morris57's Full Review: Texas Instruments TI-86 Graphic Calculator
The TI-86 is the calculator that I use on a day-to-day basis for all of my math and physics classes. I bought my TI-86 after my TI-85 was stolen when I was an undergraduate. At the time, the TI-86 was a new player in the Texas Instrument team of graphing calculators, but I soon found that it was as good and even better than my trusty TI-85.
Nothing could replace the cheat sheet of notes that I had stored in the memory of the TI-85, but that was okay. I make quick use of the TI-86 larger memory capacity. According to the company, both calculators have the same screen resolution, but I always found the TI-86 display to be crisper and easier on my eyes.
The main advantages of the TI-86 were the addition of graphing features such as slope and direction field graphs and the RK and Euler graphing features. These were all features that could be programmed on the TI-85, but came included in the TI-86.
The TI-86 is also the least expensive model that allows you do metric-English conversions and has physical constants preprogrammed. These features are something that are great for science classes, but not necessarily as important for mathematics classes.
More appropriate for the serious math student are the matrix functions that are available on this calculator. I remember back when I had my TI-81 and it could only handle something like a 10 by 10 matrix. This bad boy has the possibility of holding 80 by 80 matrices. If you ever actually punch in 6400 entries into a matrix on your calculator, please let me know! I've never known anyone with the patience (or need) to do that.
The downside of the TI-86 is the lack of advanced mathematical features available in the TI-89 and TI-92+ including: symbolic math and calculus operations, 3-D graphing and the friendlier, more intuitive display. These features are not easily available as add on programs, either. If you know that these are features that you need, then it will be worth your money to get the more expensive model. Otherwise, the TI-86 is perfect for all levels of math.
I have known several people that thought that buying an expensive calculator would save them from having to learn anything in math class. That is simply not true. No matter how fancy your calculator is, you still have to know what buttons to press an more importantly, why you are pressing them. The TI-86, in my opinion, is the best calculator for this job. It doesn't have the most bells and whistles, but it won't break your bank.
The rest of this review is not specific to the TI-86, but to graphing calculators in general. I include this in all of the reviews of the calculators that I own and use.
Also, I would suggest looking into buying a used graphing calculator. I have bought three used calculators since I started using graphing TIs. Either check out the online auctions, or look around at a college campus toward the end of the semester for students looking to get rid of their calculator after deciding to drop their math major. I bought 2 used calculators online and one from responding to a posted sign. Make sure you ask to see the product work before agreeing to buy it. Inspect it to see that no parts are falling off or no keys are sticky. (If you buy it online, make sure the seller agrees to guarantee against DOA.) Also, try to shop for only the calculators that are advertised as having the manuals included. It is more likely that the calculator was not stolen if they have the manual.
I got some great bargains on my TI calculators over the years by buying second hand. The reason this is possible is that the TI calculators are VERY durable. The are designed to withstand being dropped and can take mild (unintentional) abuse from being carried around in the bottom of a backpack all year round. As long as the previous owner did not spill any liquid on it, you should have a great calculator at a great price, which you can turn around and resell when you are done with it!
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