HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A) by Hewlett Packard
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Digital camera reviews of HP 33S Scientific Calculator (F2216A)
Digital camera Review: Basic User
Summary: 4 Stars
I have been using the HP33S for several weeks now and am quite pleased with its basic performance. I wanted a straight forward scientific RPN calculator and that is what I got. Would really have liked a bigger ENTER key but now that I am used to the little one its no problem.Digital camera Review: Becareful before buying
Summary: 3 Stars
It looks like a good scientific calculator but u needs to give some time (1-2 weeks) to understand it. It is definitely different from regular calculators which we use at high school and undergrad. In my case I don't have much time to read and understand the manual, so it is almost no use for me.Digital camera Review: Best Calculator for the FE and PE exams
Summary: 3 Stars
I have used this calculator for one month. I bought it to take the Environmental PE exam. Of the calculators listed on the NCEES website this one suites me best. I have several HP48's and a HP49+. I was difficult for me to lower myself to use the 33s. I also have a HP32S. So this purchase is redundant. I wrote several solver routes and several programs (easy and fast). The main limitation is the storage registers. You only have 26 letters for use as variables. This make programming somewhat of a challenge. The calculator works fast has inches to cm and back conversion keys. If you plan on taking the PE and prefer RPN calculators or want to experience why RPN is supperior to algebraic entry get this one.Digital camera Review: Best calc for the PE exam hands down
Summary: 4 Stars
I researched this calculator against the other 3 types that could be used for the PE exam. This one is a lot more expensive and thus the 4 star rating, however, if you want any kind of edge on the exam this is the right play. If you haven't taken the test yet... yes, they do check your calculator against their approved list. There won't be any negotiating, volunteers who know nothing of calculator types check your model number against the list. They will take your calculator if it isn't on the list because they did it to someone sitting right behind me. He had to do the entire test with no calculator. Of course, I didn't feel the least bit sorry for him because they specifically tell you to only use their approved list.
I took the Electrical exam and the Computer specialty in the afternoon and passed on the first try. These are the three features that will give you an edge on the test and I honestly think they are worth the extra investment.
1) It has a stack which saves calculation time by a lot. The stack is only like 4 lines deep and the screen shows 2 lines.
2) Base conversions are built in. It is so easy to just hit 2 buttons and have the conversion immediately instead of going long hand. And when you have to solve the output of a complex digital system, time is better spent thinking about the system than calculating something out by hand. If memory serves, there were nearly 10 problems needing this feature between the morning and afternoon sections.
3) Rectangular to polar conversions are built in. Your phasors and complex numbers will all be trivial. Think about simplifying large RLC circuits by hand. Think of the time savings you could spend on other problems. Also, if you spend more than 6 minutes to solve something by hand and then get it wrong, that is just crazy. If memory serves there were 6 to 8 problems on the morning section needing this feature.
Trust me, these features will save you time and you can spend more time thinking through how to solve each problem instead of trying to get the calculations exactly right by hand. Put your number crunching ego aside and understand that the problems are hard. You will need to think about many of them. They are harder than the review manuals out there for sale. The review manuals help brush up on your theory and get your ready no question about that. But, you will have to think and be savvy because the questions are not carbon copies with the numbers changed. This calculator will give you a small edge in helping you save time and being accurate.
Maybe the other disciplines like Chemical or Civil don't need polar to rectangular or base conversions, but for any Electrical test taker these you will need.
Digital camera Review: Best one for the PE, but tough to use
Summary: 2 Stars
I believe this is the only approved programmable calculator on the NCEES approved calculator list. If you want a programmable calc for that exam, this is your baby. If you want a good easy to use programmable calculator for your day to day use, I would go up a couple of notches and buy the 50g (I have both).