Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 11-15 of 154
 Feature packed but extremely complicated March 18, 2008
Richard Goddard (Gig Harbor, WA USA)
13 out of 16 found this review helpful
As a previous HP calculator user, way back to the HP-45, HP-25, HP-11C days, I was excited about a new fully featured graphical calculator in the grand HP tradition. It was a better option, it seemed, than to buy a TI version because I was an old hand at RPN calculations. For those of you that know, once you work with RPN, there is no substitute. The descriptions of the reviews note the return of the fabulous key touch from the older HP series mentioned above, the terrific smooth feel that prevented inadvertent double-clicking so prevalent in other calculators.
All of the above are true, but as much as it pains me to say so, this calculator is a monster to use for high end use in areas such as precalculus, calculus, polynomial, complex number, and statistical work. It does have incredible capability if you know how to get to the right function and enter the formulas in the right manner. Some of this is the dual personality of the unit allowing the user to switch between RPN and Algebraic logic. I preferred the RPN method, so I was disappointed that there where some things that just couldn't be done with RPN, such as the Equation Writer. The Equation Writer is a feature used for many complex arithmetic functions and I found it cumbersome to maneuver and edit the functions with the four cursor keys.
Another issue with the unit is how most of the keys have, not two, not three, but six functions assigned to them! This required a front faceplate around the keys with labeling for four of the functions and no clues with the remaining two. Admittedly, the other non-labeled functions were oddities such as Greek letters, but talk about confusing. Some of the keys led to more menu lists. How do you find the roots of a polynomial, go the Numerical Solve menu? The Arithmetic Menu? The Function menu? Who knows? It takes a considerable investment in time to learn and use this calculator.
The feel of the calculator is first rate with the best button touch in the business and nice heft and weight as you hold it in your hand. The display was not the best, it always seemed like it needed a little more brightness for comfortable use. The TI units do a better job of this.
After working with it for a solid month while preparing for a math exam using a wide range of functions, I gave up and used my son's TI-84 Plus. I couldn't faithfully move from function to function without a lot of trial and error. There were just too many key combinations and menus to contend with in order to get the work done. If you have a fairly tight set of functions you will use faithfully and regularly, then it will work well without a lot of struggle.
 Disappointment - A true review May 22, 2008
Davey Crocket (Colorado)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
I want to give you a true review of what this calculator is about. I used to own a HP 48GX in the 90's while going to college. I absolutely loved it. It was and is the best calculator ever. There is a reason the HP 48GX sells for more money used on eBay than does a new HP 50G. I currently own a HP 48G.
I ordered this calculator after reading the reviews here on Amazon. I received the calculator yesterday. I knew HP packaged their new calculators in plastic, but actually receiving it and opening it was disappointing. HP calculators used to come in a box.
No big deal, just the first disappointment.
Then came the moment of truth, when the calculator hit my hand. Cheap. My first impression was this thing is cheap. I had read that the plastic was textured, but the texture is very shallow and cheap. The plastic feels thin. The plastic feels of a lower grade plastic than of the HP 48G's. I turned the calculator over, and the backside of the calculator gave an even more hard hitting testimony that this calculator is indeed cheap. The "Made in China" label testified that this calculator was made in the country where all the cheapest stuff in the world is made. Sure, China could have made this better. However, HP obviously instructed China to build it cheap, so that's what we have here, a cheap calculator. I feel HP is responsible for the cheapness of this calculator. I don't hold anything against China for making it cheap, just the greedy HP executives that ordered it to be cheap.
The battery door was very cheap feeling. It is very thin, and feels brittle. The springs to hold the batteries in place were crooked. The smaller battery door to hold the coin cell was very cheap feeling as well. And remember, the serial number is now a sticker. Can you imagine anything important with a serial number on it having a sticker? Imagine a firearm with the serial number affixed with a sticker, you get the idea.
After having installed the batteries, I turned the calculator back over, and the keys were staring me in the face. I tried pushing them to see how they felt. After having read all the reviews, and hearing the fuss about the keyboard, this is my impression: The keyboard is cheap as well. I'm sure it is better than the earlier HP 49 models, but is still a disappointment compared to HP 48G series, or other real HP calculators. And it's not necessarily all in the way it "clicks". I'd say the click is about 60% as good as older HP calculators. But that's not the problem. It's the cheapness of the plastic of the keys. I'm not a polymer engineer, but I can tell that these keys are cheap feeling and looking. The keys have a certain texture and shape that does not exude quality like former HP calculators. The color of the alpha, left and right shift keys shouts out cheap as well. One more comment about the keyboard, this will let you know I am telling the truth. Look at the directional cursor keys, the 4 keys that you navigate with. There are NO Labels next to them. Why? I don't know. Go look at a HP 48G series calculator. You will see the navigation keys have a "PICTURE", "STACK", "VIEW" and "SWAP" label next to them as well as alphanumeric labels. The HP 50G does not. The HP 50G does not use these keys for alpha numeric entry, but does use them for the other functions, such as "SWAP" which there is no label for. Can you imagine a calculator with all blank keys? Perhaps the HP 50G+ will not have any labels. Also, the keys on the HP 48G are double-shot, meaning they use two separate shots of different color plastic, so after years of use, you can still read the key. The HP 50G uses Chinese painted-on keys, that will no doubt rub off.
The SD card is inserted upside down. I don't know if HP specified it to be like this, or if the Chinese made this decision, but it is a minor WRONG decision. How many other things inside do you think are upside down?
Yes, the beep is weaker than the HP48G series, possibly because it is cheaper as well (or who knows, maybe it was installed upside down as well, so the majority of the sound is muffled by the Chinese circuitry).
The display does not appear to be much better than a HP 48G, but I suppose it is.
My assessment of the functionality of the HP 50G so far from my little use of it, is that it is as good as a HP 48G. If you play a DVD movie in a cheap DVD player, I guess the movie will still be good. That's sort of like what this calculator is. This is a cheap encasement with a good calculator program running inside.
The screen is flush with the front face of the calculator on this HP 50G. On the HP 48G, the screen and keys were recessed a bit, with metal trim. The metal trim and recessed screen gave the HP 48G a feel of quality that the HP 50G lacks. Since the keys on the HP 48G were recessed, when sliding the calculator in and out of the storage pouch, the keys wouldn't drag; the edge of the calculator would protect the keys from rubbing the pouch or other objects. On the HP 50G, the keys stick out, higher than the rest of the calculator. So when you slide it in and out of the case, it will drag on the keys, wearing them out. On the HP 48G, the "on" button was not as tall as the other keys, making it further more recessed than the other keys, preventing it from accidentally being turned on in the case. On the HP 50G, the "on" button is shorter, but uselessly so, since all the keys are poking out and are the highest point of the calculator. This makes it easy for the calculator to be accidentally turned on, because there is no ridge from the case like on the HP 48G to protect the "on" button. The HP 50G feels more like a TI. The HP 48G has a larger arc radius rounded edge on the back side, fitting to the palm of your hand, squared off sides, and a tighter arc edge on the top of the calculator along with a perfect texture that gives good traction to your hand, giving you a positive grip on the calculator. I prefer the case of the HP 48G to the curved sides of the HP 50G. Since the HP 50G's sides are curved and the texture is almost non-existent, they are less positive to hold, which I'm sure is why HP put some rubber on the sides to help you from dropping it.
The leather case that the HP 50G comes with is too big and too thick. So when you put your calculator in it, it almost doubles in size and appears to be a small purse. (I measured the thickness of the HP 50G leather pouch with the calculator in it. It is 1-3/4" thick at the thickest point, 7-1/2" tall and just under 4" wide.) Furthermore, the magnetic clasp is very cheap. The male and female parts of the clasp are very shallow, so it doesn't really positively snap together like you'd expect. I find myself visually having to line them up because they are not positive enough to do by feel as you'd expect. At least HP tried to give it a nice case, but they failed. The nylon sleeping bag for the HP 48G series kept the package small. It had a zipper that "sealed" out the elements, whereas this little leather purse for the HP 50G has openings in the top where dust and other environmental hazards can get to your calc. Furthermore, closing the zipper on the pouch to the HP 48G was optional, as the case would do a good job of holding the calculator without closing the zipper, making the operation of taking the calculator in and out of the pouch that much more efficient. Just slide it in, slide it out. On the HP 50G you have to flip the 4-1/2" flap around and mess around with the cheap magnetic clasp.
The manual is a disappointment as well. It is small, it does not give the information you need in it. For example, it does not tell you how to load a program into the HP 50G you have downloaded off the Internet and run it. Isn't this the whole point getting a HP 50G, to use the SD card and it's extra memory on extra programs? Also, the manual is very unprofessional as the cover looks more like an advertisement than a manual. It has these two guys on it looking at you like "we were the ones responsible for this cheap calculator, and now we have your money". I pulled out the user guide for my HP 48G, and it just felt right. The fonts, color, and feel of the documentation matched the calculator. I don't know how it was accomplished, but it was.
OK, here is another thought to consider. Go to hpcalc website and ticalc website. Compare how many programs are listed for say, a HP 50G compared to a TI 89 or 84. There are exponentially more programs for the TI. Sure, the quality of the programs are more important than the quantity, but also realize that many of the quality programs were written for the HP 48G series and many of them may not work on the HP 50G.
I am not trying to sway anyone from buying this calculator; I just want to give the truth about why this calculator feels cheap. I would normally expect a company like HP to keep the quality and feel of their calculators and improve upon them as time goes by. Nope. This calculator feels CHEAP. Normally, people who buy HP calculators pay extra because they expect the quality. DON'T EXPECT THAT QUALITY FEELING WITH THIS CALCULATOR. I don't see any difference in quality from this HP 50G over any other brands like TI, Casio, or Sharp.
If you want/need a graphing calculator, and want an HP because it is a quality machine, go and buy a used HP 48G series, like the G+ or GX. If you want/need a graphing calculator and you like to tinker with lots of programs and don't have a love for HP, then get a TI machine for the sheer number of programs, preferable one with a USB connection & cable. If you are familiar to the HP graphing calculators and really want the SD card and USB connection, then the HP 50G might be right for you, if you can handle using a CHEAP HP calculator. I like the SD card and USB functionality, which is why I bought this.
I do feel ashamed for HP, and feel like I should pry off the HP label and put Kinpo's name on it. For all I know, you can buy a re-badged model of this in China with Kinpo's name on it since they made it.
I am so strongly disappointed in the feel and quality of the hardware of this calculator, I have had thoughts of starting my own calculator company just to give people that agree with me that this calculator is CHEAP, a real calculator again.
The main reason I have a calculator and not a palm pilot with a HP calculator emulated on it is for the immediacy of having physical keys, that you can interface with quickly. You can do so much more on a computer, but computers don't have the form factor of a calculator.
I don't know if HP will ever make a quality calculator again. Seeing how the quality of the HP 12C has gone downhill every generation, I sincerely and sadly doubt it.
I gave this 3 stars, but the content of my review is much more indicative and will give you more info. Based on my disappointment of the cheapness, I'd give this thing zero stars. Based on what you can do with the calculator, the addition of the SD card, USB connection over the HP 48G series, I give it 5 stars. So I settled with 3 stars.
Conclusion: It's a CHEAP feeling plastic calculator with lots of functions, with a purse-like case. I waited through the generations of the different HP 49's and keyboard improvements, but HP needs to improve the plastic, and apparently not very many people are complaining or writing about this so it may never happen.
PS: Go into the search review box above and type "cheap" and you will see that others agree with me that this calculator feels cheap.
 An HP Calculator to be Proud Of September 13, 2006
B. Crouse (Minneapolis, MN USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I thought that I would never own another HP graphing calculator after I purchased an hp49g some years ago. I am a huge fan of RPN and own an hp33s which I think is great for its features and usability. The hp50g is not for the beginner, this is a power calculator for college students in math or engineering, professionals, and firmware hobbyists. This calculator just works out of the box. The keys are firm but responsive, unlike the hp49g which required lots of force to activate the buttons. Also I haven't been able to find any errors in the calculations, also unlike the hp49g which required a firmware upgrade to correct blatant math errors. I think this latest model restores some hope for hp's future offerings - it's not just a printer cartridge company any more...
Excellent addition to the HP calculator line... December 3, 2006
T. Jones (Cedar Rapids Area, Iowa USA)
12 out of 12 found this review helpful
I have been using the 48G for years and was looking for something a little more powerful. I was not disappointed. There may be a few features that are only utilized in the higher math courses, but this is a definite improvement for simple calculations as well. The delay between key press and solution are dramatically shorter. Graphing functions takes approximately 1/4 the time that my 48G does. (I had them graph the same function side by side). Not to mention the ability to graph multiple functions and provide more calculations and feedback about the functions.
An overall excellent product.
Better keyboard but still not as good as 48GX January 7, 2007
usdoraemon (USA)
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
This calculator is almost the same as the HP-49g+. It only improve the keyboard and add the library. The problem for me are those +,-,*,/ button are shift up. HP should shift those buttons back and put the Enter button above the / button. The quality feel cheap compare to my old HP-48GX.
|
