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Here are my investigations and experience with using the HP41C and exciting developments done by some very dedicated enthusiasts of the HP41 series, hope you find this interesting and gives you other options in using and extending this great calculator. The HP41C, CV & CX are good solid calculators with decent programming capabilities, the previous reviewer is right about the fixing posts that tend to shear when dropped or if opened quite a few times. The posts can be repaired see hp41.org site. The card reader is OK, but the rubber grommets that push the program strips through to read/write tend to break down and gum up the drive mechanism. Also eats batteries up at a fast rate. A modern alternative is the PILLBOX which will save/load programs from your computer via a serial USB cable which is a much better reliable way of saving/loading programs. Also text editors are easier to write or amend the programs. The pillbox site is http://www.jeffcalc.hp41.eu/hpil/ You can contact Jeff Garnier email jeffcalc@wanadoo.fr, I have the PILLBOX and it works very well. Note this can be used with the HP71B as well and the latest version transfers at 25% faster speed. The HP41CL developed by Monte Dalrymple Another modern alternative to the HP41 is a replacement board with modern CPU and memory which can run up to 50 times faster and the speed the CPU runs at is programmable. The other big advantage is that you can save many programs directly to the on board memory, this memory is 100's of times larger than the original. Also the other advantage is that there are 70 plus rom images which covers just about every rom type ever produced for the HP41. So you don't have to pay a fortune to buy all the commercial ROM programs (when new ROM images are found they can be added to the main memory, you get all the latest rom images). The board is an easy swap over replacement for the original board, this is not cheap at $200 but is a very high quality product developed for over 10 years and a lot cheaper than buying all the rom modules. This brings the HP41 to new heights of technology, an old calculator in sheep's clothing, this upgrade will not be disappoint. I have this new board in HP41C, although CV or CX can be used, check with Monte which ones work with the board. Very early or the half nut (latest version) may not work or you will have to contact Monte for different display drivers etc to be added to the system. Monte's site is http://www.systemyde.com/hp41/ Another clone for the HP41 is the clonix which I believe allows the rom images to be used similar to Monte's replacement board, not sure exactly it does but here is the site http://www.clonix41.org/ Another useful site with lots of programs and technical details about the HP41 and also articles how to restore and repair the HP41. You can buy a DVD with all the technical manuals, many 100's of programs, application manuals, etc for a very reasonable cost (at $40 is very good value) and this helps keep the site running. The site is http://www.hp41.org/Intro.cfm I hope this article is of use to let you know where the main resources for the HP41 are and what else is available to extend the life of a humble programming calculator. My 1st programable calculator was the Casio FX502p which I bought about in 1978. Then I bought my 2nd the HP41C in the beginning of the 80's when it came out and I have written many scientific and engineering programs with it, both are still going strong today :-)Read full review
The HP-41C Calculator, although over 33 years old, is still quite popular with technical people. A quantum leap in calculator technology in 1979, it was not challenged until 1987, when the first early graphing calculators were introduced. So capable that Hewlett Packard called them handheld computer systems. One of the longest produced line of calculators, Hewlett Packard manufactured the HP-41CV and HP-41CX for over 11 years, until late 1990. As any HP-41Cs for sale will now be over 25 yeears old, it is important to have information on some key things before purchasing one. Battery corrosion: A very common problem, when the alkalines are left too long in the calculator and corrode the battery contacts, and in severe instances, the electronics inside. Case integrity (broken posts): The screws that hold the calculator together are inserted into plastic that tends to crack and break if the calculator is dropped. This causes the the two case halves to separate slightly, causing the calculator to work intermittently, or not at all. Display cleanliness: Dirty environments can enter the calculator case and stick to the display glass inside the calculator. It is impossible to clean the inside of the display without significantly dissassembling the device. Missing Covers: HP-41Cs were supplied with a battery holder, four I/O port covers, and a side charger port cover. Sticky or unreliable keys: Dirt, spilled liquids, or abuse can cause keys to become sticky or unreliable, significantly reducing the utility of the calculator. Be certain that all keys have been tested and work well with a firm click.Read full review
The HP-41 series (HP-41C/CV/CX) hand-held calculators first appeared in 1979, and were last produced more than 20 years ago. In many ways they have been superceded by more "powerful" hand-held calculators (TI, Casio, and other HP devices),including those with graphic capabilities. You can't find them new in stores anymore, so if you, as I did recently, want to get one, you have to find it elsewhere, like on e-Bay. That's exactly what I did when I was looking for a 41 to replace my ailing HP41CV that I got in college in 1983. One might wonder why I would want to get another HP-41 rather than just buying a newer device. The reason is that despite its being long-in-the-tooth, the 41 is a solid performer. It is very easy to program, and it came with a whole lot of peripheral devices (application modules, card reader, printer, and optical barcode wand) that really make it a useful calculator. The 41 user interface, specifically the keyboard, is ergonomically outstanding. Latter HP calculators lost this "keyboard feel" after they discontinued the HP-48GX in the late 1990's. The HP 41 and the HP 48, were, IMHO, the best hand-held calculators. As regards the HP 41's, they went new for around $200-275, depending on the model. The then-current prices for the various peripherals and modules can be found on the internet. I have purchased excellent examples of these on e-Bay for much less than their original list price. As with any used electronic equipment, you need to know what you are buying. HP 41 equipment is no longer produced or supported by HP, but there is plenty of it still out there on the used market. I don't think it is so rare that I would be willing to pay much more than the original "list price" for any of it, but you may feel differently. You should understand that this equipment is "old" and subject to common age-related "problems." The calculators are particularly subject to battery compartment corrosion and problems with loosening of the internal pressure contacts between the keyboard and the CPU board. The card reader is susceptible to the "Gummy Wheel" problem and so is the printer.Read full review
A certain level of skill is required to take the card reader apart and re-assemble it, in particular the tendency of push-on wires to come adrift. If you carefully document which wire color comes from where the wires can be easily plugged back in place. Any glue-like old traction wheel (gummy wheel) substance must be completely removed before installing the two 'O' rings that replace the one original wheel. The kit itself comes with plenty of spares (you only need two per card reader) and very good instructions, so you only need a small amount of crazy glue and a tooth pick to install it EXACTLY where and how the instructions say to, and the new traction wheel should work fine. Take photos of the assembly - or rather, dis-assembly - and pay particular attention to how the small springs and guides fit into the card guide slot: you are bound to regret it if you don't! It's a good kit at a very reasonable price, and delivery was excellent. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes
This product is exactly what you need if you want to show how you're solving a complex problem using the HP-41 - for example in a video presentation. Far better than showing pieces of scanned printout, you can show the steps involved as they are performed, explaining clearly both the HP-41 and the procedure you are using. The output from this product can be recorded and incorporated into your video with the same ease as a clip from your video camera.
Verified purchase: Yes