Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional Financial Calculator
by Texas Instruments
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Customers in the UK,
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for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Texas Instruments BA II Plus Professional Financial Calculator
Customer Review: Nice calculator
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this since I have an engineering background and am not used to the Postfix notation used in the HP 12C that I have also tried. I have always used Casio scientific calculators, so it is nice that it's more like a "normal" calculator, and that makes it faster to use at least for me. I haven't used any other financial calculators.
This is a nice calculator. The construction of the HP is better however, from a "key feel" standpoint, but it was also made in the early nineties. You know what they say, "they just don't make them like they used to". Even so, there's nothing wrong with the way this one is built.
I haven't used it for Bond math yet, but at least for annuities, it's easier to switch back and forth from END to BEGIN mode in the HP. So that's a minor drawback. Other financial functions seem to take the same number of keystrokes. But basic CF functions compute faster in this one, especially the IRR and the NPV functions.
Another thing that's nice in discounted cash flow calculations is that the display says what the variable is, so for example it says, "N = ..." or "I/Y = ...". Helps you keep track of your inputs when you're in a rush.
Customer Review: Good, but not the best option for mortgage professionals
Summary: 3 Stars
First of all, I'm a mortgage underwriter, so I'm coming at this from a mortgage underwriter's perspective. I've been using an HP 10B for the past several years. Recently, one of the numeral keys started to stick, so I decided it was time to buy a new calculator. After reading reviews for several different calculators on Amazon, I decided to take a flyer on the TI BA II Plus. After using it for a few days, I wish I had gotten another HP. Don't get me wrong, this is a solid calculator, but I miss a couple features from my old HP. First of all, the top of the HP was intentionally thicker than the bottom, creating a slight downward slope, thereby improving readability of the display. Secondly, I am mildly annoyed that the TI requires me to press two separate buttons (which are separated by 2 rows and 3 keys) in order to perform the final calculation on an amortized payment, whereas the HP required but a single keystroke. Granted, it's a minor nuisance, but a nuisance that accumulates over time. On the plus side, the calculator is sturdy, and the keypad has a good feel to it. It's just missing a few finishing touches.Customer Review: nice-looking, but disappointing
Summary: 1 Stars
A few odd points that bugged me: lots of things are hard-wired into the system that don't make any sense: irregular "time-savers" just cause confusion, buttons exist for things that you don't need a "whole button" for, options exist in weird submenus that are hard to get to, other options don't exist that you want but don't have. The main complaint I have, though, is with the "chain" and the "AOS" systems. They are both error prone unless you're doing something simple, because you have no way of going back over your long painstaking calculation because you can't look back over your entry string afterwards to make sure you entered it in correctly. So you have to start all over.
My sense about this calculator is that it was probably designed on the cheap to get you to pay extra for the same calculator as the BA II Plus. I think you might save your money and get something cheaper, I recommend a 2-line scientific calculator like the 30X IIS (solar-powered) or IIB (battery-powered), both under 20 dollars. Or maybe you just really want those business worksheets - but I tried them and don't like them.
Customer Review: Excellent for the CFA exam
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently used this one for the CFA level 1 exam, and it worked very well. I have tried the older BA II Plus (not professional) and its almost got the same functionality and smoother buttons. But I like this one too, and this one looks lot better. If they can introduce smoother buttons during their next upgrade, that would be super.
Only problem is, now AMAZON has raised the price to $42 or so. I bought it in late 2008 for $30 or so. I guess they sold way too many or just raised the price because they are the best.
Either way, make sure you carry two of these of the exam. Don't buy another, just borrow from a friend for the exam. But always carry two for the exam.
If you just want to keep it handy for your mortgage or car payment or leases (trickier), or just for personal finance, or even as a basic calculator, it does not hurt to have this one instead.
You have to learn the operations, but if you have some patience, you can learn the operations quickly. Its very user-friendly calculator.
It beats me why HP is more expensive.
Customer Review: Pleasantly surprised
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this to replace the previous BA I had used for years but which had been stolen.
At first impression was a little disapointed. It is much bigger than the previous TI I had and does not have the hard protective cover. I had been used to one handing the older model during input.
However, after about ten minutes I was pleasantly surprised. This is a high quality machine. Set it on a desk and it is stationary, input is very easy, and the display is highly visible from several angles.
Bottom line looks and feels solid and stable. Some have commented on the input keys stiffness. To me they feel solid and I have not had a problem with mis-entry.
Calculations are quick and easy to read. Only possible slip-up is that this machie has the ability to accept more variables so there is a little more learning curve than the older models.
In conclusion I am learing to one-hand it and I do like the engraved BA II PLUS logo on the front just a little touch of class on an already nice machine.