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HP 17BII Business calculator (introduced 1987) is a 'must have' accessory for a controller or a business analyst, even though neither of them can be expected to find an application for it daily. It is a simple business calculator, which might be labeled as one of the best there is. The device is surprisingly big (not as big as the graphing calculators, but it is certainly not small). The brown plastic feels solid and the device has hard shiny buttons. It is practically impossible to make accidental entries. Display is clear and numbers are shown as you may expect of a financial calculator. Instead of usual 12345,6789 line you get 12,345.68. With a click of 2 buttons (nd .) you also see the full precision number. There is a slight issue though with the display - it has a very narrow view angle. You may need to adjusting time, before you feel comfortable using it. Be also prepared to use the ON - and + button combination to adjust the brightness depending on the angle under which you look at the calculator. It was an issue for me during the first day of use, but afterwards, I don't experience it any more. Besides the robust feel of the device, my most favorite thing about this device is the function solver. User can easily define her favorite functions, enter variables and solve the missing variable. This can be a helper when simulating break-even effects for production or price increase cases with sales. The real usefulness depends on whether you have a PC available or not. Otherwise, you just get some geek points for pulling out the old device. The variable values that you entered can be recalled once you come back to your PC or printed out to an optional battery powered thermal printer (82240A). Another use for the solver I have found is storing usual conversion problems (KM to Miles, F to C). The calculator features 10 memory slots to be used with STO & RCL commands, 4 recent answers (to be used with up and down arrows), RPN (hp fans) or Algrebra notation (everyone else). The BUS function is quite useless, as it only calculates the % effects of change (margin up, margin down). SUM is a simplified statistics calculator - still have not figured where to apply it in real life, although entry of a values list, naming it and calculating a sum, mean, min, max, stdev is quite easy. I own also the TI/BAII+, but I prefer the HP due to its looks and the solver function.Read full review
The 17BII calculator is a bit of a "sleeper", when it comes to comparing it to other HP calculators that seem to garner the attention of vintage calculator collectors. For the most part, you can pick one up for a relatively reasonable price. But that far from indicates the immense practical value the unit still holds. While the 12C garners the attention of being the "Industry Standard" in financial calculators, the 17BII runs circles around it. First of all, the 17BII has business functions that the 12C doesn't even have. One might dismiss this by saying the 12C is a "Financial Calculator", and not a "Business Calculator". The beauty of the 17BII is that it is both! I like tha the 17BII has infrared output, so I can interface it with the 82240A printer. I like that it is both an RPN and an algebraic entry unit. The 17BII also performs many math functions found on a scientific calculator, that are almost always missing on a Business/Financial Calc. Add to this, the Pioneer series styling, which I favor, and you nearly have the perfect "do everything" calculator. About the only thing missing is hyperbolic/transcendental functions (SIN COS TAN), and it would be a "do everything" unit. I have just about every collectible HP calculator there is, but the 17BII is definitely in my top 5. It's too bad that HP's quality has really suffered as of late. Otherwise the newer 17BII+ might be a suitable rival.Read full review
Excellent condition, all functions work, display is clear and sharp. Have used this and other HP's for decades. Nice to have one more with a good life remaining.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The TI calculators of this era were and still are the best ever made. The positive key action and bomb-proof build quality are second to none.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
These are the best calculators ever made, I have had mine for well over 20 years and it is working as good as it did the day I bought it. I got another one to keep in my purse for shopping days. This is easy to use and a terrific calculator. More reliable than almost any other thing I have. HP outdid themselves on this calculator, if you have a chance to get one and need a calculator this IS the one to get.
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