HP 50g Graphing Calculator (F2229AA#ABA)

it is a good calculator exelentes functions, a little complicated to use but with very good answers.

After using the HP49G then moving over to the HP50G, it is amazing how far things have come in 10 years. The computation is so much faster I don't know why I didn't switch sooner. Considering when you're on the rig floor computing your curve, the HP50G is amazing. It is worth its weight in gold for a Directional Driller. You can compute any changes in TVD or surveys with a company hand or client breathing down your neck in a matter of moments, not minutes. If you are thinking about this calculator and wondering if you should get it...the answer is YES!!! Anti-collision calculations is also done very fast. I use EasyDrill (goodle easydrill on geocities) software on mine and it does a great job. I would highly recommend it. The ability to input multiple wells for one pad and then calculate anti-collision is great.

I have an HP49G+ and now I bought this mainly for the much better keyboard feeling and the serial connectivity option. Due to its black color it reminds more of a TI instead of an HP but this is not a problem. Some comments found on other sites about the display are not true. It is as bright as that of the HP49G+ and has the same functionality but somehow it fits more information. The HP50G formats a 512 MB SD card faster than the HP49G+ and it feels a little heavier due to the 4 AAA batteries (the 49G+ uses only three). The keyboard is SOOOO SOFT and has nothing to do with that of the 49G+ (no noise at all when you press buttons, no missing keystrokes). The soft deluxe case is a plus and the CD has everything you need to get you going. The serial cable is missing and I have to make one myself since HP does not have one yet in the market. In any case, if you are a student or scientist you need one. The menus are better than those found on the titanium TI89, and the HP50G is not as heavy as the TI is. Not to mention that the lettering brings to mind that of the good old HP48GX. We all know that HP has been making calculators for many many years and now they are back with a robust product that is here to stay and can win the competition. Add its price of $124 with free shipping and no tax and then ask yourself: what more do I need? Nothing. Go get one!!

This is a great calculator, I've had it for about a month now.
It does have a bit of a learning curve.
I had to spend about 2 hours reading the online guide in order to learn how to use the different graphs, as well as how to work with the new menus, use RPN, and other things like solving simultaneous equations.

One thing I really like is that this calculator (unlike the TI 89) has a equation writer. If you have a large and complex equation you are able to input it in without using alot of parentheses, (()(())). You can also edit the equations inside of the equation writer. With this you have alot less mistakes and if you do make a mistake it's usually obvious that the equation doesn't look just like it should.

This calculator is well made and has an incredible number of features. I only wish that HP would focus on making a truly great RPN calculator rather than an okay dual RPN/Algebraic mode calculator. If they focused on RPN then the keyboard layout could be optimized. The enter key should be double width and above the numbers for a good RPN calculator for one thing.

The same is true with the function menus. HP does not know whether to stay with the old Soft Menus or the new Choose Boxes. I wish they would focus on the Soft Menus. As it is there too many functions hidden in menus that can only be accessed by shift keys. They should have a central soft menu with sub menus to access functions. This would free up space to optimize the keyboard layout for RPN.

I think this is still probably the best calculator available today but whoever controls the design of HP calculators now must not have been around in the golden age of HP RPN calculators.