Excellent calculator for general use and high school
Pros:
Good quality, tons of features, easy to get started, sharp two-line LCD screen, lightweight
Cons:
Half-baked cover
The Bottom Line:
This is an excellent calculator for algebra and other high-school-level mathematical calculations. Its build quality is solid. Excellent value.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
I bought my Casio fs-115MS Plus-SR scientific calculator for $15 at Staples and have been completely satisfied with it. This calculator, in addition to basic calculations, has keys for functions in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, pre-calculus, etc. It weighs under 4 ounces with battery and cover, and the keys are big and reponsive. Most of the basic functions are intuitive, while you'll need to study the user's guide for the more advanced functions and modes.
Specifically I like the following features:
- Lots of calculator functions as I mentioned earlier.
- It has a solar cell and also a button battery, so during the day it uses solar power, while at night it uses battery power. There is no backlighting, though, as this is an inexpensive model. Also, replacing the button battery (LR44) requires unscrewing the back off. Luckily, the battery should last at least 2-3 years under moderate night-time use.
- It has a two-line LCD display. The B&W LCD is very sharp and clear. The first line displays the formula you entered, and the second line shows the result.
- Intuitive interface. The buttons are clearly marked and it doesn't take any time to get started on the basic functions. Things like square root and logarithm are also easy to figure out. Casio calculators have always had consistent user interface over the different models.
The one thing I wish were better is the cover, which is the detachable type. It takes a bit of effort to detach it. To Casio's credit, the cover can be attached to both the front (for protection) and back (for storage) of the calculator.
In short, the fs-115MS Plus-SR is a terrific scientific calculator for its excellent price. Its dual power source ensures usability in most situations.
This Casio is "permitted for use on SAT and PSA/NMSQT."
