Review: Canon F-605 Scientific Calculator
Company: Canon
Type: Scientific
Memory: 7 registers
Battery: LR54 x 1
Years: Current (4/172015-)
Cost: around $10
Number of Functions: 154
Operating System:
Immediate Execution
On a trip to Fry’s for computer headphone/microphone set, I
always head to the aisle where the calculators are. Besides the “dollar store calculators” and
printing calculators, every one Fry’s had I have their model. Except for the F-605, which was packaged in a
box. So to the check stands I went, with
the F-605, a $2 A+ Homework scientific calculator, and headphone set in tow.
Another Clone of the
Sharp EL-501X… or is it?
At first glance, the Canon F-605 looks like a clone of the
Sharp EL-501X. Sure, it has it’s complex
numbers, complete with the [ a ] and [ b ] keys, the keyboard is nice and
compact, and it has its base conversions with one variable statistics. Close inspection, the F-605 differs from the EL-501X
in a number of ways.
By the way, I reviewed the Sharp EL-501X in July 2014, which
you can click here to see: http://edspi31415.blogspot.com/2014/07/sharp-el-501x-today-vs-ti-35-plus-1989.html
Features
The display has 10 digits, but carries 14 internal
digits.
We have our scientific functions, logarithmic functions,
exponential functions, hyperbolic functions, decimal
degrees/degrees-minutes-seconds conversions and power and root. The [ F←→S ] converts the display
from floating to scientific notation.
For the polar/rectangular conversions, the [ a ] and [ b ]
keys are used. [ a ] is used for x and r, while [ b ] is used
for y and θ.
Here is where the Canon F-605 starts separating itself from
the rest of the clones. The F-605 offers
fractions, with fraction/decimal conversions and improper/proper fraction form
conversions.
The F-605 has a random number function which generates
numbers from 0 to 1, which has three digits.
One of the great surprises the F-605 has is that it has
seven memory registers, A through F, and M.
There are also the arithmetic storage functions M+ and M-. The nice thing is that all seven memory
registers are available on all the modes, except for statistics, where M is not
available.
Base Display Modes (except for Decimal) is limited to
arithmetic. To convert numbers, just call their respective mode. There
are still no Boolean functions, just arithmetic.
The Complex number mode only allows for complex number
arithmetic. The [ a ] and [ b ] are keys
to enter and display the real and imaginary parts. You still can use rectangular/polar
conversions. ( [ a ]: real/abs, [ b ]: imaginary/argument)
The F-605 has one variable statistics. In addition to mean, deviation, and sums, the
F-605 offers the minimum and maximum of the data set. In statistic mode, parenthesis and store to M
keys are used for accessing statistical results. You can’t use parenthesis in stats mode on
the F-605. One thing I am very happy
about, unlike most of the scientific calculators in this family, the F-605 has
it Statistics mode on a key other than ON/C!
Yes, putting a mode as the second function of the clear button is very
annoying.
Keyboard
The keyboard is very clean, and fonts are readable. The keys do have a rubbery feel, but so far,
out of the using it, I have no complaints about the response. The calculator is very light weight.
Verdict
If you are looking for an inexpensive
$10 (or possibly less) scientific calculator and you don’t want a solar
calculator, I can recommend the F-605. I
would say that the F-605 is just above the Casio fx-260 Solar or Sharp EL-501X.
Eddie
This blog is property of Edward
Shore, 2018
