HP and Kinpo - Are you Listening ? [HP-01 Inspiration]

[John Stark]

Regarding the HP.01, an extraordinary achievement in its time, and still useful today...

What do you think of HP/Kinpo following up the HP.01 with an updated "homage" using current
solar power and display technology, whilst retaining all the unique functionality of the original, especially
its interactive time features ?

Starting point could be the advanced "Casio Pathfinder" watch line with its stout packaging and sophisticated
backlighting and solar power.

Combine that with the HP.01's usability in time functions (and calculator) and the result could be interesting; kind of an
"HP.35S" for the wrist.

Size would not be much of a factor, what with the popularity of unusually large watches these days ("Panerai", "U-Boat", "Luftwaffe", and many
other jumbo size timepieces).

I know there is a move afoot regarding "Kit" watches along these lines, but for us HP junkies without DIY skills, and indeed
the rest of the techno-watch market, an elegant, well packaged HP.01 follow up might be a nice thing.

John

[Tim Wessman]

Yes we do.

Do you think now is the best time to work on a very risky product?

TW

[Mark Edmonds]

Tim - sorry but I'm not entirely sure of your connection with HP but I gather you are part of the team? If yes, how about a less risky proposition but one that would warm the hearts of many users - a version of the 50G with a keyboard layout similar to the original 48 series with a clear pro-RPN orientation? If it were "done right", it would be such a significant event that it would in one swipe make the original 48 series totally redundant and elevate the 50 to new heights. I'm convinced it would be massive.

Apologies for the temporary hijack of the original thread!

Mark

Quote:

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Yes we do.

Do you think now is the best time to work on a very risky product?

TW

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[John Stark]

Mark:

A great idea indeed, and one with a broader appeal then an HP.01 "homage" (Although Casio and Citizen have proved practicality of solar power in a sophisticated, backlit watch).

An extended version of HP.50G with 48-style key layout in a "swoopy" Classic style case closer to or a bit larger in size than 35-67 series compared to 35.S. By "swoopy" I mean the taper of case from front to rear lengthwise with tilted display area and gradually tapering to bottom of keyboard. This, along with large "Enter" key, is the distinguishing styling feature of "classic" HP RPN units.

Just another $0.02

Great Forum ! - Read it daily !

John Stark

[Eric Smith]

It's hard to imagine that the cost and volume of a photovoltaic cell and supporting electronics in a watch is actually the least bit worthwhile.

A typical watch uses so little power that the button cell(s) will run it until they fail from self-discharge. A small photovoltaic cell won't extend the life of the button cells in that case.

If the watch uses more power, because it's doing any significant computation, the small photovoltaic cell can't provide enough energy to significantly affect battery life.

[Les Bell]

Quote:

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It's hard to imagine that the cost and volume of a photovoltaic cell and supporting electronics in a watch is actually the least bit worthwhile.

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Last year I upgraded to a Citizen Eco-Drive watch, which is claimed to never need battery replacement as long as it gets enough light. For me, the benefit is reliability - all the failures I can recall of my previous watches have been when the case has been opened for either battery replacement or minor repair (scratched crystal, frozen bezel, etc.).

I'm hoping this one will last a bit longer, as I really like the functionality.

Of course, this is absolutely not a benefit for the manufacturer. ;)

Best,

--- Les

[http://www.lesbell.com.au]

[Martin Pinckney]

Quote:

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Of course, this is absolutely not a benefit for the manufacturer. ;)

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The manufacturer isn't worried. He knows the MTF for his product. ;-)

[Eric Smith]

If it has a button or coin cell in it, that cell will almost certainly be dead from self-discharge in approximately 10 years. You'd want to replace it at that time even if the watch is still working from ambient light, if for no other reason than to keep the cell from leaking and damaging the watch.

[Les Bell]

According to this Wikipedia article, the Eco-Drive watches have a titanium lithium-ion battery which will still retain 80% of the original storage capacity after 20 years. At this point, that gives the watch a reasonably chance of outlasting me. :) It's not as nice as a fine mechanical movement, but it's an acceptable trade-off for the functionality (stepper-motor drive, multiple time zones, multiple alarms, etc.), not to mention the price.

Best,

--- Les

[http://www.lesbell.com.au]

[Thomas Radtke]

Hi John,

I'd very much prefer HP to repair existing models (35s bugs, 20b keyboard) bevor getting out new hardware.

Thomas

[Bart (UK)]

I agree Thomas, that'd be someting useful.