Customer Reviews

Texas Instruments TI30XA Scientific Calculator

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I'm a research scientist who uses computers both at home and at work. But I also like to have a good scientific calculator ready at hand for convenience. I prefer Texas Instruments calculators for ease of use and reliability. I keep a calculator in my bedroom, den, living room, car, and at work. Three of my calculators are TI30XAs. That's right, as a practicing scientist I find that the bargain-priced TI30XA calculator has every scientific function I need for most problems. On the rare occasions that I need more power I use a computer. It never ceases to amaze me that many of my scientific colleagues are so computer dependent that they don't even own a calculator. Whenever they're away from their computer, they're lost. But with several TI30XAs, I have a calculator handy almost everywhere I am. You can spend more for a calculator but it's hard to find one that out performs the inexpensive TI30XA for most applications.

For the price, it is hard to beat this calculator. I've had this model for years and it is still going strong, with no problems or even a change of battery. Numbers are easy to read and the buttons are fairly large, with second functions labeled clearly. Lots of functions, and it is easy to use for stats. I also like the fact that it has an OFF button, which many models don't have. If you need a graphing calculator, of course this will not do, but for everyday use this model is a durable workhorse that I highly recommend.

This is a good calculator for simple calculations but I would highly reccommend the Texas Instruments TI30XIIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator. It has a two line display, which makes it easy to compare answers and formulas, and is powered by both solar and battery so it works in and out of the sun.

I have this calculator and can easily say that it is the best calculator (in its class) you could buy. I have had mine since 6th grade and it hasn't let me down. I am now in 10th grade and finally i'm getting rid of it because I am supposed to have a TI-83+ graphing calculator. The battery lasts forever ( finally changed mine last year after it turned 3 years old) This calculator can do everything. I used it from elementary school to pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, and to this point in algebra 2. The best part about this calculator is its layout. For example basic calculations (2+3=5) works great and all the other buttons dont distract you and as you go through math you learn more buttons that help you as you go and eventually you know how to do everything. It can do just about everything too, I remember freinds that have suffered through math because their similar scientific calculator didn't have one of the buttons we need, I have never had a problem. I used this in Elementary school, all through middle school and 2 years into high school and it shows no sighns of lacking preformence.

I gave it 5 because my girflriend loves it. It is hers.

Now, down to brass tacks. Every review I read on Amazon leaves out or merely casually mentions what I need to know.

So, batteries. NO, it does not expain how to change them in EVERY manual. At least it does not in this one. It only sayes that the batteries should last a lifetime. Okay, to change the batteries you need to remove all 6 very small philips-head screws from the back of the case,(I recommend a set of jewler's screw drivers) and pry it open. The two button cells are located between the display and what would be the "top" of the case as you would hold it ot operate it. In this case they were GPA76. I substituted LR44 (laser pointer batteries) bcause they are basically the same battery, though some may argue the LR44 has marginally higher capacity due to it's marginal incress in thickness. I found the batteries here died due to shelf life. (After three years, alcaline batteries tend to die and or leak. A single lithium button cells such as the high-capaicty CR2032 is a good idea due to the 10 year shelf life.) One was still usable but I replaced both of them. One had corroded, causing the lack of current flow, so I had to scrape the corrocsion off the one contact - look out for that and you should proobably test the unit before closing the case.

As for the functionality, I'd say it is an excellent scientific calcualtor. Large number of digits and good ranges and coversions. Not bad for the price. Personally I use one that hase electrical units such as inductance and capacitance, but hey, for normal scientific use (and you are not designing a space station or torsion field generatior) it seems quite good. AOS, good key layout, and key relief. Rapidly entering calcualtions is a snap. I actually like this one better than mine though I cannot easily use it for my research I'd say it could in most cases due the job for someone into college.

The cons:
No instructions on battery replacement (at least in this one's manual) and it is very inexpensively made (hey, they need to make a profit after all!)

Be careful repacing the batteries because if you touch it in the wrong
places, a key or two - or even display segments can be dmaged. I will say it is not as touchy about that as some LCD devices I have serviced or modified in my time.

Overall, for the price an excellent choice. I just wish they had been clear about replacing batteries, indeed I wish SOMEONE had mentioned it in detail. That is why I did so.

The TI30XA is great. It's small size and light weight make it easy to carry anywhere. The TI also contains enough features to cover 90 percent of the math covered in high school (including pre-calculus). It is also handy for normal jobs as well. This calculator has everything a person needs.

Things I like most:
3 memories
Pi key
Factorial
NOT solar, so memory never gets deleted unless you delete yourself
The instruction card built in to case
Everything!

Things I don't like:
Nothing!

I am a rising 7th grader and this calculator continued to please me all through 6th grade. It did EVERYTHING I needed it to do without being confusing AT ALL! If it was, I would just check the instruction card attached to the case and figure it out. And it costs 10 dollars at most, so you can't go wrong! Great calculator for its class!

Nice calculator but the decimal point is hard to see. Too small. Wish I'd known that before I bought it.

I bought this calculator two years ago, and even though it isn't as fancy as some, it has done everything it needs to do in school. It has simple features but the buttons are easy to find and I still haven't had ant problems. It's probably one one the most reliable calculators ever, especially for the great price. Great for middle school/high school students.

This is a great advanced scientific calculator!!! Even though i'm still in 8th grade, going into 9th, this calculator is a great one!

I'd say that this is good starting at 6th grade. That's when you start getting into more of the "complex" stuff.

This calculator has:
-183 functions
-3 memories
-automatic and manual shutoff
-2 batteries
-backspace
-shift(2nd)key
-1 year limited warrenty
-and more!!
I've also heard people say that this is great for high school and college!
This is a great calc!!