HP Forum Archive 12

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Another Poll ! Message #1 Posted by Jeremy on 15 Apr 2003, 7:34 p.m. This one is party to make up for my oversight of a few models in one question of my last poll. I am interested which hp calculator you would pick as your favorite (if you could have only one) and the reason(s) why. a. hp 42s b. hp 48G/GX/G+ (whichever...) c. hp 34C (hehehe) d. hp 32s e. hp 32SII f. hp 41C/CV/CX (whichever) g. hp 10C/11C/15C (whichever) g. Other (elaborate) Maybe after THIS post has been up a few days, I will tally things up and we will know which model is the MoHPC favorite... Cheers! -Jeremy

Re: Another Poll ! Message #2 Posted by hugh on 15 Apr 2003, 8:18 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy hmm. here's a completely different answer :-) i've often wondered what calculator would be the best single choice if i were isolated. on a desert island, say, or without contact with any modern technology. this is a similar problem to asking; what's the best calculation machine that doesnt depend on anything and isnt likely to break down. scenario: the planet has 1e12 barrels of oil left and we consume 80e6 per day. 35 years later globalisation ends. i am on my farm growing potatoes and hunting rabbits with my bow and arrows. but hey, i still need to calculate. (a) solar powered hp? casio made some nice solar machines, but what if they got wet or broke one day? (b) hang on to a good slide rule for emergencies. (c) my brain & a pencil plus some log tables from ebay.

Re: Another Poll ! Message #3 Posted by db(martinez,california) on 15 Apr 2003, 10:47 p.m., in response to message #2 by hugh jeremy; the 41 hugh, regarding your "end of globalization" scenario; did you ever see that episode of gilligan's island where the professor connected a bunch of coconuts, poured in some juice and had everybody stir like crazy? they powered a radio with it. even though they didn't get rescued; it worked. a 41 would draw a lot less "juice" and so need fewer coconuts. as an added benefit; mary anne was particularly saucy in that episode. it must have been static cling.

Gilligan's Island Message #4 Posted by NH on 15 Apr 2003, 11:18 p.m., in response to message #3 by db(martinez,california) In my large DVD collection, I've got just ONE episode of Gilligan's Island and it was quite enjoyable. Always hoping for more. Plenty of "Beverly Hillbillies" and "All in the Family". Could care less about "Twilight Zone". And the big missing item in all of this is "Time Tunnel" episodes. Those absolutely have not been found on DVD.

Re: Gilligan's Island Message #5 Posted by John K. (US) on 16 Apr 2003, 12:59 a.m., in response to message #4 by NH What?! You don't have The Prisoner? How unmutual of you. ;^)

Re: Another Poll ! Message #6 Posted by hugh on 16 Apr 2003, 9:04 a.m., in response to message #3 by db(martinez,california) top idea! no i didnt see that episode. i know you can power low power stuff with fruits and potatoes (lemons especially). making a natural battery is quite a good idea. i have a clockwork radio. it has a solar panel too. in that case, i'll have a 32sii and a bunch of coconuts :-) the 32sii has only 2 cells, less voltage means less coconuts wired(?) together :-)

Re: Another Poll ! Message #7 Posted by hugh on 16 Apr 2003, 9:06 a.m., in response to message #6 by hugh mistake. sorry the 32sii has 3 cells! no good then. which machine has the lowest voltage, i wonder?

Re: Another Poll ! Message #8 Posted by Ron Ross on 16 Apr 2003, 10:09 a.m., in response to message #7 by hugh Actually Voltage is probably not a problem. It is current draw. So your 32s is a very good bet. Actually, any LCD (even the 48) would work fine off of any natural battery source of the correct (and use a somewhat low) voltage. Just like a regular cell, you will have to cascade lemons or whatever to make a battery. Every cell chemistry has a somewhat different voltage output. Lemons with Copper (a REAL penny) and zinc (shave off top of battery post of dead battery in boat, else just stick your wires into two cells on said battery) and will probably only require two lemons to operate said calculators. A 34C would probably also power up, but wouldn't last very long vs an LCD would last until the fruit rotted or was carried away by ants, flies, whatever.

Lemons Message #9 Posted by Bill Platt on 16 Apr 2003, 3:35 p.m., in response to message #8 by Ron Ross Hi Ron, Now you are on to something here. A lot of people have been geeting excited about electric cars lately, especially hydrogen powered ones. Why not rotting fruit electric cars! But I cannot remember something about batteries---doesn't the voltage of a natural battery drop as it is "used up" yes it does---but what about rotting fruit? There is a lot of wasted fruit out there--I bet one could come up with some real power..... But does the characteristic voltage fall as the rotting process proceeds? Does acid content decrease with rotting? I think it must, but not sure (is sourness a sign of acid--or is acid bitter?)

Re: Another Poll ! Message #10 Posted by Ernie Malaga on 15 Apr 2003, 9:14 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy I vote "f" (HP-41). To me, it has the right balance between complexity and user-friendliness. And the keyboard is great. -Ernie

Re: Another Poll ! Message #11 Posted by David E on 15 Apr 2003, 9:40 p.m., in response to message #10 by Ernie Malaga f. hp41CX

Re: Another Poll ! Message #12 Posted by Les Bell [Sydney] on 15 Apr 2003, 9:51 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy f. HP-41CX. If I'm allowed a card reader, printer and a few modules as well, I'm in seventh heaven. The 41C/CV/CX was the "sweet spot" for capability vs complexity, imho. Its expandability makes it capable of doing so much, yet it's small enough to fit a shirt pocket. I reckon HP could still be making and selling the 41CX today, perhaps with a faster processor, more RAM, but almost no other changes. Best, --- Les [http://www.lesbell.com.au]

Re: Another Poll ! Message #13 Posted by Howard on 16 Apr 2003, 2:06 a.m., in response to message #12 by Les Bell [Sydney] I agree 100%. HP41CX and my bloody card reader (if I could get it to work) LOL

Or, take the one here :-) Message #14 Posted by Mike on 15 Apr 2003, 10:21 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy Take the poll here If I set this up right, anyone should be able to vote (registered or not). We shall see...

Belay that order! Vote here. : ) Message #15 Posted by Jeremy Zorns on 15 Apr 2003, 10:39 p.m., in response to message #14 by Mike I've always wanted to say that since the first time I heard it on Star Trek: The Next Generation.... Or just take them both, that is always a good solution! Heheh -Jeremy

Interesting coincidence Message #16 Posted by Mike on 15 Apr 2003, 11:08 p.m., in response to message #15 by Jeremy Zorns The polls are slightly different. I started this one this morning at 8:30. Originally my polls were setup so that only registered memebers could vote but I changed it. Looks like it's working ok. Mike

Re: Or, take the one here :-) Message #17 Posted by Richard Garner on 15 Apr 2003, 11:35 p.m., in response to message #14 by Mike The 41CX would be my first choice. It was the first HP I ever bought and the one I know best. It has almost every thing you need and the rest software wise can be programmed. The Hp 42S comes in at a very close second because of its size and use of the 41CV command structure.

I HAVE 5 different favorites Message #18 Posted by Norm on 15 Apr 2003, 11:15 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy My favorite calculator depends on what I am doing. No one calculator is right for everything. SOOOOOOOOOOO........... Sometimes I am just balancing my checkbook. In that case, I go f-fIX-2 and I use my HP-34C. But if I am doing my analog electrical engineering, well that's more intense so I go f-ENG-4 and use my HP-34C. Then comes the calculator for my briefcase. I want something that gives me a warm fuzzy feeling when I am out and about, so for that I'd use HP-34C. Then comes a calculator on the desk at work. There, I like to really make clear to the world what decade my roots are in. So for that I use an HP-34C. And lastly, comes tutoring work, like teaching a kid a bit of mathematics or trigonometry. There, due to the need to not have any B.S. or unwanted complications, I always reach for an HP-34C. So my 5 votes for a favorite calculator are (c) (c) (c) also (c) and lastly (c) .

Thank goodness you put them all in one post Message #19 Posted by Jeremy on 16 Apr 2003, 1:28 p.m., in response to message #18 by Norm ...or I would have a hard time tallying them up properly. -Jeremy

Re: Another Poll ! Message #20 Posted by Trent Moseley on 15 Apr 2003, 11:31 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy This is not a vote. Just an opinion. I have one Woodstock, one Classic, three Voyagers, and two Pioneers. And I think the 41C+ will win. tm

Re: Another Poll ! Message #21 Posted by Michael F. Coyle on 16 Apr 2003, 12:25 a.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy g sub 2 -- None Of The Above. For my favorite I would pick a Woodstock -- either a 29C (first choice) or 25C. Both do most of what I use a calculator for and if they only had delta-percent they'd be perfect. I just love the way the curved back of those machines fit perfectly into my hand. Much better than the usual clunky fit of the more squared-off units. (I did own a 34C for a short time but I didn't care much for the ergonomics -- a step backward from the Woodstocks, IMHO.) I was heatbroken when I lost my 25. Maybe it's time to get a replacement. After that, Voyagers -- either the 15C or the 11C (which I have). Pocketable, elegant, and I always liked the horizontal layout. I always wondered why the horizontal layout didn't get used by later machines.

Re: Another Poll ! Message #22 Posted by Massimo Gnerucci (Italy) on 16 Apr 2003, 2:46 a.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy After trying each HP handheld... definitely "f", no contest. 41 is my first and last love :) Massimo

Re: Another Poll ! Message #23 Posted by Christof on 16 Apr 2003, 2:54 a.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy urgh... for stricly calculator as calculator use, with some decent programmability to keep me from going bugnuts- 42S for real hacking- hardware and software.... uh. hrm. an HP48GX with HPIL! (please, someone figure out an expansion card that does that!) no, I just can't decide. note that I really really really write more programs than I do integrate equations. So it's one of the two- both cna do I/O- both can in theory talk to a computer. One has that wonderful form factor and keyboard, the other a usebale display... nope, can't decide. the Gilligan answer? HP48GX. why? because I can have a lifetime supply of solar 4.5V feeds and rechargeable NiMH cells and use a serial printer. (and agian I say- give me IO in a 42S and the contest is over, complet, fin. Except that a 28S with IO would compete... *sigh*)

Re: Another Poll ! Message #24 Posted by glynn on 16 Apr 2003, 4:40 a.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy Okay, I'll be different. I like very much the LED models-- and if I were not on a desert island-- OR had a generator-- I would probably choose a 34c or the 67/97 models. On the island, however, I'd take the 15c and, uhm, Ginger. ;-)

Re: Another Poll ! Message #25 Posted by Wayne Brown on 16 Apr 2003, 7:57 a.m., in response to message #24 by glynn I'd choose the 16C if it were in the poll, but since it isn't, I'll choose the 41CX. And Mary Ann. :-)

Vote Totals, so far Message #26 Posted by Mike on 16 Apr 2003, 7:44 a.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy Click image to vote, if you haven't voted. Note: The Total votes shown are the total number of people that have voted, not the votes cast. You may select multiple calculators if you have equal favorites.

Re: Vote Totals, so far Message #27 Posted by Christof on 16 Apr 2003, 2:54 p.m., in response to message #26 by Mike I wonder what would happen to the totals if the current HP using college crowd - or people who first used the 42/32/48 era machines were the primary voters. I also wonder what would have been different if HP had put out serial connectable disk, 'real' printer (thinkjets would be fine for full lab reports) and a serial keyboard connection. Better yet, an expansion card based HPIL interface (if such a beast be possible, I know it's a memory interface, but a ROM is a ROM, maybe) For reasonable prices- $300 for a floppy drive wouldn't make sense, in context.

Re: Another Poll ! Message #28 Posted by Eddie Mabillard on 16 Apr 2003, 11:49 a.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy hello Jeremy I would have the 42S and if it is discontinued the 15c cheers Ed

Re: Another Poll ! Message #29 Posted by Jim C on 16 Apr 2003, 12:06 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy I would have to pick the 41 series as my fave. For second place, I'd have to pick the 67 (why am I going back in time?) For third, I think I'd pick the 48, but only for features, certainly not for the tactile/ease of use....(flames->dev/null)

Re: Another Poll ! Message #30 Posted by GS Leong on 16 Apr 2003, 5:51 p.m., in response to message #29 by Jim C Hp 41 series without question

Re: Another Poll ! Message #31 Posted by Peter Lampione on 17 Apr 2003, 1:58 a.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy The 32SII! It has most of what I need (for more complex things, nowadays I use the PC), and in the quickest possible form to use. Unit conversions, fractions are especially nice; I somehow find it very intuitive to multiply by 4/3, rather than divide by 3, then multiply by 4 (unless the quantity, divided by 3, has some natural meaning). And the use of memory is superb! STO A takes two keystrokes! Much better IMO than STO 02, not only for brevity, but because I find it easier to remember that I just put "price" in P, rather than to remember that I put in (say) 06. I believe that the 32SII marks the culmination of calculator design for "fast and useable". I like also my 42S, but the calculator that is always next to the keyboard, and that gets 98% of the use, is the 32SII. Peter

Re: Another Poll ! Message #32 Posted by Dave Shaffer on 17 Apr 2003, 3:49 p.m., in response to message #31 by Peter Lampione HP-41, with an 11C/15C in emergency reserve

Re: Another Poll ! Message #33 Posted by Larry Corrado, USA (WI) on 17 Apr 2003, 8:02 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeremy Well, I haven't used several of the machines in the poll, but I'd have to choose the HP-15C, followed closely by the 34C. FWIW... LC

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall