Post by Alex Liggett on May 19, 2015 9:24:05 GMT
Hewlett Packard's Voyager series of programmable calculators, and in particular the HP-11C and HP-15C have enjoyed an enduring popularity amongst the surveying fraternity in NZ. Their popularity at least in part is down to their virtual indestructibility, with many having survived in daily use into the present day, despite manufacture having ceased in 1989. For youngsters like me there wasn't an opportunity to get one's greasy mitts on one until HP re-released the HP-15C in a limited production run in 2011, however this was a brief window indeed. Today, a boxed HP-15C Limited Edition will cost you between $650 and $1000 USD, which is taking the proverbial when you consider what you can get in a smartphone for that kind of money.
For die hard fans, or for those whose 11C didn't quite see out their career, there may be another way. Since 2012 SwissMicros GmbH in Zurich have been producing credit card sized Voyager clones. Out of curiosity more than real need, I picked up a DM-15, to see what this 15C mini-me could do.
SwissMicros' range (www.swissmicros.com) include clones of the 10C, 11C, 12C, 15C, 16C and 41CX, of which only the 15C is of real interest to the NZ surveyor (seriously now, how can anyone live with the 11C's epic shortage of memory registers). Units are ordered via the website, and unlike the original are available in a range of colours. They also offer flip cases as well as pouches similar to those shipped with the original.
My DM-15 in blue anodized titanium housing, with a leather pouch shipped for $159.92 NZD, and it arrived within 3 working days. First impressions were that it is quite a nuggety little machine, and little is the operative word.
The whole is contained within the titanium housing, which has a hole for a micro USB lead, as well as holes in the back for the reset button and programming button. No doubt this means that it isn't waterproof, and more than likely not dust proof.
The innards are retained by a screw at each corner, and the 'back end' is a little bit ugly generally. It is worth noting at this juncture that this is very much a 'by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts' production, not a mass produced item.
The keypad is a plastic blister affair, and this has been the main source of criticsm. It is certainly small, and those with meaty paws will struggle. Some of the keys are rather hit and miss, which is frustrating when crunching lots of numbers. The plastic blisters are also a bit stiff and quite noisy, although I suspect this will improve with wear. The display offers three fonts, but two of these are hideous, and have already been banished from mine. The processor is switchable between 12MHz, a tortoise-like speed that will appeal to 11C afficianados, and 48MHz, which appears similar to the HP-15C LE. The latter setting may hose the battery, but will pay dividends in preserving my sanity.
I duly entered my standard HP-15C program which provides missing lines, bearing/bearing intersections, half-angles, zero-check reductions, coordinate joins and one or two other useful bits. Entering a 216 line programme is a PITA, and this where the DM-15 presents its first party piece. The programme can be backed up via the USB lead and PuTTY terminal software. The process was confusing for a tyro like me, but once mastered is simple enough. A handy by-product of the process is the ability to decode the programme via the Smissmicros website, to get a programme listing.
In use, the DM15 is much the same as the HP-15C, except for the need to take care over keystrokes. I wouldn't say that it is will become my regular number-cruncher, but it will be a handy thing to keep in the pocket of your overalls or fieldbag. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts, particulalrly the keypad. One thing is for sure - it is infinitely prefferable to the Android App, which is a story for another thread.
For die hard fans, or for those whose 11C didn't quite see out their career, there may be another way. Since 2012 SwissMicros GmbH in Zurich have been producing credit card sized Voyager clones. Out of curiosity more than real need, I picked up a DM-15, to see what this 15C mini-me could do.
SwissMicros' range (www.swissmicros.com) include clones of the 10C, 11C, 12C, 15C, 16C and 41CX, of which only the 15C is of real interest to the NZ surveyor (seriously now, how can anyone live with the 11C's epic shortage of memory registers). Units are ordered via the website, and unlike the original are available in a range of colours. They also offer flip cases as well as pouches similar to those shipped with the original.
My DM-15 in blue anodized titanium housing, with a leather pouch shipped for $159.92 NZD, and it arrived within 3 working days. First impressions were that it is quite a nuggety little machine, and little is the operative word.
The whole is contained within the titanium housing, which has a hole for a micro USB lead, as well as holes in the back for the reset button and programming button. No doubt this means that it isn't waterproof, and more than likely not dust proof.
The innards are retained by a screw at each corner, and the 'back end' is a little bit ugly generally. It is worth noting at this juncture that this is very much a 'by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts' production, not a mass produced item.
The keypad is a plastic blister affair, and this has been the main source of criticsm. It is certainly small, and those with meaty paws will struggle. Some of the keys are rather hit and miss, which is frustrating when crunching lots of numbers. The plastic blisters are also a bit stiff and quite noisy, although I suspect this will improve with wear. The display offers three fonts, but two of these are hideous, and have already been banished from mine. The processor is switchable between 12MHz, a tortoise-like speed that will appeal to 11C afficianados, and 48MHz, which appears similar to the HP-15C LE. The latter setting may hose the battery, but will pay dividends in preserving my sanity.
I duly entered my standard HP-15C program which provides missing lines, bearing/bearing intersections, half-angles, zero-check reductions, coordinate joins and one or two other useful bits. Entering a 216 line programme is a PITA, and this where the DM-15 presents its first party piece. The programme can be backed up via the USB lead and PuTTY terminal software. The process was confusing for a tyro like me, but once mastered is simple enough. A handy by-product of the process is the ability to decode the programme via the Smissmicros website, to get a programme listing.
In use, the DM15 is much the same as the HP-15C, except for the need to take care over keystrokes. I wouldn't say that it is will become my regular number-cruncher, but it will be a handy thing to keep in the pocket of your overalls or fieldbag. It will be interesting to see how long it lasts, particulalrly the keypad. One thing is for sure - it is infinitely prefferable to the Android App, which is a story for another thread.
