41 with modules vs 42 (HP or SM)

[cortopar]

This might be a silly exercise, as I own both, but I’m curious what the general consensus is of the capabilities of these two platforms:

HP41cx + Clonix/NoVRAM / HP41CL / DM41x + Advantage, OS/X, SandMath, Warp, 41Z, etc
HP42s / DM42

At the time of the 42s’ release, and in the decade or so after, the 42 seemed to be the more capable calculator, setting aside the lack of I/O. I wonder if the tides have turned with the availability of new hardware, and new module/ROM development for the 41 platform.

I’m not a heavy user of complex / matrix functions, which, I think, is where much of the love for the 15c and 42S originate. Is 41Z, SandMath, etc competitive with the capabilities of the 15 and 42 platforms?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Regards,
Bob

[Allen]

If you're not needing the I/O stuff ( wand/card reader/ etc) or enjoy the synthetic programming, The 42s ( or simulators ) are a winner hands down.

In their physical embodiment, the 42S has better display, faster clock speed, easier menu navigation, more memory, etc.. You'd have to spend 3-4X the price of a 42S upgrading a 41CX (CLOCK crystal, double X-MEM, Advantage ROM, IR printer ROM) to even match a basic 42S in some metrics.

I love Thomas Okken's free42. I have it running on an old Amazon Kindle, PC, and smart phone, in addition to my physical units that are still a joy to use.

This is a matter of opinion, but I've never been able to get used to where the multiply/divide/add/subtract keys are on the 41 series. -Also, not sure if Covid was the cause, but I drove all over town looking for "N" batteries for a friend's 41CV- and ended up ordering some from Amazon, but the 42S batteries are still readily available at "normal" pharmacies. I've seen _bay sellers mistake the 1.5V N-cells for their nearly sized 12V counterparts. "display flashed once, sold as parts" ...

[polbit]

I can tell you one thing. As a heavy user of 48/50 in college and early career (started my HP journey with a 28C in high school), I see both a 41C and 42S as more of a fun exercise.

I own both in DM and HP versions, and spend 80% of my time with an HP 41CX. Despite the operand keys being on the "wrong" side, and much slower, I find the synthetic programming and the entire ecosystem to be pretty amazing.

[Peet]

For me, the HP-42S was never very interesting next to the HP-41. The HP-41, which is 10 years older, seemed to be of higher quality (processing, display and keyboard) and offered the option of not having to retype your own programs after a memory loss (I had this painful experience on my HP-28S), but instead loading them quickly via magnetic card. The math module covered the most important math functions for me.

Compared to the HP-41, the HP-42 offered too many disadvantages but not enough advantages. Compared to the HP-28, however, the HP-42S seemed outdated.

With the DM41X vs DM42, the picture has changed in favor of the DM42, but the DM41X is still the more interesting calculator for me. The reasons for this are the somewhat clearer layout and better customization (ASN/USER). In addition, researching the range of programs/modules is incredibly fun.

[rprosperi]

Here's another view of this common topic:

If your goal is creating programs to get calculated results, the 42S/DM42 is the better choice as they are faster, have better precision, requires only reading one basic manual and are self-contained.

If your goal is the calculator exploration itself the 41CX/DM41X is the better choice, as there are far more optional modules, programs and configurations available than any one person could ever explore.

Of course most HP aficionados struggle with this choice as both goals are of interest, so the wise ones simply chose to get both, so the proper tools are available for any given mood that might occur.

[vaklaff]

(02-22-2023 01:18 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  the wise ones simply chose to get both, so the proper tools are available for any given mood that might occur

Side question: How do the wise ones explain their piling acquisitions to their better halves?

[cortopar]

Interesting thoughts and perspective so far. Thanks for the replies.

Anyone have a take on 41z + SandMath + SandMatrix vs 42S/15C?

[cortopar]

(02-22-2023 07:41 PM)vaklaff Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 01:18 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  the wise ones simply chose to get both, so the proper tools are available for any given mood that might occur

Side question: How do the wise ones explain their piling acquisitions to their better halves?

My wife gave up asking about my eccentricities years ago.

[rprosperi]

(02-22-2023 07:41 PM)vaklaff Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 01:18 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  the wise ones simply chose to get both, so the proper tools are available for any given mood that might occur

Side question: How do the wise ones explain their piling acquisitions to their better halves?

I can't speak for others, but mine constantly gripes about 'too much stuff' but she definitely doesn't want to get into a 'my stuff' vs. 'your stuff' discussion, as she very well might lose such a debate. And so, collecting goes on...

[Valentin Albillo]

(02-22-2023 07:41 PM)vaklaff Wrote:  Side question: How do the wise ones explain their piling acquisitions to their better halves?

I explain nothing, she's never ever questioned my 100-strong HP-calc collecting hobby.

When I get a new calc, I proudly show it to her, she briefly looks at it out of simple curiosity and that's it.

V.

[BobVA]

I shifted to a DM42 (alternating with an HP-25LP) as my daily driver. But before that I was using an HP-42S I'd repaired a LOT.

I bought the 41C right after it was released so I'm pretty familiar with it, and own a 42CL now, but the much more intuitive (to me) access to functions offered by the 42S menu structure bumped the 41 off the desk.

An embarrassment of riches, though. Both still pretty great :-)

[Siegfried]

(02-22-2023 07:41 PM)vaklaff Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 01:18 PM)rprosperi Wrote:  the wise ones simply chose to get both, so the proper tools are available for any given mood that might occur

Side question: How do the wise ones explain their piling acquisitions to their better halves?

I might get asked questions if I put them up in a display case but lacking the space for one they are not that obvious when stowed away in various drawers.

I do keep a poster with stickers for "good" and "bad" units but that has not been questioned too much yet.

[Sylvain Cote]

(02-22-2023 07:41 PM)vaklaff Wrote:  Side question: How do the wise ones explain their piling acquisitions to their better halves?

I do not, it just is.

[Allen]

Imaginary discussion:
Spouse: Why do you need 20 calculators?
Me: Why do you need 20 shoes?
<crickets>

[Steve Simpkin]

   

[ctrclckws]

(02-24-2023 10:37 PM)Allen Wrote:  Imaginary discussion:
Spouse: Why do you need 20 calculators?
Me: Why do you need 20 shoes?
<crickets>

Those are fighting words

[Garth Wilson]

(02-24-2023 10:37 PM)Allen Wrote:  Imaginary discussion:
Spouse: Why do you need 20 calculators?
Me: Why do you need 20 shoes?
<crickets>

My wife knows she's the big spender and wanter in our family.  I pointed out that we have more than 20 sets of bowls—and those don't include serving bowls and mixing bowls, only the ones we eat out of—and she said, "I see these bowls and think, 'Oh those are cute!' and I buy them."  But yes, I'm sure she has way more than 20 pairs of shoes.

[floppy]

(02-24-2023 10:37 PM)Allen Wrote:  Imaginary discussion:
Spouse: Why do you need 20 calculators?
Me: Why do you need 20 shoes?
<crickets>

Haha. Love this.
Since I have an(other) hobby which uses fins, one time I had a long discussion with a friend (carbon fins from UK or strate fins from UKR or old stock available at a tchech shop, spear fishing fins shortened, hardness, length... approx. 8 type of fins home) and at the end I said: "we are speaking about fins for similar long time when girls speaks about nail lack". BUT I never ever exchanged that sentence with girls else they would feel attacked.. ;-)
madness must stay in the galaxy of madness. not all galaxies has a contact. and thats fine.

[polbit]

My wife puts up with my calculator hobby with no issues, because she loves my other one - fast motorcycles... When we are home from yet another awesome ride/trip somewhere, I go to relax with my pocket machines, and she does her thing with painting/scrapbooking.

[Paul Dale]

A couple of years back, my daughter came to visit and stayed in her old room.

Not long after arriving she came out and asked about the 38 calculators that now inhabited the space.

Seemed perfectly natural to me....