Friday, March 27, 2020

Review: Victor 930-2 Scientific Calculator

Review:  Victor 930-2 Scientific Calculator



Quick Facts:

Model:  Victor 930-2
Company:  Victor
Type:  Scientific
Years:  2008 to present
Display:  10 digits
Batteries:  Solar with battery backup (LR43/LR1130)
Retail Price:  $17.99
Logic:  Algebraic, AOS
Number of Functions:  154

Product website from Victor:  https://www.victortech.com/product/930-2

Powerful One Line Calculator - The 21st Century Version of the TI-34



The Victor 930-2 calculator has the following features:

*  Trigonometric functions and their inverses
*  Rectangular/Polar Conversions
*  Degrees/Degree-Minute-Second Conversions
*  Logarithms, Power, Exponential
*  Single Variable Statistics
*  Base Conversions with Boolean Functions (AND, OR, XOR, XNOR, NOT)
*  Constant Calculations
*  Fractions

The keys have the same mapping as the original Texas Instruments (one line) TI-34 from the 1980s and 1990s.   There are some keys and functions that are labeled differently:

Victor 930-2:  [ X→M ],   TI-34:  [ STO ]
Victor 930-2:  [ M+ ], TI-34:  [ SUM ]
Victor 930-2:  [ X←→M ], TI-34:  [ EXC ]
Victor 930-2:  [ INV ],  TI-34:  [ 2nd ]
Victor 930-2:  [ DATA ], TI-34:  [ ∑+ ]
Victor 930-2:  [ DEL ], TI-34: [ ∑- ]

The Victor 930-2 has a bigger and clearer numeric display and an on-off switch. 

Constant calculations is something that might be an overlooked feature on some of these calculators, so let's take a look at how it works.  This applies to both the Victor 930-2 and the TI-34. 

Constant Calculations

For selected two argument functions, you can repeat the calculations on the second argument by entering different values and pressing the equals button [=]. 

A  (op)  B [ = ]
C [ = ]    ( C op B )
D [ = ]    ( D op B )
...

op:  +, -, ×, ÷, y^x, x√y, AND, OR

Example 1:
f(x) = x × π,  x = 4, 3, 3.8

4 [ × ] [ INV ] [ EXP ] (π) [ = ]
Result:  12.56637061

3 [ = ]   ×π is stored in memory
Result:  9.424777961

3.8 [ = ]
Result:  11.93805208

Example 2:
f(x) = x^2.5, x = π, 10.2, e

[ INV ] [ EXP ] (π) [ y^x ] 2.5 [ = ]
Result:  17.49341833

10.2 [ = ]     ^2.5 is stored in memory
Result:  332.2771137

1 [ INV ] [ LN ] (e^x) [ = ]
Result:  12.18249396

Example 3: 
B can be a multi-step in constant calculations.

f(x) = x ÷ (4^2 + 3), x = 10, 20, 50

10 [ ÷ ] [ ( ] 4 [ x^2 ] [ + ] 3 [ = ]
Result:  0.526315789

20 [ = ]    ÷(4^2 + 3) or ÷19 is stored in memory
Result:  1.052631579

50 [ = ]
Result:  2.631578947

Fractions

You can enter fractions and calculate with fractions.  However, you can only convert between fractions and decimals if you start with fractions in your calculations.  The calculator has a limit of 10 digits between the whole part, numerator, and denominator. 

Keyboard

The keyboard is OK.  I like the contrast between the black background and the font better on the Victor 930-2. 

I am irked by the protective case, as it is difficult to take the hard shell case off once the calculator is locked in place.  I prefer the slide case of the TI-34.  I may not cover the 930-2 and use a case or the box to protect the calculator. 

Verdict

If you are looking for a TI-34, consider the Victor 930-2 as it is an updated version.  It does the job.  Again, I wish the hard shell case was easier to work with. 

Eddie

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