Classic Calculators - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SgtRock
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 12:40:29 am
content: Greetings EEVBees:--I know that many members of this forum are coo coo for classic calculators. Back when computers were not all that great with Trigonometry and converting decimal inches to feet, inches and 16ths, I just about wore out a couple of 5 year old TI-59s doing the calculations for roof truss members. See the below link for an article about classic calculators.http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/03/ten_classic_calcutors/--I need to get a scientific calculator which has a bright LED display, and can be powered externally, preferably one that is flat and has a large display. I want to fix it to the wall at my workbench for quick, one handed calculations, easily readable at a distance. Any recommendations?"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.."Carl Sagan 1934-1996Best RegardsClear Ether

author: SgtRock
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 04:22:27 am
content: Dear Wilfred:--Thanks for the suggestion. What I am looking for is visibility. Nixies would be fine. I used them every day, when I was in the USAF. You can read them at a glance at more than working distance, and you can use them in low light conditions. I worked in an area where there were a couple of hundred O'Scopes, and they always kept it near dark; better for the eyes, they said. In my case I may want to watch a movie without reflections, pause it, and still be able to read a calculator without turning the lights off.--So your suggestion is not too bad. With a tablet you can touch type at arm's length, you can read large numerals at a good distance, and it can be powered by an AC adapter. When the sub $100 tabs come out ... Velcro one to the wall or to the side of my full tower Whisper case, and it can serve as a calculator when not on the road or doing something else, but a nice little calculator with a lit display, hopefully large, would better suit.--Have a look at the picture below. I have very little room, so I must use every cubic centimeter. That is a Whisper NZXT with a UPS, and a Magic Jack phone sitting on top. Double sided tape holds the calculator USB hub and internet switch to the side, plus an Acer laptop stood on end to save space, held on by 3M Nuclear Grade Duct Tape. Laptop runs the 15" monitor, Desktop runs the 32" Vizio HDTV. Both setups have wireless M&K. Bench top is made from a 30" solid core door, 2x4s, and screws, and no glue, so as to provide quick take down and transport. I plan to lift both displays up about 16" using a simple wall mounted shelf made from 1X12 pine shelving, to free up most of the 30" bench top. This bench will eventually run 8' into the corner and 8' out of the corner. I am moving my workshop so that is all I can show for now."I can find in my undergraduate classes, bright students who do not know that the stars rise and set at night, or even that the Sun is a star."Carl Sagan 1934 - 1996Best RegardsClear Ether

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 04:32:41 am
content: Quote from: SgtRock on January 04, 2014, 04:22:27 amWhen?www.ebay.com/itm/131069360996

author: hiddensoul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2014, 08:25:03 am
content: I use a great sci calc program on android called realcalc, there is a free version and a premium paid version, I used the free version for ages and upgraded to the full version when it was on saleI am not associated with this software I just use it and find it really good YMMVThe free version features..* Traditional algebraic or RPN operation* Result history* Unit conversions* Physical constants table* Percentages* 10 memories* Binary, octal, and hexadecimal (can be enabled in Settings)* Trig functions in degrees, radians or grads* Scientific, engineering and fixed-point display modes* Configurable digit grouping and decimal point* Full built-in help* A complete lack of advertisingRealCalc Plus the paid version also does...* Fraction calculations and conversion to/from decimal* Degrees/minutes/seconds calculations and conversion* Landscape mode* User-customizable unit conversions* User-customizable constants

author: ttp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2014, 09:50:52 am
content: I like RealCalc too, the fact you can use RPN if want is an advantage... and my phone is within my reach anytime. A tablet work good if you need bigger display.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 06, 2014, 10:25:05 am
content: As I am of similar vintage I also like the LED but the only real LED calculators I know are old HPs e.g. 35, 45 which can be found but have rechargeable batteries so leaving on charge will be bad, the prices are also pretty 'special'.For my Android I use the free app "HP67 Calculator" a bit clunky at times but I also have a real 35S in the draw nearby at my workspace.I am also a bit of a fan of Organic LED, I not seen one used in a calculator, esp with a LiFePO4 battery would be pretty cool.

author: alex870
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 14, 2014, 01:06:01 am
content: Still have my HP 28S from high school - sitting here and it still works 25 years later. The combination of RPN and showing 3 rows of the stack really works well.

author: Po6ept
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2014, 04:49:14 am
content: I thought I was on top of the gadget heap when I bought my HP-25 in 1975 - even though I couldn't afford the HP-45. Then I found I could play Lunar Landing Simulator on it and I almost flunked thermo that quarter. I still like RPN.