Re: Your preferences between the 10, 41 and pioneers Message #21 Posted by Karl Schneider on 28 Jan 2006, 2:12 a.m., in response to message #1 by Joe Edwards
Hello, Joe --
As a fairly-accomplhished collector of what I consider the "golden era" of HP calc's, I have to weigh in...
Quote:
It seems that the 10 (voyager?) and the pioneers series have a strong following. It seems the 41 series does as well. I am curious about why folks would prefer on over the other - not necessarily based on capabilities alone.
Voyagers:
I have the complete line, at least one of each model: 10C, 11C, 12C, 15C, 16C. The 12C is a financial model, and the 16C is a special-purpose computer-science model. The 15C is the premier advanced scientific model, eclipsing the 10C and 11C.
Pioneers:
The only RPN scientific models are the 32S, 32SII, and 42S. I have one of each. The 42S is the most capable, and can run most 41C/V/X RPN programs. However, the 32S and 32SII are easier to read and use.
41C/V/X:
I have one of each, perferring the older (1979-85) "fullnut" desing for their sharp displays and crisper keys.
COMPARISONS:
The 41's excel in their plug-in expandability, many supported I/O devices, and the most-advanced RPN programmability (shared with the 42S). As pure calculators, though, they can be somewhat cumbersome.
The 15C beats any 41 hands-down as a pure calculator, and cost considerably less, as well. I bought mine new in 1983, after having coveted the unaffordable 41C several years prior. The 15C features four kinds of built-in, easy-to-use advanced functions:
- matrices and linear-system solution
- complex-number mathematics,
- numerical rootfinding
- numerical integration
Every function is on the keyboard -- no spelling or menus -- and the 7-segment display is large, crisp, and legible. The 10C and 11C have the same attributes, but lack the advanced functions, and have diminished programming capabilities.
The four kinds of advanced functionality were available on the 41C only by installation of plug-in modules.
The 32S and 32SII excel for their user-friendly programmability and Saturn-processor speed (12x that of a 15C; 6x that of a 41C/V/X). Their alphanumeric dot-matrix displays are nearly as legible as the 7-segment display of the Voyagers. The 42S is amazingly capable, but suffers primarily from a poorly-legible display and extensive menuing of functions.
MY VERDICTS:
The 15C is the best-designed pure scientific calculator of the bunch -- the one I'd want to use during an exam that did not require or allow pre-programmed subject-matter application software.
The 32S and 32SII are the ones I'd want at my desk -- as long as a PC with Matlab was available when needed for matrix and complex-number functions.
The 41C/V/X is the best lab or field calculator, to expand with advanced programs that can be securely archived.
-- KS
Edited: 28 Jan 2006, 3:54 a.m.
|