10-31-2005, 02:08 PM
Hi..i just was asking myself about the mean numbers of units held by collectors....how many of them do you currently own?
I first...
28s
17BII
all voyagers (except 10c)
48G
48GX
that´s all...
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10-31-2005, 02:11 PM
about 17 hp's and a few others **update** more like 21
1 11C
One of the 15c's is on loan. Edited: 31 Oct 2005, 3:30 p.m.
10-31-2005, 02:14 PM
About 200 HPs and, more or less, 30 from other brands. ▼
10-31-2005, 04:39 PM
Just remember, Massimo - a man with two watches is never quite sure what time it is. ;) Best,
--- Les
10-31-2005, 06:42 PM
Quote:
I have a 25, 67, 15C, 42S, and 48G. (I used to have a 10C, 16C, 28S, and 41CX (with card reader and printer) as well, but I gave them away after a while. I guess I wasn't ready for the whole display case business. Didn't have room for it, either!) ▼
11-01-2005, 12:21 PM
Quote: Yes, I agree. Both of my 12c's are unpowered (I don't find them useful for anything). My 10b is never used in a year. One 30s is unpowered.
70% of my time is between the 32sii, 11c, 33s The 49g is primarily a travelling alarm clock! (It wakes me up with "ode to joy")
10-31-2005, 03:09 PM
My current count is 38 HP machines:
1 11C Most of the duplicates were acquired in pursuit of one or another peripheral or other add-on.
Edited: 31 Oct 2005, 3:11 p.m. ▼
10-31-2005, 03:36 PM
Howard thanks for posting the list. I borrowed it and edited it for my list. I hope you don't mind :^)
10-31-2005, 03:51 PM
Hi Will,
HP
TI All Rockwells All Casio Mini & Pocket mini All Casio SL Kind regards from France! Etienne ▼
10-31-2005, 04:40 PM
Some people might find this interesting. It explains where I am coming from:
(Modified: clock doubled in 82. Repaired a number of times including for "N" nicad gas leak in 86 and keyboard mech. failure in 94. Main use is in electronics (active filters, timing, gain-bandwidth calcs), acoustics (speaker cabinet resonance/standing wavelength calcs) or mechanical (gearbox /diff what ifs, torque, carb. flow rate calcs etc.) Some simple project mngmnt.
1 41C bought (d.o.a.) on Ebay from Louisianna USA
10-31-2005, 04:36 PM
HI Will I have at this moment 69 HP calc's:
10A
Ronald ▼
11-01-2005, 12:58 PM
Hi Ronald! Waow, you succeeded in getting a 37C !!! Must be quite rare :-)) Etienne
10-31-2005, 05:07 PM
1 10C Sold off all LED units, 41s.
10-31-2005, 05:42 PM
in chrono order
21 that's all
10-31-2005, 06:33 PM
My shelf shows HP35(2), 45, 65, 21, 25C(2), 19C, 67, 97(actually on my desk), 32e, 33e(a wreck), 34c, 41c, 41cv, 11c, 15c, 16c, 71b, 28s, 27s, 32s, 42s, 20s, 21s(2), 32sii, 48s, 48sx, 48g(2), 48gx plus a TI SR-51, because this type was my first calc ever after the era of slide rules.
10-31-2005, 07:39 PM
2 11C's Since I use 'em all on a regular basis (with the exception of the 35 and the spare units), should this set be considered a collection? Edited to update:
1 48S Edited: 3 Nov 2005, 4:06 p.m.
10-31-2005, 07:48 PM
Here is my list, duplicate entries are separate machines (sorry if the formatting isn't good it's pasted out of a spreadsheet):
Make Model ▼
10-31-2005, 08:10 PM
Sorry about the lack of any formatting in the last post. I am trying again as I can't edit it:
10-31-2005, 10:39 PM
Only few HP and others.
10-31-2005, 10:58 PM
45 different hp units, 5 bought for work, 3 given to me by retiring surveyors, a 33s given to me by hp at the '04 confrence in San Jose, most of the rest found at the flea. & these- http://www.msdsite.com/forums/upload.php?upload=view&uid=482
Anyone have a non-hp rpn that i don't have who wants to trade? Edited: 31 Oct 2005, 11:01 p.m.
11-01-2005, 12:20 AM
(3x) HP-48GX (each with 128K & 2048K RAM cards) I also have HP-11C, HP-12C, HP-15C, HP-16C, HP-41C/CV/CX, HP-42S and HP-71B (together with almost all available modules and expanded to the maximum amount possible) installed in the virtual form on my three HP-48GXs and HP-49G :-)
Edited: 1 Nov 2005, 4:31 a.m.
11-01-2005, 04:27 AM
Looking in my drawer at work I see: 1x 35 (+1 on my desk)There is also a 49g+ in my backpack (and one of the early keyboard at home) and a 33s in my laptop bag. I remember having just fixed a 97 at home and I also have an Xpander at home that I don't really use as it is not so practical. I believe I have a couple more at home that need attending to. This will keep me busy during the long winter nights. And of course I have nonpareil on my PC and still haven't sent a postcard, shame on me...
(So that is about 20) Edited: 1 Nov 2005, 4:28 a.m. ▼
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11-01-2005, 09:43 PM
C'mon! why so shy? I just scrolled through the whole post to see your list! And where are all the other Grand Daddy's? Tony? Diego? Raymond? Cheers Peter ▼
11-02-2005, 09:31 AM
Hi Peter As you know, my favorites are accessories, so if I would cout all my calculators and all their accessories in my collection I would perhaps get a balance of 20% to 80%. I´ve specialized myself in accessories, as I have the different models (ok, some specials too). As I know Raymond very well, I know he will not publish his collection in the internet and I share his point of view very well. Diego? I wouldn´t say he is a big collector, more a hardware developper and a shining flower in the big autumn field. He gives us the motivation for keeping our goodies.
11-01-2005, 07:54 AM
Voyagers: 11C, 12C (USA), 12C (China), 15C Pioneers: ALL Others: 28S, 48SX, 48G+, 48GX, 33S, 49G+ Recently sold: 12C Platinum (original), 48G, black-faced (low contrast) Pioneers and other duplicates
Looking to buy: 10C, 16C, 41CX or 41CV Edited: 1 Nov 2005, 7:55 a.m.
11-01-2005, 09:22 AM
my collection pales when compared to the others. I have assembled my fleet of HP's not so much to collect them but to use them. Would like to add 15c, another 11c, a 41 series, a 42s, and possibly a 48 series. My "flagship" is my 32sII from Singapore that has the keys with the molded-in characters. Built in '93, and still going strong. My 11c was my first HP that I bought in college, and while maybe the least capable, I prefer its design. ▼
11-01-2005, 10:49 AM
I am too young to have started with an 11c (5 of my hp calcs are older than me) but however much I like the format of the voyager series, I find them annoyingly slow. Mind you, now that I do most of my work (and play) on the 49g+ I find most of the calculators annoyingly slow. At least the LED calcs are exciting when running programs, not a boring running flashing on the screen. Arnaud ▼
11-01-2005, 04:32 PM
Quote:
Yes, they are slow -- HP tried very hard to make them fuel efficient; in the end maybe they tried a bit harder than necessary. ▼
11-01-2005, 05:12 PM
Wow--some bookstore! Where was it? MIT? Ecole Polytechnique? (just using stereotypes...)
11-01-2005, 12:00 PM
2 48GX (one with 128 and 512 cards, other with 128 and 1024 cards ) also Casio fx-4000P and fx-6300G
11-01-2005, 01:14 PM
It is easier for me to list what I DON"T HAVE. Newest models:
Hp9g later Hp LCD models
Hp16c Older LED's I do not have (my collection is actually quite weak in Hp LED models, though I do have most of the Ti line):
Hp55 I also don't have the following business models, but I don't make to much effort to get them either (but I wouldn't walk away from a cheap one either)
Hp80 So while I am missing quite a few, it is much easier to list the ones I don't have than to count the ones I do have. I also have multiple samples of many of the ones I do have. I do occasionally horse trade, but would feel guilty if I sold any outright (I horde plain and simple), especially at some of the prices they do go for.
11-01-2005, 01:26 PM
These are my HP calculators: Alfredo
11-01-2005, 04:11 PM
Well, lets see, in chronological order:
HP-25 I have never been a big fan of the Voyagers, so I did not really enjoy the 10C. I know the form factor made it popular, but after using a 41 I can't go back to non-alpha prompts. Most of my time is spent between my beloved 41's, and the 48GX. Gee, its too bad when you have to alternate between the best of a couple of eras! Things to be added might include;
HP-42 And if HP continues along its present path, one or two TIs!
11-01-2005, 10:09 PM
In order of acquisition, my modest collection consists of:
HP-35 (1974…got this from my dad for $100 when he got an HP-45…used it my junior year of high school) Also, a few years ago my dad gave me his HP-41C. With an HP-28 and HP-48SX, he wasn't using it anymore. Fred
11-01-2005, 10:34 PM
Not an extensive collection but here it is:
1 10C
Edited: 1 Nov 2005, 10:37 p.m. ▼
11-02-2005, 01:01 AM
The Curtas, though the least capable, might be the most valuable:
I'd say that a Curta is to an good electronic calculator as a fine chronometer is to a quartz-crystal chronograph. Both the Curta and the chronometer are masterpieces of mechanical engineering. However, a quality QC watch keeps time even better, and is much more versatile and economical. Only as piece of status-symbol jewelry (and perhaps in exceptional environments and circumstances) could a mechanical chronometer be considered truly "better". -- KS ▼
11-02-2005, 01:30 AM
Ah, but the QC watch is mass-produced, so they end up being a "dime a dozen" almost literally. The fine swiss movement in the expensive chronometer is a marvel not only of mechanical engineering, but of manual tweaking and stroking by a master craftsman. Such care doesn't come cheap, and more to the point, is limited. So the supply of the fine swiss movement in the expensive chronometer is limited. Supply and demand take over, and the superior time measuring device is valued less in currency terms than the less accurate device. I know which one I'd rather have with me when seconds really matter, though. The Curta machines are in limited supply, and are marvelous and ingenious devices. They have also been the objects of collector interest for much longer than our calculators. This probably means that a larger percentage of the available macines are already in collections, compared to the numbers for our hobby interests. Smaller supply and a longer established collector market help explain the high prices.
But I'm pretty sure there never was a Curta watch. 8) Edited: 2 Nov 2005, 1:32 a.m.
11-03-2005, 04:02 PM
Two years ago, a surveyor whom I had previously written two surveying programs for free for his CASIO PB-700 offered me a Curta Type II absolutely mint, with case and original manual in Portuguese for about ...$20.00! I told him that was not my preferred kind of calculator, I even told him collectors would pay him more... I even made some additions and subtractions on it, a true mechanical pocket calculator! Gerson.
11-01-2005, 11:51 PM
Warning! This is how sick you can get if you don't exercise control soon. Manf Model Serial Number Edited: 1 Nov 2005, 11:56 p.m. ▼
11-02-2005, 02:33 AM
Dear HP handheldcomputer enthusiasts :-)
my own collection is limited to the HP41CX modell. I have some of them including the HP41CY. There also exist a collection of HP-IL equipmemt which is compatible to the HP41, including IL-Plotter, IL-Digitalmultimeter, IL-Datalogger and CMT-RAM-Disk. Main interest are hardware interface applications with HP41 system -most of you know the nice modular I/O-Board and the powerfully IL2000 interface system. For example with the IL2000 system I create an audio measurement system. For any of this systems are manuals and parts available. The greatest and heaviest hardware device I designed for the HP41 is an HP-IL controlled labor measurement system (power supply + generator + counter + voltmeter). A key-function for today HP41 applications is PC interfacing, I use the fantastic EMU41 emulator software in combination with the rebuild version of the HP-IL/PC interface card, which is available from me. Last not least I have a nice collection of HP41 books and manuals, here I only miss the English paper version of the CCD-Module manual :-( Best wishes - Christoph Klug
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11-02-2005, 04:52 AM
Most collectors seem to be non HP exclusive (my case too), as there were about 80 different HP calculators made and probably 5000+ from other brands, that is quite understandable. This is probably why there are few or no HP zealots (as opposed to fans) here.
11-06-2005, 09:31 PM
Hello Chris,
11-02-2005, 03:36 AM
Ah well, my "collection" is rather limited. I guess that I'm not really very interested in "collecting" just for the sake of collecting, but rather I want "useful" things, and have sentimental feelings for things that I once found very useful, but have been superceded by "better" models.
HP models: 12C For the HPs, I'm undecided whether the 48SX or the 48GX is most useful. I think that the 49g+ is even more fun to play around with than the 49G.
I'd love to have a 15C, which may well be the all-around most useful Sharp: EL-5520 handheld calculator/BASIC computer, and accessories such as the printer/cassette interface, a genuine Sharp cassette recorder, and level shifters for RS-232 communications. I doubt that I'll ever really "use" them again, but they were marvelous when I got them. Radio Shack model EC-4004 (rebadged Casio?) keystroke programmable scientific (circa 1990), and Lloyd's model E608 "4-banger" plus square root and percentage keys (circa 1980). The surprising thing about these two is that they're still working with the original batteries. I just discovered a spare CR 2025 cell for the Radio Shack tucked into the case. I purchased this well over a decade ago, just in case the battery went dead during an ASQC exam. Various "El Cheapo" models. I think that I have an electro-mechanical adding machine somewhere in this big old house, or maybe I lent it to my brother. I suppose that I should look for it, one of these days.
Regards,
Edited: 2 Nov 2005, 8:21 a.m.
11-02-2005, 06:01 AM
Hi, Will & all:
Just for the record, my 'hardware' HP calcs collection consists of: 1 x HP-10Cthat's 19 machines, all of them with full manuals, cases (inc. leather cases), etc., everything in mint condition. I also own SHARPs (40 in all, including such superb machines as the SHARP EL-5101, which is allegedly one of the most beautiful advanced scientific calculators ever made, and the 20-digit, BASIC-programmable with microcoded matrix operations built-in SHARP PC-1475), TRS (4), Casio (one, the absolutely awesome Casio FX-7500G), and assorted machines of other brands. I also have a Casio PB-2000C on permanent loan. This is a handheld, similar in size to an HP-71B but with a much larger, 4-line display that it's actually programmable in C (!!). It also admits plug-in ROMs, including a BASIC ROM.
Edited: 2 Nov 2005, 6:08 a.m. ▼
11-03-2005, 09:11 AM
Hello, the 5101 is nice but how about the 5100, the ORIGINAL machine that started it all. See also the last member of the family, the 5150, much better but quite not so much personality of course. ▼
11-03-2005, 09:38 AM
Hi, GE: GE posted:
Wish I had one but no such luck yet. Adding insult to injury, I have one good friend of mine which has one in good shape, and I happen to own *two* 5101, also mint. But he won't trade ... "The PB2000C is nice too, and there was a Prolog module available ("available" being an overstatement as I have never even *heard* of one anywhere)." I've never seen the BASIC module either, but it seems it actually did exist, I've seen the manual.
Indeed, it's mostly about 'personality'. For instance, I know for sure all RPL models are far more capable than, say, an HP-15C or HP42S. Yet I'd never trade any number of them for a single 15C or 42S. Nor for an HP-25 for that matter. Best regards from V. ▼
11-03-2005, 11:39 AM
The 25 is just *too* cool. Way too cool. Could never trade that if I had one. http://www.hpmuseum.org/3qs/253q.jpg The beginning of the ultimate pocked programmable. Got to get one! ▼
11-03-2005, 08:00 PM
They're not hard to get... I got one on eBay for $33 about a year ago. Works great; still as much fun as in 1977. :-) ▼
11-04-2005, 09:31 AM
This is how I keep my eBay search results on topic: (hp-29, hp29, hp-29c, hp29c) (calc*,Taschenrechner,Rechner) -drucker* -farb* -tinte* -ink* -ink -cartridge* -patrone* -Tintenpatrone* -Leerpatrone* -Druckpatrone* -Druckerpatrone* -patrone* -ml -deskjet -printer -nachf* -refill ▼
11-07-2005, 04:00 AM
Quote:
Nice to see nearly my same ebay filter here in hpmusuem... Valentino
11-07-2005, 01:46 AM
Ahh yes...my first HP was a 25c, bought new in '76. Shortly thereafter the 29c came out and of course that was a MUST HAVE, so I scraped $195 together and got one (I still have it), and sold the 25c (why!! why!! did I do that!!). One of my classmates who sat behind me had a 67, and I'd hear him running the card reader all the time (he must have been from a rich family, because $450 was a chunk of change back then!!) My envy was assuaged, however, by the fact I had continous memory and he didn't!!
11-03-2005, 09:29 PM
Quote:
You mean like this one? Three days left, as of post time.
11-02-2005, 09:19 AM
Hi! My owns are:
1 12C I sold, or traded:
1 10C And the "others":
1 CASIO FX-850P with +8K RAM (my first...) In Hungary may impossible to find old HPs, so I think, I'm very fortunate with this collection... Csaba
11-02-2005, 11:01 PM
In five short years... HP 48G (had a 48GX but lost it), 49G+, 39G+, 17BII+ ('03), 12CP ('03), 20S, 39G, 9G. I hope to own the 42S one day, although I have the Free 42.
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11-03-2005, 11:47 PM
LOL! Any calc with a button marked "FIRE" has got to be worth getting! It may work well in environments with horrible coworkers.
11-04-2005, 04:32 AM
Hi all, Regards Paul
11-03-2005, 02:06 PM
Here we go: (in technologic order, I guess...) 1 55(HP or not HP...) 1 30Sother brands: 1 TI55That´s all, folks. This is almost complete, I am almost sure I missed something. I also have many original HP manuals and a few original boxes.
Edited: 3 Nov 2005, 2:13 p.m.
11-04-2005, 12:37 AM
The focus of my collection is what I consider the "golden era" of HP calculators -- mature and (mostly) well-engineered and well-documented products introduced between 1979-1993. This era includes the the HP-41, the Spice, Voyager and Pioneer series, all Saturn-processor models, and all the original RPL-based models. I do also have a few models from outside that period, as well as a few low-end non-HP's. This is not to imply that the other major manufacturers did not also have some fine products. It's just that HP's "golden era" produced the complete package of excellence in all-American engineering -- design, mechanical quality, mathematical algorithms, and documentation. RPN was an important bonus.
Hewlett-Packard:
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11-04-2005, 03:48 AM
Quote: then you must have some Woodstocks, mustn't you? ▼
11-05-2005, 01:33 AM
...after all, their namesake bird from "Peanuts" is indeed yellow in color! All kidding aside, I don't have any Woodstock-series models (21, 22, 25, 25C, 27, 29C) or 67/97's, which are based on Woodstock internals. Granted, these models have their fans (take a look at the above posts from Paul and Bill Platt in this thread). As impressive as the 67 was, and as "clean" as the 25/25C was, I can't quite consider any of the LED models as the acme of refinement or practicality. The LCD made further significant advancement possible in those areas. It's true that the HP-67 was built solidly, and had impressive functionality for its era. I actually wouldn't mind getting one as an example of quite likely the best LED handheld calculator ever made. However:
The HP-25 and -25C have a clean, compact form factor and good construction. But its programming functions make some basic functions shifted; the programming paradigm itself is the crude one from the HP-55. Its keyboard arrangement is very similar to that of the compact HP-34C, which has better programming along with SOLVE and INTEG to make full use of it. (Now, if only the mechanical design weren't so flawed...)
No, I'd say the 1980's and early 1990's was the real "golden age" of HP calc's, when traditional quality converged with unquestioned practicality and affordability. -- KS
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11-05-2005, 10:13 AM
re: "It has "stiletto-heel" arithmetic keys on the left side, which is wrong for right-handers. " Depends, IMHO. Perhaps for (right-handed) touch typists, the math keys should be on the right of the numbers, but for us right-handed "hunt and peckers," I prefer those keys to the left of the numbers, where I can see them unblocked by my hand, and where I hit them with my thumb or index finger (which produce a firmer push than my little finger!). Maybe that's why I prefer my 11C and 41CX to my 32S and 42S. What do the "lefties" out there think about this?
11-04-2005, 10:52 AM
Hi, Karl:
Nice collection you have. Mine is complete (i.e., I already
As for other brands, I would heartily recommend that you get some of these SHARP models: PC-1211/1212: first dot-matrix LCD BASIC handheld, metallic,Of course there are many other worthwhile models, but I humbly suggest that you try and get some of these. They can be had very cheap in eBay Germany, for instance, and if you manage to get a near mint, working one, you're bound to be delighted and awed by their quality of build and performance. I did show some of mine to a number of HP-loving friends and acquaintances, and most of them turned into SHARP 'lovers' as well. Ah, and all of these models do have full I/O capabilities.
As for pure programming fun (challenges & all), have a look at what you can do with the very simplest, less capable model listed above, namely the circa 1980 SHARP PC-1211. This 9-liner solves the NxN Chess Queens puzzle for arbitrary N, without recursion (RUN "A"): 1 A(Y)=A(Y)+1: IF A(Y)>X LET Y=Y-1: GOTO 1I think that a person like you, who loves challenges and math and programming would love to try these machines, either for real or for pure fun. Best regards from V.
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11-04-2005, 02:59 PM
Hi Valentin, I have a PC-1250 which I bought for $4.00 or something like that--no manual but it has its original slipcase. (It belonged to another amateur radio operator---as you know there are a lot of us on this forum!) It looks very much like the 1261 but is missing the DEG RAD GRAD and a few other "commands" printed on the face-- I have not used it much, but I wonder how much it is "missing" from the 1261? It looks to have I/O and everything! I suppose there must be some sort of interface and cable -- maybe to write / read from a compact cassette drive? Nicely made. The buttons aren't HP but they seem to be pretty reliable. It is the start of my SHARP collection (well, actually my wife started it--with her little elsi-mate that is still going strong since about 1982--with its original battery--amazingly enough it looks to be a single aaa alkaline cell! I still have not replaced it because it just keeps on working...) Regards,
Bill Edited: 4 Nov 2005, 2:59 p.m.
11-05-2005, 09:33 PM
Hello, Valentin -- Thank you for the compliment and the links to some of the advanced models of calculators from Sharp. I looked through Archives 13 and 14, revisiting many interesting old threads, in search of this: POST: Valentin's Sharp calculators which sprung from an earlier "What's in your calc collection?" thread. Yes, the machines certainly look impressive, and doubtless offer -- as you described -- certain functionality and capabilities that no HP models had. If the prices are reasonable, I might even get one or two, in order to have an example of a high-end non-HP product. However, I doubt that I would indulge a hobby of high-end Sharps as you have. My interests lean more toward what I consider the best pure calculators, not the vintage pocket/handheld computers that run BASIC. I do have the HP-71B with the Math ROM and all the manuals, but am barely competent with it. Eventually, I'll learn from those excellent manuals (and your posts!) how to use it properly; that will keep me busy enough when I undertake that task.
Quote: I like the 28 for its advanced unit conversions/definitions and not having an ALPHA mode to remember; I keep one at work. I once summarized the main differences between the 28C and 28S was the RAM (2 kB vs. 32 kB), directories on the 28S, added functions (e.g., PERM and COMB), and a slightly faster processor. Is that list accurate? If so, then I'd have little need for a 28S, since I already have a 48G and 49G.
Quote: Hmm, I dunno. No RPN? Also, I'd be real surprised if the quality of their mechanical engineering and ergononomics matches that of the HP's from the 1980's. Long-term durability and repairability is an issue now, given the age of these devices. And, I'd be absolutely stunned if the documentation measured up to that of the 71B, 71B Math ROM, HP-41, HP-15...
Quote: But the shipping to the USA might be a hassle, and I'd have to refer occasionally to my German-English dictionary if discussions with the seller were needed... ;-)
Quote: I'd characterize myself as mainly a pragmatist (although I admit to having engaged in philosophical disputes on the Fourm from time to time). My programming endeavors emphasize my own professional applications, such as this one for my primary workplace calculator: PROGRAM: AC Power Transfer for HP-32SII I also have developed a working and more-extensive version of this program for the HP-42S, but it's not yet "ready for prime time". Adequate documentation would be a real chore. I've also got several useful programs in mind for the HP-16C, once I understand the commands more fully. My postings on mathematics have focused on fundamental definitions and computational algorithms on HP calculators: POST: Hyperbolics with Advantage And here's my discussion and basic technique for using SOLVE and INTEG: ARTICLE: SOLVE and INTEG on RPN-based HP's I do enjoy studying and reading your challenges and detailed answers, but generally leave the "doing" to others (some of whom have already accomplished them by the time I read them...) -- Best regards from Karl S.
Edited: 6 Nov 2005, 3:41 p.m. ▼
11-07-2005, 06:36 AM
Hi again, Karl: Karl posted: "If the prices are reasonable, I might even get one or two, in order to have an example of a high-end non-HP product." By all means do, but I'd suggest you get first one of the models I mentioned. They're the more likely to make a positive impression on you, and we all know that first impressions are what counts. "I once summarized the main differences between the 28C and 28S was the RAM (2 kB vs. 32 kB) [...]" The ratio is even worse, because 1/4 of those meager 2 Kb were permanently reserved for the operating system, thus leaving no more than 1.5 Kb for the user, which was absolutely insufficient. Mr. Wicked himself said that its RAM resources would compare to a bare bones 41C with no extra RAM at all, and that was insufficient to run most complex HP-67 programs. "Hmm, I dunno. No RPN? " You can easily search for my opinion on RPN in the MoHP's Archives so no need to repeat it here. Among my frequent posts, the one discussing HP's "Mach's number example" is the best summarization of my views.
"Also, I'd be real surprised if the quality of their mechanica engineering and ergononomics matches that of the HP's from Don't be so surprised. SHARP have been pioneers in electronics since old, and theirs are the very first LCD displays. Their first handheld 'computer', the venerable SHARP PC-1211, was offering a 24-character alphanumeric, dot matrix LCD display and BASIC in ROM in a slim, metallic body, with full I/O to mass storage and printer integrated back in 1980+, at a time where the HP-41C did with a 12-character, segmented LCD display and RPN in a plastic body, with I/O to mass storage and printer requiring expensive accessories with their own external ROMs. Not that I would compare both products or suggest that one is better than the other, they're simply in different leagues, but the SHARP's model hardware and build quality are perfectly comparable or even surpass the HP model. As for durability and repairability, all my SHARPS do work perfectly, keyboards and all, despite being 15, 20, 25 years old. Still shiny as new, as well. You can open them up by simply unscrewing some perfectly normal screws, you can peek at the insides and even do your own things there, if you want to, such as internally wiring more RAM, etc, as long as you know what you're doing. They mostly use standard components.
"And, I'd be absolutely stunned if the
The documentation is perfectly good. The SHARP PC-1211, for instance, came with a big User Manual, full of detailed examples, plus another big book with *over a hundred* programs You can see the quality and thoroughness of their documentation for yourself by having a look at this, which is the whole manual for one of the models I heartily recommended (SHARP PC-E500, the 'engineering' model) in English language, PDF format (6 Mb approx.): SHARP PC-E500 Operation Manual I think you'll agree with me it's perfectly good, adequate and comprehensive documentation for this superb machine. "I do enjoy studying and reading your challenges and detailed answers, but generally leave the "doing" to others (some of whom have already accomplished them by the time I read them...) " Well, I suppose doing so has its advantages as well, though you'll miss the fun of confronting an interesting problem and actually finding a solution. Thanks for your kind opinions and Best regards from V.
11-07-2005, 04:15 AM
Well, many folks here had already say all of that I also would comment on our calculators. So I restrict my post only to the list:
hp12C
hp17BII *)
hp41CV *) + many peripherals
hp48SX *) *) hp82440B printer for all marked calculators
11-08-2005, 10:35 AM
I won't post my list, since it might wear out your mouse scroll wheel ;) (estimated 50 HP calcs only though) still missing that red dot 35 - that's the last calc on my "important calculators" list |
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