How do you like the HP 34C?

[rprosperi]

(11-29-2017 07:20 PM)Dave Frederickson Wrote:  Interesting, neither MoHPC nor HP-Collection recognize the Spike series.

The joint name is well covered in Wlodek's book, though it doesn't clarify, and I never realized, the SPICE = E and SPIKE = C division. Makes sense to me. The only other division candidate I've thought of was Technical vs. Finance models.

Internal HP papers have also been seen with both names, so they definitely were both used.

Thanks Sylvain.

[Trond]

Thanks for all the feedback folks!
How would you compare the build quality of the 67 vs the 41? They both look pretty solid in photos, but I have never held any of these models.

[Thomas Okken]

(11-30-2017 04:47 AM)Trond Wrote:  How would you compare the build quality of the 67 vs the 41? They both look pretty solid in photos, but I have never held any of these models.

I'm probably not the best qualified to comment on HP-41 durability, but, for what it's worth: I used the 41 as my everyday calculators from 1979 until about 1989. I bought an HP-41C in the first week you could buy them, and replaced it with a 41CX about five years later. In 10 years of using these calculators, I never had any trouble with them. The cases were sturdy, the keyboards were crisp and reliable, and I never experienced any kind of failure whatsoever.

Regarding the HP-67, I never owned one back when they were the top of the line, but I got one on eBay a few years ago. It appears to have been used heavily, but treated gently. The yellow and blue markings on the faceplate have not rubbed off, but the f, h, CLx, and R/S keys feel a bit mushy compared to rest of the rest of the keyboard. All the keys work fine, you don't have to push hard on any of them nor do any of them bounce. And the case feels solid as a rock, it doesn't flex or creak at all. If it weren't for the fact that calculators have become so much more capable in the 40 years since my 67 was built, I could see myself using this unit as my daily calculator even today.

[Trond]

I ordered a HP 41CV in good shape, which comes with a manual and carrying case. Will let you know how I like it

[Trond]

BTW I am just curious here: how do you know if the 34c is soldered or clamped? (without opening it)

[Sukiari]

The 34C beats the 67/97 if only because it has continuous memory. It's a huge pain in the behind when your 67/97 fully resets each time you turn it off, and I don't think it's safe to plug it in and unplug it when it's on.

I am thinking of getting that Panamatic mod for my 67 just for the continuous memory. I feel I'd use it a lot more often if I didn't have to reprogram the whole thing every time I turned it off.

[Steve Simpkin]

(12-03-2017 01:11 AM)Trond Wrote:  BTW I am just curious here: how do you know if the 34c is soldered or clamped? (without opening it)

From various posts in this forum the most common way is to weigh it. With the batteries installed the original press-fit version weighs about 220-230 g. The newer soldered version is lighter and weighs around 170-180 g.

Another member writes the following:
"Pick one key (calculator ON or OFF), perhaps [ENTER] key and slowly press it till it "clicks" and stops. If the key's upper face (not the top of the key) hides itself in a way the top face almost reaches the keyboard level, then it is a solderless unit. If the key moves just a little bit and the upper face keeps half of it hidden and half appearing, then it is a soldered unit. This is because the solderless units have a single flex circuit that "plays the role" of keyboard contacts, circuit trails and IC's connectors, and the bubble caps for each key are somehow "far" from the keys contacts. The soldered units use metal caps almost like the ones used in the HP41 (and HP75C/D and HP71B) for each key, and their "moving range" is a lot smaller."

[Trond]

(12-03-2017 04:15 AM)Steve Simpkin Wrote:  

(12-03-2017 01:11 AM)Trond Wrote:  BTW I am just curious here: how do you know if the 34c is soldered or clamped? (without opening it)

From various posts in this forum the most common way is to weigh it. With the batteries installed the original press-fit version weighs about 220-230 g. The newer soldered version is lighter and weighs around 170-180 g.

Another member writes the following:
"Pick one key (calculator ON or OFF), perhaps [ENTER] key and slowly press it till it "clicks" and stops. If the key's upper face (not the top of the key) hides itself in a way the top face almost reaches the keyboard level, then it is a solderless unit. If the key moves just a little bit and the upper face keeps half of it hidden and half appearing, then it is a soldered unit. This is because the solderless units have a single flex circuit that "plays the role" of keyboard contacts, circuit trails and IC's connectors, and the bubble caps for each key are somehow "far" from the keys contacts. The soldered units use metal caps almost like the ones used in the HP41 (and HP75C/D and HP71B) for each key, and their "moving range" is a lot smaller."

OK, but how about serial numbers? Are the later ones all soldered?

[Steve Simpkin]

(12-03-2017 05:42 AM)Trond Wrote:  OK, but how about serial numbers? Are the later ones all soldered?

I haven't found any posts that claim you could tell by the serial number although I did see someone mention that the change to soldered ICs was made sometime in 1982. Here is an example where the poster did not think looking at the serial number would help.
http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/...ead=132269

[Trond]

(12-03-2017 06:23 AM)Steve Simpkin Wrote:  

(12-03-2017 05:42 AM)Trond Wrote:  OK, but how about serial numbers? Are the later ones all soldered?

I haven't found any posts that claim you could tell by the serial number although I did see someone mention that the change to soldered ICs was made sometime in 1982. Here is an example where the poster did not think looking at the serial number would help.
http://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/...ead=132269

Many thanks for the info!

[AndiGer]

My HP 34C is a soldered one - but after repair. HP Germany didn't tell exactly what they changed in mArch 1982 but told the calculator is lighter after repair due to keyboard modifications.

[Trond]

(09-25-2017 04:26 AM)brickviking Wrote:  The HP-34C was the very first HP I owned outright...... The key-feel is absolutely classic HP......

Hi again folks! I am bumping this thread to update you on my new acquisition I still have the HP 41CV, but now I also have this 34C. So far I'm liking it, and I am really agreeing with Brickviking above on the feel of the keys. Other than that I haven't really figured it out yet but here it is:

[Steve Simpkin]

(11-07-2019 12:46 AM)Trond Wrote:  

(09-25-2017 04:26 AM)brickviking Wrote:  The HP-34C was the very first HP I owned outright...... The key-feel is absolutely classic HP......

Hi again folks! I am bumping this thread to update you on my new acquisition I still have the HP 41CV, but now I also have this 34C. So far I'm liking it, and I am really agreeing with Brickviking above on the feel of the keys. Other than that I haven't really figured it out yet but here it is:

One thing to be careful with this model is to NEVER plug the charger into it without having good NiCad batteries installed. If you do it will likely damage the calculator. Most people charge the batteries outside of the calculator to be on the safe side. This is a known issue with the HP-2x (Woodstock) and HP-3x (Spice) models.

[Trond]

(11-07-2019 01:07 AM)Steve Simpkin Wrote:  One thing to be careful with this model is to NEVER plug the charger into it without having good NiCad batteries installed. If you do it will likely damage the calculator. Most people charge the batteries outside of the calculator to be on the safe side. This is a known issue with the HP-2x (Woodstock) and HP-3x (Spice) models.

OK thanks for the tip!

[Moggul]

(11-07-2019 12:46 AM)Trond Wrote:  Hi again folks! I am bumping this thread to update you on my new acquisition I still have the HP 41CV, but now I also have this 34C. So far I'm liking it, and I am really agreeing with Brickviking above on the feel of the keys. Other than that I haven't really figured it out yet but here it is:

Looks very nice. Enjoy it!!!

[Valentin Albillo]

.
Hi, Trond:

(11-07-2019 12:46 AM)Trond Wrote:  I am bumping this thread to update you on my new acquisition [...] now I also have this 34C.

Congratulations on your new acquisition, your HP-34C sure looks nice !

I also happen to like a lot the HP-34C, in fact it's one of my favorite HP vintage calcs since ever. At the time of its release I co-authored an HP.34C Solutions Book "Matemática Avanzada" ("Advanced Math") published by Hewlett-Packard Spain, including some 20 excellent programs for it, even if I say so myself.

You can download four of them (fully documented) as PDF documents using these links:

       HP-34C Loan Amortization Schedule
       HP-34C Summation of Alternating Series
       HP-34C Double Integrals
       HP-34C Memory Game and Trainer

I also wrote a 9-page article dedicated to the HP-34C which describes its capabilities in detail. It was published some years ago, and you can download it using this link (PDF):

       Long Live the HP-34C !

Read the article, try the programs in your HP-34C (the game is quite addictive !) and above all, enjoy your new HP-34C, it's a remarkable, wonderful little classic calc !

Regards.
V.

[Trond]

(11-07-2019 04:39 PM)Valentin Albillo Wrote:  .
Hi, Trond:

(11-07-2019 12:46 AM)Trond Wrote:  I am bumping this thread to update you on my new acquisition [...] now I also have this 34C.

Congratulations on your new acquisition, your HP-34C sure looks nice !

I also happen to like a lot the HP-34C, in fact it's one of my favorite HP vintage calcs since ever. At the time of its release I co-authored an HP.34C Solutions Book "Matemática Avanzada" ("Advanced Math") published by Hewlett-Packard Spain, including some 20 excellent programs for it, even if I say so myself.

You can download four of them (fully documented) as PDF documents using these links:

       HP-34C Loan Amortization Schedule
       HP-34C Summation of Alternating Series
       HP-34C Double Integrals
       HP-34C Memory Game and Trainer

I also wrote a 9-page article dedicated to the HP-34C which describes its capabilities in detail. It was published some years ago, and you can download it using this link (PDF):

       Long Live the HP-34C !

Read the article, try the programs in your HP-34C (the game is quite addictive !) and above all, enjoy your new HP-34C, it's a remarkable, wonderful little classic calc !

Regards.
V.

Interesting! On the "little classic calc", yes it is actually not very big, but very nice. I actually like the display too.

Thanks for the links!

[Archilog]

Congratulations for your acquisitions!

The 34C, the 67 and the 29C are my prefered LED HP calculators for various reasons, briefly:
1. Display Readability 2. "Unlimited" memory 3. Beauty (in many senses)

[Trond]

(11-07-2019 11:59 PM)Archilog Wrote:  Congratulations for your acquisitions!

The 34C, the 67 and the 29C are my prefered LED HP calculators for various reasons, briefly:
1. Display Readiness 2. "Unlimited" memory 3. Beauty (in many senses)

Display readiness?

[Valentin Albillo]

(11-10-2019 05:29 PM)Trond Wrote:  

(11-07-2019 11:59 PM)Archilog Wrote:  Congratulations for your acquisitions!

The 34C, the 67 and the 29C are my prefered LED HP calculators for various reasons, briefly:
1. Display Readiness 2. "Unlimited" memory 3. Beauty (in many senses)

Display readiness?

Perhaps he means "Readability".

V.