OT: Canon X Mark I Premium Calculator

[Matt Kernal]

This calculator caught my attention for one reason (OK, two reasons)..

1: Double Injection Keytops

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/calculators/premium_calculators/x_mark_i_black#Specifications

2: $9.95

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Premium-Desktop-Calculator-3982B005/dp/B0035MCVA2

A quality four banger for a not-so-premium price .. who'd a thunk'it?

[Walter B]

Nicely packed, but alas: still only a 4-banger ...

[Karl Schneider]

Hello, Matt --

Long time no post!

Quote:

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$9.95 ... A quality four banger for a not-so-premium price .. who'd a thunk'it?

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Ah, but the original list price of $69.95 is exorbitant indeed. To me, a disqualifying attribute is the "skinny" numerals having a low width-to-height aspect ratio, making them hard to read. Is having 12 digits on a non-scientific calc worth the loss of legibility?

-- Karl

Edited: 4 Jan 2011, 10:43 p.m.

[Eric Smith]

It does suggest that if Canon can make a calculator with double-shot injection molded keys to sell for under $10, that HP ought to be able to do it for calculators that sell for $40 and up.

I've never believed the claims that double-shot injection molding was too expensive. It is obviously somewhat more expensive, but the added cost has to be well under $1 per calculator.

[Walter B]

Quote:

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I've never believed the claims that double-shot injection molding was too expensive. It is obviously somewhat more expensive, but the added cost has to be well under $1 per calculator.

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Depends on the total amount of keys made with one set of tools ...

[Frido Bohn]

Hello Matt,



quite interesting product indeed.

What also attracts my attention is the statement on the Canon site:

"Display lens made from Canon Digital Cameras' Recycled Pre-consumer materials"



So, we are confronted with a by-product of the camera manufacturing branch of Canon.

Not to say, a product made of parts which formerly would have disappeared in the waste basket, and now contributes to the Green labeling of the company.

What kind of calculators would we have to expect as a by-product of, let's say, Rolls-Royce, Coca-Cola or Boeing?

Or even Hewlett Packard? :-))



Regards

Frido



P.S.: What in the heck is "Pre-consumer"? Is there a life form beneath of the consumer?

[Frank Boehm (Germany)]

I'd say this is industrial waste from the manufacturing process - not from a finished-and-returned-product, allowing for "sortenrein" (dang, my english fails on me today) recycling, aka "as good as new".

[Martin Pinckney]

Quote:

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It does suggest that if Canon can make a calculator with double-shot injection molded keys to sell for under $10, that HP ought to be able to do it for calculators that sell for $40 and up.

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Apparently the Canon was intended to sell at $69.95, not $10. This seems to be a close-out or something.

[Katie Wasserman]

How about a hyper-premium calculator from HP made from recalled and recycled HP-95C's? That would sell for a pretty penny I'll bet :)

[Eric Smith]

OK, then it is at least proof that double-shot injection molded keys can be used in calculators that sell for $70 and up. That price range includes the 17BII and the 38/39/40, and 48/49/50 families.

[Pal G.]

What caught my attention was the "Grand Total" function (GT key). I've never heard of that. I had to read the manual to see how that works.

[Martin Pinckney]

This used to be fairly common with "adding machines" designed for business/retail. The GT key was accompanied by a ST (subtotal) key, thus allowing summing several subsets of numbers before reaching the "grand" total.

[Matt Kernal]

You saw what I saw..

Premium calculator, double-injected keys, and low price (most likely due to low wages).

HP, if you're listening, I'd pay extra for 1970's/1980's calculator quality... Canon is proving this is possible in today's economy (even without the high price).