capable calculator with me. My real HP-41 is still working fine.

[Jumpmaster]

Either an HP11C or my HP 48GX...whichever is handy...

Also have the 48GX app on my android tablet and it works great as well...

[Brightholzer]

I’ve been rocking these Calcs for about 25years. Casio fx-4500p and the OEM Radio Shack clone.
I have other more modern ones, TI-89, HP, these are still my favorites.

Nerd Porn and a flashlight to make it proper.

[Wrend]

Nice DX8 and quadcopter in the background there too. I've thought about doing something with Arduino and GPS to make a surveillance bot of some sort for fun. More of a Futaba guy myself, but I do use DSM2 for some of the BNF stuff (TX powered by Eneloops, of course), but I digress...

Oh, if anyone was interested, there is a TI-89 emulator for Android too on the Play Store (both free and pay versions). Doesn't come with the ROM though, but those aren't too difficult to come by. I think you can actually just download them from the TI site, perhaps only technically legally if you own the actual calculator, but I'm not sure.