HP Forum Archive 19

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #1 Posted by Joerg Woerner on 16 Mar 2009, 4:03 p.m. I couldn't resist and just ordered: HP EasyCalc 100 PN: F2239AA#ABA 1 $9.32 $9.32 HP SmartCalc 300s PN: F2240AA#ABA 1 $17.49 $17.49 Subtotal: $26.81 1(Estimated) Tax: $2.48 (Lowest-Cost Delivery Ground) Shipping and handling: $4.29 Grand total: $33.58 MOST IMPORTANT: Estimated Ship Date: 3/21/2009 I'll keep you updated ;-)) Regards, Joerg Edited: 16 Mar 2009, 4:09 p.m.

HP SmartCalc 300S - ARRIVED! Message #2 Posted by Joerg Woerner on 18 Mar 2009, 10:01 a.m., in response to message #1 by Joerg Woerner Citizen SR-270X CALCULATOR CHIP + MUCH BETTER KEYBOARD + STRANGE DESIGN = I LIKE IT!!! Regards, Joerg

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - ARRIVED! Message #3 Posted by Walter B on 18 Mar 2009, 12:12 p.m., in response to message #2 by Joerg Woerner Hallo Jörg, If the SmartCalc 300S would be customizable like the HP-20b, it will be a nicer platform than this, since its display is far more versatile. Alternatively, if this LCD could be driven by an advanced HP-20b (featuring also an improved keyboard), we'll be better off. Ceterum censeo: HP, launch a 43s. Walter

OOPS: HP SmartCalc 300S - INSIDE PICTURE Message #4 Posted by Joerg Woerner on 18 Mar 2009, 3:00 p.m., in response to message #3 by Walter B Oops - it's NOT identical with the Citizen SR-270X! Three differences up to now: 1) Algorithm seem to be identical but display results are rounded to 14 internal digits instead 16 internal digits. Mike Sebastian's forensics reports the same result, rounded to two digits less. 2) Cursor logic is different, if you press a key long enough, it "auto-scrolls". 3) Display features better contrast, the indicators are smaller. BUT: All key-functions, menu structures, display fonts, capacity of input buffer, limits in table mode etc are IDENTICAL. And even the User Manual sports similiar typo's: Page 1: "Use's Guide" instead User's Guide Page 29: "Calculator Memeory".... By the way: It took just four screws (two hidden under the rubber feets): Enjoy! Regards, Joerg Edited: 18 Mar 2009, 3:11 p.m.

Re: OOPS: HP SmartCalc 300S - INSIDE PICTURE Message #5 Posted by DaveJ on 18 Mar 2009, 5:04 p.m., in response to message #4 by Joerg Woerner Curious how all these cheap calcs use a through hole diode instead of surface mount. Very common in Casio's. Dave.

Re: OOPS: HP SmartCalc 300S - INSIDE PICTURE Message #6 Posted by Katie Wasserman on 18 Mar 2009, 10:43 p.m., in response to message #5 by DaveJ Is this diode used for reverse battery installation protection? If so, are they using the larger thru-hole diode because it can handle a larger current and therefore offer real protection? The LED is missing from this board, but they use one in the HP-6S solar apparently as a cheap way of voltage regulation from the solar cells. They also have a thru-hole diode for reverse battery protection. Does anyone know who actually manufactured the HP-6S solar, was it Casio?

Re: OOPS: HP SmartCalc 300S - INSIDE PICTURE Message #7 Posted by DaveJ on 19 Mar 2009, 3:06 a.m., in response to message #6 by Katie Wasserman Quote: Is this diode used for reverse battery installation protection? If so, are they using the larger thru-hole diode because it can handle a larger current and therefore offer real protection? No, it's in series, used to prevent charging from the solar cell. Nothing to do with power (FYI SMD ones can handle just as much anyway). So it's probably a cost/substitute thing, there would have to be a zillion surplus through hole diodes on the market that can do the job, just pick whichever one you can get for 0.00001 cents this week. Quote: The LED is missing from this board, but they use one in the HP-6S solar apparently as a cheap way of voltage regulation from the solar cells. They also have a thru-hole diode for reverse battery protection. Does anyone know who actually manufactured the HP-6S solar, was it Casio? I suspect it's Kinpo like most of the others. Dave. Edited: 19 Mar 2009, 3:14 a.m.

Re: OOPS: HP SmartCalc 300S - INSIDE PICTURE Message #8 Posted by Joerg Woerner on 19 Mar 2009, 10:35 a.m., in response to message #7 by DaveJ Dave, I disassembled dozens of Kinpo calculators (Canon, Citizen, TI) and they all have their "signature". This SmartCalc 300s doesn't look like a Kinpo product to me. Please find here a "typical" Kinpo design: In contrast a "typical" Nam Tai design: And yes, both use Katie's LED, through-hole diodes and electr. capacitors. Regards, Joerg

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #9 Posted by Michael de Estrada on 19 Mar 2009, 11:22 a.m., in response to message #1 by Joerg Woerner Joerg, How does the $17.49 retail price of the HP SmartCalc 300s compare with similar products with other brand names? I realize that these low end calculators have the same manufacturer, and was wondering how much extra the HP name might bring to market pricing. Does the HP design bring any tangible improvement to the product? Michael

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #10 Posted by Joerg Woerner on 19 Mar 2009, 11:52 a.m., in response to message #9 by Michael de Estrada Michael, If we talk about brand names - they are all in the $15..$20 range. There is only one reason to buy the HP SmartCalc 300s - it looks damned cool! I placed all MultiView calculators (TI-30XS, Casio fx-300ES, Citizen SR-270X, Sharp EL-W535 and the SmartCalc 300s) on my table and EVERYONE looked first at the HP! Even with more than 2,500 TI calculators in the basement - I'll use it for some time in my Office. The pros: +++ It's styling ++ The keyboard is better than the average, stiff, good response, easy to read and (for me) a perfect layout. Sorry - no ENTER key. + Intuitive Casio menue structure, high-contrast display with the nice Casio Textbook fonts. + RUBBER feet - once again! The cons: --- The plastic material looks and feels very cheap, it is already full of finger prints. -- You can't snap the protection cover on the backside of the calc - where to stow away? - Don't try to replace the battery, I broke two finger nails to remove the battery cover ;-)) It's much better than these HP 6s, 9s, 10s, 30s junk. Regards, Joerg

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #11 Posted by Don Shepherd on 19 Mar 2009, 2:51 p.m., in response to message #10 by Joerg Woerner Joerg, could you post a picture of the keyboard? HP's site does not show any details. Thanks.

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #12 Posted by Don Shepherd on 19 Mar 2009, 3:02 p.m., in response to message #10 by Joerg Woerner Never mind, Joerg. I found a pretty good pic here.

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #13 Posted by Jake Schwartz on 19 Mar 2009, 4:19 p.m., in response to message #12 by Don Shepherd Quote: Never mind, Joerg. I found a pretty good pic here. Hi Don, I guess you didn't see Richard Nelson's January-23rd article on the HHC2008 website, announcing that we all have permission to access HP's "Channel Partners" web page which contains pretty high-res images of all the current products. The article is located at http://holyjoe.net/hhc2008/Quality%20Calculator%20Images.pdf and the direct link to HP's website is http://www.hp.com/united-states/calculators/toolkit/index.html where there is a prompt for a username and password. Everyone should use "hpcalc" for the username and "calc4hp" as the password to get in. Then click on "Images & Fact Tags" in the lefthand column, click on "HP SmartCalc 300s" in the middle and finally click on the leftmost thumnail image of the machine. It will then reveal a 1200-by-2265 resolution image of the keyboard. The other images of all the other machines are also very useful for reference. Jake Schwartz

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #14 Posted by Don Shepherd on 19 Mar 2009, 8:44 p.m., in response to message #13 by Jake Schwartz Yes, Jake, I saw that article but I forgot about that link; thanks for reminding me. I checked it out, and that is one beautiful calculator! Thanks.

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #15 Posted by Chuck on 19 Mar 2009, 10:13 p.m., in response to message #12 by Don Shepherd I think that must be the first calculator I have seen with a general base logarithm button. My students would have liked that a few weeks ago.

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #16 Posted by Michael de Estrada on 19 Mar 2009, 10:32 p.m., in response to message #15 by Chuck I see that! Aside from being a mathematical curiosity, where would one use such a function? I'm an engineer, not a mathematician, so I only use mathematical relationships that are useful in solving problems. Michael

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #17 Posted by Paul Dale on 19 Mar 2009, 10:45 p.m., in response to message #16 by Michael de Estrada I use log-base 2 quite a bit so I can see a use for this. Occasionally, I do logs to other (non 10 and e) bases. The 20b rewrite has log-base 2 and arbitrary base logs :-) - Pauli

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #18 Posted by Michael de Estrada on 19 Mar 2009, 11:45 p.m., in response to message #17 by Paul Dale Are you doing machine coding or something else with the binary math?

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #19 Posted by Paul Dale on 22 Mar 2009, 5:04 p.m., in response to message #18 by Michael de Estrada I use log-2 for size estimates mostly. I do surprisingly little other binary maths given I'm an embedded programmer... - Pauli

Re: HP SmartCalc 300S - on its way! Message #20 Posted by Andrés C. Rodríguez (Argentina) on 20 Mar 2009, 12:03 p.m., in response to message #15 by Chuck Log base 2 is useful in information theory, but is also easy to obtain as ln(x)/ln(2) or equivalent formulas.

RIP OFF - Price already lowered Message #21 Posted by Joerg Woerner on 19 Mar 2009, 11:57 a.m., in response to message #1 by Joerg Woerner I paid this Monday $17.49 - now it is just $14.99 on the HP website. Regards, Joerg

Re: RIP OFF - Price already lowered Message #22 Posted by Bruce Bergman on 19 Mar 2009, 11:57 p.m., in response to message #21 by Joerg Woerner Welcome to the club! ;-) I've noticed this too. It's almost as if the S&MB division sets a price THEY think it will go for, and after the first few go out, someone tells them the correct price. When I first ordered the 20b, I paid $49 for it. A week later, it was $39. I ordered my 300s the same day you did, and paid the same price you did. Now it's less. I only have one word: (((***sigh***))) :-) thanks, bruce

Re: RIP OFF - Price already lowered Message #23 Posted by Maximilian Hohmann on 20 Mar 2009, 9:36 a.m., in response to message #21 by Joerg Woerner Hello! Quote: ... now it is just $14.99 on the HP website. And "Out of stock" already ... now that you made me curious! Greetings, Max

Re: RIP OFF - Price already lowered Message #24 Posted by Joerg Woerner on 20 Mar 2009, 11:04 a.m., in response to message #23 by Maximilian Hohmann You want mine? It was opened only twice, battery is still like-new. How do you think about EUR 45? Just kidding - the EUR is very strong these days. But HP's pricing in Euro-zone is sometimes strange, too. But even TI sells currently the TI-84 Plus Silver Edition for EUR 162.35 in Germany - that converts to USD 220! Here (Upstate NY) it is $139 plus 8% tax list but "usually" you get it for $119.98! Regards, Joerg

Re: RIP OFF - Price already lowered Message #25 Posted by Frank Balzer on 20 Mar 2009, 4:21 p.m., in response to message #24 by Joerg Woerner Dynatech is selling it for 18.50 Euros. No delivery date, yet.

Re: RIP OFF - Price already lowered Message #26 Posted by Walter B on 22 Mar 2009, 4:32 a.m., in response to message #24 by Joerg Woerner Hallo Jörg, HP's pricing policy for Europe makes me wonder whether they are linked to the tourist board ;) Easy calculation how many HP calcs you must buy in the USA and sell in western Europe to get your trip paid. Else it would be a bit far off fair trade :( Edited: 22 Mar 2009, 4:32 a.m.

[ Return to Index | Top of Index ]

Go back to the main exhibit hall