Comparison of Celestial Navigation Calculators     Copyright © 2000 Starpath School of Navigation
Calculator Properties — Celestial Functions — General Navigation — Design Features
COMPARE	StarPilot-89	Celesticomp (out of production)	StarPilot-86	NC 2000	Merlin II	Navcom 48	NavPak	Astro Nav	Sight Master
Price: Calculator + software	$349	$279	$279	$900	$160	$369	$295	$600	$725
Price: Software only	$139	na	$139	na	na	$159	$85	$40	$165
Base Calculator	TI-89	Sharp PC1270	TI-86	Sharp PC550v	Sharp PC1248	HP-48 GX	HP-48 SX/GX	Psion 3,5	Psion 3,5
Memory	188 RAM 762 ROM	32kb	96kb	128kb	8kb	128kb	128kb	2Mb	2Mb
Program Storage	ROM	ROM	RAM	RAM	RAM
Graphic display	160 x 100	none	128 x 64	80 x 56	none	131 x 64	131 x 64	480 x 160	480 x 160
Latest version	03/02	1989	11/01	1998	1989	1994	1993
Upgrade policy	free download	none	free download	factory only	factory only	none	none	free download	free download
Connect to PC	yes	no	yes	yes	no	yes	yes	yes	yes
Connect to printer	yes	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Use calculator for	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Use calculator for trig, roots, exp, etc.	yes	no	yes	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes
Run 3rd-party programs	yes	no	yes	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes
Primary batteries	4AAA	2Li	4AAA	2Li	2Li	3AAA	3AAA	2AA	2AA
Back-up batteries	Li	none	Li	Li	none	none	none	Li	Li
Battery life	1yr	70hr	1yr	70hr	3yr	1yr	1yr	100hr	100hr
If batteries fail... programs are sight data are	safe safe	safe lost	safe safe	safe safe	lost lost	safe lost	safe lost	safe safe	safe safe
Optional storage case	Waterproof, crushproof Otterbox, $20	Decorative solid mahogany, $65	Waterproof, crushproof Otterbox, $20	Fits in StarPilot Otterbox		Fits in StarPilot Otterbox	Fits in StarPilot Otterbox
Calculator Properties — Celestial Functions — General Navigation — Design Features