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I couldn't resist and just ordered:
HP EasyCalc 100 PN: F2239AA#ABA
1 $9.32 $9.32
HP SmartCalc 300s PN: F2240AA#ABA
1 $17.49 $17.49
Subtotal: $26.81
1(Estimated) Tax: $2.48
(Lowest-Cost Delivery Ground) Shipping and handling: $4.29
Grand total: $33.58
MOST IMPORTANT:
Estimated Ship Date: 3/21/2009
I'll keep you updated ;-))
Regards,
Joerg
Edited: 16 Mar 2009, 4:09 p.m.
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Citizen SR-270X CALCULATOR CHIP + MUCH BETTER KEYBOARD + STRANGE DESIGN = I LIKE IT!!!
Regards,
Joerg
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Hallo Jörg,
If the SmartCalc 300S would be customizable like the HP-20b, it will be a nicer platform than this, since its display is far more versatile. Alternatively, if this LCD could be driven by an advanced HP-20b (featuring also an improved keyboard), we'll be better off.
Ceterum censeo: HP, launch a 43s.
Walter
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Oops - it's NOT identical with the Citizen SR-270X!
Three differences up to now:
1) Algorithm seem to be identical but display results are rounded to 14 internal digits instead 16 internal digits. Mike Sebastian's forensics reports the same result, rounded to two digits less.
2) Cursor logic is different, if you press a key long enough, it "auto-scrolls".
3) Display features better contrast, the indicators are smaller.
BUT: All key-functions, menu structures, display fonts, capacity of input buffer, limits in table mode etc are IDENTICAL.
And even the User Manual sports similiar typo's:
Page 1: "Use's Guide" instead User's Guide
Page 29: "Calculator Memeory"....
By the way: It took just four screws (two hidden under the rubber feets):
Enjoy!
Regards,
Joerg
Edited: 18 Mar 2009, 3:11 p.m.
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Curious how all these cheap calcs use a through hole diode instead of surface mount. Very common in Casio's.
Dave.
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Is this diode used for reverse battery installation protection? If so, are they using the larger thru-hole diode because it can handle a larger current and therefore offer real protection?
The LED is missing from this board, but they use one in the HP-6S solar apparently as a cheap way of voltage regulation from the solar cells. They also have a thru-hole diode for reverse battery protection. Does anyone know who actually manufactured the HP-6S solar, was it Casio?
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Quote:
Is this diode used for reverse battery installation protection? If so, are they using the larger thru-hole diode because it can handle a larger current and therefore offer real protection?
No, it's in series, used to prevent charging from the solar cell.
Nothing to do with power (FYI SMD ones can handle just as much anyway).
So it's probably a cost/substitute thing, there would have to be a zillion surplus through hole diodes on the market that can do the job, just pick whichever one you can get for 0.00001 cents this week.
Quote:
The LED is missing from this board, but they use one in the HP-6S solar apparently as a cheap way of voltage regulation from the solar cells. They also have a thru-hole diode for reverse battery protection. Does anyone know who actually manufactured the HP-6S solar, was it Casio?
I suspect it's Kinpo like most of the others.
Dave.
Edited: 19 Mar 2009, 3:14 a.m.
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Dave,
I disassembled dozens of Kinpo calculators (Canon, Citizen, TI) and they all have their "signature". This SmartCalc 300s doesn't look like a Kinpo product to me.
Please find here a "typical" Kinpo design:
In contrast a "typical" Nam Tai design:
And yes, both use Katie's LED, through-hole diodes and electr. capacitors.
Regards,
Joerg
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Joerg,
How does the $17.49 retail price of the HP SmartCalc 300s compare with similar products with other brand names? I realize that these low end calculators have the same manufacturer, and was wondering how much extra the HP name might bring to market pricing. Does the HP design bring any tangible improvement to the product?
Michael
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Michael,
If we talk about brand names - they are all in the $15..$20 range.
There is only one reason to buy the HP SmartCalc 300s - it looks damned cool!
I placed all MultiView calculators (TI-30XS, Casio fx-300ES, Citizen SR-270X, Sharp EL-W535 and the SmartCalc 300s) on my table and EVERYONE looked first at the HP!
Even with more than 2,500 TI calculators in the basement - I'll use it for some time in my Office.
The pros:
+++ It's styling
++ The keyboard is better than the average, stiff, good response, easy to read and (for me) a perfect layout. Sorry - no ENTER key.
+ Intuitive Casio menue structure, high-contrast display with the nice Casio Textbook fonts.
+ RUBBER feet - once again!
The cons:
--- The plastic material looks and feels very cheap, it is already full of finger prints.
-- You can't snap the protection cover on the backside of the calc - where to stow away?
- Don't try to replace the battery, I broke two finger nails to remove the battery cover ;-))
It's much better than these HP 6s, 9s, 10s, 30s junk.
Regards,
Joerg
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Joerg, could you post a picture of the keyboard? HP's site does not show any details. Thanks.
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Never mind, Joerg. I found a pretty good pic here.
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Quote:
Never mind, Joerg. I found a pretty good pic here.
Hi Don,
I guess you didn't see Richard Nelson's January-23rd article on the HHC2008 website, announcing that we all have permission to access HP's "Channel Partners" web page which contains pretty high-res images of all the current products. The article is located at http://holyjoe.net/hhc2008/Quality%20Calculator%20Images.pdf and the direct link to HP's website is http://www.hp.com/united-states/calculators/toolkit/index.html where there is a prompt for a username and password. Everyone should use "hpcalc" for the username and "calc4hp" as the password to get in. Then click on "Images & Fact Tags" in the lefthand column, click on "HP SmartCalc 300s" in the middle and finally click on the leftmost thumnail image of the machine. It will then reveal a 1200-by-2265 resolution image of the keyboard. The other images of all the other machines are also very useful for reference.
Jake Schwartz
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Yes, Jake, I saw that article but I forgot about that link; thanks for reminding me. I checked it out, and that is one beautiful calculator! Thanks.
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I think that must be the first calculator I have seen with a general base logarithm button. My students would have liked that a few weeks ago.
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I see that! Aside from being a mathematical curiosity, where would one use such a function? I'm an engineer, not a mathematician, so I only use mathematical relationships that are useful in solving problems.
Michael
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I use log-base 2 quite a bit so I can see a use for this. Occasionally, I do logs to other (non 10 and e) bases.
The 20b rewrite has log-base 2 and arbitrary base logs :-)
- Pauli
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Are you doing machine coding or something else with the binary math?
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I use log-2 for size estimates mostly.
I do surprisingly little other binary maths given I'm an embedded programmer...
- Pauli
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Log base 2 is useful in information theory, but is also easy to obtain as ln(x)/ln(2) or equivalent formulas.
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I paid this Monday $17.49 - now it is just $14.99 on the HP website.
Regards,
Joerg
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Welcome to the club! ;-)
I've noticed this too. It's almost as if the S&MB division sets a price THEY think it will go for, and after the first few go out, someone tells them the correct price.
When I first ordered the 20b, I paid $49 for it. A week later, it was $39.
I ordered my 300s the same day you did, and paid the same price you did. Now it's less.
I only have one word: (((***sigh***)))
:-)
thanks,
bruce
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Hello!
Quote:
... now it is just $14.99 on the HP website.
And "Out of stock" already ... now that you made me curious!
Greetings, Max
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You want mine?
It was opened only twice, battery is still like-new.
How do you think about EUR 45?
Just kidding - the EUR is very strong these days.
But HP's pricing in Euro-zone is sometimes strange, too.
But even TI sells currently the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition for EUR 162.35 in Germany - that converts to USD 220! Here (Upstate NY) it is $139 plus 8% tax list but "usually" you get it for $119.98!
Regards,
Joerg
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Dynatech is selling it for 18.50 Euros. No delivery date, yet.
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Hallo Jörg,
HP's pricing policy for Europe makes me wonder whether they are linked to the tourist board ;) Easy calculation how many HP calcs you must buy in the USA and sell in western Europe to get your trip paid. Else it would be a bit far off fair trade :(
Edited: 22 Mar 2009, 4:32 a.m.
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