HP calculators. Happy with Yours? What replacement would you choose?
Snoopy
mechanical engineering applications.
What sort of thing do you use them for?
What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run
over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you
find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
I am interested in both specific and general comments.
SNOOPY
---------------------------------------------------
Message posted by SNOOPY
using Forte Free Agent Version 1.11/32
David Gibson
wrote:
>I am interested in the views of other people who use these for
>mechanical engineering applications.
>What sort of thing do you use them for?
>What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run
>over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you
>find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
>I am interested in both specific and general comments.
>SNOOPY
My venerable old HP35, which I have used continuously for 25 years,
was sadly killed by an unfortunate accident recently. All efforts to
recusitate it failed. :-(
I have replaced it with an HP32SII. I real terms it cost about 10%
as much and it does 10x as much. Not that I will ever use all its
fuctionality; being mainly deskbound I use a spreadsheet for
anything beyond fairly simple sums.
IMHO RNP is definitely the only way to fly. Once you get used to it
you develop a knack of tracking what is where on the stack, so it is
almost imaterial what order you enter your numbers in. It is really
easy to use the result of one calculation as the starting point for
another calculation.
Things like parallel resistors are really easy, say 234 ohm in
parallel with 321 ohm:
234
Enter
Enter
321
Div
1
+
Div
I'd like to see how many keystrokes it could be done with on an
alebraic calculator. The formula is (2*3)/(2+3) slightly reworked.
If you are doing several resistors in parallel it gets even better.
David Gibson, http://www.microconsultants.com
Makers of SPLat easy to use programmable controller
(Simply Programmed Logic automation tool)
and GaugeLink digital gauge to computer interface.
Free software/tutorials for machine control and SPC.
*** Remove anti spam block from return address ****
JBeacham
>wrote:<BR>
><BR>
>>I am interested in the views of other people who use these for<BR>
>>mechanical engineering applications.<BR>
>>What sort of thing do you use them for?<BR>
>>What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run<BR>
>>over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you<BR>
>>find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it? <BR>
>>I am interested in both specific and general comments.<BR>
I have a HP48GX and I have found that once you get use to reverse polar
notation, calculations of complex algebraic equations. I also have found it to
be a life saver in unit conversions, curve fitting, equation iterations,
ploting, matrix manipulations, and for an occational game of Tetris.
HM
doubt that my HP never would be replaced with a different brand.
RPN Rules !
HM
Snoopy
dgi...@microconsultants.com.nojunkmail (David Gibson) wrote:
>>
>>I am interested in both specific and general comments.
>>
>was sadly killed by an unfortunate accident recently. All efforts to
>
Wow, can't complain about that for a life! You mean all the keyboard
worked properly right until the end? Can anyone better that?
>
>IMHO RPN is definitely the only way to fly. Once you get used to it
>you develop a knack of tracking what is where on the stack, so it is
>easy to use the result of one calculation as the starting point for
>another calculation.
>
forces you to think about what you are doing before you hit the
keyboard, and the sum is half done in your head before you start (no
bad thing). I remember buying my first HP calculator despite it
having RPN (I wanted the calculator for the continuous memory
feature), but I ended up an RPN convert.
I believe now that HP has abandonned Reverse Polish Notation for their
entry level calculators. Any users of these new entry level
calculators care to verify?
>Things like parallel resistors are really easy, say 234 ohm in
>parallel with 321 ohm:
>
>
Yes you are right about that - good example. SNOOPY
Mike Renfro
>What sort of thing do you use them for?
Great for the engineering econ classes: I never had to look up
anything in the amortization tables after punching in a dozen or so
formulas at the first of the semester.
The other big bonus was the combination of storing formulas for both
the main equation and the component variables. SOLVR would then pop
up only the first-level variables for plugging in and solving the
final equation. This was a big help in kinematics and vibrations
classes.
>What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run
>over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you
>find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
>I am interested in both specific and general comments.
28S (third one; first two were stolen in 1989 and 1990, respectively,
bought the third used for $30). 5 years and still going; wiped the
memory once by accident, but not until after I'd taken the EIT. I'd
replace it with something with expansion cards. RPN isn't a hassle at
all, no more than if they'd moved the + key somewhere else.
Michael Ross
>
> I am interested in the views of other people who use these for
> What sort of thing do you use them for?
> over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you
> find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
> I am interested in both specific and general comments.
I was a Texas Instruments fan for years, until I actually learned RPN
and bought a HP-41C about 20 years ago. I still have it, the prog
button no longer works but I don't program it anymore anyway. Anyway, I
feel that RPN should be shown to all engineering students, just to
expose them to what seemed to me a better way of entering the numbers
into a calculator to get a solution. I honestly don't know what I'd
replace my 41C with if I had to, probably a $5 impulse item from the
grocery store.
Just don't drop the damn thing. I did from a 6 foot height onto a
wooden floor while it was in its case, and had to send it off to
Corvallis, Oregon to be fixed.
Mike Ross
Christopher Wright
tenn...@caverock.net.nz (Snoopy) wrote:
>I am interested in the views of other people who use these for
>mechanical engineering applications.
>What sort of thing do you use them for?
>What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run
>over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you
>find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
>I am interested in both specific and general comments.
>SNOOPY
Got a HP67 bought in 1978. I think something went wrong with it about 10
years ago, but it fixed itself. Now the only problem is keeping it in
batteries since HP quit supplying them. I bought 3 more batteries and I'm
looking forward to another 20 years. ;-> I don't think it could be
replaced, certainly not in my heart. I remember paying something like $375
for it when I had my first contract engineering job and thinking that's
just too damn much money. I was mistaken--it's probably the best $375 I
ever spent. If it got run over by a bus tomorrow, I'd probably cast myself
under the wheels after it--sort of a computational suttee.
I do a lot of stress analysis, and that's what I use it for. The mag strip
drive still seems to work although I rarely record programs any more. RPN
is as natural as falling off a log to me, but I guess you'd expect that
after 20 years.
--
Christopher Wright P.E. |"They couldn't hit an elephant from
chr...@skypoint.com | this distance" (last words of Gen.
___________________________| John Sedgwick, Spotsylvania 1864)
http://www.skypoint.com/~chrisw
Bruce Durdle
>
>
> Things like parallel resistors are really easy, say 234 ohm in
> parallel with 321 ohm:
>
> 234
> Enter
> Enter
> 321
> Div
> 1
> +
> Div
>
> I'd like to see how many keystrokes it could be done with on an
> alebraic calculator. The formula is (2*3)/(2+3) slightly reworked.
>
Try
234
1/x
321
1/x
+
1/x
Bruce.
Linux User
work, and instead of digging through the physics book - I just whipped
out the ol' HP48. Jumped to equation library and boom - done. Have a
HP32SII as well for out in the production area. More streamline.
David Gibson
Yes, well, <blush> who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
:-)
David Gibson
>worked properly right until the end? Can anyone better that?
One display segment went flakey about, oh, 10 years ago. It had had
numerous sets of new batteries, but basically lived on my desk, next
to my CP/M box, 8088, 80286, 80386 and now Pentium, permanently
powered off its charger.
Every function still worked right until that terrible day when
winter condensation from out metal factory roof dripped on it
overnight, and electrolysis chewed away at its vitals.
Snoopy
>
>I have a HP48GX and I have found that once you get use to reverse polar
>notation, calculations of complex algebraic equations. I also have found it to
>be a life saver in unit conversions, curve fitting, equation iterations,
>ploting, matrix manipulations, and for an occational game of Tetris.
>
most powerful 'calculator' that HP have ever made, but is it still a
'calculator'. It's too big to put in your shirt pocket, and for the
amount of money you pay- well you could buy a small laptop. So is the
48GX really a 'calculator' in the accepted sense? SNOOPY
Snoopy
wrote:
>
>The other big bonus was the combination of storing formulas for both
>the main equation and the component variables. SOLVR would then pop
>up only the first-level variables for plugging in and solving the
>final equation. This was a big help in kinematics and vibrations
>classes.
>
through the rigmarole of having the examiner wipe everything in your
(calculator) memory before you were allowed to use it.
>>What model have you got?
>28S (third one; first two were stolen in 1989 and 1990, respectively,
>bought the third used for $30). 5 years and still going; wiped the
>memory once by accident, but not until after I'd taken the EIT. I'd
>replace it with something with expansion cards. RPN isn't a hassle at
>all, no more than if they'd moved the + key somewhere else.
>
I guess you would have to buy a 48GX? Or would you be tempted to
buy an HP notebook? SNOOPY
Snoopy
<ros...@mail.hop.hou.lmsg.lmco.com> wrote:
>I was a Texas Instruments fan for years, until I actually learned RPN
>and bought a HP-41C about 20 years ago. I still have it, the prog
>button no longer works but I don't program it anymore anyway.
><snip>
>
>Just don't drop the damn thing. I did from a 6 foot height onto a
>wooden floor while it was in its case, and had to send it off to
>Corvallis, Oregon to be fixed.
>
I can remember seeing an old HP magazine (pre HP41) where they had a
story of some guy dropping his calculator off the top of a step ladder
(in it's case) and the thing working perfectly afterwards. Mind you
they made better calculator cases then....
At least your HP41 could be fixed. I have been told that if anything
goes wrong with an HP32S under warranty, the whole thing is just
trashed. SNOOPY
Mark Rafn
Have had an HP15C for about 13 years, still works flawlessly... have yet
to replace the batteries! And once you get used to RPN, you can't (don't
want to) go back. I can't even use a standard calc anymore! I'd replace
it with another in a heart beat.
Regards,
Mark
> >On Sun, 26 Jul 1998 22:43:41 GMT, tenn...@caverock.net.nz (Snoopy)<BR>
> >wrote:<BR>
> ><BR>
> >>I am interested in the views of other people who use these for<BR>
> >>mechanical engineering applications.<BR>
> >>What sort of thing do you use them for?<BR>
> >>What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run<BR>
> >>over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you<BR>
> >>find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it? <BR>
> >>I am interested in both specific and general comments.<BR>
Larry Chickola
>
> I am interested in the views of other people who use these for
I bought my HP 15C in 1984, and can't imagine working without it.
I thought I lost it about 1 year ago, and had a major panic attack.
Turns out HP doesn't make the 15C anymore, so I had to find a used
one. The original eventually turned up, so now I have two!
Personally I think the 15C is the finest calculator ever made.
I know the newer HP's can do much more, but I really don't want
a calculator smarter than me.
Mike Renfro
wrote:
>Are you allowed to use it in exams? When I did mine you had to go
>through the rigmarole of having the examiner wipe everything in your
>(calculator) memory before you were allowed to use it.
Physics and chemistry exams were that way, and we all used $10 Casios;
most of the engineering folks gave either open-book, open-note, or "1
handwritten equation sheet" exams, so it didn't matter there.
>I think the 28S has been discontinued with no direct replacement. So
>I guess you would have to buy a 48GX? Or would you be tempted to
>buy an HP notebook? SNOOPY
It'd probably be a 48 model, but a wearable PC looks pretty groovy,
barring the exhorbitant price.
Pixel
never go back. I love RPN; the only thing I wish is that I had sprung for
the 48GX (expandable) if only for the added memory. I don't really see the
need for the expandability since most of what I need is already in the
48G. I love it for unit conversions and ease-of-use.
I would never replace it with a notebook--the 48G fits easily in my
Mountainsmith butt pack, and is extremely convenient. Profs are more
likely to let you use a calculator, not a notebook, for an exam.
The only words of advice: put a piece of cardboard in the case to protect
the screen--a friend of mine didn't and ended up with a wonderful crack
across the screen. I've treated mine fairly meanly (haven't dropped mine
from 6 ft. onto a hardwood floor), and it's still very happy.
Good luck!
...diana
--
Diana J. Hellman
hell...@spot.colorado.edu Don't forget to stop and eat the roses.
http://spot.colorado.edu/~hellmand/Home.html
Linux User
......
> The only words of advice: put a piece of cardboard in the case to protect
> the screen--a friend of mine didn't and ended up with a wonderful crack
> across the screen. I've treated mine fairly meanly (haven't dropped mine
> from 6 ft. onto a hardwood floor), and it's still very happy.
>
> Good luck!
> ...diana
> --
That reminds me. If you have a hp28/48 calc, instead of putting
cardboard in the front pocket of your soft case, put a piece of
plexiglass. I shaped a piece of plexiglass and slide it inside the
front pocket of my case and now nothing is going to do damage to the
front of my calc. You can through it in your briefcase/bookbag without
a worry.
Barry Johnston
>
> I am interested in the views of other people who use these for
> mechanical engineering applications.
>
> ---------------------------------------------------
> Message posted by SNOOPY
> using Forte Free Agent Version 1.11/32
Bought my HP11C back in '83 or '84. Now on its second set of batteries.
Been dropped, stepped on and still works like new.
Was a die hard TI user, until I went through three in two years (quality
control). Bought the HP on sale and haven't looked back.
Would by another in a heart beat!
Bejay
Snoopy
This highlights the hole in the HP range as I see it. The HP48G(X)
is just too big to cart around in the hip/shirt pocket, but the 32S is
not quite powerful enough for those of us who make operate four or
five programs in the continuous memory.
Why is there nothing in between? The answer is there was (the 42S).
The bad news is that has been inexplicably discontinued. SNOOPY
Snoopy
Wright) wrote:
>
>Got a HP67 bought in 1978. I think something went wrong with it about 10
>years ago, but it fixed itself. Now the only problem is keeping it in
>batteries since HP quit supplying them. I bought 3 more batteries and I'm
>looking forward to another 20 years. ;->
>
memory' technology really took off. I have a 29C of similar vintage-
still all functional, but the keyboard has lost some of the feel in
the keys, so it is now my spare. Battery packs are no longer
available for that either, but I managed to 'break open' the factory
sealed pack and install a couple of new nicads before sealing it with
contact glue again. It never charged all that well afterwards
though. SNOOPY
Snoopy
wrote:
>
>I bought my HP 15C in 1984, and can't imagine working without it.
>I thought I lost it about 1 year ago, and had a major panic attack.
>Turns out HP doesn't make the 15C anymore, so I had to find a used
>one. The original eventually turned up, so now I have two!
>Personally I think the 15C is the finest calculator ever made.
>I know the newer HP's can do much more, but I really don't want
>a calculator smarter than me.
>
I would argue that the 29C is the finest calculator (as opposed to
substitute computer) that HP ever made in quality of workmanship and
what you got with it (a REAL case and two thick ring bound manuals -
the sort they made you pay extra for on the later models), but have to
concede one advantage of the 15C - liquid crystal display.
As for the worst calculator ever made by HP, I vote for the 33E.
Bigger and clunkier than the model it replaced (the HP25) and quality
went WAY down. SNOOPY
Bob K 207
I'm looking for a "backup" 15C. Had one since 1987 (retired my HP45 then).
The HP48G & GX are too much hassle for me (my kids have them). Some PLEASE
contact me if you know of one in reasonable shape.
thanks
Bob
Robet Kazanjy, PE
rkaz...@uci.edu
Daniel H Burnett
It's pretty old ... I'd say around 1985 or so. It's go a couple of keys w/ no
springs but they all work.
RPN is wonderful... I was trying to convince a friend of mine in college and he said "you know what I hate about these HP calculators?... It's their owners,
they're so damn arrogant" (He later bought one)
I have done just about everything possible w/ the 15C, but most of my programming needs are now done in Excel. My favorite thing done on the 15C was inverting
an 8x8 matrix... it inverts and goes right back into the memory it just left
-Dan
Snoopy (tenn...@caverock.net.nz) wrote:
: On Mon, 27 Jul 1998 12:59:13 GMT, mwr...@tntech.edu (Mike Renfro)
: wrote:
: >
: >The other big bonus was the combination of storing formulas for both
: >the main equation and the component variables. SOLVR would then pop
: >up only the first-level variables for plugging in and solving the
: >final equation. This was a big help in kinematics and vibrations
: >classes.
: >
: Are you allowed to use it in exams? When I did mine you had to go
: through the rigmarole of having the examiner wipe everything in your
: (calculator) memory before you were allowed to use it.
:
: >>What model have you got?
: .
: >28S (third one; first two were stolen in 1989 and 1990, respectively,
: >bought the third used for $30). 5 years and still going; wiped the
: >memory once by accident, but not until after I'd taken the EIT. I'd
: >replace it with something with expansion cards. RPN isn't a hassle at
: >all, no more than if they'd moved the + key somewhere else.
: >
: I think the 28S has been discontinued with no direct replacement. So
: I guess you would have to buy a 48GX? Or would you be tempted to
: buy an HP notebook? SNOOPY
RWWaitt
plug-in memory modules and a card reader. Bought it in 1979, about three months
after they came out. Used it about 10 years, until I dropped it.
Then I inherited a used HP-41CV, which I still have. This calculator, with the
card reader, is unbeatable for most work. I did buy a 32S to keep in my
briefcase for field work, and it's memory, while limited, is adequate for most
of what I do in the field. Plus, it's smaller size makes it easy to carry
without stretching a shirt pocket.
I looked at the 48 series, and I might have bought one except for two reasons
-- they are too complex, and most of what I would do on them I have either
programmed into my old 41 or I can do with Microsoft Excel on my desktop
computer.
I also had an HP-45. Does anybody remember the trick key combination to turn
the 45 into a stopwatch?? Not too accurate, though, since this feature was
dropped before the HP engineers developed a way to calibrate the calculator's
clock. Or at least that's the story I heard.
Thanks for the memories.
Dick
Art Woodbury
HP to a colleague for his 11C to make a matched set. Both have been 100%
reliable. I find the RPN logic intuitive and powerful. RPN has another
advantage: it discourages borrowing, since most folk ask "where's the
'=' key?"
I wish HP hadn't discontinued the 11C, and I'd like to accumulate a few
more to last a lifetime. Any offers out there?
Art Woodbury
---------------------------
Snoopy wrote:
>
> I am interested in the views of other people who use these for
> mechanical engineering applications.
> What sort of thing do you use them for?
> What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run
> over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you
> find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
> I am interested in both specific and general comments.
Brian Kelly
> In article <35baebf2...@news.caverock.net.nz>,
> tenn...@caverock.net.nz (Snoopy) wrote:
>
> >I am interested in the views of other people who use these for
> >mechanical engineering applications.
> >What sort of thing do you use them for?
> >What model have you got? How reliable has it been? If it got run
> >over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with? How do you
> >find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
> >I am interested in both specific and general comments.
> >SNOOPY
>
> Got a HP67 bought in 1978. I think something went wrong with it about 10
> years ago, but it fixed itself. Now the only problem is keeping it in
> batteries since HP quit supplying them. I bought 3 more batteries and I'm
> looking forward to another 20 years. ;-> I don't think it could be
> replaced, certainly not in my heart. I remember paying something like $375
> for it when I had my first contract engineering job and thinking that's
> just too damn much money. I was mistaken--it's probably the best $375 I
> ever spent. If it got run over by a bus tomorrow, I'd probably cast myself
> under the wheels after it--sort of a computational suttee.
>
> I do a lot of stress analysis, and that's what I use it for. The mag strip
> drive still seems to work although I rarely record programs any more. RPN
> is as natural as falling off a log to me, but I guess you'd expect that
> after 20 years.
>
> --
> Christopher Wright P.E. |"They couldn't hit an elephant from
> chr...@skypoint.com | this distance" (last words of Gen.
> ___________________________| John Sedgwick, Spotsylvania 1864)
> http://www.skypoint.com/~chrisw
. . . they'll have to pry my weenie HP32s out of my cold, dead hands . . long
live RPN!
Where do you get the darned things these days, anyway? Staples usta carry HP,
no more.
Brian Kelly
Paul Skoczylas
>
> Was a die hard TI user, until I went through three in two years (quality
> control). Bought the HP on sale and haven't looked back.
I wish I'd bought an HP back in university. Now that I'm working, I
have no need for one, since programming is done on my computer, and I
can use a MUCH cheaper calculator for simple arithmetic. I'd say at
least 50% of the students I graduated with were using HP 48's.
My Dad's HP is about 25 years old (it has an LED display, not like the
more modern LCDs). It still works fine, although he can't use the
batteries anymore--he has to plug it into the wall outlet.
The calculator I do use (mainly for simple arithmetic) is a Casio with a
graphing display. It's nice because I can type in a whole expression,
which it displays on the screen. I can edit the expression before I
evaluate it. I can use parentheses and all the normal mathematical
functions, and it evaluates the expression using the correct order of
operations. I find these features really useful when entering things
more complex than 1+1.
With respect to durability of TI's, I have a simple TI scientific
calculator as well. It's a nice one with big buttons (for my clumsy
fingers) and a hard case. It has lasted me since 1986, and is still
going strong.
-Paul
Robert A. Kluck
chris!w...@skypoint.com (Christopher Wright) wrote:
>ever spent. If it got run over by a bus tomorrow, I'd probably cast myself
>under the wheels after it--sort of a computational suttee.
PUL-LEEZ!
I like calculators and computers more than the next guy, and I probably never would have
become an engineer if I had been in school in the slide rule days (my mental arithmetic is
too slow), but the most my HP-41C would get is a fond farewell. Besides, by current
standards, it seems big enough that the bus wouldn't clear it. Actually I got an HP200LX and
since then my HP 41 doesn't see the outside of my desk drawer much. Reasons why I like it:
1. It uses regular batteries that I can get anywhere.
2. It has a HP Calculator mode with lots of neat intrinsic functions. (It even lets THE USER
decide whether to use RPN or not).
3. It is a DOS based computer so I can keep my old DOS engineering programs on it to size
flowmeters and control valves.
4. It has Lotus built-in (that's the forerunner of Excel, for you young'uns), and I can
start a spreadsheet in the field and shoot it into Excel in my PC.
5. It has lots of organizer type functions that do important things like remind me when to
order the flowers for my wife's birthday.
Bob Kluck
Bob K 207
HP32s no longer in production you can pick them up as close outs. My son (18)
had one I got him 4 years ago but it died thru "backpack abuse"> Both of my
sons now have 48G & 48GX. The 32 was my choice to replace my 15C but I can't
find them any mre. Anyone got a 15C in good condition to sell?
regards
Robert Kazanjy, PE
>From: Brian Kelly <Ke...@dvol.com>
>Date: Fri, Jul 31, 1998 08:07 EDT
>Message-id: <35C1B387...@dvol.com>
Snoopy
Since I started this thread, I will now present a straw poll summary
of the discussion. I identified 18 people in the replies, and a
couple had more than one HP calculator in current use (so I counted
them twice). I present the results in terms of a tally graph(s), in a
non-proportional font.
>What model have you got?
In order of model age:
HP48G/GX : XXXX
HP32/32II: XXXX
HP42S : XX
HP28S : X
HP15C : XXX
HP11C : XX
HP41C/CV : XXX
HP67 : X
In order of power:
HP48G/GX, HP41C/CV, HP67 : XXXXXXXX
HP28S, HP42S, : XXX
HP32/32SII, HP15C : XXXXXXX
HP11C : XX
The fact that two respondents have an HP48 and an HP32 indicates to me
that the HP48 is not as practically portable as the manufacturer
intended- also see breakage hazard below.
Also note that the preference seems to be to go for the top of the
range, or a low end programmable. One could argue that this is
because the so called mid range (28S,42S) calculators are not
available. But given the proliferation of even older calculators, I
would suggest there is little demand for these mid range products.
>How reliable has it been?
Functionally all calculators seemed to have performed well. There
does seem to be a risk on the HP48 of the large display cracking if
the calculator is dropped.
>If it got run
>over by a bus tomorrow, what would you replace it with?
95% of respondents implied another HP. One (5%) said something else.
>How do you find the RPN logic, if indeed your calculator has it?
100% of respondents said YES to RPN. So the fact that HP seems to be
phasing out RPN (if the reported death of the HP32SII is to be
believed, that only leaves the HP48 left), mechanical engineers should
be concerned.
Interestingly NO responses were received from anyone with a non-RPN HP
calculator. I wonder how many of these they are actually selling?
I suggest not many to mechanical engineers.
Bruce Durdle
Snoopy
Didn't mention my calculator type
Had an HP35 (I think) wwhen they first ccame out - this gave probems with
battery lfe and charger, so I upgraded to an HP15C in about 1979. Still
got it but it has gone scrwewy on some of the matrix functions, so I don't
trust it for anyhting fancy unless I know I can check the result - stll
does good service for adding up chequebooks etc.
Added an HP32 S to my collection in 1995 - its OK but the 32S can't handle
complex numbers with the ease of the 15C.
RPN RULES!!
Bruce.
Snoopy
>Sorry Brian
>HP32s no longer in production you can pick them up as close outs.
>
Are you sure about this? The HP32S may be dead, but the HP32SII is
still listed at my local shop. They quoted me a price today. SNOOPY
Snoopy
no-one admitted still having them in everyday use so that's why I
didn't include those, or for that matter my own HP29C, in the straw
poll survey.
For any of you a little glazed on all this talk on calculators you
have never heard of, you can look up information on each model on this
site:
They have even recently started a discussion forum! SNOOPY
Dean Worrell
> On Tue, 04 Aug 1998 07:45:58 +1200, Bruce Durdle
> <bmdu...@taranaki.ac.nz> wrote:
> >
> >Didn't mention my calculator type
> >
> >Had an HP35 (I think) wwhen they first ccame out - this gave probems with
> >battery lfe and charger, so I upgraded to an HP15C in about 1979. Still
> >got it but it has gone scrwewy on some of the matrix functions, so I don't
> >trust it for anyhting fancy unless I know I can check the result - stll
> >does good service for adding up chequebooks etc.
> >Added an HP32 S to my collection in 1995 - its OK but the 32S can't handle
> >complex numbers with the ease of the 15C.
> >
> >RPN RULES!!
> >
> Actually others have mentioned calculators from the HP35/HP45 era, but
> no-one admitted still having them in everyday use so that's why I
> didn't include those, or for that matter my own HP29C, in the straw
> poll survey.
Well, I bought an HP45 when I was going to school back in the mid
70's. I really hate to admit that I actually spent $400 for that
guy back then. The '45 is now at home. I use an HP41CV (cost
something around $200) here at work. Any problem that needs
anything more than a pocket-sized adding machine gets the desktop
PC thrown at it.
Dean
PS. I would never ever, given the option, to purchase anything
other than an RPN calculator! Banish that equals sign key to the
Dilbert's hall of shame.
--
Remove the "x" from my address to reply via E-Mail.
-- The opinions expressed above are mine and not my employer's. --
Paul Skoczylas
> >
> Actually others have mentioned calculators from the HP35/HP45 era, but
> no-one admitted still having them in everyday use so that's why I
> didn't include those, or for that matter my own HP29C, in the straw
> poll survey.
<snip>
> http://www.hpmuseum.org
I just had a look at that website to find my dad's calculator. I'm
virtually certain his is an HP35 (esp. since it says somewhere in there
that the HP35 is the only HP with a CLR button), and it is still the
only calculator he owns (not counting the slide rules). Since he's
still working as an engineer, I presume it's in everyday use.
-Paul
Bob K 207
carry. Those interested in one should get one soon.
Kurt Jaeger
it would still be in daily use today.
I thought it was a gonner back in '86 when it got doused with
liquid nitrogen. Fortunately it came back once it warmed up again.
I thought it was gone for good when my softside case disappeared
off the back of my motorcycle during my morning commute yesterday.
Someone dropped the case off at the front desk this morning. The
case was worse the wear for a 65 mph slide down the pavement but
the calculator is fine.
Somehow I don't expect that kind of mileage out of my Casio.
As far a RPN is concerned, I started with a TI, switched to HP, and later
acquired a Casio. Both the Casio and the HP are used daily, with the HP
going home with me. I love RPN, it seems more natural and intuitive. For me,
if HP got rid of RPN they would lose their major defining feature.
I suppose that it is getting less important to me to have a good calculator as
most of my real serious number crunching gets done in MatLab. If they stopped
working, I would replace the Casio, but I would miss my HP.
Kurt Jaeger
Controls Engineer
Laser Machining Inc.
{remove DELETE from my adress to reply}