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HP15C

XR250

Structural
Jan 30, 2013
5,760
Did anyone purchase one of these re-released models? I bought one in 2023 (14 months ago) and the keyboard is already failing. I noticed that some keystrokes were not consistently registering. 2 months out of warranty. They said I can send it in for a "software update" that may help. Oh yea, I am sure it will :)
Back to using my 30+ year old 11C that still has a perfect keyboard or the 15C app on my iPhone. They don't build 'em like they used to.
 
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I had 2 of the hp15c , back in a and the hp 42 with the card reader. I programed all my gear programs on that.
 
I bought an app for about $10 from a company called RLM Tools for my iPhone - it replicates an HP 11CX and works great.

I'm not associated with the company in any way - here's their website: https://www.rlmtools.com/
 
Yea, I can use the app on my iPhone but there is more satisfaction for me to have physical keys.
 
Did anyone purchase one of these re-released models? I bought one in 2023 (14 months ago) and the keyboard is already failing. I noticed that some keystrokes were not consistently registering. 2 months out of warranty. They said I can send it in for a "software update" that may help. Oh yea, I am sure it will :)
Back to using my 30+ year old 11C that still has a perfect keyboard or the 15C app on my iPhone. They don't build 'em like they used to.
This is disappointing I was planning to pick up the new model. There are some reports of debouncing problems on the HP Museum site some note success with getting the programming cable and applying the patched firmware.
 
Well maybe the software update will help? The keyboard has worked fine for a year though so not sure what has changed to make it not OK except hardware issues.
 
That is extremely disappointing.

I'm still using my HP-32s. It says 1986 on the back. Still perfect.
 
I think the thing is, back when calculators cost $500, they had $5.00 buttons on them, now that they cost $10, they have 10 cent buttons, and that's the result.
Moral, use a cheap calculator, replace as needed. Anything that needs programming, etc., just do it on the computer.
 
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You should have purchased a Swiss Micros DM15L!
Apparently. Did not know they existed. How are they?
I might just keep using my 11C. the screen is getting black on one edge. Also, it is slow on some operations - specifically y^X so when I do deflection calcs, i have to make sure my fingers don't get ahead of it.
 
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I think the thing is, back when calculators cost $500, they had $5.00 buttons on them, now that they cost $10, they have 10 cent buttons, and that's the result.
Moral, use a cheap calculator, replace as needed. Anything that needs programming, etc., just do it on the computer.
There are no cheap RPN calculators in the "landscape" format. The one i bought was ike $160 so it should have a decent keyboard.
I don't use it for programming - just basic calcs.
 
I loved the 15C back in the day. Been using a 35s for many years, it is similar to a 15C.
 
I had 2 of the hp15c , back in a and the hp 42 with the card reader. I programed all my gear programs on that.
FYI, it was the HP-41C/CV/CX series that has the card reader. The HP-42S does not. (I have an HP-41CX with a long unused card reader, and an HP-42S.)
 
Did anyone purchase one of these re-released models? I bought one in 2023 (14 months ago) and the keyboard is already failing. I noticed that some keystrokes were not consistently registering. 2 months out of warranty. They said I can send it in for a "software update" that may help. Oh yea, I am sure it will :)
Back to using my 30+ year old 11C that still has a perfect keyboard or the 15C app on my iPhone. They don't build 'em like they used to.
I have two of the new HP-15CEs, one for home and one for the office. My daily driver is a SwissMicros DM42, but both of the 15CEs get used quite a bit. I have not had any problems with them.
 
As a HP-41CV user since 1982 I now own and use SwissMicros DM41X, DM42 and DM15L. No issues with any of my SwissMicros units.

I also have several HP35S that I use in the field.

And i41CX+ from AL SOFTWARE for my iPhone and iPad.

A fan of RPN for a long time!
 
FYI, it was the HP-41C/CV/CX series that has the card reader. The HP-42S does not. (I have an HP-41CX with a long unused card reader, and an HP-42S.)
Fel3
Thanks for the correction it's been a while.
I had both got it mixed up.hp41 and hp42.
Yet it was a very strong calculator. At touch of my fingers . I had a little printer as well . I am starting to forget stuff. The mileage has caught up to me.
 
Fel3
Thanks for the correction it's been a while.
I had both got it mixed up.hp41 and hp42.
Yet it was a very strong calculator. At touch of my fingers . I had a little printer as well . I am starting to forget stuff. The mileage has caught up to me.
Back in the 1980s, I could touch-type the HP-41 without looking, just like I was using a ten-key, but for all of the keys including shifted functions (BTW, I started with a CV, then sold it to buy a CX). I lost that ability long ago. IMHO, HP's best keyboard was on the 41 series. I used the 42S (another good keyboard) for about 29 years before I retired it in favor of the SwissMicros DM42. The DM42 keyboard is not as good as the 42S, but it's good enough. On the other hand, the screen, the extra memory, the faster speed, etc. all make it a much better machine for me.
 
Did anyone purchase one of these re-released models? I bought one in 2023 (14 months ago) and the keyboard is already failing. I noticed that some keystrokes were not consistently registering. ...

Does that mean you push the button, hear and feel the click, but the number didn't go in?

I bought two HP-35s and they both did that. Worked great for a little while and then that started. Probably about 10% of keystrokes would not go in. I had to watch the screen the whole time. No good.

I swear it's like HP's calculator group must want to commit suicide with crap like this.

After the second one, I bought two HP-32s off eBay. About $100 each iirc. I've been using one of them for the better part of a decade, with zero issues. The second waits in reserve.
 

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