41: Worth getting a card reader?

[Hans Brueggemann]

the card reader is for sure worth it. be it as a quick backup/restore device while doing (small) programs, or as "reset" device to bring your precious HP-41CL back to some sane configuration.
however, as soon as you get to larger programs (larger than what fits into a '67 or '97), the card reader isn't no longer cutting it for various reasons: storing and handling _many_ cards becomes kinda cumbersome, and -let's admit it- the card reader is a power hog. with the beefy batteries in a '97 or '67, this is less apparent, but for a '41 running on an original "hurricane", that's a deal breaker for me.

hence, with a card reader comes also the desire for a better battery pack, be it just NiMH retrofit or one of the more sophisticated LiIon packs. add $$ here.

J-F's solution is for sure the most versatile one, so that gives you most bang for the bucks.

and then there's tobie's solution, which didn't get much love in this thread so far, but is for sure worth a try. have a look here, it's a 9114 on steroids and, on top of it, doesn't require a PC or laptop.