Help in choosing a new calculator

[Ron Ross]

I still suggest the OP consider the Hp 19B calculator as a replacement for the Hp 27s. It has everything the Hp 27s has aside from HEX, BIN, DEC conversions and an entry method that is Chain logic. It also has some units conversions, and it has a better input method for using the solver.
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My wife's favorite calculator is her Hp 27s, but when she took a physics class, she borrowed my Hp 19Bii for the class, because she could enter lots of equations quickly vs the more awkward input of the Hp 42s, 27s, 17b line.
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If the OP doesn't need trig functions, Bob Prosperi's suggestion of the Hp 17B or Bii is an excellent direct replacement although it also lacks combination or permutation functions and as a business calc has algebraic w/o precedence input.

[Marco Polo]

(09-20-2016 10:05 AM)Vtile Wrote:  Also one feature to test out are the units system in this family of HP calcs. Don't ask how to attach them to your own equations, because I have no idea.

It is a feature present since the 48sx. For my job is vital, that's why I don't move from the 48-50 series and I don't consider the Prime, which IMHO is a step back from the 48-50 series for real engineering work.
Basically, you enter the equation as usual. If needed add units to numbers (I. E. Constants).
In numerical solver, define all variables by putting numbers with units. Units shall be consistent.
Then you can solve for any variable, keeping in mind that the other variables will be treated as constants.

[Hlib]

I can recommend only for equations HP 50G/48gii. If you have more complex numeric tasks in graphics/Lists, then FX-2.0 or TI-83plus. IMHO.

[bhennink]

Hi, Thanks for all aswers so far.
Ik will leave for an urgent trip in a few houres and will have limitted internet access.
I will be back

Bert

[bhennink]

In attached image you can see why this really sucksSmiley Sad

The value of C =1.428e-7 which is not shown.

The only way to see it is press enter on the C variable ,but then you are out of the Solver mode.

I think this makes the solver pretty un-usable .

Another way could be pressing the edit button which shows all digits in sci format . And not the format I have set-up.



This is same in RPN and algebraic mode.



I never realized that my old HP27S was such a great device

[Software49g]

Hello,

the solver from the MLP does this.


Pressing [VIEW] ( = [ZEIGE] in the German version ) also shows the fields content.


These are the (most important) choices for the solver.


HTH,
Andreas



Here is the readme for the solver.
--------------------------------

These are the differences to the built-in GUI-Solver:

0. For speed reasons the library should be stored in Port 0.

1. Only the current directory is searched for 'EQ'.

2. 'EQ' may contain a single equation (Example: 'A+B=C'). If the equation contains built-in constants they will be filtered out.

3. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equation (Example: { 'A+B=C' }). If the equation contains built-in constants they will be filtered out.

4. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equation and a string that will be used as the title of the input form (Example: { 'A+B=C' "optional title string" }). If the equation contains built-in constants they will be filtered out and the string will be used for the title of the input form.

5. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equation and the list of variables that will be shown (Example: { 'A+B=C' { B C } }). The embedded list of the variables will be used for what will be shown by the GUI-Solver.

6. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equation and the list of variables that will be shown and a string that will be used as the title of the input form (Example: { 'A+B=C' { B C } "optional title string" }). The embedded list of the variables will be used for what will be shown by the GUI-Solver and the string will be used for the title of the input form.

7. If a list of variables is used to specify the variables no recursive search is done on them. Only the content of each variable is checked and if it is invalid a blank field is displayed. If no list of variables is used to specify the variables than a recursive search will be done on the variables of the equation and if a variable is invalid a blank field is displayed.

8. If a list of variables is used to specify the variables but it is an empty list ( { } ) or contains invalid arguments (only global names are allowed) than built-in constants are not filtered out and a recursive search will be done for the variables of the equation.

9. If 'EQ' contains something else (or does not exist) the standard behavior of the GUI-Solver is executed.

10. If 'EQ' contains the arguments described above then the cursor is placed into the second field so that you are ready to start entering data without moving the cursor.

11. Multiple arguments are allowed on the command line, so you may enter more than one value for rapid data input and the fields are filled with the values. (Example: Press 1 2 3 [ENTER] to fill the fields with 1 then 2 then 3 assuming that an equation with three variables is stored in 'EQ').

12. The softmenu key [PURGE] will delete the variables created by the GUI-Solver and thus allowing a "clean" exit from the GUI-Solver. Additionally all shown variables are reset to zero but attached units are respected.

13. Support for the whole screen of the HP 49G+ / HP 50G.

14. Right arrow executes the selected entry in the reset choose box.

15. If a field contains a unit this is preserved when new data is entered. To get rid of a unit one has to use the "Delete value" function of the reset function. Except when in the Equation Field this function is also mapped to [right shift] [CLEAR]. ToDo: Add checks if this may be supported in a later ROM update.

16. The following keys may be used to maximize the fields and labels shown on the display:
HardKey [EVAL] - evaluates right side of the first equation if a command line is not present and if the cursor is not in the Equation Field
Hardkey [SYMB] - toggle EquationField ( UserFlag 72 ) if a command line is not present and if the cursor is not in the Equation Field
Hardkey [ <- ] - toggle Title ( UserFlag 71 ) if a command line is not present and if the cursor is not in the Equation Field
HardKey [ X ] - toggle ExtraLine ( UserFlag 73 ) if a command line is not present and if the cursor is not in the Equation Field
Hardkey [+/- ] - pops up a choose box to change between the built-in fonts if a command line is not present and if the cursor is not in the Equation Field
Note: this affects the current calculator settings and will change them.

17. Re-mapped hardkeys are only available if the cursor is *not* in the Equation Field and if a command line is *not* present.

18. The fields are shown in the current font or in the minifont depending on system flag -73. If user flag 73 is set the space of the help line will be used for the form.

19. UserFlag 74 controls whether numbers are shown in standard format or if the display settings are respected. If user flag 74 is clear then numbers are shown in standard format. If user flag 74 is set then numbers are shown according to the display settings.

20. If the font is changed while GUISLV is already running (through the [MODE] screen or the [HALT] environment, for example) the variables of the current page will not be saved and the form will restart with the first page shown.

21. If the help line is changed while GUISLV is already running the variables of the current page will not be saved and the form will restart with the first page shown.

22. Changes to the variables can not be made inside the solver through the variable input form. If you want to change the variables, you have to do this through the list of the variables submitted with the equation.

23. Everything time critical is done in Saturn ML and the most important routines are stored in the reserved RAM between GROBSCR2 and SystemFont. As a note to Saturn ML programmers, this means that you can not use DBUG / DBUG.TOUCHE while GUISLV is running as this overwrites the memory area of GROBSCR5.

24. The overclock feature on a HP 49G+ / HP 50G has been removed as this is already faster than the built-in ROM code.

25. Fixes the display bug if small integers ( -1E12 < ) or large integers ( > 1E12 ) are entered or are the result of a solution.

26. GUISLV should work in Algebraic Mode, however always RPN mode is used while an Editline is active but the field content is displayed in algebraic style. The command line must be handled in RPN because algparse tries to multiply the arguments with each other if there is more than one argument on the command line at command line validation and thus the rapid data entry would not work in Algebraic Mode.

27. The software should be bug free and has been tested (on ROM Version 2.09/2.15). However, using this software you agree that you are doing this entirely on your own risk and that I shall not be liable for any errors or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this software. The software is provided "as is". I'm making no warranty of any kind with regard to this software, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. (Of course you know the usual disclaimer from the User's manual :-)


************************


GUIMES

0. For speed reasons the library should be stored in Port 0.

1. Only the current directory is searched for 'EQ' and 'Mpar'.

2. 'EQ' may contain a set of equations that can be processed by MINIT which creates 'Mpar' in the current directory. An "optional title string" and an optional { list of variables } may be stored in 'Mpar' through MITM. If necessary, consult your HP documentation about MINIT and MITM.

3. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equations (Example: { 'A+B=C' 'D+E=F' }). If the equations contains built-in constants they will be filtered out. If the equations in 'Mpar' differ from the ones in 'EQ' then the equations in 'Mpar' will be overwritten with the ones of 'EQ'.

4. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equations and a string that will be used as the title of the input form (Example: { 'A+B=C' 'D+E=F' "optional title string" }). If the equations contains built-in constants they will be filtered out and the string will be used for the title of the input form. If an "optional title string" is used then this one will be used instead of an "optional title string" stored in 'Mpar'.

5. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equations and the list of variables that will be shown (Example: { 'A+B=C' 'D+E=F' { B C E F } }). The list must contain only the variables that occur in the equations. You may shorten this list in case you have a user defined value for a variable all the time. In this case it is assumed that the variable exist and the variable will be treated as user defined. The embedded list of the variables will be used for what will be shown by the GUI-Solver. If a { list of variables } is used then this one will be used instead of the { list of variables } in 'Mpar'.

6. 'EQ' may contain a list which contains the equations and the list of variables that will be shown and a string that will be used as the title of the input form (Example: { 'A+B=C' 'D+E=F' { B C E F } "optional title string" }). The embedded list of the variables will be used for what will be shown by the GUI-Solver and the string will be used for the title of the input form. If an "optional title string" and a { list of variables } is used then this ones will be used instead of an "optional title string" and a { list of variables } in 'Mpar'.

7. [VIEW ] Shows content of the current field.

8. [ ALL ] Solves for all unknown variables.
Hardkey [APPS] - solves for all unknown variables
Hardkey [MODE] - undefine all variables
Hardkey [TOOL] - progress catalog

9. [MSOLV] Solves for current unknown, if necessary solving is also done for additional variables.

10. [MUSER] Sets states to user-defined for variable. Also mapped to the hardkey [VAR].

11. [MCALC] Sets states to *not* user-defined for variable. Also mapped to the hardkey [STO].

12. Status changes are done in-place to the 'Mpar' in the current directory.

13. Re-mapped hardkeys are only available if the cursor is *not* in the Equation Field and if a command line is *not* present.

14. For using MINIT and/or MITM and/or the MES consult your HP manual.


************************


Note: The localized versions need the corresponding Language Pack to show the messages localized.


************************

ToDo: optimize code.
ToDo: ensure ROM independency.
ToDo: Changing between GUISLV <-> GUIMES through a key ?

[Marco Polo]

(10-12-2016 11:20 AM)bhennink Wrote:  I never realized that my old HP27S was such a great device

May I suggest you to try the old stile (like the 48sx) menu solver?
No frills, not attractive but fast and reliable.
If the memory helps me, you can reach it keeping pressed by right shift + 7 and then ROOT
Type your eq and store in EQ var. (Left shift +EQ)
Then SOLVR.
Input known varables by typing and pressing the relevant menu label.
Solve for unknown by pressing left shift + relevant label.

If anything goes wrong, the manual helps :-)

[Nigel (UK)]

(10-12-2016 02:41 PM)Software49g Wrote:  Hello,

the solver from the MLP does this.


HTH,
Andreas

As a user of the OS Extension Pack from Software49g (which includes the solver) I can thoroughly recommend it. The solver works well and is free from the obvious defects of the built-in solver; the help for CAS commands built into the OS Extension pack is amazingly useful. The price is extremely reasonable and the support is first rate.

(I have no connection with the producer of the software except as a user!)

Nigel (UK)

[bhennink]

I have retired now for a few years and sorting out things I still have.
I Found this HP27 with the broen keyboard lastweek among some other stuff.

Wondering what to do with it.

[Steve Simpkin]

(10-13-2024 09:44 AM)bhennink Wrote:  I have retired now for a few years and sorting out things I still have.
I Found this HP27 with the broen keyboard lastweek among some other stuff.

Wondering what to do with it.

Repair it or sell it. The HP-27 was HP's first "do everything" pocket calculator. This calculator did math, statistics and business functions (but was not programmable).

One interesting bit of trivia for this model is that it was recalled after units had already been built, packaged and stocked in a warehouse, but before it was released to the public.

Professor William Kahan recalls his role in this small part of HP history and gives yet another example of why HP (and particularly Dave Packard) were so highly regarded back then.
See the following Museum forum post for the rest of the story.
https://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/thread-21...#pid187083

[bhennink]

Hi Nice to hear One of the keys was responding well anymore.
I would knt know how to repair that key.
Never knew why I could not get a new one (for work) after I had this one for a few years (private)
I really loved it . But now I learned it was recalled! I was just lucky then at the time buying it. I had the Scientific version BTW


Now I have one of those HP prime graphic calculators that I use most for work. (still work part time after retirement)