Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator
by Texas Instruments
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Texas Instruments TI-30X IIS 2-Line Scientific Calculator
Customer Review: 4 1/2 Durable and Inexpensive!
Summary: 4 Stars
Main Points:
I used this calculator for over 10 years before it finally stopped working, and I treated it fairly roughly (e.g.,coffe spills). I think others here have attested to the functionality of the TI-30, so I just want to emphasize that it's a tough little gadget as well. Yes, the buttons are on the small side and there is a bit of play, but this was never a major problem (although at times it slows down data entry). You can go to http://education.ti.com/downloads for a good overview of TI calculators, and you can scope out one of TI's major competitors at http://www.casio.com.
A Little History:
This was also one of the first commercially available low-priced calculators that had two-line display and backspace to correct or edit data entry. The dual-power and scrolling display features were also once unusual. The top line (for data entry) shows up to 11 characters; you can scroll backwards or forwards up to 88! The bottom line (shows results) displays up to a 10-digit answer along with a 2-digit exponent.
Individual Needs Differ:
From the reviews here, it appears that high school math is now more difficult than it once was. If you know that you're going to need graphing capability, then obviously this is not the choice for you. Similarly, the prevalence of laptop computers and math/stats software may obviate the need for some of the more advanced features.
Recommendation:
The layout is very good and, for such a low price, it packs a lot of calculating might. However, high school (or college)students may want to narrow their choices and then ask their teacher which one has the most relevant functions for the next few years of math. Compared to twenty-five or so years ago, one can now get a lot more calculator for the money. Depending on your budget, therefore, you might determine that a calculator like this is sufficient for your short-term needs, but that you'll need a new one if you go on to more advanced stats and math. In any event, this is a durable calculator that works very well.
Customer Review: Serviceable but ugh
Summary: 3 Stars
I have one of these calculators because our high school chem teacher basically told us to get this one. I never use it anymore, as I have an HP 35S for that role and a TI-89, TI-84 Silver (had to get it for an algebra class), and HP-50G, which I use on tests or complicated problems where having as many stacks as I want and a very quick equation solver help out a lot.
The 30XIIS is for the most part a good value- it costs aboot $15 tops and it has two lines to look at, does logs and lns and the reverse, and basically does what you ask of a serious scientific calculator, so for that I give it 3 stars.
In terms of being a joy to use though, I guess all I can say is that I've long since spent $60 to have a calculator that does roughly the same things, at least for me, because of its weaknesses. For starters, RPN is better, end of story. So in my mind, algebraic input is a weakness. Another weakness is that unlike TI's graphing calculators, you have to painstakingly press '2nd' and then 'ans' to manipulate your current answer further. That may sound trivial, but it's very annoying when you are using it a lot.
But the thing that really makes me hate this calculator for everyday use is the lack of quality. The keys feel sloppy, but worse you can press the crap out of them and not have it register half the time. I had a TI-30XA maybe ten years ago, and it didn't have those kinds of problems.
Basically I wouldn't recommend this calculator. I would highly recommend the HP-35S, but for those who don't want to spend that much on a plain scientific calculator, I've noticed that almost all of the chinese physics grad students at my school use a casio two line scientific calculator that appears similar to the FX-300MS. If it's good enough for those guys, I think it's safe to say that it's a good product, or at least better than this thing.
Customer Review: Fantastic! Don't buy a graphing calculator!
Summary: 5 Stars
Working towards BS in physics; after years of using my TI-86 I figured it'd be rational to get a solar backup just in case I was ever in a jam for an exam. Not needing something exceptional (yet) like a TI-89 or one with graphing capabilities (that I'd actually use), I settled on this bargain calculator. After I tried it out, I did some reflection and felt absolutely disgusted that I wasted ~$100 on my TI-86 when I could've gotten all I needed for <$20, and of course by "need" I'm pointing towards saving time on simple time-consuming math. This calculator, meant to be my backup, replaced my TI-86. It has everything I need, is well laid out and doesn't require batteries.
I remember entering algebra in K-12 hearing "you'll need a TI-83+ graphing calculator"... oh my, what a lie! Honestly, this is all you will ever need if you're not going above and beyond calculus. Using a graphing calculator is also horrible practise for introducing algebraic concepts. Keep it simple and you'll learn more, not that this is necessarily a "simple" calculator! The main thing you won't have is graphing, the less important chapters of algebra to boot. Besides, how hard is it to plot a few points on a coordinate plane and draw lines? Things like polynomials you should be able to do with ease, unless you're one of those procrastinating/lazy types who could care less. I suppose if it's all too excruciating, spend the extra $50 and cheat yourself.
The only thing that caught me off guard was that my TI-30 cover is a dark blue instead of black, but I'm hardly complaining! Minus 0.1 star, but 4.9 stars rounds to 5.
Customer Review: Don't buy! Get TI-30XS instead.
Summary: 2 Stars
Update: TI just released the TI-30XS MultiView Calculator for a similar price and it is much, much better. The buttons work great and they've also improved on a lot of other features.
I bought this calculator to take the FE exam. There are only a handful of approved calculators and so I chose this for the following reasons:
- Two line display
- I've been using a TI-83 Plus for almost 10 years and I thought that this would be easy to learn
- Solar - don't have to worry about batteries
- Inexpensive
I've been sorely disappointed with this calculator. The buttons are horrible! What good is a calculator if I can't type the information correctly? Also, the case is awkward and flimsy. Don't expect the same type of quality that you get with the graphic calculators, TI cut corners on this one. I don't recommend this calculator if you are going to be under tight time constraints because you will waste a lot of time fixing typing errors.
I've also had issues with the transition to a non-graphing calculator. It hasn't been as straight forward as I was hoping and the documentation is awful. I figure, if I'm going to have to learn a new system, I might as well go with a better calculator. I will likely go with the HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A) and save this one as a backup for the exam.
Customer Review: A Classic is Reborn
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased my first TI-30 in 1977 and carried in a drop holster with my slide rule, mechnacal pencils, and technical drafting pens. As the years went foward I relied on variant of the TI-30 for the latest, and every few years upgraded as I progressed in my profession.
The TI-30 has been an asset to the engineering business since the days it replaced slide rules as a portable calculator, and even today it remains one of the fastest and easiest pocket calulator to use by an engineer.
The larger beasts such as the TI-89 are fine for heavy lifting and complex transforms, but this variant of the TI-30 family is a superb buy for only a few dollars, and since the solar cell keep the power topped off so you don't have to worry about batteries.
This, and a TI-89 should both be kept on your desk, or in your briefcase. One TI-89 for the heavy lifting, and several TI-30's for the lighter duty number crunching.