Here comes a grand idea... and an opportunity for debate :o)
In the past, some debate has been had, about whether RED LED calculators are worth the hassle of keeping them charged up.
Also, whether RED LED's are better (bright-sunlight users say 'no', office-cubicle people say 'yes').
But the big thing is, RED LED's draw more power, and the charger had to be used to frequently top-off the NiCad batteries. Some would say that's a reason to call them impractical, or inferior to LCD, or say 'you can't get away from a 120V wall socket'.
BUT....... it just depends on your batteries. In the context of spice-model calculators (HP-34C) I would suggest that somebody who acquires one should just stuff in "AA" Alkaline batteries, and set the plug-in charger aside. That's what I did with my 34C I acquired.... and I haven't had to mess with any batteries since.
I'm saying, dont bother charging them, its a hassle. Just plug-in non-rechargeables, and replace them once in a blue moon when they need replacement (wont be that often).
Now then, to the idea of the day...... why not just stuff in AA PHOTO-LITHIUM batteries ?!? When my AA Alkalines finally quit, someday, maybe a year from now, I'd tend towards the AA Photo-Lithium. Sure, we're talking about some ungodly sum of money, maybe $8 a pair, BUT, then you're done, man. Its like an Atomic Submarine..... it will just keep going and going 'cuz the nuclear reactor wont quit.
And if this takes care of power concerns with the RED LED's, so you can just kick back and enjoy the ride, well, isn't the price of AA Lithium batteries worth the peace-of-mind.
I don't use my 34C all that often. I still do the majority of calculating on my fleet of 'throwaway' HP-32S. The cats walk on them, and they get house dust ground into them, etc.
I bring out the 34C kind of like bringing out a bottle of fine wine.... finest aged RED wine. At that rate of usage, a set of Photo-Lithiums will probably last 4 to 8 years. So why are we all so frightful about the power consumption issues of classy Red LED calculators ??
(none finer than HP-34C).
- Norm