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)