Collecting, or just having several calc's? Message #12 Posted by Karl Schneider on 6 Feb 2006, 1:33 a.m., in response to message #1 by Joe Edwards
Quote:
Okay, I think it is in my best interest to leave the collecting to the professionals. :) So here I am with several calculators I plan on selling. I am thinking that I should stick with my 27s (and get a 48gx....
Since I am not true collector I don't need many machines, do you folks think I am making a mistake? Just a thought.
Hello, Joe --
I coveted the HP-41C/CV in 1980-81, but it was too pricey for me at the time. In late 1981 or 1982, I saw an LED-display HP-34C. When I had some money in late 1983, I set out to buy a HP-34C, but the salesman steered me to buy something better: the HP-15C. It served me through three degree programs.
In 2002, I vistited a local used-electronics seller, who had a 34C and several 41's in a drawer. I saw an opportunity to obtain what I had to pass up 20 years prior, and ended up buying the 34C and a near-mint 41CV from the store.
I didn't set out to become a collector, but in the MoHPC Forum, I learned about the fine HP-42S, HP-16C, and other models. I eventually bought these and others on eBay and from the local seller. My collection now includes the LED-based HP-35 and HP-34C, plus all five Voyager-series models, all 11 Pioneer-series models, all three HP-41 models, as well as the HP-71B, HP-48G, and HP-28C.
My focus in collecting has been to keep and preserve the examples from what I consider HP's 1979-1993 "golden era" of calculators: affordable, well-engineered, well-built, and well-documented.
Sure, there were other fine HP calculators from outside that era (e.g., HP-67), and there were others from that era (e.g., HP-75, HP-18C). However, limits should be imposed...
Would it be worth it you in time and money to be one of those who help preserve part of the legacy of an American company, which once was run by engineers and did things right? Only you can answer appropriately for your own situation. A "complete" collection will cost you thousands of dollars at eBay prices.
If you would want to limit such a collection to the creme de la creme of HP calculators from that era, I'd recommend the following:
Foundation: HP-15C, HP-41CX, HP-32SII, HP-17BII (or HP-27S)
Supplemental: HP-16C, HP-42S, HP-28C/S, HP-71B, HP-48
Of these, however, only the financial HP-17BII and RPL-based HP-28C/S can usually be had for less than $100.
- The HP-15C surpasses the HP-10C and HP-11C.
- The HP-41CX surpasses the HP-41C and HP-41CV.
- The HP-32SII surpasses the HP-32S.
- The HP-17BII surpasses the HP-17B, providing RPN.
- The HP-27S provides the fine equation solver and time/calendar functions of the HP-17BII, but not all the financial functions.
- The HP-16C is a unique computer-science model.
- The HP-42S is the most capable RPN, but is somewhat awkward and limited in certain ways.
- The HP-28C/S offer a nice unit library with conversions.
- The HP-71B is significant, but quite different from calculators.
- The HP-48 (certain models?) will allow you to run the emulators.
I don't yet have the fine emulators that HrastProgrammer, Eric Smith and others have graciously provided to us. Even though the emulators outperform the "real McCoy" physical calculators, I prefer the tactile "actuality" of the original hardware.
Regards,
-- KS
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