HP Forum Archive 14

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HP 49g Keyboard Message #1 Posted by Felix on 21 Jan 2004, 10:16 a.m. I would like to know if the keyboard of the HP 49g+ is similar (or the same) as that of the HP 49g. IMHO - this new keyboar is quite inferior to that of the HP48's. I found that sometimes a key is press and the keyboard give the tactile feedback, but the funtion or the number is not selected. It is quite concerning, specially when you are running a lons series of caculations. If the keyboards are the same as in the HP49g I am not upgrading, not even for the faster processor. any thoughs ...

Re: HP 49g Keyboard Message #2 Posted by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen on 31 Jan 2004, 7:58 p.m., in response to message #1 by Felix The keyboard of the 49g+ is plastic. Still not good enough. BUT I would still buy for the speed of the PC USB connection, which is 12* faster... [VPN]

Re: HP 49g Keyboard Message #3 Posted by Dan Jones on 3 Feb 2004, 9:52 a.m., in response to message #2 by Veli-Pekka Nousiainen The HP 40g+ keyboard is a monumental disappointment. It is noisy and tinny during use, but the main problem is the tactile feel does not correspond to key activation. The keys are terrible. You must watch every keystroke to be sure the key actually activated and the tactile feel throws you off because you try to trust it. To see how bad, make a list of random numbers of varying numbers of digits before and after the decimal point. Add them up without watching the keyboard. With the HP 48's and before, you will get the same result every time. With the HP 49 and HP 49g+ you will get random results. I've tried this many times and get the correct result maybe 10% of the time. So the conclusion is these calculators are wonderful for use with complex programs and special features, but as a calculator to add a few numbers, they are useless. Do not even try to balance your checkbook with an HP 49 or 49g+!

Re: HP 49g Keyboard Message #4 Posted by Francesc Casanellas on 5 Feb 2004, 5:27 a.m., in response to message #3 by Dan Jones The only way I have been able to work with the HP49 keyword is activating the "Key Click". This is done through the MODE key. Another question is that the factory set antibouncing time is (or it was) too long. I recommend you try 500 ->KEYTIME.

Re: HP 49g Keyboard Message #5 Posted by Raymond Del Tondo on 5 Feb 2004, 1:08 p.m., in response to message #4 by Francesc Casanellas You mean the key BEEP ? If it were just a 'click' sound maybe it would have helped a lot... Raymond

Re: HP 49g Keyboard Message #6 Posted by Francesc Casanellas on 6 Feb 2004, 5:15 a.m., in response to message #5 by Raymond Del Tondo I mean what the MODE menu calls "Key Click". Perhaps is more a short beep than a true "click", but is quite helpful.

How 'bout "click or vibrate" options on my calculator? Message #7 Posted by Paul Brogger on 6 Feb 2004, 12:06 p.m., in response to message #6 by Francesc Casanellas It makes sense that a "beep" or "click" originating in the OS would offer more accurate feedback than does a mechanical "click" that is all too often divorced from the actual contacts' closure. I suppose the beep would often be unsuitable in quiet environments -- indeed, many complain the 49G+ mechanical feedback is too loud already, and that can't be "turned off". My kids started getting mechanical feedback in their video game controllers with the "Rumble Pack" add-on that came with some N64 games. I think this kind of thing is becoming standard, and does in fact enhance game play -- not just in simply heightening the experience of virtually "punching someone out", but in conveying varying degress of impact, or an additional dimension of warning (say, of the arrival of something threatening, but not yet visible on-screen). There's also the choice of "ring" and/or "vibrate" modes nearly ubiquitous on cell phones . . . It would make sense that a modern, clear-thinking consumer electronics company (one, for example, that has added features like SD cards and USB links) could implement "click" and/or quiet "vibrate" options on a high-end calculator. In fact, good selectable switch-actuated auditory and/or tactile feedback would probably make an otherwise cheap keyboard much more usable.

. . . or, how 'bout a "click or vibrate" add-on for my calculator? Message #8 Posted by Paul Brogger on 6 Feb 2004, 12:33 p.m., in response to message #7 by Paul Brogger The HP-49G+, like most calculators these days, is mostly full of air space. Imagine: A little device about the size of a AAA battery or so -- it's attached to the inside of the back case with double-stick foam. It has wires to connect to the leads for the beeper disk and the calculator batteries. An external switch may be mounted through the plastic back, or perhaps an integral magnetic relay can be activated by bringing it into close proximity with the 49G+ case clasp. The little thing shakes when activated by the BEEP command (or the "click" MODE option). The extra switch allows choice of sound, vibrate, or both. This coupled with keyboard silencing via some variation of the "hot glue" technique (probably use of a hot soldering iron to widen the key posts) might make for an interesting, albeit elaborate, 49G+ keyboard solution.

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