Anyone Used the Casio FX-115ES?

[mstcrow5429]

Has anyone used the FX-115ES? I'm edging towards this for stats. I've decided to be non-conformist, and not go with TI kit (which I'm sure are good, but I already have a TI, a TI-85 [which I recently had to disassemble to get rid of a black mote of something between the LCD glass and plastic overlay, now the bottom of the case is slightly cosmetically damaged], from HS, but no Casios). It has a nice 2 line display, and a D-pad, among other amenities.

FX-115ES - Scientific & Financial - Calculators & Dictionaries - Products - CASIO

[snazzlefrag]

Has anyone used the FX-115ES? I'm edging towards this for stats. I've decided to be non-conformist, and not go with TI kit (which I'm sure are good, but I already have a TI, a TI-85 [which I recently had to disassemble to get rid of a black mote of something between the LCD glass and plastic overlay, now the bottom of the case is slightly cosmetically damaged], from HS, but no Casios). It has a nice 2 line display, and a D-pad, among other amenities.

FX-115ES - Scientific & Financial - Calculators & Dictionaries - Products - CASIO

mstcrow,

One of the reasons I liked the TI BAII+ was that it had equally impressive functionality for both Stats AND Finance. In addition to all the same stat functions that the FX-115ES has, the BAII+ can do such finance operations as: breakeven analysis, profit margin, bonds, npv, internal rate of return, cash flow, discounting, tvm, amortization...etc.

Of course, if one of your other calculators already does those functions then the 115ES might be a great addition to your calculator collection.

For me though, it was worth paying $30 for one calculator that covered both exams.

The 115ES does look like an awesome calculator though.

Take care,
Snazzlefrag

[mstcrow5429]

mstcrow,

One of the reasons I liked the TI BAII+ was that it had equally impressive functionality for both Stats AND Finance. In addition to all the same stat functions that the FX-115ES has, the BAII+ can do such finance operations as: breakeven analysis, profit margin, bonds, npv, internal rate of return, cash flow, discounting, tvm, amortization...etc.

Of course, if one of your other calculators already does those functions then the 115ES might be a great addition to your calculator collection.

For me though, it was worth paying $30 for one calculator that covered both exams.

The 115ES does look like an awesome calculator though.

Take care,
Snazzlefrag

I'm thinking that I'll get a higher-end scientific calculator for stats, and for finance, I'll get THE financial calculator, the HP-12C (or the HP-12C Platinum). If you're in finance, and you don't have a HP-12C, people will assume something is wrong with you.

[snazzlefrag]

I'm thinking that I'll get a higher-end scientific calculator for stats, and for finance, I'll get THE financial calculator, the HP-12C (or the HP-12C Platinum). If you're in finance, and you don't have a HP-12C, people will assume something is wrong with you.

Hi mstcrow,

Since the HP-12C is programmable, you might run into a bit of a problem with the rules if you use it for the Principles of Finance exam.

Any calculator used must be non-graphing and non-programmable.

Just a word of caution. You might want to confirm with DSST that the HP-12C is okay to use.

Best of luck,
Snazzlefrag

[ridin8ude]

I found the TI-BA II Plus Professional for 45 Euros today in Holland.

I count my lucky stars cuz didn't expect to be able to find it. Everything is more expensive here anyway. Now just have to figure out how to use it for both the DSST stats and Finance exams...

[mstcrow5429]

Hi mstcrow,

Since the HP-12C is programmable, you might run into a bit of a problem with the rules if you use it for the Principles of Finance exam.

Any calculator used must be non-graphing and non-programmable.

Just a word of caution. You might want to confirm with DSST that the HP-12C is okay to use.

Best of luck,
Snazzlefrag

DSST doesn't respond to e-mails with questions regarding allowed calculators. I sent a list of calculators I'm interested in for Stats last week, no response. It's not at all clear what programming in their eyes is, either. Any interaction with the unit via the keypad is a form of programming. As RPN is stack-based, does manipulating the stack count as programming? Memory registers? Or do they mean programming such as TI-BASIC? They won't address these questions, and as written, their guidelines, strictly interpreted, would ban all calculators, so I'm forced to generate my own criteria, trying to fit in with the spirit of the guidelines as best as I can guess.

Update:
Sent this e-mail, will see if they respond this time:

"To Whom It May Concern:
I'm going to assume that as there was no response to the list of
calculators I submitted for "Principles of Statistics" (see attachment),
any and all of them are acceptable for use on the exam.

As a follow up, are the HP-12C and HP12C Platinum acceptable for use on
the "Principles of Finance" exam?"

[Kiwi Lover]

DSST doesn't respond to e-mails with questions regarding allowed calculators. I sent a list of calculators I'm interested in for Stats last week, no response.

mstcrow,

I'm not sure when you are planning on taking your exams, but in an effort to find out ASAP what calculators they will accept, why don't you just telephone them?? The number listed on the website is 877-471-9860. Can't hurt to try anyway! Just my two cents'...

JoAnne

[mstcrow5429]

mstcrow,

I'm not sure when you are planning on taking your exams, but in an effort to find out ASAP what calculators they will accept, why don't you just telephone them?? The number listed on the website is 877-471-9860. Can't hurt to try anyway! Just my two cents'...

JoAnne

I don't need it for at least a few weeks, and I'm far more eloquent and efficient at written communications than oral communications. I did call them up before sending the e-mail inquiring as to allowed calculators for "Principals of Finance," but it appears they are lazy and take weekends off.

[cbrchris]

For anyone considering the BAII-Plus Professional that is in the states and has a Sam's Club membership they have it for $25.82 via there website. They do charge shipping and tax. Total: $32.65 for me.

At my local Office Depot they wanted $49.99 for the Professional version and $29.99 for the basic one.

Texas Inst. BaII Plus Professional Calculator
Sam's Club - Texas Inst. BaII Plus Professional Calculator

I found some reviews on amazon that swayed me away from the HP12C and to go with the BAII-Plus

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!

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.

[mstcrow5429]

I called up DSST, and the person I spoke to gave me somewhat conflicting information. They said it had to be "non-computerized" (not sure what this means, every modern calculator has a CPU, memory storage...must mean something else), and then they indicated it had to be a 4-function calculator, which can't be right. So they allowed me to leave a voice mail on someone higher up, who they said should be able to help answer my questions. I'm almost wondering if as long as you don't bring in a TI Voyager 200, Palm, or Pocket PC device, they don't care...