Smartphones for Job Calculations?

if like me........I rather have a high end calculator.......my last one lasted for over 15 years......we were one.....a smart phone they get changed out every .....what ..maybe 2 years or less...use the proper tool for the task and save yourself some grief......p911

now you could duct tape you cell phone on the back of your calculator and call it your "Super Smart Modular Cell Phone"......but that's up to you.

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Use a "standard" cell phone to call your father or someone that might know the answer since you are not willing to learn...or just post the question here on CR4 like so many do.

A calculator really doesn't help with math, only the arithmetic after you have solved the problem. I don't have a "smart" phone, but it does have a calculator. It's more trouble than it's worth to navigate. Give me my HP42S any day! RPNs rule!

I agree with mikerho and others that the calculators on cell phones are better than nothing -- but not by much.

The real advantage from a smart phone is that it really is a small hand held computer. As such it can be used to surf the web for any on line tools (although the browser and interface on the device may not be the best for using them) or it can host a specific application to do the type calculations you want. In this sense it is better than a calculator which really does advanced arithmetic as mikerho pointed out.

advantage of the smart phone is access to email.

Just because I have a Smartphone doesn't mean I'm smart enough to use it! Haha, seriously though, Smartphones are great while out in the field. Even the new iphone has so many apps for on the field aid like lasers, and levels. Boy, technology has come a long way!

-The guys at Purchase Area Mechanical

www.pamech.com

I never really struggled with math, only when Im in hurry does it seem to be a hindrance. When I'm out in the field (I do residential and commercial HVAC/R) I always carry a belt loop calculator - clip it on and can never lose it!

For me (and I'm sure for most HVAC contractors out there) it depends on how smart your phone is! A calculator is an easy function for these phones, but to be able to have a keyboard and type in an AHU survey (or other specs) and to be able to check email fast, its been invaluable.