Opinions wanted: HP 16c programmers calculator

[frozenfrogz]

Dear forum,

I desperately need some opinion on this!
For years I have been looking at the good old HP 16c calculator. There is something about these things I can not really explain, but it pushes my buttons and I WANT one.
As you can imagine, they are not exactly affordable - what is the main reason I did not just buy one when available.



So please let me know what you think: What would be a reasonable price to pay? Are these still useful in the field? Any pros / cons to keep into account?
And in case you just want to share your appreciation or disgust for them, own one yourself and want to share a picture or story: Please! Go ahead

Regards,
Frederik

[nugglix]

Do you know https://www.swissmicros.com/ ?

Not that expensive.
I got a DM41L

[Fgrir]

My 15C has been by my side for 30 years (my god I am old), and still gets used almost daily.  I don't know how it happens, but once you learn to use one of these it seems to re-shape your brain in a way that is irreversible.  A 16C sure would look nice next to it when I am programming 

If this one ever stopped working I'd probably cry for a while, but then I think the SwissMicros would be where I would look for a replacement.

[Gyro]

I bought one when they first came out, to replace my aging TI Programmer. I sold it after a couple of years because I really wasn't using it.

Things I liked:

- It was pretty.


Things that bugged me:

- Hex on 7 segment display, surely they could have done better for the price (16 seg or 5x7)
- Key clicks a bit too stiff for the small size (presumably the same as the rest of that range).
- The brushed Aluminium facia scratched easily.

I seem to remember a problem with the batteries going flat, I can't remember what size and type of button cells they used.

(It clearly didn't manage to re-shape my brain )


EDIT: These days I use NEOCAL on my old Palm TX (now I really will be sad when that dies!). It does RPN and displays 4 levels of stack. I think there are free and paid versions available for Android too.

[bsudbrink]

I keep thinking about treating myself to one on ebay, but I can never quite bring myself to press the bid button.  If I happened upon one at a yard or estate sale, I'd probably snap it up.  I loved them when I could borrow one in college, but finally got a Casio CM-100 because they went on sale at the campus book store.

[eugenenine]

Just get the 48sx

[0xdeadbeef]

Somehow this forum pushed me into wanting a 16C too. Searched ebay for quite some time, finally got one in good condition from the US.
But admittedly, I never really used it since then Now it sits in the shelf next to a Casio CM-100 I bought in "new old stock" condition
This forum really had a bad influence on me...

Side note: there is a free Android app that simulates it.
Side note 2: for a programmer, it's much more convenient to use a console based calculator or write your own.

[bsudbrink]

Somehow this forum pushed me into wanting a 16C too. Searched ebay for quite some time, finally got one in good condition from the US.

And you probably dropped about what one of those Keysight u1252b meters are going for.  That's what really has my mouse hovering over the "Buy It Now" button.

[0xdeadbeef]

I kinda suppressed what I paid for it. Just looked it up: $161,50 
And this was already more than two years ago.

[rbm]

I have owned one of these since the 1980's and still love it.  RPN rocks.

If you can't justify the real thing but want the next best, why not use the Windows emulation of HP 16C calculator?  Much cheaper than the real thing. 

[frozenfrogz]

Thank you all for your replies

Do you know https://www.swissmicros.com/ ?

Not that expensive.
I got a DM41L

Yes, I know about these, but from the photos I have seen, I do not like the typeset on them at all and something seems a little off for my taste. it might have something to do with knowing that it is »just« a remake.
I already own a HP 49g+ which runs RPN if you like and can do everything I need (and more I guess), but it simply does not »flip my switches«. I am absolutely not attached to this one and would not be grieving over it if lost or stolen. -> regarding eugenenine's recommendation

As no one came up with any real cons so far, hunting for a 16c it is then! I will be spreading my sensory array to find one in working condition for a /reasonable/ price, without pushing it to much.

Will keep you posted, if you like

[artag]

Emulation just doesn't do it. It's a way to check you can handle the logic, but half the pleasure of owning an older HP calculator is the buttons. You just can't beat those buttons.

The 16C is actually the first HP calculator I bought (new, in about 1985). Plenty more since  - all secondhand, except for a couple of NIB 32SII I swapped from some '35s - but although the 32SII is probably the one I use the most, I still like the 10C series the best, and the 16C and 15C are best of the bunch.

Get it.

[eugenenine]

I want to find someone with a higher end 3d printer and see if we can't print an HP keypad.

[Rick Law]

...
I bought one when they first came out
...
I seem to remember a problem with the batteries going flat
...
(It clearly didn't manage to re-shape my brain )
...

Your batteries must be bad.  I am using my HP16C about every other day and last time I put in a set of batteries was at least 17+ years ago and probably 20+ years ago.  My usage is light, but a set of batteries lasting that long is amazing.

The [4] key is getting a little soft and doesn't click the same as other keys, but all else are working perfect.

[Gyro]

Your batteries must be bad

I couldn't honestly say now, just a distant memory - It must be getting on for 30 years since I sold mine.

[frozenfrogz]

You guys convinced me to drop some money on an ancient calculator!
As luck would have it, there was an interesting offer on one of the small ads I just could not turn down.

If nothing unforeseen happens, I will own it by next week 

[eugenenine]

Where did you find one in an ad, I don't seem them much unless I look on ebay.

[frozenfrogz]

It was listed on a local platform here in Germany. Actually it was the only one listed in quite some time (as you mentioned they pop up on eBay from time to time, but would-be-prices are absolute bonkers).

15c are much more common, but these also go for pretty unreasonable prices (±200€)

I saw that amazon.com has a lot of the 15c limited edition (2011 re-release) listed from 200$ up to 700$ – you need to be a hardcore fan for that I guess.
Just for reference: The still available 12c (platinum) is priced at @ 80€ retail. I know, it is in a totally different field of use, but regarding manufacturing cost the 10c line should be all more or less the same.

[eugenenine]

I watch our local criagslist for any hp calculators but they are pretty rare.  I watch for tektronix and have picked up a couple scopes for $40 and 50.  I watch for fluke some but there are all kinds of those and they are all beat up.  Found one Amiga last summer.

[tooki]

Do you know https://www.swissmicros.com/ ?

Not that expensive.
I got a DM41L

It makes me super sad that they used Arial on the keys instead of Helvetica.

[frozenfrogz]

There are a lot of things wrong with the typography used on the Swissmicros IMO. Also: No slope on the keys.
In total, these machines just don't cut it for me, even as a »citation«.

[frozenfrogz]

Good news everyone!

Today I got my newly acquired 16c!
From the serial Number it was made somewhere around March 5. – 11. 1984, born in the U.S.A.

Condition is decent for its age, just some minor scratches and dings.

Here are some quick snapshots.

Guess who’s excited 

Edit: It came with the original sheath in OK condition, but I will most likely just sew a new one from some soft leather.

[zombiehunter]

Sorry for digging up this old post, But I have a HP 16C that I'm looking at selling,  the S/N 2517A08108,  it is in pristine condition with case  any suggestions what to ask for it

Please delete if I'm not allowed to ask this question

[eugenenine]

you can try over here too http://www.hpmuseum.org/forum/

[zombiehunter]

Thank you for your reply