Unusual HP-80

[John R]

I recently acquired an HP-80 with some interesting characteristics. Some of these are consistent with the first version of the HP-80, but some of these I have never seen before. Specifically, this calculator has:

• "Hewlett-Packard" label (no "80") at foot of calculator
• Metal strip under screen
• "ON" and "OFF" lettering in white
• Serial number sticker at bottom rear (not in battery compartment), seemingly stuck on top of the typical "Hewlett Packard 3.75V 500MW" sticker
• Serial number date/location code of 1143A, and stamped with "LP 99" instead of five-digit sequence number
• Raised bump on "5" key, as with early HP-35 calculators
• Thin lettering on the numeral keys, as with early HP-35 calculators
• Slightly different key coloration than other HP-80 or HP-35 calculators I have seen
  

Has anybody encountered this collection of features in an HP-80 before? I’m wondering if this is a frankencalculator, a repair job, or even a prototype.

Photos below....

"Hewlett-Packard" label at foot:


Metal strip and white ON/OFF lettering:


Serial number “1143A LP 99”:


Bump on 5 key:


This HP-80 (left) with a typical HP-80 (right), showing slightly different key coloration and thinner numerals:

[Didier Lachieze]

It seems you've got an early lab prototype (LP) of the HP 80, built with the molds of the initial HP 35 keys.
Looking at the serial number label location and marking it seems that this unit was built quite early as it shares several characteristics of the early 35s, I would say before August 1972, but I'm just guessing here.
Anyway congratulations for this rare and pretty unique unit.
Would you mind posting some picture of the battery compartment showing also the adapter contacts ?

[TASP]

My HP80 has:

*the metal strip under screen

*normal serial # location in batt compartment

*1247S 19119

*no bump on 5

*mine has the thicker lettering as in your right hand picture

*mine has an apparently HP made personalized ID tag in lieu of the regular tag at the foot, so the model # is only noted on the underside instruction tag

* white on/off lettering

[John R]

(08-20-2015 11:40 PM)Didier Lachieze Wrote:  Anyway congratulations for this rare and pretty unique unit.

Thank you! I'm pretty excited about it.

(08-20-2015 11:40 PM)Didier Lachieze Wrote:  Would you mind posting some picture of the battery compartment showing also the adapter contacts ?

I have included two photos of the battery compartment (including contacts) below. This HP-80 does not have the "split battery compartment" characteristic of the early HP-35. May I ask what other distinguishing features you might be looking for there?

[C2j2]

Hello

Well, we seem to have the same 'problem'.

2 HP-80 (see picture)
1 with Hewlett-Packard Label (ser No 1247A) 1 with Hewlett-Packard 80 Label (see No 1247A also)
Serial number in the battery compartment for both models (and conventional ser. n° sticker)
Bump on the "5" for the Hewlett Packard and no bump for the Hewlett Packard 80.
Different Lettering
On / Off : difficult to see if there is a different color due to the age of the calculators.

Best regards
Jérôme

[Michael Eckstein]

(08-20-2015 03:11 AM)John R Wrote:  I recently acquired an HP-80 with some interesting characteristics. Some of these are consistent with the first version of the HP-80, but some of these I have never seen before. Specifically, this calculator has:

• "Hewlett-Packard" label (no "80") at foot of calculator
• Metal strip under screen
• "ON" and "OFF" lettering in white
• Serial number sticker at bottom rear (not in battery compartment), seemingly stuck on top of the typical "Hewlett Packard 3.75V 500MW" sticker
• Serial number date/location code of 1143A, and stamped with "LP 99" instead of five-digit sequence number
• Raised bump on "5" key, as with early HP-35 calculators
• Thin lettering on the numeral keys, as with early HP-35 calculators
• Slightly different key coloration than other HP-80 or HP-35 calculators I have seen
  

Has anybody encountered this collection of features in an HP-80 before? I’m wondering if this is a frankencalculator, a repair job, or even a prototype.

I bought a similar HP 80 ten years ago. Serial number was 1302A LP 50. It looks that for the lab prototypes was significant only the number after LP, since mine was lower and 1302A was later.
The front case of that HP 80 had an unusual silver HP logo in the upper right corner, too.

Photos:

[Didier Lachieze]

(08-21-2015 03:38 AM)John R Wrote:  I have included two photos of the battery compartment (including contacts) below. This HP-80 does not have the "split battery compartment" characteristic of the early HP-35. May I ask what other distinguishing features you might be looking for there?

Thanks. I was looking for the “split battery compartment” and also for the black clip on the adapter pins which both are present on the early 35s. But they are not on your HP-80, so I think now that the serial number label is not significant to determine the build date as proved also by the unit from Michael.