NavList:

 Jing,

Welcome to NavList.

You asked:

"So on to my question. I've seen a few of the posts on this forum talk about calculators, and for completeness sake, I wanted to make sure I got as wide a range of opinions as possible. So here's my question: what calculators do you use for routine celestial navigation and why? Or do you use something else (a smart phone app, computer program, pen and paper only, etc), and why? "

My favorite method for doing cel-nav is paper and pen using Greg Rudzinski's " Ageton Classic Sight Reduction Table".  Only 12 pages ( 6 back to back ) and you can do St Hilere intercepts, timed sights, great circle sailing, compass checks with amplutude or any other formula that uses sine and cosine.  Fast and fun - no need for electronics.

I also have written several programs in Small Basic that I use when comparing a lot of ( other peoples ) sights.  My latest project was teaching myself Excel and now use the spreadsheet to do sight reduction.  But for fun I still like pen and paper.

My calculator is the TI-30Xa.  Like Bill, I think it is fast and reliable.  No solar power but after 10 years of using it the thing just keeps on working.

You asked why we use a method.  For me, if I just want quick answers then my calculator or spreadsheet is the fastest but for fun, to go outside and take a sextant sight, come inside and calculate altitude and azimuth then the hands-on feeling of pen and paper, looking up data in my alamanc and sine tables is my favorite.

I am a retired pilot.  When I flew and needed to know my position then speed was important but now, hands-on fun is my way.

John H.

Greg's Classic Ageton tables are avaible in the NavList arcives.