Customer Reviews

Casio Algebra FX 2.0 Graphing Calculator

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

In my whole life I have owned ten calculators made by five different manufacturers, with TI accounting for four of them. I enjoy discussing the pros and cons of the various models with my friends and I have come to realize that choosing a programmable calculator is a very personal, even subjective, matter. That is why I respect different opinions about calculators, even if I do not fully agree with them. Sometimes the choice of a calculator boils down to a much-needed feature. This is true in my present case. My favourite calculator so far is the Casio Algebra FX 2.0, and that choice hinges on one vital feature: the ability to process matrices containing complex elements. Whereas some other calculators can handle matrices, they usually handle only those containing real elements. As any electrical engineer (like myself) can tell you, this seemingly small difference is critical. Anyone who does circuit analysis with inductive or capacitive components will encounter matrices and simultaneous equations containing complex elements. Complex matrices take ten times as long as real matrices to calculate, and the calculation is very error prone. It is precisely here that many textbooks (e.g. Hughes Electrical Technology) make numerous calculation errors. It is so easy to overlook the simple fact that the square of i is minus one, and when you make that one mistake, it ripples through the whole matrix. As far as I know, the Casio Algebra FX 2.0 is the lowest cost calculator that can handle complex matrices and complex simultaneous equations. By comparison, the TI-83 (which costs the same) can only do real matrices. The TI-86, on the other hand, can do complex matrices, but it is more expensive.... I have examined the other features of the Casio FX 2.0, and have been impressed by their depth. As to its ergonomics, the keys have a nice feel, the LCD is sharp and clear, the plastic case is solid, and the calculator does not wobble at all. My only complaint is that the PC link cable is an optional extra (a real letdown).

I think this is a great calculator to have for school since it lets you do step by step equations on the calculator. I went to a camp this summer and worked with a TI-83+ for the week, then I was given the algebra FX 2.0 and found that it was much more powerful then the 83+ even if they were the same price. I have found only one problem with it and that is that I can't find the SB-87 link ANYWHERE!

This is the best buy in graphing calculators,period. I have lots of experience with graphing calculators, maple, matlab, and the like being I am an engineering student. All of my nerd friends use TI-89 or 92 and this machine leaves them in the dust. I especially found the Maclurian and Taylor series solving tools to be very useful. All of my proffesors insist that calculators cannot due such things because they are familiar with TI's. But I sure fooled them on my Calc II tests!!! This being said I am used to casio. The casio method of entering information is exactly opposite of the TI's. This means that anybody that is used to a TI will hate a casio. But the fact is casio's are easier to use and to learn from a beginners perspective. So don't let those poor reviews fool you. If you are new to the calculator market or have been raised on the casio method this is the calculator to have.

used this for algebra II since fall 2000. Lost it and had to get another one. Stores only carry them in the fall so I waited to special order it. Well worth it because it shows you how to do the problems. The tutor really works and helped me improve my quiz grades. Everyone in class wants to use mine. Their Texas Instrument Calculators/same price can't cut it. Easy to use icons.

This calculator saved me in basic level Algebra courses... But, it's Statistic functions leave much to be desired, mainly because the manual is EXTREEMLY weak in this department.
Very easy to use. As stated, I find the manual to be very weak (except for Algb functions) and no instructors have ever used one.

I have owned top of the line graphing and scientific calculators from TI, HP, Casio, Sharp, etc. This machine, the Casio FX-2.0PLUS, continues the Casio quality tradition and is definitely put together very well. It is also a very good improvement over its predecessor, the Casio FX-2.0, with a very fine portable design and now with a CAS (Computer Algebra System). The pros and cons as I see it are:

PROS:

1) It has all the standard regular features and also is supplied with a full set of CAS features that we have come to expect on such a machine.

2) The machine itself is reasonably fast with a nice graphical interface and resultant plotting system. The resultant plots are high quality and with the many added features available for enhancement are very intuitive for the learning process.

3) It has a nice, but older style, body design that sits very nicely both on a desk or a table as well as in your hand.

4) It has a large amount of onboard main memory, plus additional Flash memory (See Con below) for tackling quite memory intensive problems.

5) Although it is called a calculator, it is really a small and fast handheld computer system which can tackle problems from the most simple to almost the most complex.

6) It has a very useful user interface system with multiple icons. The calculator functions are all controlled using an Algebraic Operating System (AOS).

CONS:

1) Some functions that you would readily expect to be available with a single key press on the main keyboard require instead multiple key presses, but usually with only a single shifted key press first.

2) Apparently the Flash memory is not extremely well made or of very high quality and can degrade significantly over a period of a couple of years time.

Bought this calculator to use while taking refresher math courses. It works great and the algebra tutor does show you how to work the problem. It doesn't allows come up with the exact factoring or simplifying answers you might by hand but it justs requires a little mathematically tweak on the users part. Haven't used a TI to compare it with ...

This is one of the best technologies i have ever seen in the world of casio. It is superb and indeed super. I would look for a day when i shall see a casio calculator with color LCD.

I have been using Casio calculators since my High School. In my engineering course I used FX-120 & SuperFx-100. While I am at job, I had to implement some complex differential equations on my software. I really got a good solution in the form of Casio Algebra FX 2.0 Plus. This product is simply the best, it solves my purpose. I could even try my algorithm even while I am travelling - hats of to the Programming feature. Please note I am making this comment for the AFX 2.0 Plus version.

The keys are smooth, grip is good. However the calculator is slightly bulky. Overall its a embedded computer fitting within hand.

I have owned 4 Casio graphing calculators (including this AFX 2.0 and the AFX 2.0+) and a TI 89 Titanium.
I've also used the HP 50, the TI 83/84 calculators.
The Casio AFX 2.0 is one of the best calculators I have ever had or used.
Compared to the 83/84 series it is, in my opinion, superior.
While other students struggled to figure out how to use their TI 83/84, I was getting results.
The AFX is far more intuitive and has a built in Computer Algebra System which is convenient at times.
It is far more comparable to the TI 89 series, and I own and use both.
(The TI 89's CAS is better integrated into the normal calculator interface than the AFX's.)

I have owned my AFX 2.0 for roughly ten years.
The only problem I have had with it is that I accidentally put it in my bag last year without putting the cover on it and damaged the screen.
At some point I will muster the courage to open it and replace it.

I gave my AFX 2.0+ to my Godson when he went to college.
It was not done lightly.
The difference between the two was that it had a financial math program as well.


To my knowledge Casio does not sell the AFX 2.0 series in the U.S. anymore.
They may no longer make them.
If I had the extra cash I would buy these myself.
If it is possible to love a calculator, I love the Casio AFX 2.0 series.
(Of course I love my TI 89 too...)