Re: Short Battery Life on my HP-41CX Message #2 Posted by Ron Ross on 6 Feb 2006, 11:52 a.m., in response to message #1 by Paul Schreck
Since its a CX, do you have any alarms or other background programs running. Perhaps you have a module or other accessory that is also gobbleing up juice while you think it is off.
It could also be something on the inside across some contacts that might be corrected by a good cleaning.
Now, about loaning it to your younger one. Don't. Buy an Hp33s for them instead. It is actually a bit tougher and is easily replacable (and fairly cheap at $50 retail, Walmart). Later you can give them the Hp41Cx after you see how well they treat a $50 calculator.
And it is a dual mode calculator ie both RPN and algebraic.
Another calculator to consider is a graphics such as the Hp48Gii (although it is very complex and everyone in school will be using the Ti-83/84). It is also a dual mode calculator, although as an algebraic, it sucks compared to a Ti-86 which it compares most with (although it has a CAS, which may become a crutch to a younger ueser).
I wouldn't bother to loan an older Hp to your eigth grader and I say this after some experience (old piece of CRAP, why didn't Dad get me something new?!).
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