Customer Reviews

Sharp EL-W516B Scientific Calculator with WriteView (Black)

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I just purchased the Sharp EL-W506 scientific calculator from the UK at a great low price (from Oxford Educational). However the new Sharp ELW516 now available on Amazon in the USA is apparently ALMOST equivalent to the Sharp EL-W506 (as indicated in the product manual, it is also equivalent to the ELW546). All three nearly identical units have been produced to replace the now discontinued Sharp EL-506WBBK calculator. These are all fabulously improved over the EL-506WBBK and I highly recommend their purchase even in comparison to the Casio FX-115ES (or FX-991ES in Europe) and even over the Casio FX-115ES Plus now available elsewhere.

PROS-
A summary of the most important improvements follows:

a) A catalog is now provided of all functions available within the machine and any of these commands can be stored on the function keys D1-D4 for easy and quick recall.

b) Write-view (Sharp trade mark) 4 line capability for displaying the full set of information on numerical evaluations of integrals and derivatives as well as any other algebraic manipulations. This is totally equivalent to the SVPAM or VPAM available on the Casio FX-115ES or ES Plus, etc.

c) A "Change" key to convert from Decimal to fractional forms and back again which is very similar to what is also found on the respective Casio machines.

d) Full control over the keyboard contrast is also now available.

e) 556 functions are claimed to be available on the new Sharp units as compared to a little over 400 on the FX-115ES (417 functions are claimed on the new FX-115ES Plus). There are also six modes that can be set to work within such as: Normal for integration, ordinary number crunching, etc., Complex numbers, Matrices, Lists, Equation solving, etc.

f) An on-screen form to be filled in is available for full and easy storage of all lists, matrices and vectors. Matrices are also easily manipulated into lists.

g) There is also a much improved set of information provided during the process of obtaining scientific constants and for the conversion of metric values to non-metric unit values as well.

h) Frequently used expressions that you are free to create are quickly and easily stored on the special keys F1-F4 for repeating computations. These same keys (unshifted) can also be used for a very useful multi-line playback of results as well. There are also separate D1-D4 keys (directly above the F1-F4 keys) for memory and expression storage as well giving the Sharp a large number of memory locations.

i) When the calculator turns off after 10 minutes of inactivity, the display resumes to indicate your results exactly where you left off and all work is NOT lost into cyberspace! This feature the Casio will not perform as all work is lost when the Casio is turned off!

j) Statistical functions are also input more intuitively and conveniently (arrangements have been changed on the keyboard) than on the EL-506WBBK as well (A set of up to 100 values can be input for 2 parameter statistics). All of the one parameter {x} and two parameter {x,y} statistical data (each separately specified with frequency of occurrence information) are also readily available on-screen with the touch of the central up-down, left-right control key, both before and after their entry for editing, etc. Unlike the Casio FX-115ES calculator which then consolidates the statistics calculations into a single isolated menu accessed from the keyboard, the Sharp has numerous specified keys shifted through the alpha key prompt to access all statistical results which makes its keyboard somewhat busy compared to the Casio, but still very useful and well organized.

k) The solutions displayed for both cubic and quadratic equations are now in a much more readable form as well as for the two and three values linear equation solutions.

l) A name or lengthy phrase with embedded spaces can also be readily stored deep within the machine that is automatically displayed with the Sharp Logo during the shutdown process. I believe that this new feature will tend to cut down on theft problems too.

m) The new EL-W506/516/546 now requires only a single LR44 backup battery unlike the EL-506WBBK which required 2 of these batteries.

n) Even after all this, its size hasn't changed at all and the new Sharps can still evaluate up to 4th order matrices whereas the Casio will only evaluate matrices as high as 3rd order!

o) The newly revised MATH menu is an excellent control feature for doing various operations within various modes as is the SET-UP control menu shifted on the same key.

CONS:

a) Numerical integrals on the new Sharp units are now a little slower to perform than on the Casio FX-115ES for example, but once complicated integrals are performed the time differences are much smaller.

Finally, in this global world of ours, I wish that both Sharp as well as Casio would do a better job of providing more reliable and truthful information not only to us the end users, but also to its N. American employees on the distribution to N. America of all of its various new products.

I bought a Sharp EL-506R eight years ago because I thought it was the best deal under $20 for a scientific calculator. (I thought the Sharp had been the best deal ever since the EL-506A was introduced.) Then the Casio FX-115MS and FX-115ES (ES) were introduced. Sharp has responded with the EL-W516 (W), so I was anxious to compare it to the similar ES. Both have the entry mode that looks like problems written on paper. Very nice! The following observations are in no particular order.

First the Sharp. I prefer the CHANGE button to the S-D on the ES. It rotates three forms of an answer; mixed number, improper fraction, and decimal.

Arguments for trig and log functions on the W do not require parentheses.
The percent key on the ES no longer does the unique and clever increase, decrease, and change functions as on older Casio models. The W percent is now better.

The W has two more memories (E and F), 4X4 matrices instead of 3X3, 4 matrices rather than 3, and 4 lists rather than 3 vectors.

The W includes pental (base 5) numbers.

The DRILL feature generates quizzes on basic math facts. (Our calculator dependent generation is getting very weak on these!)

Adding vectors in polar form is easier and the display can show the entire answer without scrolling. And changing from rectangular to polar is easier.

The W can do constant calculations with the four basic functions.
It has 4 definable functions and 4 formula memories. These can be used in matrix and list modes.

It has a catalog menu of all functions.

The constants and conversions are stored in the calculator and not on an external list and therefore always available.

The DRG button allows you to convert from degrees to radians, etc. (The DRG button on the ES is completely different; it allows you to enter an angle in degrees while the calculator is in the radian mode, for example.)

The W can store your name so that it is displayed along with the Sharp logo when it is turned off. You can include your telephone number or the name of your favorite nerd on the second line. :-)

The sigma function allows increments other than one. You can add all the odd numbers from 1 to 99, for example, by changing the increment to 2.

The random function includes die, coin, and integer. The die generator, for example, shows numbers one to six.

It is not necessary to specify a separate list for the frequency of data in the STAT mode. It simply requires a comma and the frequency number when it is not one. (This applies to both one and two dimension data.) Also, the associated statistics variables (a, b, r, x', y', etc.) are on the keyboard and easily accessible.

The STO and RCL keys do not require a 2nd function prefix.

Generally speaking, the W requires fewer keystrokes for the frequently used functions. For example, restoring the defaults requires 5 keystrokes on the ES and only 3 on the W.

Now to the Casio. The integral function uses the Gauss-Kronrod method (whatever that is) rather than Simpson's method on the W. It seems faster and more accurate.

The often used ANS and Square Root keys do not require the 2nd prefix.

Results of calculations in different modes can be expressed as exact fractions. Complex numbers can even mix radicals and fractions. Also, complex numbers can be stored in the A-D memories. (The W displays decimals only when not in the normal mode.)

The TABLE function is very handy when you want to view a function over a given domain.

The VECTOR function can actually be duplicated using the LIST function on the W. The W can calculate dot product, cross product, and absolute value using lists as vectors. The VECTOR function is easier to use. However, the W can store complicated formulas, for example, like the angle between vectors and perpendicular vectors, for easily repeated calculations.

The MATRIX and EQUATION functions are nearly identical on the two calculators. I find the ES a little more user friendly on the equation applications. When you modify a matrix or a vector (list), the ES simply uses the data function. The W is rather awkward; it requires a four step process of load, modify, exit, and store. However, it is easier to copy a matrix or list on the W. I wish both the ES and the W would handle matrices and vectors and lists like graphics calculators. They are much more intuitive and easier to remember.

The data used for regression can be saved if you want to try another curve fit. The W erases your data if you decide to try another fit for a better correlation coefficient.

It is possible to generate and find the sum of the terms in an arithmetic or geometric sequence simultaneously using the independent memory. Once initiated, each term only requires one keystroke on the ES. A similar process is possible on the W, but each term requires two keystrokes.

One feature that the ES dropped from the MS model is the copy function. On the older MS model, it was possible to program all the keystrokes necessary to solve the ambiguous case (SSA) by only pressing the equal button. You could view all six results!

I may come back and add to this review as I have longer to live with both calculators. So which one is better? That's a tough question. Both are superior to the HP and TI models in the same price range as far as I am aware. I think nobody would buy these if they knew what the ES and W are capable of. The perfect calculator in this price range would have all the ES and W features with RPN!

The ES is available in many outlets, the W is only available by mail order. I think I prefer the W, but it is close. I would not complain if I had to settle for the ES. If both calculators were available to use, in my subjective humble opinion, I would choose to use the W most of the time. But that may change over time.

Being a young math nerd and later moving on to engineering I have always needed a good calculator next to me.

In my youth I had a previous version of this calculator, the Sharp EL-506D, which had scads of functions I did not understand the purpose of, but was fascinated with nonetheless. I used that same calculator all through college, slowly learning the significance of new functions such as complex numbers (useful in electromagnetics) hex and octal conversions (digital logic) three variable equation solving (algebra and later on differential equations).

I still have that calculator and it still works great. The only problem is I have worn the paint off of some of the buttons. I decided to start looking around for a new version of this calculator and after going through several I found the Sharp W535B - which is a great calculator as well, but doesn't have as many functions as the old EL-506D that I've got.

I found the Writeview feature on the W535B (also found on casio and TI models) so great though that I searched all over for a newer version of my old beater and found the Sharp W506B.

To my dismay, that calculator is not sold inside the US at this time and to get one you need to import from England, essentially tripling the price.

Then I finally found this W516B at Amazon - and it has all of the essential functions that are on the W506B. This is a great calculator. There are so many improvements over my old 506D that I don't even miss it.

1. Solar panel
2. Writeview
3. Equation recall
4. Shortcut buttons that can be remapped to your most used functions

The list goes on. You will never need another calculator. I've had several calculators, plus programmable graphing, but I don't think programmable calculators will help very much to drill basic math skills into your head, which is necessary for tests. This calculator is a great balance in that it helps speed up some of the basics but doesn't do everything for you.

Highly recommended.

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.

Thu 11 Mar 2010 04:36:24 PM

I purchased the calculator for [...] from Amazon. I think it's an excellent value for the money. I purchased it to act as a back-up to my aging and beloved HP calculators. I've been using RPN nearly exclusively since the HP-45 came out (I had a TI calculator with a mag card reader around 1977, but that was my only prior algebraic calculator), so it's a bit tough to switch to an algebraic calculator. However, since this calculator is intended for simple calculations, it's not too big of a burden.

Since I went to college before calculators were invented, I'm STILL impressed by the time these things save over manual arithmetic calculations with log tables and slide rules. Few folks today have any appreciation for what horrible drudgery the manual methods were. So it's hard for me to think ill of any electronic calculator, even just a simple four-banger.

Overall, this is a calculator appropriate for high school science students; it's also suitable for freshman-level college math (i.e., first year calculus stuff). It is not powerful enough for a working scientist or engineer, as I feel they should be using programmable calculators. My favorite calculator of all time is the HP-42s, which is a perfect size and feature set for my needs. For anything it can't handle, I'll be using a computer. I also have an HP-49g+ which has an amazing amount of power, but one of the worst keyboards in the world, so I rarely use it.

I won't bother detailing the features, as you can get the manual from Sharp's web page and figure out some of the things it can do. I'll list the things I like and don't like.

Likes

* Once you work through the manual and examples, the features are easy to understand and use.

* The display is excellent and very readable.

* I like that the stack of previous calculations is maintained through power cycling. Apparently the Casios don't do this; this is a key reason why I chose the Sharp over the Casio.

* The integration (via Simpson's rule) and the root-finding (via Newton's method) features are easy to use and work well. Integration is slow (simple examples I typed in took 15 seconds or more), but that's OK. There's also a sum button that will evaluate finite sums and that's handy and easy to use. I would have preferred an adaptive integration routine like the HP-42s uses, as it will stop when the display accuracy is reached. But Simpson's rule is a HELL of a lot easier to program. :^)

* I LOVE the solar cell and one LR-44 battery and I know the battery will last a long time. This was the most important feature of the calculator for me.

Dislikes (or "could be improved" or "things I would change")

* My biggest beef about the calculator is that it displays results as fractions if it can. You have to press the CHANGE key to cycle through proper fraction, improper fraction, and decimal number forms. I think the design mistake made is that the user should have a setting that allows him to either select this behavior or a behavior that always displays numbers in decimal form. The reason is that when I'm doing numerical work, I want to see the decimal number because a) it's easiest to parse and b) I immediately know the magnitude and can compare it to my mental estimate.

* The names and abbreviations for some things were likely chosen by someone to whom English wasn't a native language. For example, if you want to change the display mode or number of digits shown, you have to pick a menu named "FSE". This makes no sense to me, although with a little thought, it probably is an abbreviation for "floating point, scientific and engineering". I feel a better name for this would be "DISPLY". My point here is that the names should be chosen to minimize the dependence on having to read the manual (which I had to do to figure out how to change the display).

* I was disappointed to find that the calculator only does simple arithmetic with complex numbers. I would have liked to be able to have it calculate the elementary functions too, like my HP-42s does. But I understand the engineering constraints they were under to shoehorn the firmware into a small space and keep the cost down, so it's pretty obvious why this stuff wasn't included (and it's not a feature high school or beginning college students really need).

* I would change the keyboard layout if I could. I use the square root and reciprocal functions a lot, so I'd want them to be accessible without pressing a shift key. The square key could go to a shifted key. But these are personal preferences and, as a designer, I think Sharp did a good job of laying out all those functions (it's not an easy task).

* I can't understand why they'd put a base 5 key in for integer calculations. I use decimal, hex, octal, and binary frequently and I can see the need for those.

* A minor gripe is that the conversions for length are cm to inch and not mm. Most engineers and scientists use mm rather than cm, at least in my experience.

* A long-time gripe I've had with every calculator ever produced is that they don't provide a "sig" mode. This would be a fixed/scientific mixed mode (i.e., overflows to scientific) that would display a specified number of significant figures. This is the default mode I use in a command line RPN calculator I wrote [...] -- I use it virtually exclusively.

Overall, this is a fine calculator and works well for the simple uses I will put it to. A few years back I bought my daughter the top of the line Casio scientific calculator and I feel this Sharp model beats it. One of the main reasons is the calculation stack is retained in memory and, if the calculator powers down while you're in the middle of something, you're back working on it when you turn it on. The Casio can't do this.

This is an excellent choice for those that have to work with computers. I examined lots of calculators. I even bought an HP33 and a TI model as well. What I need most is logic operations and number system conversions. AND NOT OR NOR XOR, etc. Plus I need Hexadeciman and binary number systems. Lots of calculators offer these features, but they are buried in multiple key combinations and special modes. This calculator has the logic operations written on the keys. This is good because 6 months later you will not recall any special instructions so if its not intuitive and its not readily available, you will be going back to the instructions. So having these operations listed on the keys was an absolute must for me. It also has the number system conversions listed so I can convert from decimal to hex and binary easily too. The one thing that could be better is entry of numbers in different systems. It will not really add numbers from different systems together. If you want to add two numbers, you will have to convert them to the same system first. Its easy to do, but it just adds some steps no needed by say the HP33. But of course the HP33 requires more steps for other more important things, so this calc still gets the nod. Not to mention its far superior price. And its also got Pent number system which I assume is base-5. Nice touch though I can't imagine anyone require this.

I like the write view though I am still getting used to editing it. I like the fraction display. I like the Fixed/Scientific/Engineering notations. I keep mine on engineering with TAB 9.

I'm sure it does other things, but I will let other people comment on those things. I'll just say that its an excellent calculator for a computer programmer / designer.

Update:
After using this thing for a while I can say I do not like the fraction display. Its neat but not really useful for me. The problem is you can't tell the calculator to display decimal by default. Each calculation will be back to a fraction display, then you push the button to get the decimal. No biggie, but this could be improved in the next edition.

Good calculator with lots of functions. Tip for others trying to set answers to display as decimals instead of fractions without pressing the change button all the time: press the yellow "2nd F" button -> press 2 (Editor) -> press 1 (Line). Now all your answers should display in decimals instead of fractions.

So, I forgot my Casio calculator at home, and waiting for me at school was the mid-term. I drove right to a brick and mortar store and ran in to find that they have many calculators to chose from, just calling me, wanting to come home with me. I could've picked up the same Casio I had at home, but I didn't. I thought I try a new calculator so I picked up this Sharp EL-W516. Boy, it's been good to me so far. I've used it for two classes already and I don't feel a need to buy a fancy graphing calculator just yet. Yes, it doesn't do graphing, but that's fine. At this price, it's a steal; especially for a poor college student.

I used the Casio fx-300es in my last math class and got an "A." I keep my TI- 83 plus, in my bag if I ever come across a graphing or financial equation. I upgraded from my 300es and purchased both the fx-115es and the EL-W516B for my next math class because it is going to be one of those classes that touches on real life math situations and is very diverse. I read quite a bit on what both calculators offer and there are some very good reviews on both but I wanted to simplify things a little for those that may not understand some of the jargon used for these.
The similarities between both are:
Both have Write view/textbook displays
Dual solar power
General Math
Pre-Algebra
Algebra I & II
Geometry
Trigonometry
Statistics
Calculus
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Permitted on the AP, PSAT/NMSQT
The differences are:
The EL-W516B works with General Science and Pre-calculus has 556 functions and a 4-line display. The Sharp says that it in addition to the AP, PSAT/NMSQT, it is permitted on the AP Chemestry, AP Physics, SAT I, SAT II Math IC & IIC tests.
The fx-115es works with Engineering and 2-line display
These are the similarities and differences but to find which one is right for you depends on how involved you will be in math and how far you want to go. I hope this helps and good luck in school. Remember, once you are in, grab on and do not let go until you get your college diploma.

Update: I passed my last required math course and got an "A" using both calculators mentioned.

I thought it would be a small calculator (I prefer small) but it is actually quite bit a little smaller than TI-83 and definitely thinner.

As other reviewers said it displays answer in fraction (2/3 or 1-2/3). It is not big deal because answer can be changed to decimal with one button (change). This is not a shifted key. It is direct access. It solves the problem neatly. This calculator has 2 modes for viewing, WriteView and ListView. In list view answers are in decimal by default.

I migrated from high end casio. The keystrokes on this calculator are not as nicely tectile as were on my casio but nonetheless totally usable. My casio was pleasure to work with.

Features that I did not have in my casio that I am excited about are
Integration (one variable, definite, no symbols, only x variable)
Derivatives (one variable, definite, no symbols except x, other symbols ignored if used)

As some other user have argued this is quite complicated to use. I totally disagree. It has fewer modes that it should have. Each particular type calculation (Matrix, Equation solver,Complex) have seperate modes as it should be. They are all specially function. Interesting binary, octal, hex do not use seperate modes. They can be accessed directly.

Brightness too low. May be for some ppl but it is no super contrast. Acceptable.

Some features that you can't find in regular calculator, that i am excited about are, bitwise logical functions XOR,AND,OR etc. Remember these are binary logical function (8 AND 4 = 0). The are not about logic gates directly.

Someone said binary is limited to 10 bits so I can't use it. If you work in octal or hex, then you can go pretty much more than 128 bits, which makes sense rather than entering 128 0and 1's. In simulator values are expresses in hex so yes this calculator is perfect for programming.

Note that XOR,NOT,AND etc are accessed only in Oct,Bin,Hex modes not in decimal. Good new is they are direct keys which otherwise become sin,cos and tan keys in decimal mode.

Another critique or feature request, you can not change the sign of the answer. This should be by design. You should not be able to change the sign of the answer by the calculator, if by mistake you hit the sign key.

polar to rectangular is pretty awesome and easy. It work in normal mode as well as in complex mode. Working with complex mode is great too. iota is direct key not a 2nd function. The asnwer can be neatly converted into polar format in complex mode showing theta and angle.

Conversion formulas are great. Heavent' used them yet but easily accessible. 2nd key + const and you have the list. Exmaple miles to nautical miles 2nd key + const + 10.

Great Features
-----------------
In a conversion or in a formula, you can edit any part without erasing anything. Great feature. You can't do this in TI-89 (I believe). Very expensive calculator but garbage because of this.

Integration is really simple. Hit the key, you get everything in front of you. No second screen. Enter limits and expression. This is implemented really neat.

Variable X which is used in derivatives and integration is great. It is below the rcl button so if you hit rcl twice, X is displayed on the screen. Awesome.

Exp is first function great, pi is 2nd function below 3.

It has about 9 memory location which can be used really easily. You can also store expressions (not formulas). There are 51 constants which are great to use just in case you forgot them or dont want to write them.

Other features

random # generator, you can have log to base of any number just like in casio model. Implementation is neat too. Long values are separated by apostrophe after every 3 places.

Answer is stored even if the calculator is powered off. It has other features like equation solver (linear, quadratic, cubic), simulate-nous equation. It can solve 4x4 matrices too. You can not enter a formula but you can enter an expression which works as formula. Put in the values of unknown and you get the result.

It is not as complicated as calculator with 556 function would be. It is solar power and auto off which is great too.

I have had this calculator for less than a few hours only.