Here it is, a full in-depth review of the Canon Eco-Friendly F-792SGA calculator. For a hilarious intro video to the calculator, just click here:
http://youtu.be/F4QJZSLYLyk
Thanks Gina and Dad!
Quick Stats
Company: Canon
Price: The price ranges from $13 to $20.
Power: Solar, with battery backup (one CR2032 battery)
Where to Buy: Online. I am not aware of any stores in the United States (maybe Fry's?) that have them on sale. I got mine from amazon.com.
Package: Blister package. The calculator comes with two foldable manual sheets: one in English, the other in Spanish.
Special Note: The calculator's shell is made of recycled plastic.
Year Manufactured: first manufactured in 2013
Official web page from Canon: http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/calculators/compact_calculators/f_792sga
At the time of this blog post, Canon does not offer an electronic version of the manual. Hopefully it will be uploaded soon.
Calculator Modes Offered
(First page)
1: COMP - Regular Calculator Mode
2: CMLX - Complex Number Mode
3: STAT - Statistics Mode
4: BASE - Base Calculations
5: EQN - Simultaneous Equations up to 4 x 4 systems, Quadratic, Cubic, and Quartic polynomial solver
6: TABLE - Function table of one variable
7: MATX - Matrices with operations for up to 4 x 4 matrices
8: VCTR - Vectors with operations for up to 3-element vectors
(Second Page)
1: INEQ - Inequality Solver
2: RATIO - Ratio Solver
General Math Mode
The F-792SGA allows for linear or textbook input and output. In textbook input, exact roots and multiples of π are displayed. Pressing the F-D key converts answers between exact and approximate.
Keyboard and the Apps Key
The keys are nice and responsive. Also, the keys stay in place when pressed and don't make slight shifts, giving the keyboard stability.
The keyboard is also nicely organized. The dedicated Apps button gives the user access to functions depending on the mode.
COMP: Π (product), Σ (sums), Max (of at least 2 numbers), Min (of at least 2 numbers), Q...r (quotient and remainder), Mod, LCM (of at least 2 integers), GCD (of at least 2 integers)
CMPLX: Polar and rectangular conversions, real part, imaginary part, conjugate, argument
STAT: ability to change regression type, edit data, regression variables, normal distribution area calculations
BASE: AND, OR, XOR, XNOR, NOT, NEG, base markers
EQN: change equation type
MATX: edit matrices, determinant, transpose, generate identity matrices, inverse of matrices (Inv), adjoint to matrices
VCTR: edit vectors, dot product. (Use × for cross product)
RATIO and INEQ: change type
Advanced Functions on the Keyboard
In COMP mode, you can calculate numerical derivatives of f(X), definite integrals of f(X), random numbers, and random integers (Press [Alpha], [ . ]).
Solving Equations in COMP Mode
To solve an equation, type in the equation, follow it with a comma (Press [Shift], [ ) ]). Then press [Shift], [CALC]. You can use the variables A through F, X, Y, and M.
38 Built In Formulas
Canon has a nice feature that is exclusive to the Canon scientific calculator line: that is the 38 built in formulas. On the F-792SGA, just press [Alpha], [ ( ]. Then scroll to get the formula desired, press the equals key. You are prompted for the variables and the result is returned.
For reference, I will have the 38 formulas listed at the end of this review after the Verdict section.
Complex Mode
The complex mode is a separate mode. The nice thing is that there are real and imag functions. Unfortunately, transcendental functions (powers, logs, trig) are not available with complex numbers.
Statistics Mode
You can turn the frequency column on and off. The F-792SGA can store up to 80 single points or 40 pairs. With the frequency column turned on, the number of slots are halved.
Regressions available are: Linear, Exponential (y = a*e^(b*x) and y = a*x^b), Power, Logarithmic, Inverse, and Quadratic (nice!)
F-792SGA vs. Other Scientific Calculators
The display and operating system of the Canon F-792SGA is practically the same of Casio's current Natural-V.P.A.M calculators (such as the fx-115ES PLUS). However, this is not a straight-knock off of the Casio counterpart.
Here are some differences:
* The F-792SGA has 79 scientific constants and 170 conversion pairs compared to the fx-115ES PLUS's 40 and 40, respectively. For further comparison purposes, the Sharp EL-W516X has 52 and 44, respectively. The nice thing about the F-792SGA is that you don't need to type a code to access the constants and conversions.
* The F-792SGA has a ratio solving mode, which I think is unique to this calculator (or to the Canon line?). This mode solves for X in two ratio statements: a:b=X:d and a:b=c:X. This is in place of the fx-115ES PLUS' verify mode.
* Up to 4 x 4 matrices can be used with the F-792SGA. This is on par with the Sharp EL-W516X. However, I like the matrix handling and operation on the F-792SGA better.
* The F-792SGA is one of the few solar scientific calculators to solve quartic equations, if not the only one.
* The F-792SGA has 19 memory registers: A-F, X, Y, M, and 0-9. The numeric storage registers are good for longer-term storage of constants. This is first calculator of this time to allow the use of numeric registers.
* The F-792SGA has 38 built in formulas, exclusive to Canon scientific calculators. This is referring to all non-graphing calculators.
Verdict
The Canon F-792SGA is a solid calculator and can rival the solar scientific calculators that are available. Again, you may not be able to find Canon calculators in most stores (that is unfortunate), so the most realistic way to get one is to order online (assuming it is available in your country).
I hope you enjoyed this review.
Eddie
List of Formulas included with the F-792SGA
1. Area of a Triangle: S = 1/2 * b * c * sin A
2. Area of a Circle: S = π * r^2
3. Fan-Shaped Area (Sector): S = 1/2 * r^2 * θ
4. Area of a Parallelogram: S = a * b * sin θ
5. Area of an Ellipse: S = π * a * b
6. Area of a Trapezoid: S = 1/2 * (a + b) * h
7. Surface Area-Sphere: S = 4 * π * r^2
8. Surface Area-Cylinder: S = 2 * π * r * (h + r)
9. Volume-Sphere: S = 4/3 * π * r^3
10. Volume-Cylinder: V = π * r^2 * h
11. Volume-Cone: V = 1/3 * π * r^2 * h
12. Sum-Arithmetic Progression: S = 1/2 * n * (2*a_0 + (n-1)*d))
13. Sum-Geometric Progression: S = a_0 * (r^n - 1)/(r - 1)
14. Σ(n^2) = 1/6 * n * (n + 1) * (2*n + 1)
15. Σ(n^3) = (1/2 * n * (n + 1))^2
16. Distance between two points: √((x_2 - x_1)^2 + (y_2 - y_1)^2)
17. Included angle between two lines: θ = atan((k_2 - k_1)/(1 + k_1 * k_2))
18. Law of Cosines-find side: a = √(b^2 + c^2 - 2*b*c*sin A)
19. Law of Sines-find side: a = 2 * r * sin A
20. Distance: d = v_0 * t + 1/2 * a * t^2
21. Velocity: v = v_0 + a * t
22. Circular Motion-Finding Period with velocity: T = 2 * π * r/v
23. Circular Motion-Finding Period with angular velocity: T = 2 * π/omega
24. Period of Simple Pendulum: T = 2 * π * √(l/g)
25. Electric Oscillation Frequency: f = 1/(2 * π * √(L * C))
26. Resistance: R = ρ * l/s
27. Joule's Theorem: P = V^2/R
28. Joule's Theorem: P = I^2 * R
29. Shunt Resistance: R = (R_1 * R_2)/(R_1 + R_2)
30. Kinetic Energy: E = 1/2 * m * v^2
31. Gravitational Potential Energy: E = m * g * h
32. Centrifugal Force: F = m * v^2/r
33. Centrifugal Force: F = m * omega^2 * r
34. Law of Gravity: F = G * M * m/r^2 (G = 6.6728*10^-11)
35. Electric Field Intensity: E = Q/(4 * π * epsilon * r^2)
36. Heron's Formula: S = √(Φ*(Φ-a)*(Φ-b)*(Φ-c)) where Φ=(a+b+c)/2. Only a,b, and c are asked for.
37. Optics-Reflective Index: E = sin I/sin r
38. Optics-Critical Angle-Total Reflection: θ = asin(n_2/n_1)
** g is assumed to be g = 9.80665 m/s^2. Use SI units.
Note: These formulas are included with most Canon scientific calculators, like the F-710. The notable exception is the F-604, where the formulas are not present.
Source: Canon F-792SGA Manual
This blog is property of Edward Shore. 2014