8 Nov
2002
8 Nov
'02
12:27 p.m.
I still like the old TI Programmers calculator that I found a few years back
at the "Tektronix Country Store" (where they surplus stuff). Nice LED
model, that can convert between the various number systems (I never was that
great with Decimal to/from anything). It has the added benifit of being
almost identical to the one my Dad had when I was growing up. Except for
the battery, it works fine and came with the box, manual, and a power brick.
Does anyone still make "Programmers Calculators"? I've got either a Sharp
or a Cassio that I bought new 12+ years ago. I forget which brand it is,
but it was the one I really liked. It was basically the battery
operated/enhanced version of a solar powered one I'd had in High School
(which unfortunatly died). I'd love to find a good solar powered one, as I
can never remember to pick up batteries for it, as a result I've not been
able to use it in years :^/
Zane
I vote for this as a candidate for "best find of the
decade".
--- Joe <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com> wrote:
OK I'm claiming the prize now and it's
only
Friday!
Top this: Not one, not two, but THREE Tektronix
31 calculators, all NIB!
Found these at a garage sale. They appear to be
from the estate of a Tektronix employee that bought
them in Beaverton and shipped them to Orlando when
he was transferred here. Two are "normal" 31s, the
other is a different color and is marked "Coulter
Model 43 Data Converter". It has options 1, 4, Pa
and Pb installed. I've posted a couple of pictures
of it at <http://home.cfl.rr.com/rigdon14/tek-31/>.
I haven't checked out the other two yet but they
also seem to be well optioned out and have what I
think is the interface to connect the TM500 modular
instruments.
Joe :-)
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8 Nov
8 Nov
1:29 p.m.
At 03:29 PM 11/8/02 -0800, you wrote:
I still like the old TI Programmers calculator that I
found a few years back
at the "Tektronix Country Store" (where they surplus stuff).
FWIW I think that at least two of these Tek 31s came from that store. The paper work
with one of them has "List $4550.oo Sell $450.oo Brand New" written on it. I
remember Rick Bensene telling me about the sale at Tektronix's store and I think that
was the price they were selling them for. Also two of these have been stamped "No
Service SALVAGE Available" in a cartouche with the Tektronix world logo.
On the subject of the programmer's calculators. My favorite is the HP-16C or the
HP-41 with the HP-IL Developement module. Either one would let you set and convert to and
from ANY number base. Both also had piles of binary functions and operations built in. I
think the 16C would handle something like 52 bit numbers and I think the 41 would handle
even larger numbers. The 16C was nice since it was the basic machine as the 12C/15C/11C
and was small and it had practically infinite battery life. I have a TI Programmer's
calc here somewhere but it's a nuisance to keep it charged and it's always dead
when I want to use it.
Joe
2:13 p.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
Joe wrote:
On the subject of the programmer's calculators. My favorite is the HP-16C
the HP-41 with the HP-IL Developement module. Either one would let you
set
and convert to and from ANY number base. Both also had
piles of binary
functions and operations built in. I think the 16C would handle something
like 52 bit numbers and I think the 41 would handle even larger numbers.
The 16C was nice since it was the basic machine as the 12C/15C/11C and
was small and it had practically infinite battery life.
I have a 16c here. Nice little piece.
What is the difference between the hp-41cv & hp41-cx ?
I have a TI Programmer's calc here somewhere but
it's a nuisance to keep
it charged and it's always dead when I want to use it.
On the TI side, I have the "TI-52 scientific". Does all the
hex/dec/oct/bin conversions and some other stuff. VERY happy with it.
Since I bought it (10-15 (?) years ago) didn't change the battery.
cheers
3:35 p.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
I have a 16c here. Nice little piece.
Yes. AFAIK, the HP-16C is unique among calculators with base conversion,
in that it supports unsigned, ones complement, and twos complement
arithmetic on a word size adjustable from one to sixty four bits. And
it has all the logical operations, shifts and rotates, etc.
Many other calculators have some simple base conversion functions, but
not that compare with the HP-16C.
Of course, on a programmable calculator you could implement a lot of
that yourself if you had to, but with the HP-16C it's built in. Jake
Schwartz has written a good 16C simulator for the HP-48, but I haven't
seen any other good ones.
What is the difference between the hp-41cv &
hp41-cx ?
The HP-41CX is essentially a 41CV with the HP 82180A Extended Function
Module and HP 82182A Time Module built in. They added some additional
functions as well. Unfortunately they did NOT build the equivalent of
two HP 82181A Extended Memory Modules into it; many people wired them
in themselves.
On the TI side, I have the "TI-52
scientific". Does all the
hex/dec/oct/bin conversions and some other stuff. VERY happy with it.
Since I bought it (10-15 (?) years ago) didn't change the battery.
At first I thought you were referring to the TI SR-52 programmable
calculator from the mid-1970s, which didn't have such things. But
on reading the rest of your message I realize that the TI-52 must be a
different calculator, presumably with an LCD display.
Eric
5:45 p.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
Eric Smith wrote:
Yes. It has an LCD display.
On the TI side,
I have the "TI-52 scientific". Does all the
hex/dec/oct/bin conversions and some other stuff. VERY happy with it.
Since I bought it (10-15 (?) years ago) didn't change the battery.
At first I thought you were referring to the TI SR-52 programmable
calculator from the mid-1970s, which didn't have such things. But
on reading the rest of your message I realize that the TI-52 must be a
different calculator, presumably with an LCD display.
3:46 p.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
At 06:11 PM 11/8/02 -0700, you wrote:
But you have had to recharge it haven't you? The 16C uses NON-rechargeable
batteries and one set of batteries will COMMONLY last ten years or more.
Joe
Joe wrote:
The CX has the Time and X-Function modules built in (along with a few added functions
such as more Catalogs). But the binary and Base functions are part of the HP-IL
Developement module (and a few other modules later) and can be used on the C, CV or CX if
you have the ROM installed.
On the subject of the programmer's calculators. My favorite is the HP-16C
the HP-41 with the HP-IL Developement module. Either one would let you
set
and convert to and from ANY number base. Both also
had piles of binary
functions and operations built in. I think the 16C would handle something
like 52 bit numbers and I think the 41 would handle even larger numbers.
The 16C was nice since it was the basic machine as the 12C/15C/11C and
was small and it had practically infinite battery life.
I have a 16c here. Nice little piece.
What is the difference between the hp-41cv & hp41-cx ? I have a TI Programmer's calc here somewhere
but it's a nuisance to keep
it charged and it's always dead when I want to use it.
On the TI side, I have the "TI-52 scientific". Does all the
hex/dec/oct/bin conversions and some other stuff. VERY happy with it.
Since I bought it (10-15 (?) years ago) didn't change the battery.
cheers
5:43 p.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
Joe wrote:
Really can't remember changing them.
Just checked, this are two lr44 cells, and they definitely don't look
new ;-)
At 06:11 PM 11/8/02 -0700, you wrote:
On the TI side,
I have the "TI-52 scientific". Does all the
hex/dec/oct/bin conversions and some other stuff. VERY happy with it.
Since I bought it (10-15 (?) years ago) didn't change the battery.
But you have had to recharge it haven't you?
The 16C uses NON-rechargeable batteries and one set of
batteries will COMMONLY last ten years or more. 
9 Nov
9 Nov
7:41 a.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
I have a TI Programmer's calc here somewhere but
it's a nuisance to
keep it charged and it's always dead when I want to use it.
There were two models of the TI "Programmer". The first model used LED
displays, and ate batteries at a rate impossible to keep up with. It
worked BEAUTIFULLY as a plugged in desktop unit.
The later model was much thinner, and used an LCD display. Its batteries
would last almost as long as its keyboard (which was its weak point).
Disassembly and cleaning would usually be adequate to render the keyboard
usable for a while.
MANY, if not most, "scientific" calculators include rudimentary base
conversion capabilities. Most "scientific" calculators that have A B C D
E F keys can work in hexadecimal.
The Casio CFX-40 (and 400) wrist watch "scientific" calculator has full
hex capabilities. It requires good eyesight and a nimble touch. But it
is long since discontinued (late 1980s). Scott Mueller bought up a stock
of them and is planning to release some soon. But he wants hundreds of
dollars, so it is currently out of my range for buying a spare.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
7:54 a.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
On Sat, 2002-11-09 at 13:43, Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) wrote:
There were two models of the TI
"Programmer". The first model used LED
displays, and ate batteries at a rate impossible to keep up with. It
worked BEAUTIFULLY as a plugged in desktop unit.
My father gave me one of these for my 16th birthday in 1978. At the
time I was programming a Terak using UCSD Pascal along with an Amdahl
470 using APL and Fortran. Though I was still in high school, the local
university did not seem to have a problem with me hacking (in the good
sense) away on their mainframe.
ISTR that you could play 'music' on an AM radio by pushing different
combinations of the calculator keys. I really liked that calculator and
have no idea what became of it over the last couple of decades. I use
an HP-48GX for that kind of stuff now, though I will occasionally pick
up the old slip-stick for the odd quick calculation.
--
Christopher L McNabb
Operating Systems Analyst Email: cmcnabb(a)4mcnabb.net
Virginia Tech ICBM: 37.1356N 80.4272N
GMRS: WPSR255 ARS: N2UX Grid Sq: EM97SD
8:29 a.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
Fred Cisin (XenoSoft) wrote:
>I have a TI Programmer's calc here somewhere
but it's a nuisance to
>keep it charged and it's always dead when I want to use it.
There were two models of the TI
"Programmer". The first model used LED
displays, and ate batteries at a rate impossible to keep up with. It
worked BEAUTIFULLY as a plugged in desktop unit.
My own favorite (otehr than my HP-16 ;-) is a CASIO CM-100 "computer
math calc". I originall y found these in the US sometime in the
eighties, I must have bought 5 or 10 and easily sold them to colleaugues
in europe. Later I lost my own and looked in vain til by chance I got a
trip to Japan and diligent searching in Akihabara turned up three.
The nice thing is they have no batteries, just a "solar panel" and do
not seem to need much light to function properly.
-- hbp
7:22 p.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
At 08:31 PM 11/9/02 +0100, you wrote:
My own favorite (otehr than my HP-16 ;-) is a CASIO
CM-100 "computer math
calc".
I too prefer the HP-16C, but the CM-100 is a nice design. I have a photo
of one
up on my Casio calculator page, http://www.decodesystems.com/casiocalcs.html
A very similar discussion of hex-capable calculators occurred recently on
Slashdot, along with a link to my page. As is to be expected, ClassicCmpers
covered the same ground much more quickly. :-)
The nice thing is they have no batteries, just a
"solar panel" and do not
seem to need much light to function properly.
The CM-100 functions very well in surprisingly low light. However, when I
need to
do hex conversions (which I did for a while in developing code for a
Motorola OnCore
GPS chipset), I prefer the HP-16C.
Cheers,
Dan
http://www.decodesystems.com/wanted.html
10:14 a.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
I have a TI
Programmer's calc here somewhere but it's a nuisance to
keep it charged and it's always dead when I want to use it.
There were two models of the TI "Programmer". The first model used LED
displays, and ate batteries at a rate impossible to keep up with. It
worked BEAUTIFULLY as a plugged in desktop unit.
The later model was much thinner, and used an LCD display. Its batteries
would last almost as long as its keyboard (which was its weak point).
Disassembly and cleaning would usually be adequate to render the keyboard
usable for a while.
MANY, if not most, "scientific" calculators
include rudimentary base
conversion capabilities. Most "scientific" calculators that have A B C D
E F keys can work in hexadecimal.
The Casio CFX-40 (and 400) wrist watch "scientific" calculator has full
hex capabilities. It requires good eyesight and a nimble touch. But it
is long since discontinued (late 1980s). Scott Mueller bought up a stock
of them and is planning to release some soon. But he wants hundreds of
dollars, so it is currently out of my range for buying a spare.
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin(a)xenosoft.com
lgwalker(a)mts.net
bigwalk_ca(a)yahoo.com
12:35 p.m.
New subject: calculators, was: Re: Best Find of the Weekend!
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8 Nov
8 Nov
2:09 p.m.
On Fri, 8 Nov 2002, Zane H. Healy wrote:
I still like the old TI Programmers calculator that I
found a few years back
at the "Tektronix Country Store" (where they surplus stuff). Nice LED
model, that can convert between the various number systems (I never was that
great with Decimal to/from anything). It has the added benifit of being
almost identical to the one my Dad had when I was growing up. Except for
the battery, it works fine and came with the box, manual, and a power brick.
Does anyone still make "Programmers Calculators"? I've got either a Sharp
or a Cassio that I bought new 12+ years ago. I forget which brand it is,
but it was the one I really liked. It was basically the battery
operated/enhanced version of a solar powered one I'd had in High School
(which unfortunatly died). I'd love to find a good solar powered one, as I
can never remember to pick up batteries for it, as a result I've not been
able to use it in years :^/
I have a Casio CM-100 solar model that I bought 12-14 years ago. It is
a marvellous 'crutch'!
- don
Zane
I vote for this as a candidate for "best find of the
decade".
--- Joe <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com> wrote:
OK I'm claiming the prize now and it's
only
Friday!
Top this: Not one, not two, but THREE Tektronix
31 calculators, all NIB!
Found these at a garage sale. They appear to be
from the estate of a Tektronix employee that bought
them in Beaverton and shipped them to Orlando when
he was transferred here. Two are "normal" 31s, the
other is a different color and is marked "Coulter
Model 43 Data Converter". It has options 1, 4, Pa
and Pb installed. I've posted a couple of pictures
of it at <http://home.cfl.rr.com/rigdon14/tek-31/>.
I haven't checked out the other two yet but they
also seem to be well optioned out and have what I
think is the interface to connect the TM500 modular
instruments.
Joe :-)
__________________________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
U2 on LAUNCH - Exclusive greatest hits videos
http://launch.yahoo.com/u2
7924
days inactive
7926
days old
14 comments
11 participants
participants (11)
-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
cisin＠xenosoft.com -
cmcnabb＠4mcnabb.net -
dan＠ekoan.com -
donm＠cts.com -
emu＠ecubics.com -
eric＠brouhaha.com -
hansp＠aconit.org -
healyzh＠aracnet.com -
lgwalker＠mts.net -
rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com