Spice question

[rprosperi]

(06-08-2019 07:24 AM)Steve Simpkin Wrote:  

(06-07-2019 06:42 PM)[kby] Wrote:  Hopefully an easy one…what was the year of the changeover in the way the Spice calculators were put together (i.e. assuming the serial number was reliable, whatever date code would likely indicate a Spice calculator with the redesigned construction)?

AFAIK the only way to tell is by weighing the calculator. If it weighs around 175g (6.25oz) it is the newer soldered version. Around 220g (7.75oz) and it's the original press-fit version.

To partially answer the question about what year... I don't have too many Spice machines, only 1 of each (except several 34C, because, well... they're 34C's) but these samples partially clarify the changeover date:

HP-32E: 2134S, 217g
HP-37E: 2219S, 174g

Thanks to Steve for the simple weight metric, very handy.