I have been reading everybody's threads on here for a while but have not registered to become a member of the forum, so this is my intro. I work for a small firm in south Florida and was wondering what everyone's favorite calculator was. I know a couple folks that use the retro HP 11C and another handful that use the TI 83 but wonder much better the TI 83 is compared the the HP 11C. It seems that the HP 11c as vintage as it is is better built for for surveying computation so I was curious as to what everyone on here uses as their favorite calculator for surveying calcs.
Thanks, McCracker
HP41CX
Casio fx-260.
Since my freshman year as and ME student (yes I started my education as a mechanical engineer but I saw the errors of my way) I have been immersed in the world of HP. Every student in the College of Engineering was required to have an HP41 and our first engineering course was dedicated to programming the beast. Did I mention that at the time HP developed and built their calculators in the same town.
While I still have my trusty 41CX with all the attachments but have not turned it on in years. I switched to the HP48 which I would say was my favorite. I used it right up to the day my crew borrowed it to do some sun shots and proceeded to leave it on a mountain top. Since they do not make the 48 anymore I've switched over to the HP 50g which functionally is good but the craftsmanship is nowhere close to the 41 or the 48.
As for any other calculator, even with six years of higher education I struggle using the simplest if it is not RPN.
11C, on my iPhone; less to carry in the field. Have a real one too.
Also have 15C on the iPhone.
Also have an HP25 that I don't use anymore; Going to sell it some day and retire in the Caribbean!:-D
HP11C, but I completely wore it out many years ago. Followed closely by my HP41CX purchased in 1989, but somehow still going after daily use. Sitting right next to me now. 🙂
I have a 15C on my phone and it's great. I have a 48gx on my desk.
TI 30
Any survey calcs I do these days are done on a computer, or maybe on a data collector. In the day when I used a calculator in the field for such things I loved my HP48gx with SMI card. That is still going strong but I just don't use it anymore. Haven't used it much for about 17 years now. No, I'm not interested in selling.
I keep a HP35s on my desk for simple calcs. Still available new. Close to oldtime HP quality.
HP48GX that I've used since college is by far my favorite. I'll probably cry whenever it bites the dust someday. I also installed Droid48 on my phone.
I also use my HP35s, since getting it to use for the FS Exam last year.
It's not a real calculator without RPN 🙂
My most used is an HP35s, but I also have a 48 and a 41.
I've got an HP50g, but I think Excel is easier and more useful. The one calculator I can't live without is the Construction Master Pro Trig on my phone.
Dave
Got a TI-30 (the ones with the red LED display) freshman year of college, still have it, still works.
Then a TI-58 my senior year, loved the survey chip that went into the back.
Next a HP-41CX by far my favorite Calculator with the surveying module & card reader. Went through 2 printers with that calculator.
Got an HP-48SX as an upgrade, hated it went back to my HP-41CX.
Last year my HP-41CX finally died after almost 30 years of service. I replaced it with a HP-35s not a bad calculator, gets the job done, and its RPN.
I do miss mine, I used "go41c" app on my phone for a replacement, but, found I was using "Droid48" more. I am not running programs though
41cx, 11c, 15c, and 48gx. They all came in handy at the proper time.
