HP15c Limited Edition REPLACE plan

[Divasson]

We are receiving a lot of complaints from HP15C Limited Edition customers:

• No firmware upgrades - no cable available (except for some DIY solutions)
• Limited memory compared with CE
• No back up or application pacs
• No HP16c mode
• Many bricked machines - unusable
  

Many of them purchased from us and we don't have any solution for them.

We have decided to launch a REPLACE plan, initially valid until end of month, for a 20% off on HP15c CE or HP15c CE Enhanced. You don't need to surrender your HP15c LE. We have the list of our customers to check - if you bought somewhere else, a picture of your unit would suffice.

The enhanced version includes the latest firmware, a cable and a HP16c overlay

[AnnoyedOne]

(08-29-2024 08:36 AM)Divasson Wrote:  We are receiving a lot of complaints from HP15C Limited Edition customers:

Justified IMO. They've seemingly been left out to dry by HP.

In theory one could create a firmware update for the LE based on CE code. If anyone can and be bothered to do so, As for a cable...

All that said https://www.thecalculatorstore.com is trying to stand by their (old) customers. And that's a good thing (and uncommon in this day and age). Good job!

A1

[n1msr]

I ordered my REPLACEment 15 CE today :-)

I already have a 15 CE but wanted a spare. It's a nice machine and I like the fact that the POGO cable allows new firmware (using SAMBA v2.18) and saving of the calculator contents.

[Divasson]

Regarding firmware, there are already the memory patches available for the HP15c LE - but we're missing the cable (hard-DIY solutions are available here in hpmuseum based on the current cable) and also the machine is easily "brickable". My two LE units are now bricked due to tampering with them, as well as all my HP30b but one (that I will NOT try to update evermore!).

The HP15c CE unit is a much better animal from that point of view - I have reprogrammed close to 450 units and I haven't bricked a single one. (Also: all of them with the same cable! It seems to be quite robust even if the design looks fragile over time)

[AnnoyedOne]

(08-29-2024 02:24 PM)Divasson Wrote:  ...also the machine is easily "brickable".

Hmm, does the AT91SAML128 (LE Soc) not have a factory-programmed and protected bootloader like the ATSAM4LC2CA (CE SoC)?

I have bricked stuff before but as a developer I was using a JTAG interface vs serial/USB so I was able to recover it.

FYI I'm not sure if the AT91SAML128 has USB functionality but even if it does it may not be connected. The ATSAM4LC2CA uses a virtual serial port (UART) over USB. Any firmware conversion (for VoyagerSave use) should be possible.

A1

[Divasson]

A1, I don't know the reason, but the fact is that 1) the process to put it in "listening mode" was far more cumbersome, and 2) the failure rate higher. Not bad as % - but all my units ended bricked over time. The newer machines are truly a walk in the park in comparison.

The CE (and the latest 12c) do have a place in the pcb to put a USB nano port. But this involves drilling the case.

[AnnoyedOne]

(08-29-2024 02:49 PM)Divasson Wrote:  The CE (and the latest 12c) do have a place in the pcb to put a USB nano port.

There's no point populating that since the POGO port is USB anyway.

I had thought about purchasing a 2nd hand HP-15C LE but already having a CE I rejected that. Nor do I want a "brick"

I purchased a 15C CE/12C POGO cable just in case they go away in the future. So I'm "covered"

A1

[Divasson]

Now that I remember: another big advantage of the CE over the LE is the energy consumption. Battery lasts for about a year (in my case) vs 2-3 months on the old LE

[Divasson]

For the sake of good order: REPLACE program ends in 24h

[Divasson]

Upon request from Facebook users (where it was posted last Saturday with less than 24h to react) the program has been extended to September 7 end of day.

29% discount applies to calculator packages only (“Enhanced” package already includes cable and hp16c overlay)

[Thomas Klemm]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but it's no longer possible to reply to your post from 2013 in the old forum: RPN in primary education.

Quote:My children have 9 and 7. I have stored 2 HP15c LE for each for when they're ready for it. (…) I look forward to teach them the beauty of saving keystrokes with RPN, and keeping the stack logic in one's mind.

So I wonder, how that turned out.
Did they like RPN and was it helpful for them at school?
Are these the two LE units that are now bricked due to tampering with them?

[Divasson]

Good questions!

Both HP15c LE are bricked since long ago - but it was due to my tampering, not theirs. CE units seem much better than LE's.

The Spanish school system is strongly biased to Casio units, so giving them a "RPN only" calculator was in a way setting them up for failure. However, it accepted the HP Prime and they are staunch Prime supporters. They tell me it has helped them through IB (International Baccalaureat) much better than their companions' Casio or TI counterparts.

The elder is in his Senior year of Industrial engineering in Ann Arbor and very proud of his Prime (but he is the only user as far as he's seen). The younger is starting Engineering here in Barcelona. So I am maybe succeeding as father/engineer but miserably failed as RPN supporter/evangelist.

[AnnoyedOne]

(10-26-2024 03:16 PM)Divasson Wrote:  So I am maybe succeeding as father/engineer but miserably failed as RPN supporter/evangelist.

Probably not your fault.

Quote:Some of the key companies Texas Instruments , Casio and others are focusing on its strategy building model to strengthen its product portfolio and expand its business in the global market.

https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com/...ket-report

HP is barely mentioned.

A1

[Thomas Klemm]

(10-26-2024 03:16 PM)Divasson Wrote:  The elder is in his Senior year of Industrial engineering in Ann Arbor and very proud of his Prime (but he is the only user as far as he's seen). The younger is starting Engineering here in Barcelona.

Glad to hear that both are doing well.
Thanks for your answers.

[dm319]

(10-26-2024 03:16 PM)Divasson Wrote:  The Spanish school system is strongly biased to Casio units, so giving them a "RPN only" calculator was in a way setting them up for failure. However, it accepted the HP Prime and they are staunch Prime supporters. They tell me it has helped them through IB (International Baccalaureat) much better than their companions' Casio or TI counterparts.

Oh interesting. Same here in the UK. I also have a plan doomed to failure. My second eldest will be starting secondary school next year and I've ordered him a DM-15L. I suspect at some point I will just have to buy another Casio, the question is when! I will start a thread when I receive it, and we can take bets on how long he keeps it for.

[HP67]

Just a general thumbs up for @divasson

I have ordered several times from him, always great service.

Many thanks from Czech Republic

[AnnoyedOne]

(10-29-2024 07:41 AM)HP67 Wrote:  Just a general thumbs up for @divasson

I've seen posts here complaining about the cost of international shipping that thecalculatorstore.com (aka Divasson) charges.

Of course that is not his doing. That is the Spanish postal system/private delivery services/your country (import duties/tariffs etc) or whatever.

A local distributor may not be an option because it may not be worth anyone's interests to be one.

My 2c.

A1

[jthole]

(10-29-2024 01:32 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  I've seen posts here complaining about the cost of international shipping that thecalculatorstore.com (aka Divasson) charges.

Of course that is not his doing. That is the Spanish postal system/private delivery services/your country (import duties/tariffs etc) or whatever.

Shipping in Europe (and especially from Europe to the rest of the world) is expensive.

But for the rest of the world (outside of the EU and EEA), that is probably offset because you don't need to pay our sales tax (20% to 25% depending on the country).

[DA74254]

(Yesterday 06:59 PM)jthole Wrote:  

(10-29-2024 01:32 PM)AnnoyedOne Wrote:  I've seen posts here complaining about the cost of international shipping that thecalculatorstore.com (aka Divasson) charges.

Of course that is not his doing. That is the Spanish postal system/private delivery services/your country (import duties/tariffs etc) or whatever.

Shipping in Europe (and especially from Europe to the rest of the world) is expensive.

But for the rest of the world (outside of the EU and EEA), that is probably offset because you don't need to pay our sales tax (20% to 25% depending on the country).

Hmm, I don't find "normal" postage/shipping prices within Europe (EU/EEC) that expensive.
The Calculator Store (Spain) to Latvia: €12 with tracking for a €150 item.
Stilo & Stile (Italy) to Latvia for a €50 order with tracking - €7 shipping.
Akkerman den Haag (Netherlands) to Latvia: €12 with tracking for a €300 order.
In stark comparison; A CHF 249 order from Switzerland, without tracking, at CHF 22 postage.
All shipments below 500 grams.

I'm penpal (you know, letters, handwritten) with a guy from UK.
Letters sent from Latvia to UK: €1,82
Letters from UK to Latvia: £2,70
Letters are below 20 grams
Letters (<20gr) sent from Norway to EU/EEC is NOK 35 (~€3,20).

[Steve Simpkin]

(Yesterday 06:59 PM)jthole Wrote:  ...
But for the rest of the world (outside of the EU and EEA), that is probably offset because you don't need to pay our sales tax (20% to 25% depending on the country).

Sales tax is a bit more complicated in the U.S.
"U.S. sales tax rates not only vary by U.S. state but also by cities and counties within a state. As a result, there are more than 13,000 sales tax jurisdictions in the U.S. all with frequently changing rates."
https://www.avalara.com/vatlive/en/count...s-tax.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sales_taxe...risdiction