Brought a HP 12c- Huge mistake?

CFA Level I
#1

I ordered a HP 12c and it arrived a few days ago- didn’t open it today until I started TVM. It seems like a steep impossible learning curve using this thing!

Cut my losses now and get a texas calculator???

#2

If you’ve never used an RPN calculator before, you might want to get the TI. RPN’s not difficult, but it’s different, and, as you say, just one more thing to learn.

#3

Yeah I ordered the TI, should arrive tomorrow! Thanks.

#4

Feel free to use these in getting up to speed on the BA2+ - I put them together for my students. Each is about 12-15 minutes. Go in this order

Settings; Lump Sums; Annuities; Cash Flows

http://www.screencast.com/users/financeprof/folders/Calculators

#5

Almost everyone I knew in the program used the TI. I’d reaffirm your decision to order that one by saying if you study with others, it’s a lot easier to learn how to do calculations and compare answers instead of trying to figure out how to do it on yours.

#6

If you plan to study using Schweser, use the TI. Schweser teaches to the TI.

If you plan to study using CFAI materials, then change your mind and use Schweser. And re-read #1.

#7

Get acquainted with the 12c. If you whip out a Ti in a meeting at work, legitimate finance folks will literally laugh in your face so better to get to know the 12c now.

#8

+1 learn to use the 12C, it’s how the old school pros use it, and you’ll earn some extra cred among the old timers, who are most likely your VPs and MDs

#9

So… it’s a posers calculator?

#10

yeah the TI is easier. that’s what my school taught us on and thankfully it was the same for the cfa =)

#11

Why did you give up so quickly?

I’ve been using HP 12c platinum since 2007 and I think it’s the best calculator I’ve ever had.

Using this calculator in the very beginning stage indeed looks weird and tricky - but only because of RPN it uses.

My first impression was the same as Yours: how to use it? How does it work?

But when you make some practice, You will be able to make any calculation much faster than on traditional calculator.

My advice: Give him a second chance – it’s worth it.

#12

Any “legitimate finance person” who laughs at you because you come to the same answer using slightly different keystrokes sounds more like a pretentious jerk.

I’m sure I could earn brownie points with old school types by using the 12C, in the same way I could earn brownie points by talking about how I’m a huge fan of 60’s music. But that doesn’t really have much to do with being a good analyst.