Jul 11, 2006 10:02 PM
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The Casio 991-MS is undoubtedly one of the best high-end scientific calculators to hit the market. I bought this phone in September 2002 for 700 bucks. At the time of writing this review (July 2006) it is much lower, around 400-500 bucks.
First of all, the casio 991 MS is NON-PROGRAMMABLE calculator, so that comes as a boon for all engineering students, coz programmable scientific calculators are not allowed in exams.
But I tell you what, the casio guys have managed to incorporate as many features as possible into this gem of a calculator. Let us go into it in more detail.
1. Design : An absolute winner. Anyone would be floored by its sleek looks. Amazingly thin for a calculator with so many functions. The keypad is also quite comfortable with soft keys, which are quite pleasurable to handle. The sleekness is possible because instead of using the ordinary pencil cells, this calculator uses the small button cells. The calc in fact has a dual power supply (solar power+button cells). The calculator is protected with extremely durable plastic casing. I've dropped my calci dozens of times, it doesn't get damaged.
2. Display: The display is clear and easy on the eyes. Has a two-line display, by which one can see the calculation and the answer at the same time.
3. Functionality:This is where the casio scores a bull's eye.
Apart from the standard and scientific functions, this calc can be used to solve simultaneous equations upto 3 unknowns,equations upto degree 3, integral and differential calculus and even complex number calculations.
Also, it can perform matrix and vector calculations, though they are a bit more tedious. The SD mode and the Regression mode help in analysis of statistical data, including stuff like coefficient of regression, karl's coefficient, curve fitting etc. The calc has built-in conversion functions too, like polar to rectangular,inch to cm, km to mile, and so on.
The SVPAM (Super visually perfect algebraic method) is again very convenient. It's like this - to calculate sin(50) you would normally type 50 and then press sin in an ordinary scientific calculator. But in svpam, to calculate sin(50), you first press sin and then type 50.
The calc can store previous operations in its memory, which is again handy if you want to recheck your calculations.
My favourite function is the SOLVE function, where you can enter ANY kind of equation involving one unknown variable, and press SOLVE. It calculates the value of the variable. Engineering students, if you get stuck in the exam with a huge expression that you can't solve manually,, this is a godsend.
The other calculators in the MS series are the 82MS (hardly any features- don't go for it) and 100MS (all features of 991MS except matrix and vector calculations, a bit bulky in design).
Go for the 991 MS. You won't regret it. And yeah, one sincere advice... LEARN to use all the features of the calculator. Take time to sit and read the manual carefully. Few people do that.
P.S. In case you need any help in using the calculator, mail me your query at s_vivek85@yahoo.com. I can proudly claim that I know each and every function in this calc.
