Re: Bring Back the HP 15C Scientific Calculator

From: fkasner (fkasner_at_sbcglobal.net)
Date: 07/31/04 

Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2004 19:42:45 GMT

Uncle Al wrote:

> JohnWW wrote:
>
>>Can you tell us exactly what this model of calculator can do?
>>
>>John W.
>>
>>Chris W wrote:
>>
>>>I have been working on an effort to get HP to start making the 15C, or a
>>>similar model again. To this end I have set up a web site with a
>>>petition. If you are like me, and would love to have a well made
>>>calculator like the 15C again. Please take a moment to go to my web
>>>site and sign the petition. If you have never used a 15C before the web
>>>site will tell you why it is the best scientific calculator for everyday
>>>use. I have been in contact with a member of the calculator planning
>>>department at HP who is sympathetic to the cause and will argue the case
>>>to those who make the decisions, however I need to get many more
>>>signatures on the petition, so tell anyone you know who would also
>>>benefit from a quality calculator like the 15C, to check out the web site.
>>>
>>>http://hp15c.org
>>>--
>>>Chris W
>>>
>>>Bring Back the HP 15C
>>>http://hp15c.org
>
>
> Don't top post.
>
> The HP15C is wondrous - slim, capable, programmable, and with a
> 15-year battery life. RPN of course! Four functions; trig and
> inverse trig; log, ln, exponentials, and inverse; factorial;
> fancy stuff and programmable. No hex. HP keys are double
> injection molded not painted. As a key wears down its label
> stays distinct.
>
> Uncle Al's HP15C has worn keys. It's been 20 years or more.
> Check out the prices on E-Bay for a used one - outrageous! Worth
> every penny. If you have your 15C you can be a hero while others
> are struggling with their fancy useless crap.
>
> --
> Uncle Al
> http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/
> (Toxic URL! Unsafe for children and most mammals)
> http://www.mazepath.com/uncleal/qz.pdf

Yeah but mechanical parts tend to wear out. Both my HP calculators are
close to dead. The first was a HP45 (lovely machine that cost over $200
and worth every penny). The second is a HP34C and is programmable. But
both have defective switches. The 45 can be babied to work when needed.
But the 34C mostly will not turn on. And when it does the switch that
changes between programming and run doesn't work. I loved those devices
and used them constantly. A HP65 that was card programmable and belonged
to my department gave up the card ghost after several years and now
doesn't work in any mode. I discovered I still had it (I retired about
11 years ago) but it would be of no use to the department if I returned
it. Same problem - switches. I wold love to get those three things
running again. Otherwise repetitive stuff has to be programmed in BASIC
or C and then saved, and/or compiled to do repeated nasty calculations.
The time saved in not having to turn on a computer, find the program,
and run is not much saving from running that stuff on the hand held
calculator. I'd pay good money to get those devices running as good as
new once again. I loved being able to crank out practice problems for
the students in the classroom. Gave them some confidence to rely on
calculators during exams. Of course that was also true when I was using
a slide rule as well. In point of fact that was more reassuring for
students since they had to be actively involved in getting location of
the decimal point and so knowing if their answer was totally specious.
FK

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