First batch of DM15C Credit Card Sized Calculators Now Available

[Pierre]

(11-05-2024 05:31 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  Either way the DM15C probably requires a USB-C cable/adapter. I have no idea if it comes with one.

I have today 8 SwissMicros calculators (DM10L, DM11L, DM15L, DM16 CC, DM41L, DM41X, DM32, DM42).
Some bought new, others used and I never had a cable provided.

[badacktor]

(11-03-2024 02:18 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  Other Voyager model CC units will be coming in time... which do you want first, and why?

I'll give you three guesses as to which I'd like first and the first two guesses don't count.

Sometimes I wonder if my profile picture is too on-the-nose and that maybe I should change it...

[WillMarchant]

(11-03-2024 02:18 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  Other Voyager model CC units will be coming in time... which do you want first, and why?

Well, I bought one of the new ones because I’m a sucker for all things SwissMicros, of course.

But what I really want is the DM16C in credit card sized format with these real keys.

As an embedded software engineer, specializing in aerospace, I find the adjustable word size and the Boolean functions invaluable.

[rprosperi]

The DM15C does not come with a USB-C cable, as everyone has probably a few USB-C cables (or will have one very soon) already.

But note that many of them are power-only cables, for charging phones or other devices, so there is an inevitable number of "I can't connect" issues coming...

[AnnoyedOne]

(11-06-2024 01:12 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  The DM15C does not come with a USB-C cable, as everyone has probably a few USB-C cables (or will have one very soon) already.

Maybe. Maybe not. If not "early birds" will have to buy a non-charging-only one as well as the DM15C.

The HP-15C CE uses a custom (POGO) cable and it'll work. USB-C phone cables may or may not with the DM15C.

(11-06-2024 01:12 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  ...so there is an inevitable number of "I can't connect" issues coming...

Probably. Some look before they jump. Knowledge is power.

A1

[Helix]

(11-06-2024 01:12 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  The DM15C does not come with a USB-C cable, as everyone has probably a few USB-C cables (or will have one very soon) already.

But note that many of them are power-only cables, for charging phones or other devices, so there is an inevitable number of "I can't connect" issues coming...

That’s why I think Swissmicros should sell this cable, at least as a separate item. After all, they also sell CR2032 batteries, which can be found elsewhere.
I don’t own such a cable, and I don’t know how to differentiate a power-only cable from a good one.

[AnnoyedOne]

(11-06-2024 02:02 PM)Helix Wrote:  ...I don’t know how to differentiate a power-only cable from a good one.

Out of pure curiosity I checked online yesterday. I found mostly USB-C to USB-C cables and proprietary phone ones. An adapter may be a better option.

What I saw had a price of about 12-15 CHF.

SwissMicros may have to get their own proprietary cable manufactured even though USB-C is a "standard".

A1

[Pierre]

(11-06-2024 02:25 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  SwissMicros may have to get their own proprietary cable manufactured even though USB-C is a "standard".

For my DM41X the Micro-B cable from my old Redmi phone works great! So I didn't have to buy another one.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello!

(11-06-2024 02:25 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  What I saw had a price of about 12-15 CHF.

SwissMicros may have to get their own proprietary cable manufactured even though USB-C is a "standard".

USB C to "normal USB" cables are really pretty much standard, there is absolutely no need for proprietary stuff or moon prices (which I consider 15 Swiss Franks to be). Just search on places like Aliexpress, eBay and Amazon for "USB C data cable" and you will find them at prices starting from 1.5$/Euro shipping included.

Mind you, for 15$/Euro you can buy an excellent external hard disk enclosure made from aluminium that comes with two USB C data cables. I have three of these in use and at those Swiss prices it might be worth ordering for the cables alone... (https://de.aliexpress.com/item/100500607...aecmd=true).

Regards
Max

[Pierre]

(11-06-2024 03:29 PM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  Just search on places like Aliexpress, eBay and Amazon for "USB C data cable"...

I've never had to look on Aliexpress, eBay and Amazon for a simple USB cable... just in my drawers...
I have so many cables lying around that I could almost open a merchant site.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

(11-06-2024 04:26 PM)Pierre Wrote:  I have so many cables lying around that I could almost open a merchant site.

Me too, but obviously not everybody around here.

[lvt]

(11-03-2024 05:39 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  

Quote:Note: Subsequent batches will feature graphical enhancements.

whatever that last sentence means.

A1

A new LCD screen with better contrast?

[Ren]

(11-06-2024 04:26 PM)Pierre Wrote:  I have so many cables lying around that I could almost open a merchant site.

Over the years, my daughter was so rough on USB cables, I bought them whenever I found a decent price.
Now, she's off to college, and I found several dozen Micro, C, Lightning cables around the house.
Plus, another dozen or two to test for continuity.
I bought this last year to test them....
https://www.banggood.com/Multifunction-U...mds=search

[Jase]

(11-08-2024 01:27 AM)Ren Wrote:  

(11-06-2024 04:26 PM)Pierre Wrote:  I have so many cables lying around that I could almost open a merchant site.

Over the years, my daughter was so rough on USB cables, I bought them whenever I found a decent price.

Reminds me of this comic
   

[RPNerd]

(11-06-2024 02:02 PM)Helix Wrote:  I don’t own such a cable, and I don’t know how to differentiate a power-only cable from a good one.

If it's a cable that was supplied with a device that uses it to charge but doesn't exchange data in any way, then the chances are you have a power-only cable.

If you went out and bought it yourself as a data cable, then a data cable it is.

The whole "power-only" thing was much more prevalent with microUSB. I have yet to see a USB-C cable that's power-only.

[Maximilian Hohmann]

Hello,

(11-08-2024 08:16 AM)RPNerd Wrote:  I have yet to see a USB-C cable that's power-only.

I must have dozens of these! Almost every electronic device from China (there are not many other places left from where they can come from) has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery now. Even the cheapest 1.5$/Euro keychain flashlight. Most of them have USB-C as a charging port and almost all come with a charging cable. I recently bought stuff like flashlights, a hair trimmer, a laser distance meter, a geiger counter, a component tester, a spot welder, an ultrasonic cleaner and more and all of them came with their power-only cable!
BTW: Using a power only cable is the recommended way to charge phones, tablets and laptops from public charging ports for prevention of hacking attempts.

Regards
Max

[AnnoyedOne]

(11-08-2024 09:41 AM)Maximilian Hohmann Wrote:  

(11-08-2024 08:16 AM)RPNerd Wrote:  I have yet to see a USB-C cable that's power-only.

I must have dozens of these

Exactly. Per the Wiki USB-C link I posted earlier.

Quote:A device with a Type-C connector does not necessarily implement any USB transfer protocol, USB Power Delivery, or any of the Alternate Modes: the Type-C connector is common to several technologies while mandating only a few of them.

Or to summarise all you know (unless tested/stated) is that a USB-C style connector is present.

A1

[AnnoyedOne]

This is a bit OT but relevant to this discussion IMHO.

The DM15C claims to use the same hardware/firmware as the DM15L. I haven't found any photo's to confirm this--yet.

However there are photo's of the DM15L internals online.

So the DM15L (and DM15C?) use the NXP LP1115 SoC. That part doesn't have a USB controller (unlike the ATSAM4LC2CA SoC in the 15C CE). It does have a UART (serial port) though. Looking at photo's the DM15L internals it has a Silicon Labs CP2102 USB-to-serial bridge. That part is USB 2.0 compliant and works up to 921600 baud. The LP1115 UART works up to 3.125 MBit/s. I have the PDF datasheets for both parts.

So, just like the 15C CE, this device is really serial (over USB). It is not native USB so not "fast". Not a problem but worth noting.

The USB 2.0 standard defines the mini-B connector. USB-C doesn't define any protocol.

A1

[Helix]

(11-08-2024 08:16 AM)RPNerd Wrote:  

(11-06-2024 02:02 PM)Helix Wrote:  I don’t own such a cable, and I don’t know how to differentiate a power-only cable from a good one.

If it's a cable that was supplied with a device that uses it to charge but doesn't exchange data in any way, then the chances are you have a power-only cable.

If you went out and bought it yourself as a data cable, then a data cable it is.

The whole "power-only" thing was much more prevalent with microUSB. I have yet to see a USB-C cable that's power-only.

So, if I want to buy a new cable, I just have to look for a "data cable". Problem solved!

[Eamoex]

https://hackaday.com/2022/11/20/a-handy-...r-toolkit/

Great little DIY tool to check what flavors of USB cable you actually have lying around the house.