Calculator Culture Video - HP17BII / 17BII+ Versions, Which is Best?

[jonmoore]

(06-19-2022 07:17 PM)Bill (Smithville NJ) Wrote:  

(06-19-2022 11:36 AM)jonmoore Wrote:  I have both a 19B ii (back door battery model) and an original 17B ii and use them in tandem for their solver functionality.

Much as the 17B ii has a more mobile form factor the 19B ii's form factor makes it the best calculator to develop solver expressions on (the second alpha keyboard makes for speedy equation entry). This can be a little tedious on the 17B ii as it features a 42S-style alpha keyboard. The 19B ii also has an identical extended mathematical function list to the 27S (which also features a 42S style alpha keyboard).

I started with a 17Bii. Really like the solver but was disappointed that it didn't have all the math functions. So I bought a 19Bii and really enjoyed it's feature set and the separate keypad.

BUT, I hated the fact that the 19Bii would not save a partially entered solver equation or one with errors in it. While the 17Bii would allow for me to enter an equation even with errors, save it and then come back to it later to correct it. So I got rid of the 19bII. Correct me if I'm wrong on it not saving partial or equations with errors. Maybe I just missed some setting that would allow it.

I've found that I can develop very long and complicated solver equations on the HP-200 held-held (either the actual unit or the cpack emulator). Then when working, carefully type it into the 17Bii.

Does the HP-27S allow for saving incomplete solver equations? If so, then I should think about getting one of them.

I haven't really played much with Plus42 yet. But it does look interesting.

73
Bill WD9EQD
Smithville, NJ

You're correct ref the 19Bii behaviour with regards to errant equations and yes it is annoying. But having said that the speed of keyboard entry means I'm happy to bin and start again. But I also have an IR printer so whenever I get something that's not working, I print the LCD so as to study where it's going wrong after I've deleted the equation.

Ref the 27S I've only transferred equations that I already know to work so I can't say for certain, but something tells me that it's more likely to follow the 17Bii as in many ways the 27S has more in common with the 17Bii than the 19Bii.

Plus42 is an absolute gem. In general, I prefer working with physical calculators but Plus42 is such a clever superset of the 42S with other classic HP calculator functions that it never feels contrived. Everything fits together naturally and Thomas is tireless in the manner that he's ironing out any kinks, whilst continuing to evolve the concept.