You might recall (or not) that I wrote some software for a Binary, Decimal and Hexadecimal calculator back in 2018 (I can't believe it was that long ago!). I still use mine regularly and have been mulling over how I could re-write the software and possibly add a few more functions.
What I really wanted was an HP-16C Programmer's (and programmable) calculator. The 16C rarely appears on auction sites and any that do tend to fetch a lot of money. I considered a Swiss Micro 'replica' although they too are far from cheap.
All is not lost though. An enterprising fellow has designed an emulator which uses an ATMega and LCD mounted on a PCB with a similar footprint and layout to the original. Operationally, it work nearly identically to the originalHP 16C. It is available for order on Tindie by HobbyStone and costs (as a kit you have to solder) close to £55 once the postage and exchange rates have been factored in. I ordered one a week or two back and it was delivered to me yesterday and I now have my own HP-16C. It is sold as an HP-15C, with an option for a PCB layout and software for the HP-16C.
I'm really pleased with how it looks and works although being new to Reverse Polish Notation, it is taking me a while to get my head round how it works!
Does anyone have a printed version of the manual or some other printed documentation for the HP-16C that they are willing to sell me? Overall condition isn't desperately important, a few pages missing wouldn't matter as I have the PDF manual to refer to, it's just that books on the computer make much less sense than the same book on paper! If I can't buy a copy of the book, I may see if I can have it printed from the PDF.
I've just looked now and I have ordered an A5 print of the PDF, spiral bound for only £8.53 including delivery. Looking at how much an original book sells for at auction, that seemed like a bargain.
As I say, reading it on the screen isn't the same as reading it on paper. It just doesn't register in my brain in the same way.
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I have every HP Calculator Document ever published - ON CD - So not much help.
But I do love the HP16C - Programmers Calculator and I use it whenever I am coding and need to test my Math in HEX etc.
Lately though I have mainly used an HP42 emulation (Free42) on my PC Desktop and a not HP RPN calculator that has the best features of all the HP flagship calculators, including the functionality of the HP16C, called RPN9 on my Android devices.
For anyone who wants a 16C emulation I highly recommend JRPN16c for Android, it is worth dedicating an old phone or tablet to.
If you need any documentation in PDF try the HP Museum online or shout out and I will send a PDF from the CD Collection - if I can find a CD-Rom Drive.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Thanks for the kind offer. I have a copy of the HP-16C manual on PDF, and I've ordered a 'hard copy' from it just now.
I use my Bin/Dec/Hex calculator ever so much for testing my sanity (especially with maths!) but I've always wanted an HP-16C. I've never wanted to pay the obscene amount they seem to go for! This is a lovely little bit of hardware, I would highly recommend it.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
p.s. Don't be intimidated by RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) once you get the hang of it you will find it frustrating to go back to using an Algebraic calculator as RPN is so logical.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
You might recall (or not) that I wrote some software for a Binary, Decimal and Hexadecimal calculator back in 2018 (I can't believe it was that long ago!). I still use mine regularly and have been mulling over how I could re-write the software and possibly add a few more functions.
What I really wanted was an HP-16C Programmer's (and programmable) calculator. The 16C rarely appears on auction sites and any that do tend to fetch a lot of money. I considered a Swiss Micro 'replica' although they too are far from cheap.
All is not lost though. An enterprising fellow has designed an emulator which uses an ATMega and LCD mounted on a PCB with a similar footprint and layout to the original. Operationally, it work nearly identically to the originalHP 16C. It is available for order on Tindie by HobbyStone and costs (as a kit you have to solder) close to £55 once the postage and exchange rates have been factored in. I ordered one a week or two back and it was delivered to me yesterday and I now have my own HP-16C. It is sold as an HP-15C, with an option for a PCB layout and software for the HP-16C.
I'm really pleased with how it looks and works although being new to Reverse Polish Notation, it is taking me a while to get my head round how it works!
Does anyone have a printed version of the manual or some other printed documentation for the HP-16C that they are willing to sell me? Overall condition isn't desperately important, a few pages missing wouldn't matter as I have the PDF manual to refer to, it's just that books on the computer make much less sense than the same book on paper! If I can't buy a copy of the book, I may see if I can have it printed from the PDF.
Last edit: mkstevo 2021-09-15
https://www.scss.tcd.ie/SCSSTreasuresCatalog/hardware/TCD-SCSS-T.20160121.004/HP16C-OwnersHandbook.pdf
Is that it?
That is the PDF I've got, yes.
I've just looked now and I have ordered an A5 print of the PDF, spiral bound for only £8.53 including delivery. Looking at how much an original book sells for at auction, that seemed like a bargain.
As I say, reading it on the screen isn't the same as reading it on paper. It just doesn't register in my brain in the same way.
I have every HP Calculator Document ever published - ON CD - So not much help.
But I do love the HP16C - Programmers Calculator and I use it whenever I am coding and need to test my Math in HEX etc.
Lately though I have mainly used an HP42 emulation (Free42) on my PC Desktop and a not HP RPN calculator that has the best features of all the HP flagship calculators, including the functionality of the HP16C, called RPN9 on my Android devices.
For anyone who wants a 16C emulation I highly recommend JRPN16c for Android, it is worth dedicating an old phone or tablet to.
If you need any documentation in PDF try the HP Museum online or shout out and I will send a PDF from the CD Collection - if I can find a CD-Rom Drive.
Thanks for the kind offer. I have a copy of the HP-16C manual on PDF, and I've ordered a 'hard copy' from it just now.
I use my Bin/Dec/Hex calculator ever so much for testing my sanity (especially with maths!) but I've always wanted an HP-16C. I've never wanted to pay the obscene amount they seem to go for! This is a lovely little bit of hardware, I would highly recommend it.
p.s. Don't be intimidated by RPN (Reverse Polish Notation) once you get the hang of it you will find it frustrating to go back to using an Algebraic calculator as RPN is so logical.
I'm not sure about that yet! But once the 'book' arrives maybe I will.