Not Just 2+2 / Review Casio FX82ES

IN THE old days, a scientific calculator meant a log book and a slide rule. By the time I got into college there were a number of brands selling scientific calculators. But the choice was easy, given the number of brands actually available in India.

Two decades later, with global and domestic brands vying for space on retailers’ shelves, Casio has somehow become the brand of choice due to its large range—from the simple calculator to hand-held PDAs that can do graphs. Recently, my inability to use a regular calculator compounded by the loss of my favorite Casio fx100 led me to a stationery shop to buy myself a new calculator.



Casio fx-82ES natural display appealed to me for a number of factors. The first was my love of fractions, the ability to enter an equation in the manner its written on paper was very important. The second reason was its ability to replay or go back and re-edit a calculation and see its impact on the result. The third was, of course, the cost.

After looking at a few models, the decision was clearly not to spend more than Rs 500; and the fx82ES was priced just right at a cool Rs 475. In fact, I was happy buying a Casio, rather than a Flair or Orpat, because my trusted old friend had worked wonderfully well for 20 odd years.

I have been called a show-off for preferring to use a scientific calculator, but, as I said, I am incapable of using a calculator without parenthesis. That’s not the only plus of the fx-82ES. It also lets you see results in the format of a fraction and switch to decimal view at the press of a button.

Another great feature, especially useful for students, is the capability of the fx-82ES to accept and calculate on basis of an array.

The fx82ES has a multi-line 96x31 pixel screen, comes with a hard case, three-year warranty and is very very light. The plastic and the built quality is amazing, and the manual simple to understand. Overall, the Casio fx82ES is all value for money. Go ahead, calculate your benefits.

--
The above article appeared in the Indian Express, on Sunday 15th March 2009