HP Forum Archive 19

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Need advice on HP-41C Accessory Message #1 Posted by Jeff Kearns on 18 May 2010, 7:08 p.m. This may be an inappropriate question and/or the timing may be such that the advice I get will be too late. If inappropriate, as it concerns the unmentionable auction site, I apologize in advance. Nonetheless, I need some quick advice concerning an item - a HP-41 Card Reader - for which I have just been outbid and the aution ends in a little over an hour (May 18, 201020:30:18 EDT). I own a HP-41C with a number of Pacs, including Advantage, Math/Stat, Machine Design. I also have the Quad memory module. Nothing else... I would love to get external programs into the unit and therefore need either a wand or a card reader. I have no cards to be read mind you... These are presumably the HP-67 cards, and I don't even know how to acquire a good quality set. Should I let this item go (current bid is around $80) and just concentrate on getting a wand, or should I bid some more - and how much? Jeff Kearns

Re: Need advice on HP-41C Accessory Message #2 Posted by Allen on 18 May 2010, 7:26 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeff Kearns The card reader is my least preferred method of getting programs to the HP41. Best/easiest options are: (not factoring cost, rarity, or others opinions) 1) Pil-BOX with HP-ILper connection and HP-IL module 2) The ISA HP-IL interface board with HP-IL module (via EMU-41) 3) Clonix/NovRAM/Nov32 4) Zengrange ZEPROMS 5) Wand 6) Hardware Mass Storage Device (Tape or Disk) 7) Card Reader The card reader is cheapest, and requires the least hardware, but is the most maintenance. IMHO Full market value for a tested, working card reader has been in the $150 range for some time. Non-working or gummy-wheel needed still run from $50 to $100 depending on severity of repairs needed. I have no specific comments about any particular active auction, and I am not the seller of the card reader in question. ebayID: hudendai

Re: Need advice on HP-41C Accessory Message #3 Posted by Gerson W. Barbosa on 18 May 2010, 8:22 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeff Kearns Quote: These are presumably the HP-67 cards, and I don't even know how to acquire a good quality set. These are easy to find, they usually sell in sets of 20 units. Just search for "blank cards 41c". Better if the card holder and the red cleaning card are included. Quote: Should I let this item go (current bid is around $80) and just concentrate on getting a wand, or should I bid some more - and how much? Be sure it's been repaired recently. Mine cost $150 or so about three years go. I'm very pleased with it, even though I rarely use the card reader. I think the card reader is more useful for your purpose than the wand. Gerson. Edited: 18 May 2010, 8:24 p.m.

Re: Need advice on HP-41C Accessory Message #4 Posted by Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil) on 18 May 2010, 9:11 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeff Kearns Hi; I second Gersonīs words, I own two card readers myself and also two MLDL2000, one NoVRAM, one NoV32 and a 9114B disk drive. IN terms of storage, I prefer the MLDL2000 with the PC connection so I can emulate HEPAX RAM pages and save them with all of its contents (REG files, ALPHA files, programs, ROM images and so)in the PC. The disk drive comes right after and, based on these options, the card reader comes in third place. I remember, back in the 80's, when I could not even dream of having access to such devices and I was able to buy two card readers, one NIB and a used unit. They were the only means I had to store any retrievable data and I was completely satisfied with the fact I could have them. Have them both till today, both running with O-rings instead of the original silicon tracking wheel. Cheers. Luiz (Brazil)

Re: Need advice on HP-41C Accessory Message #5 Posted by geoff quickfall on 18 May 2010, 10:21 p.m., in response to message #4 by Vieira, Luiz C. (Brazil) For me, when the 41CX is in my flight bag my card reader always accompanies it due to its size. I have a 21 card WALL set which will reboot the calc if required and a set of synthetic Extended memory files for transferring the data files into the extended mem section. I have at home a wand, combined with an HP dot matrix printer for bar codes, the 9114B disc drive and the cassette mass storage. My preference for reloading at home is the cassette drive then the disc drive followed by the card reader and lastly the wand. In the calc is a Clonix with PPC Rom, CCD, Navigation with a blinky for the infrared printer and for some regression techniques a stat module and a double x mem module. And of course of suite of self written programs that are aviation specific such as altitude temperature corrections, breaks schedules, Great circle data and great circle coord programs as well as others. I actually have 5 of the card readers working with new silicon tubing pinch rollers and restored dampening couples. I concur with Allen in that the fixed working examples go for about 150. Again, for sheer portability the card reader beats them all. Cheers, Geoff Edited: 18 May 2010, 10:22 p.m.

Re: Need advice on HP-41C Accessory Message #6 Posted by DavidShenk on 18 May 2010, 10:45 p.m., in response to message #1 by Jeff Kearns Hi Jeff, Well, you've got a lot of opinions. If you decide to get a card reader and are moderately handy taking things apart, you might want to find one listed as not working and fix it yourself. You'll save some money and gain some knowledge about your equipment. I have one that worked when I got it, but just recently fixed the reader on an HP 67. For me it still has a lot of "WOW!" factor and I enjoy using it as much for the novelty. The PIL-Box mentioned above, if you don't know, allows you to connect your 41 to your PC via USB. They are not made by HP but a private party. I just ordered one, so I can't wait until it comes. There are hundreds of programs that can be downloaded from the internet and directly transferred into the 41 using it. You also need the HP-IL module, so this route costs $175-200 USD all together, but really opens up a huge library of software. And I think USB will be around for a while still. Dave

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