Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphing Calculator

by Texas Instruments

Product Details

Product Manual [2.73mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 3.5 x 1 inches ; 12.8 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00000JF53
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #7 in Electronics > Office Electronics > Calculators > Graphing
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 1, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Designed with power users in mind, the TI-86 graphing calculator has all the power and functionality of the popular TI-85 but with significant enhancements aimed at students of college mathematics, engineering, and science. The TI-86 includes a function evaluation table, deep entry recall, seven different graph styles with multiple line and shading options, and slope and direction fields for differential equations. In addition, the TI-86 boasts 96 KB of user-available memory--three times more than the TI-85. There's also a new function evaluation table which shows numeric output for function, polar, parametric, and differential equation modes.

The TI-86 runs with programs designed for the TI-85 and includes all the same matrix features, but with a new matrix editor that allows the user to view and edit matrices in two dimensions. You can also view multiple lists and attach formulas to those lists for automatic computations. A new aspect of the TI-86 is the ability to customize product functionality with machine language programs downloaded from TI's Web site. Besides the strong graphing abilities, the TI-86 also has powerful calculus features like integration, derivatives, minimums, maximums, roots, and arcs. It also supports Z80 assembly language programming.

The 64 x 128 high-contrast pixel screen displays eight lines of 21 characters each plus two levels of display menus. With the TI-86, you can link to other TI-86s and TI-85s via the input/output port, and to CBLs, CBRs, and computers. --Dana Van Nest

Product Description

Designed with power users in mind, the TI-86 graphing calculator has all the power and functionality of the popular TI-85 but with significant enhancements aimed at students of college mathematics, engineering, and science. The TI-86 includes a function evaluation table, deep entry recall, seven different graph styles with multiple line and shading options, and slope and direction fields for differential equations. In addition, the TI-86 boasts 96 KB of user-available memory--three times more than the TI-85. There's also a new function evaluation table which shows numeric output for function, polar, parametric, and differential equation modes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

108 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Graphing Calculator, December 10, 1999

By 

Sean Munson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphing Calculator (Office Product)

I had used a TI-83 for Precalc, but really needed something a little more powerful for Calculus, so I bought an 86. One of my friends has an 89, but many tests that allow graphing calculators still don't allow a TI-89 because they have "algebraic manipulation" capabilities, plus the 86 is cheaper, so I went with that. I have not been disappointed. It has a much cleaner interface than the 83, and the 83's only real advantage, a strong financial and statistics package, can be downloaded to the 86 as an addon. Be warned though if you do that, the Graph Link cable (to the computer) is not cheap. It's a great calculator with a lot of good features. Those looking for more features can easily customize it by programming it, a pretty straightforward process.

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful calculator, December 16, 2003

By 

Charlie (MI, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphing Calculator (Office Product)

I bought this around mid 1997 and I'm still using it to this day.
It's helped me through AP Calc, Calc II, Calc III, Differential Equations, Advanced Engineering Math, SATs, GREs, Fundamentals of Engineering exam for EIT certification, and etc...

I actually bought a TI-89 around soph year of college just to complement the TI-86.

You see, the TI-86 is a SOLID engineering calculator. It's got fast units conversions, an intuitive and FAST menu system BUT it lacks "pretty print", handling of units for math (keeps the units throughout equations, calculators), and integration/differentiation with the variables in place (it doesn't just evaluate it). With the right software, the TI-89 is a very powerful math tool.

I used the TI-89 primarily for theoretical math but came in handy for standardized tests as well.

I would recommend getting both the TI-89 and TI-86 and start familiarizing yourself with both calculators before you start tackling tests. Check the rules and regs for calculators also - standardized tests should allow the use of the 86 and 89.

Overall, the TI-86 is a solid math tool - notice I say TOOL because that's what it is. If you have no idea what you're doing in class, the TI-86 won't give you an A.

My recommendation is to get both the TI-86 and TI-89.
Just FYI, I'm still using the TI-86 at work. The buttons show some wear and I lost the first line of the LCD because I dropped it in college. Nonetheless it's still chugging along.

Also, slap in four 750mAH NiMH batteries. You will NOT regret this because these calculators drain alkaline batteries in half a semester of intensive use. We didn't have cheap NiMH batteries back in the day - TI actually pushed the use of Rayovac Renewals (remember those rechargeable alkalines that only lasted 5 charges?) and our other choice was NiCd. Forget all that. Slap in four Energizer 750mAh NiMH batteries and you'll save yourself a LOT of money in the long run. That means more money for video games and other forms of entertainment in college.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars TI-86... Powerful, Affordable, Reliable..., February 28, 2002

By 

Robert D. Shull "shullrd" (Fairfield, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphing Calculator (Office Product)

If you are involved with heavy mathematical calculations, you will find that there is nothing better to have at your side, than a trusty TI-86. With this extraordinary calculator you can literally do anything from statistical to calculus work, and even work in the sciences. The interface is simple to learn (speaking in a graphing calculator sense), and the manner in which things are done on this calculator is so much easier than on the older TI-85.

If you need to know what points are in a function, enter the function into the graph, and select table... Voila! In nice graphical format TI-86 will provide you with an x,y table with all points you select! Its that easy... TI-86 also does an extraordinary job with parametric equations!

I have used the TI-85, and actually was looking for one when I bought this calculator. I couldn't find it anywhere, so I took the plunge and picked up a TI-86... After using it for a semester in university math and sciences classes, I will NEVER go back to the 85!