I've got a TI-83+ calculator. My friend recieved a TI-86 from another, who lost the TI-83 my friend lent to him. My friend doesn't know how to use a TI-86, and doesn't feel like learning. He wants to trade his 86 for my 83+. I've done a little research, but I still don't know if I want to or not. I'm taking (and planning to take) physics/ap physics and pre-cal/statistics over these next two years.

I know most of you are in high-school or have graduated, so I was wondering if any of you that have had experience with ti-86's, and how they compare to ti-83+'s.

P.S. Chessmaster 86 >> Chessmaster 83

Empyrean

17059 Posts

October 26 2004 10:38 GMT

Take the 86. Larger numbers are certainly better than smaller numbers in the graphing calculator range ^_^ I believe you can find that information off of the website.... I personally think the 86 is better.

tfeign

United States2980 Posts

October 26 2004 10:38 GMT

Trade it.

86 > 83 plus

ti-89 > everything, including the ti-92

JoeUser

United States684 Posts

October 26 2004 10:49 GMT

What is better about the TI-86 (aside from prettier chess)? I'm pretty used to the TI-83+ OS, but I might need the 86 for college.

[BOyGiRl]ShaRp

Korea (S)1912 Posts

October 26 2004 10:55 GMT

I use the TI 83, never used TI 86

tfeign

United States2980 Posts

October 26 2004 10:57 GMT

So CHESS is what it comes down to? omg if that's what it is then go buy yourself a gameboy sp or something.

For college you hands down need a ti-89. Nothing else comes close.

Meta

United States6226 Posts

October 26 2004 10:58 GMT

standardized tests dont allow anything higher than 84 or 85 i thought. the 83+ should handle everything you need... i'd ask your instructor..

Klogon

MURICA15980 Posts

October 26 2004 11:02 GMT

SAT's allow any except for the keyboard calculators.

Heen

Korea (South)2178 Posts

October 26 2004 11:07 GMT

Anything above 83, at least to me, is mainly for convenience.

But why the hell not?

BigBalls

United States5354 Posts

October 26 2004 11:09 GMT

#10

ti83+ is better than ti86.

if you have a choice, get the ti89

LTT

Shakuras1095 Posts

October 26 2004 11:10 GMT

#11

On October 26 2004 19:57 tfeign wrote:For college you hands down need a ti-89. Nothing else comes close.

I'm gonna have to disagree with this. For you lower classes through calc 3, any decent professor won't allow calculators at all on exams/quizes. For your higher level stuff, you're going to most likely be using programs like Matlab, Mathmatica, Maple, Parhi, and such. While a calculator like the 89 is nice, NEED is way too strong a word.

As far as my advice, go with what you know. If you have used the 83 for years and are used to the interface, you might want to consider keeping it. If you are going to have plenty of time to get used to the new machine, take the offer. The last thing you want to be doing on your ap exam is trying to remember how to do something on your calculator.

dronebabo

10866 Posts

October 26 2004 11:23 GMT

#12

--- Nuked ---

MannerKiss

United States2398 Posts

October 26 2004 11:29 GMT

#13

Umm...be careful before you make that choice just because, some tests will not allow you to use 85(i think) or better, because they can file share. If you can get by with the 83 and not the 86, dont trade, HOWEVER fi you can either borrow the 83 for Tests, or, can use the 86, take the 86, its extreamly good.

The 89 is my favorate even better than the 92, but I blieve i've only been able to use it on 1 test this whole year...so =/ screw that.

SurG

Russian Federation798 Posts

October 26 2004 11:37 GMT

#14

It's kind of offtopic, but...
Whu would you need a calculator for tests? I don't think I ever used calculator during 6 years in university (majoring in physics), not to mention high school. There are some calculations, that require machine help, but calculator won't handle them - stuff like Matlab, as LTT pointed out, or programming are only options.

Artosis

United States2140 Posts

October 26 2004 11:52 GMT

#15

do not, i repeat, do not trade. the ti83+ is the best _BEST_ calculator for statistics. you will find it invaluable for that course. the ti86 isnt as good as the 83+.

KOFgokuon

United States14911 Posts

October 26 2004 11:59 GMT

#16

TI 89 can do everything with regards to statistics that hte TI 83 can do. plus more. way more. just get the statistics application, it might come with it now

and with regards to maple / matlab during tests i find that dealing wit hteh syntax of those programs is too tricky, i'd rather have my 89 which i've used for years and i'm comfortable with. realistically, u don't use maple or matlab on tests much anyways, at least i don't, since i don't take tests in computer labs

AK-Nemesis

2005 Posts

October 26 2004 12:08 GMT

#17

i have no idea what the differences are, but this is what i know

haha, nothing relevent to the topic of course, but...
this is starcraft TI-83 style!

d/l ur own version now to stop paying attention in math classes!
http://www.ticalc.org/pub/83plus/flash/games/starcraft.zip

too bad i dont have the cable...mine was TI-83..no cable and i can't find someone who has it...i'd love to try it myself

JoeUser

United States684 Posts

October 26 2004 12:29 GMT

#18

Yea, I heard about that, SC for TI. Somebody told me about it, but I didn't believe it untill now. It must be hard as hell to micro using the arrow keys =) It's definately going onto my calc =p

Anyway, ahh! Getting such mixed messages! Anybody who has had both want to tell me what is better?

Everybody's a fan of the 89 though. I had the opportunity to get a ti-89 last year, but I convinced my mom that the 83+ would be fine. I'm kicking myself about now...