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HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #1 Posted by M. Joury on 28 Sept 2011, 9:32 p.m.

Thanks to all the forum members that have so far responded to this survey. The results are as follows:

104 respondents
188 calculators
22 with keyboard issues
"failure" rate: 11.70%

I was asked to keep the survey open until European buyers had access to the units. The individual that requested this appears to have actually received his units and responded. However, if people want to continue providing data I will continue to assimilate it.

As always, please provide the total number of units purchased and the number that have keyboard issues. Loose and/or rattly f and g function keys do not constitute a problem as long as the keys register correctly.

As an example 2 units purchased with 1 having a problem would be listed as: 2:1.

Cheers,

-Marwan

      
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #2 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 30 Sept 2011, 8:16 a.m.,
in response to message #1 by M. Joury

My 15C LE has a very minor issue with the [times] key which clicks but not always registers. I need to watch the display or press slightly harder then on the other keys to make it register. Since it is an imported item I don't think the normal warranty channels will be of any help.

#00052, maybe one of the lower numbered calcs here. :-)

            
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #3 Posted by Reth on 2 Oct 2011, 7:42 a.m.,
in response to message #2 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

Quote:
... Since it is an imported item I don't think the normal warranty channels will be of any help.

And why so? Doesn't that defect make the calculator useless?

BTW warranty information (application form) is missing on the accompanying CD contrary to what the enclosed sheet of paper indicates...

Can anyone shed some light on that e.g. are any warranty channels available?

                  
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #4 Posted by Thomas Radtke on 2 Oct 2011, 8:20 a.m.,
in response to message #3 by Reth

Quote:
Doesn't that defect make the calculator useless?
HP certainly knew why they advertized the 15C LE as a gift. With that nice display box where the calculator is difficult to get out, I conclude that it was never meant to be used. And so, it is a very minor issue.
                        
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #5 Posted by Reth on 2 Oct 2011, 8:38 a.m.,
in response to message #4 by Thomas Radtke

:) I take this as a joke ;)

                  
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #6 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 2 Oct 2011, 9:01 a.m.,
in response to message #3 by Reth

The defect is really minor. I applied some contact cleaner which made it even less noticeable. I'll stay with #52.

At HHC I saw (and tried) a much worth sample which was later collected by Tim for inspection. I wouldn't have kept this one.

                        
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #7 Posted by Reth on 2 Oct 2011, 9:09 a.m.,
in response to message #6 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

To me click without registering is a show stopper when talking about HP calculator, period.

I'm still curious what all the rest of us will do with their faulty LE calcs.

                              
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #8 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 2 Oct 2011, 10:04 a.m.,
in response to message #7 by Reth

Quote:
To me click without registering is a show stopper when talking about HP calculator, period.
I had the problem with my first 17bll+ but since it came from a German distributor there was no problem to send it back for replacement. With the 15C LE it's a different story:

If I send it back to SC for repair or replacement I have to pay the shipment in advance. On the way back I can most certainly assume that I'm charged customs a second time. The whole thing will cost me money despite of the warranty, will get me a different serial number (I'm happy with #52), and will not assure that the unit I get is really better than mine.

                                    
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #9 Posted by Reth on 2 Oct 2011, 10:21 a.m.,
in response to message #8 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

I wouldn't be surprised if HP refuse all keyboard related claims based on the fact that they never said officially that "click = registered" ;)

If they are about to resolve the issue, they should come up with official acknowledgement of the problem, which is yet to be seen and I strongly doubt this will ever happen.

                                          
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #10 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 2 Oct 2011, 12:59 p.m.,
in response to message #9 by Reth

I can assure you that Tim and Cyrille really care. If they have any influence, the issue will be resolved.

                                                
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #11 Posted by Reth on 3 Oct 2011, 6:53 a.m.,
in response to message #10 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

I'm sure they do care, but it's hardly up to them...

It is sad, but most probably my HP-15C LE will head off to the TAS. Hopefully there are folks out there who don't care about such marginal issues as keys clicking but not registering ;)

            
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #12 Posted by Michael Kussmaul on 2 Oct 2011, 9:56 a.m.,
in response to message #2 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

BTW how are you planning to "bring" your calculator over to HP support? I'm living in Europe (from your forum name I guess you are frm Germany :-) and I'm not sure if HP supports international warranty, so I guess we have to send them back to the U.S.?

Or does anybody know if I should just contact HP support in my country (Switzerland) - I doubt they have heard anything about the 15c LE yet, as it is not avail. yet...

      
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #13 Posted by Nick R on 30 Sept 2011, 3:29 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by M. Joury

That would seem to be a high level of unreliability. I'd be interested to know if those calculators that were reported to have no initial key press problems will have developed them after a few months of use.

            
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #14 Posted by M. Joury on 30 Sept 2011, 3:45 p.m.,
in response to message #13 by Nick R

That is exactly my concern. Although, given that the HP12C+ has the same keyboard and that problem has not been seen on those cals (to the best of my knowledge), I am hoping that failure will not occur with use.

Cheers,

-Marwan

                  
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #15 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 30 Sept 2011, 4:05 p.m.,
in response to message #14 by M. Joury

Maybe it's the until know undetected cause of the financial crisis.

;-)

                  
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #16 Posted by Michael de Estrada on 30 Sept 2011, 4:14 p.m.,
in response to message #14 by M. Joury

My experience with keys on vintage calcs that require harder than normal pressure to register has been oxidation or contaminants on either the key or circuit board contact that results in high resistance to current flow. Cleaning the contacts usually solves the problem. Perhaps during the manufacture and assembly process the contacts were contaminated in same way that has caused the reported problems.

Edited: 30 Sept 2011, 4:15 p.m.

                        
Contacts? Contacts!
Message #17 Posted by x34 on 1 Oct 2011, 1:34 a.m.,
in response to message #16 by Michael de Estrada

Quote:
My experience with keys on vintage calcs that require harder than normal pressure to register has been oxidation or contaminants on either the key or circuit board contact that results in high resistance to current flow. Cleaning the contacts usually solves the problem.

Thanks, Michael! Your post and Contact Cleaner 60 just fixed my 4-year old problem with R/S key on HP-35S :) I just spayed a tiny bit of it, and IT WORKS without any problem, while I had to press the key with triple force to register out of the box.

                              
Re: Contacts? Contacts!
Message #18 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 1 Oct 2011, 4:02 a.m.,
in response to message #17 by x34

Will this help with my 15C LE? Where to spray it?

                                    
Re: Contacts? Contacts!
Message #19 Posted by x34 on 1 Oct 2011, 5:56 a.m.,
in response to message #18 by Marcus von Cube, Germany

I sprayed just above the key, aiming straw to the slot, while sliding key down (opposite display, not like usual press) to make widest slot. The correct name of the spray is Kontakt 60.

                                          
Re: Contacts? Contacts!
Message #20 Posted by Marcus von Cube, Germany on 1 Oct 2011, 6:17 a.m.,
in response to message #19 by x34

Quote:
The correct name of the spray is Kontakt 60.
Well known here. I hope my bottle isn't empty.
      
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #21 Posted by Kerem Kapkin (Silicon Valley, CA) on 30 Sept 2011, 11:39 p.m.,
in response to message #1 by M. Joury

2:1 BAD CNA132093F [7] Key won't register unless press very hard

            
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #22 Posted by M. Joury on 1 Oct 2011, 9:40 a.m.,
in response to message #21 by Kerem Kapkin (Silicon Valley, CA)

Hi Kerem,

Earlier you had responded with 1:0. Are these two new machines of which one is bad or one new machine that is bad?

Thanks,

-Marwan

                  
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #23 Posted by Kerem Kapkin (Silicon Valley, CA) on 2 Oct 2011, 6:49 p.m.,
in response to message #22 by M. Joury

Sorry for the confusion: Bad one was just delivered, so it is total (2)

CNA132093F LE#00253 with bad [7] key, going back to HP for refund CNA1310K6Q LE#00725 works great!

Both are from HP Direct

                        
Re: HP15C LE Keyboard Survey Results
Message #24 Posted by M. Joury on 2 Oct 2011, 7:52 p.m.,
in response to message #23 by Kerem Kapkin (Silicon Valley, CA)

Thanks Kerem.

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