Collecting calculators - a sickness?

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #1 26-10-2009, 02:21 PM

I admit that I have a weakness for calculators - both new and vintage. My nerd gene is pretty dominant, so I'm putting it down to that. They'll have a cure one day I'm sure, but until then I can't wait for my new HP41CV to arrive. I landed it horribly cheaply...

HP calculators are usually going for a fortune on eBay these days.

A couple of my favourites in my collection, some from from way-back:

Hewlett Packard HP41CV
Hewlett Packard 35S
Hewlett Packard 32E
Hewlett Packard 33E - thanks Bert!
Hewlett Packard 33C (first with continuous memory) - thanks Bert!
Hewlett Packard 12C

Elektronika MK-61 (Russian RPN calculator from the mid-80's)

I've always loved HP's tactile keyboards and RPN logic rather than algebraic. The Russian MK-61 is really interesting too - and being heavily influenced by HP, the Russians made a fine calculator that's ultimately hackable. They didn't provide any safety features in the design, so you can access a pile of undocumented functions. I really like the green vacuum fluorescent display too.

Hmmmm... HP35 - the original hand-held scientific calculator.... I want one.... and a HP67CX... and a....

I have a dozen other "lesser" algebraic calclators floating around, like a couple of T.I.'s etc, (them's fightin' words to a T.I. owner - LOL!) but they don't hold the fascination for me for some reason. I wouldn't mind a Casio FX-702P programmable though - just because I had one years ago and loved it.

DavidU (Dave) · #2 26-10-2009, 02:24 PM

No worries there Chris. Collecting vintage watches as I do is a tad nerdy.

erick (Eric) · #3 26-10-2009, 02:24 PM

Yes, a sickness indeed!

Surely you can get your hands on a HP35?

Tell us about some interesting undocumented functionality in some of these?

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #4 26-10-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by erick

Surely you can get your hands on a HP35?

They're actually quite hard to get in excellent condition. There are a few about on FleaBay, but they're pretty-well stoofed cosmetically. I can wait though...

Here's a good page on the Russian Elektronika MK-61 hacks: http://www.alfredklomp.com/technology/mk-61/

Hewlett-Packard were a bit more..well... careful in their design.

matt · #5 26-10-2009, 02:30 PM

Classic!!!

Are they all working, Chris?

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #6 26-10-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidU

No worries there Chris. Collecting vintage watches as I do is a tad nerdy.

LOL! I also collect LED watches David - from the originals (early 70's) forward. Arrghhh!

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #7 26-10-2009, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt

Classic!!!

Are they all working, Chris?

Absolutely Matt!

erick (Eric) · #8 26-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Damn it! You've got me reading interesting stuff now:-

"The earliest production HP-35 units had a small hole to the right of the on/off switch. When the HP-35 was turned on, a red spot showed through this hole. This was soon removed - you could see the HP-35 was on anyway, because the display lit up! Even if the batteries were low, you could see the switch was at the side marked ON."

"I believe only about 10,000 of these "HP-35 with a hole" were made - but owners knew they had a collector's item, so they are nearly all still in existence. Ones in reasonable condition sell for at least $250 in the US - about £200 in the UK. One with its original plastic carrying box, leather case, AC charger, manual and stick-on "PROPERTY OF" labels can sell for $350 or more."

My first calculator was the size of half a house brick, took several AA batteries, had the green tube type display and would do +, -, * and / AND %!! Luxury! early 70s.

I remember the engineers spittin' chips. They paid big bucks for their HP35s, then the HP45s came in well under that price.

DavidU (Dave) · #9 26-10-2009, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

LOL! I also collect LED watches David - from the originals (early 70's) forward. Arrghhh!

How many Pulsars do you have? LOL

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #10 26-10-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidU

How many Pulsars do you have? LOL

Only three

I also have a couple of Seikos from the late 70's too. Add to those - a pile of retro knock-offs. LOL!

I want this one next though... a little different, but uber-cool. Pity it's only a concept build though...

http://gadgetophilia.com/hiranao-tsu...ver/#more-1068

kustard (Simon) · #11 26-10-2009, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I wouldn't mind a Casio FX-702P programmable though - just because I had one years ago and loved it.

I have a Casio FX-850P, a newer version of the FX-720P. It still works if prodded though the screen has issues. I bought it back in 1989 and have only just recently upgraded to one of those TI-nspire calculators. I'm by no means a TI fanboi (I used to own a nice Sharp scientific calc (EL-??? can't remember) before it got run over when it fell out of my bike bag) I just needed something with graphing and it was the only one I could get at short notice.

The problem with the TI-nspire is that if you haven't used it for a few days it needs to "boot up" which takes a good minute.

FredSnerd (Claude) · #12 26-10-2009, 03:06 PM

Hey Chris

Have you sought professional help. You know its not a good idea to self treat these things

gary · #13 26-10-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

LOL! I also collect LED watches David - from the originals (early 70's) forward. Arrghhh!

Hi Chris,

Do you remember the Hewlett Packard HP-01 Wrist Watch/Calculators?
Uber-geek.

Best Regards

Gary
HP calculator user since 1975

TrevorW · #14 26-10-2009, 03:22 PM

Theres no a counting for peoples taste

Baddad (Marty) · #15 26-10-2009, 03:34 PM

Hi Chris,

I agree with Claude. Seek external help. My son is a psychologist but he is in Arizona. He maybe can recommend someone nearer.

Not a bad hobby I suppose. I still have a few old computers. 80386. I threw out the old Amstrad 6128.

Interesting reading, I used to own some old HPs.

Cheers Marty

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #16 26-10-2009, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Chris,

Do you remember the Hewlett Packard HP-01 Wrist Watch/Calculators?
Uber-geek.

Best Regards

Gary
HP calculator user since 1975

LOL! Too right have Gary! They're a bit of a luxo item these days - no change from a $grand! Geez it'd be nice though!

http://cgi.ebay.com/HP01-HEWLETT-PAC...item2ea88d8efa

http://www.oldcalculatormuseum.com/hp-01.html

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #17 26-10-2009, 03:39 PM

You're one sad puppy Chris.

I collect Coronation Albums and rocks shaped like feet.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #18 26-10-2009, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

You're one sad puppy Chris.

I collect Coronation Albums and rocks shaped like feet.

LOL! I also collect Pugs Jeanette

They "round" my obsessions off!

Foot-shaped rocks huh? Interesting......!

And you call me nuts!

Jen · #19 26-10-2009, 04:35 PM

lol Chris now thats an odd thing to be collecting calculators i havnt heard of that before

chrisp9au (Chris) · #20 26-10-2009, 04:44 PM

I don't collect calculators, but I have a bit of an obsession when ever I see an old one, to see what happens when you divide a number by zero!

In the early days calculators would go off searching for the result, rather than give you an 'E', it was mesmerising to watch them work!

Cheers

Chris