Customer Reviews

Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional Financial Calculator

5 star:		(160)
4 star:		(70)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

Finally! This is a superb upgrade to TI's previous BA II product. I hated the previous model with a passion given the near "touchless" keypad (allowing for frustrating key entry). THIS is the calculator that I would want to use for the CFA exam (did I mention how much I HATED the previous TI BA calculator??).

For those thinking of the HP12C line, I had a 12C for many years and loved it. However, after it got ruined due to a playful two year old, I bought a new one and found it cheaply made compared to the one I bought in the 80's (very disappointing) and have since abandoned using it. Interestingly, I found the following calculation example from a review of the HP 12C Platinum edition to be very interesting: "If possible, I would suggest that potential users and buyers try this data set on both the 12C and 12cP before buying. Clear register. Find [i] after input [PMT]=-1458;[FV]=0,[n]=84,[PV]=103600. The HP12C would take 20 seconds "running" while the HP12cP would take about 30 seconds to give the same answer [i]=0.4059!"

How long for the BA II Plus Professional? I timed it at about one second.

As calculators go, this is a mighty sweet device -- especially given the clear HP-like display viewable at all angles!! Count me as a definite TI BA II convert!

OPENING NOTES:
Just to clarify, this is a financial calculator, essentially the same calculator as the "Texas Instruments BA II Plus Advanced Financial Calculator" but with a cosmetic make-over.


PROS:
- Very attractive appearance.
- Nice "firm-touch" keypad.
- A couple of additional functions (compared to the BA II Plus Advanced).


CONS:
- Leatherette soft case instead of hard case.
- Approx. $21 more (at time of writing) than BA II Plus Advanced.


REVIEW:
This is a very nice calculator. It is full-featured financial calculator with an attractive appearance. The brushed metal face has a polished metal inset to highlight the primary financial function buttons. I like the button layout (which is the same on both the Professional and Advanced models), and preferred it over that of the HP 10bII financial calculator, which I thought had poorly-marked non-financial functions.

The calculator has a solid feel that is consistent with its metal look, and that is further reinforced by the "firm-touch" keypad. Personally, I like the feel of the firm-touch keys and prefer it over a regular keypad, as is found on the BA II Plus Advanced.

My one complaint about the BA II Plus Professional (and the reason I rated it as 4 stars instead of 5) is that it has a soft case instead of a hard case. While the soft case will help protect from superficial marring, it won't protect the calculator from impact or pressure damage, or from accidentally pressing buttons (such as "On") when carrying it. For the extra $21 more than the Advanced model, it would be nice if the Professional model came with a case that will actually protect it.


SUMMARY:
- If you plan to keep your financial calculator around for a while or will use it a lot, and want something nice, then I would recommend this calculator. (I basically think of it as an investment in something I will continue to use for several years.)

- If you think you would prefer a more firm-feeling keypad, then I would recommend this calculator.

- If you are just buying a financial calculator for a finance class and don't plan on getting much use out of it afterward, and don't need the additional functions of the Professional version (which are advertised as being "Net Future Value (NFV), Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR), Modified Duration, Payback, and Discount Payback"), then I would recommend saving some bucks and getting the Advanced model of the BA II Plus.

Have been a stalwart HP financial calculator user for over two decades...started with an HP41 in college with financial templates. I always admired HPs for the durable build, ease-of-use (once you got over the RPN hurdle) and displays. I finally needed to replace my over decade old HP 12C and the newer HPs simply do not impress me. Cheaper (as in WAY cheaper!) build...the HPs that came from Malaysia were fantastic calculators...solid keystrokes, superior grade of plastics, the whole nine yards. The newer HPs are made of a plastic that is a giant step backwards. The keys are now laughable, no 'HP Feel' to them at all.

I took all of this in and thought to myself, 'I guess everything is getting cheaper, nowadays...'. Then I ran a NPV calculation at the store and was downright shocked to see it ran slower than my old HP. The one thing I thought MIGHT save the purchase (i.e. cheaper plastic but faster processor) didn't happen. I tried all of the newer HPs...the one display model of the OLDER HP12 (the non-Platinum model and still made in Malaysia) definitely runs TVM calculations quicker. This is NOT how to impress old bankers with a new product.

Time to check out the Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional. At first glance, to an old HP user, I thought it really LOOKED TI-ish; that is to say, very non-HP. But upon pressing a key or two, I was impressed that TI at least made an attempt at obtaining the old 'HP Feel' to their keys. Not as 'pretty' as HP's angled keys, but good tactile feedback and get this: If you'll hold up the TI BA II PP horizontally and sight down the keys, you'll see they are actually angled! Nice touch, TI.

Nicely laid out TVM section (my only reason for owning a financial calculator, thus supremely important to me) and intuitive to boot. Speed of calculation simply SMOKES current HPs...there is absolutely NO CONTEST. A complex Internal Rate of Return took two to three seconds. TI hasn't been simply sitting around and 'repackaging' anything; whatever is under the hood of this calculator is current and fast.

The rest of the calculator is nicely laid out...keys are pretty much TI convention, which to me is different. I miss a prominent ENTER key.

Likes: I like TI's 'CHAIN' calculation mode. It's similar to RPN without the ENTER keystroke. Remember this if this is your first financial calculator: Most financial calculations are run in CHAIN or RPN mode (and, sadly, no, the TI doesn't support TRUE RPN), not the Algebraic Operation System (AOS). To TI's credit, the calculator defaults to CHAIN calculation (for newbies, this just means that the calculator runs the operation AS IT IS ENTERED; NOT following Algebraic heirarchy of operations). But it is nice that TI recognizes how financial people enter calculations and, unlike other TI calculators, AOS is NOT the default entry mode.

Love the fact that the compounding rate is defaulted to 1, not 12 (HPs always default to 12). Love the fact that interest is always entered as a whole interest number (it divides it for you, automatically). Good, not great, manual. Battery access is very easy. Quality looks genuinely good, but time will be the only final arbiter on this one, but the product appears to be (in my highest compliment) equal to older HPs in every respect.

Dislikes? Quibbling ones to be sure, but the compounding rate mentioned above is a pain to get too; I must have looked 30 minutes in the manual to finally find it (hint: you have to use the Down Arrow key to roll through a series of selections to get it...and it's NOT the first choice). Wish for (on all financial calculators, not just TI) normal AA or AAA batteries...why the manufacturers have to insist on the round, hearing aid style battery is beyond me. I mean, really, how big is a AAA battery?

Wish TI would step up to the plate and offer some mortgage/realty functions in a financial calculator without forcing a user to own 2 calculators. Wish it were programmable, which is just a follow-on to the mortgage/realty/specialized functions.

If TI offered this same model with enhanced functions, programmability and a normal battery, HP could give up the calculator market.

As it stands, a worthy heir to the older HP calculators. I'm sorry to see HP cheapen the product so badly, but TI will gain market share on this one. A solid keeper.

WHO WOULD BUY THIS? The Texas Instruments Business Analyst II plus Professional (BA2+PRO) is the latest business calculator which would appeal to the demanding business user who wants features, functionality, solid construction and a calculator which has a really professional look.

WHAT'S NEW? Compared to the BA2+, this 60% more expensive BA2+PRO "upgrade" offers several new functions like MIRR, NFV, Modified duration, payback, discounted payback.

My first out-of-the-box impression of the BA2+PRO, is its large, clear and contrasty monochrome LCD display screen, this is a nice improvement over the TI BA II plus (BA2+).

The BA2+PRO is quite nice to hold, it feels "heavy" and looks as solidly constructed as the HP12C, it would not slip on the desktop when user press the buttons and facilitates one or two index finger(s) operation. In contrast, most BA2+ users would have to hold the calculator on one hand while operating the calculator with the other.

The buttons on the BA2+PRO are "harder" than its predecessor the BA2+. Users who are accustomed to the soft-touch BA2+ buttons will notice the difference. However, seasoned HP12C users would welcome the same "firm-touch" buttons on the BA2+PRO which is as tactile as the keys on their HP12C.

Unlike the BA2+, battery replacement on the BA2+PRO is convenient, its sliding battery compartment is user-accessible without the need for a screwdriver to open the casing.

With its contemporary design and its manufacturer supplied soft accessory "leather-like" case, the professional look of the BA2+PRO appeals strongly to the fashion conscious users.

HOW DOES IT RANK AGAINST ITS' COMPETITORS? I have recently purchased the BA2+PRO to complement my Hewett Packard 12C(HP12C) for my studies and professional examination.

The newbie speed demon BA2+PRO surpasses the HP12C in processing speed for TVM calculations and its excellent user-friendly statistical worksheets plus many more added functions but it still NOT a comparable user programmable upgrade versus the HP12C/12cPlatinum.

Both my HP12C and the state-of-the-art BA2+PRO are great complements to each other. However, I would suggest to prospective users who intend to own and use both the BA2+PRO and the HP12C to do so only IF they are not confused by the functions, feel and the handling of the two different software and hardware form factor.

The BA2+PRO is also smartly priced between the economically priced BA2+ and the more expensive HP12C/12c Platinum.

Judging by the excellent work done on their BA2+PRO, TI seems capable to offer a highly specialized user expandable "equation solver" financial calculator which could rival the HP17BII+ or HP19BII series,IMHO.

Although BA2+PRO users cannot program the BA2+PRO to solve and find the price of a European call option using Black-Scholes option pricing model but for a newbie, the BA2+PRO is already the deepest in-the-money financial calculator in its category.

MY RECOMMENDATION for would-be owner of financial calculator who has a USD$60 budget, time and patience to learn only ONE business calculator, the BA2+PRO should be your best informed choice.

Thank you for reading my user experience with the BA2+PRO.

some reviewers seem to dislike the changes b/c the buttons require a firmer touch. Personally, I found the change to be great! If you have big fingers and like to key in quickly you will probably feel the same way. Additional functions are nice too.

Compared to BAII plus, it is much heavier with the metal cover. Too light is a disadvantage for the old model. Now, this one won't jump around when you punch the keys. The pros of HP 12C says that one is like a tank. This one is just like a samller tank, maybe.

The display is another major improvement. The view is clear and won't change for different angle. This won't be a worry on your CFA exam.

Keys are harder to punch; this is a bad feature for professionals. But it is not that bad as long as you can hear the "click", which is not that hard, the number will be there. People with less strength on their finger will complain too.

Easier to change the battery, though you might worry it is too easy. Don't open the cap too often will help. The good news is you no longer need to carry around a skrew driver on you exam day, only the battery.

I recently purchased both an HP 12C and a TI BA II Plus Pro. I have also used the HP 12C Platinum edition. While I am well-versed in RPN and like the HP models of calculators, I think the BA II Plus Pro is fit to surpass the 12C as the new standard in financial calculators for a number of reasons.

First, the newer 12C models are no longer made in Singapore. They definitely do not feel as sturdy as the older ones. While many like the firm tactile response of the 12C keys, the BA II Plus Pro has a similar tactile response.

Second, HP failed to improve the design of the 12C Platinum by adding trigonometric functions. The BA II Plus Pro includes the trigonometric functions, and one could viably use it for a general-purpose calculator, not just a financial calculator. One improvement made in the 12C Platinum edition, while bemoaned by fans of RPN, is the choice between algebraic and RPN modes.

Finally, the BA II Plus Pro is significantly faster than the 12C and slightly faster than the 12C Platinum. While the 12C models are programmable and the BA II Plus Pro is not, if you are merely looking for a sturdy financial calculator and do not care about the 12C's programming capabilities, I would recommend considering the BA II Plus Pro. However, keep in mind that while the BA II Plus Pro has an adequate manual, the 12C manual is excellent in every respect and much more in-depth.

This is a great calculator, but when you input numbers fast, they do not always register. If you buy this calculator, input 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8, and 9 as fast as you can. You may encounter some numbers not registering even though you hear the number click (as if the number was added). This was not a problem with the BAII Plus. This is a huge disadvantage to this calculator.

The keys are hard to press, the looks are great, new functions are added, The older version of BA II plus is good enough for the CFA program, as there are just a couple of new functions added.

Overall its professional looking machine.

I really like this calculator.Some Amazonians have been complaing about the pressure it takes to depress the keys. I like the firm feel of the keys plus they make a satisfying "click" when you press them. Now, what I don't like. TI replaced the hard plastic protective cover with a vinyl cover.This is an incredible pain.With my old BA II(circa 1989/1990)you slipped off the plastic cover then slid it over the back of the calculator and you were ready to go. With the new model you take it out of its vinyl pouch and, I guess,just chuck the pouch somewhere till you're done calculating. Then you go and find it and put it back over the calculator. Sounds trivial, but if you're used to that storable cover it is a major hassle.Still, it's a fine machine.