TI-36X Pro Scientific Calculator

TI-36X Pro Scientific Calculator..

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148 of 155 people found the following review helpful.
The best scientific calculator
By Edom
Compared it to casio 115es and the sharp 516w (both are top-of-the-line, non-graphing, non-programmable, scientific calculators). This thing blows them away. It is much easier to use. It doesn't need specials modes for matricies and complex numbers, and does them on the same stack (just like CAS calculators). The operation history is implemented just like on ti-89/92. Go up and grab any number from history, and use it in any calculation, by simply going up to it, and hitting "enter" (it's easier than copy and paste). They finally fixed the "*10^" problem and replaced with the standard "E" button (which takes priority over all other operations). It's as if they listened to all of my complaints about the ti30xpro and fixed them all and made the ti36xpro. All the extra features (solver, matrix, statistics, formula table, integrals, derivatives) are extremely intuitive, and I literally never needed the manual to use them.

Another AMAZING thing (because we're on AMAZon.com), is that after you solve for things in the solver, or you do the linear fit on your statistical data (as an example). The calculator actually saves the variables from their respective solvers into the variables. So after you've solved for things, all your solutions are in the variables. IE, you solved for t in the solver => go back to stack, and the variable t will have THE number in it. Calculator also remembers the history and the variables when turned off. It's intuitive and simple.

My only gripe is that when editing it defaults to the "replace" method, instead of "insert". I usually need to insert things when redoing calculations, not replace things. It's an extra keystroke, it's a minor gripe in comparison to how much easier it is to use than the competition on all other counts. Another small feature that I noticed on the Sharp 516 is that it puts apostrophes on the thousands (so it shows "1'000'000" instead of "1000000"), which is a nice feature for big numbers. This calculator doesn't do that, it's no biggie.

More on the competition. The method of "mode-switching" that all Japanese calculators are famous for, is antiquated. The casio and sharp calculators literally forget everything that was done in one mode and switches to the next. If you solve for something in one mode, forget about it, you have to write it down on paper, because switching modes deletes history, so there's no way to look over it in the calculator itself. Casio 115ES is "amazing" in that it forgets all history when turned off! Say you're doing your homework, walk away to grab a snack, come back, your calculator auto-turned-off, and all your calculations are GONE! "Genius"! The history on both sharp and casio is annoying, you can recalculate the formula from the history, but you can NOT use it in your current formula, and you also can't grab the answers to use in your current calculation. After using TI's implementation, this limitation is simply a cripple.

If you have any q's, let me know; I have all 3 calculators, though maybe not for long :). If you're used to cas/graphing calculators, and your teacher doesn't allow one, this IS the calculator to get. It has the most universal (no mode switching) history/stack system, and it has the best copy/paste method. I almost don't miss my ti92 on the chem tests :).

98 of 102 people found the following review helpful.
Should have been released earlier!
By Gearhead Mania
TI-36X Pro calculator (A non-graphing scientific calculator)

I originally reviewed a TI-30XS Multi-View and a Casio FX-115ES when I took the Professional Engineer exam because they were the only ones available at the time that I could use without too much difficulty. I took 3-4 months before the exam to familiarize myself with the calculator before I took the actual exam. I felt the Casio FX-115ES was far superior, although the TI-30XS MV had a much cleaner interface and a sensible layout. But the FX-115ES was very easy to use once you got used to the menu/layout as Casio hasn't changed its scientific calculators very much over the years. Many of the features I favored in the FX-115ES were not available in the TI-30XS MV such as complex numbers and handling matrices, and even working with different base numbers.

The TI-36X Pro seems to have resolved many, if not all, of the TI-30XS MV shortcomings. Had the 36X Pro been available in late 2008, I would have most likely used it for the exam along with my FX-115ES as a backup calculator. The 36X Pro interface/layout is similar to the TI-30XS MV which makes it easy to use.

The answers default in approximations (decimals) versus exact numbers (fractions) with the FX-115ES. This makes it easier for engineers since I always had to press the convert key on the FX-115ES.

The TI-36X Pro treats complex numbers the same way as the FX-115ES, just make sure to set it in the Complex mode for polar or rectangular values. I still prefer the TI-89's treatment of complex numbers without having to deal with different modes (square root of -1 = i without going to any different modes), but it isn't too hard to change a few settings in the 36X Pro and it even has a key for i albeit it is a multi-tap key, but it works in the REAL mode.

Different number bases with the 36XP Pro require navigating more menu layers versus the FX-115ES. With the Casio, you could directly switch between DEC, HEX, BIN, etc... whereas the TI 36X Pro requires you to convert the values. Again, this isn't a big deal it is just a matter of a few extra seconds of time. The TI 36X Pro has a better menu, but the FX-115ES is more direct. I guess that is probably a Japanese trait as well!

The TI-36X Pro has lots of conversions and constants, and they are actually described in the menu which makes it very easy to use versus the cryptic FX-115ES. Again, the FX-115ES can be more direct - but that is the same for Microsoft DOS or Unix. They can be very quick and direct, but no one wants to use cryptic commands. A GUI or touch-screen is far more intuitive and that is where the TI-36X Pro shines. However, the TI-36X Pro conversions are very basic and limited to some common conversions. For exams, this isn't as big of a problem. For scientific or engineering work, I would prefer more conversions available on the spot.

The multi-tap keys on the 36X Pro are an excellent idea. TI probably had to do this because they ran out of room for more buttons or a "3rd" key. The multi-tap keys are easy to use, just repeatedly press them until you get the command you want.

The color scheme of the calculator itself is an improvement over the TI-30XS MV. The 30 was white with a teal/blue green color. The white has now turned yellow, and the 30 always looked like a kid's calculator. The TI-36X Pro is a black/dark gray motif and there are 7 keys coated with a metallic color. It makes it hard to read the symbols, but TI did etch the 6 keys with their commands. My only guess as to why they did this was that the keys tend to rub smooth with repeated use. I had my TI-86 for the longest time since 1996, and most of the keys were polished smooth by the time it started to malfunction and use up batteries in a few days. So the etching/molded keys aren't a bad idea - I just wish they used a more visible/contrasting scheme for those keys.

The solar assist comes in handy for exams because you don't have to worry about changing your batteries too often. Although TI does mention this is just a solar assist to lengthen the battery life probably by using whatever photovoltaic source you can get via the cell but relying mainly on the CR2032 lithium coin cell. I removed the battery and the calculator refused to turn on even under direct sunlight. So apparently the calculator does run on the CR2032 battery and utilizes some assistance from the solar cells.

I am not a big fan of the hard case, as it clips at the bottom and top. I prefer the slide case of the TI graphing calculators although the 30XS/36X Pro case has better retention. It's not going to come apart in a backpack.

To sum it up, I'd recommend the TI 36X Pro in situations where you cannot use a graphing calculator. I am still split on the Casio FX-115ES and the TI-36X Pro, although I feel both are on-par in terms of features. The TI-36X Pro is definitely more user friendly.

Overall: 4/5 stars

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful.
Graphing calculator w/o the graphing
By Lking88
This calculator is allowed in the testing room for engineering and surveying exams and can be used in classes that ban graphing calculators. The most useful function for me is that it saves and displays previous entries just like a typical graphing calculator. It also has an exact mode that shows entries with stacked fractions, parentheses, powers, roots, etc. just like a TI-89 and TI-92 and requires the push of one button to toggle between the exact and approximate answer.

I bought this directly from Amazon; shipped fast in new condition.

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