Review of the DM42 Scientific Calculator
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- Опубликовано: 20 дек 2017
- Note: User Ian Abbott points out that there is actually no charging circuit, it does take a standard CR2032 battery. What I thought was recharging was probably the battery recovering after having been under a load.
There will be a lot of duplicate information between this video and the comparison to the HP 42s but I wanted to do one specifically focused more on reviewing than features. I'm still getting the hang of this whole video thing so please bear with my rambling and lack of focus :)
Thanks for your review, Logan. I was made aware of the SM calculators by a new friend in KC a couple of weeks ago. He showed me the 41L and the 15L (along with a number of other toys). When Michael announced that the DM42S was now available once again, I jumped on it and ordered one. It will be awhile before it arrives (along with a DM41L), but I'm looking forward to playing with it.
My current go-to calculator is a restored HP-41CX that I just acquired. I love that form factor. It is replacing an HP-11C that I was using as a carry calculator (for travel and meetings and such), but the latter's programming capabilities are limited and I sometimes need to do a bit more. For simple calculations, I prefer a hand calculator to launching a numerical model or spreadsheet on the computer.
I have an HP-48GX (that I bought new many years ago) that is very capable, but I don't like to carry it with me because it's BIG. It's a wonderful machine that can do some amazing things (but I hate the syntax of the INFORM command).
I had started to think that hand calculators were something of an anachronism with the focus of computation on desktop computers. But I still find myself picking up these handy little machines and using them when I'm noodling on a problem or just need to do some simple arithmetic. Surprisingly, the HP-48GX is still used whenever I need to do a more complex computation, but something that doesn't need a numerical model. Therefore, I don't think professional use of hand calculators is going to end. It's just a pity that HP doesn't get this and that their development of calculators is greatly reduced.
Anyway, thanks for your take on the DM42S. I enjoyed it.
I agree David, I use MATLAB or Excel for most projects of course, but if someone asks me what radar line of sight is for a specific tower, I immediately grab my 42 and use a short program I wrote for that purpose. Or finding what some power increase is in dB, or any number of things. It's a niche tool but still very useful for the practicing engineer.
The emulator app just isn’t the same, as the HP keyboard click. Cheers!
thanks! does it have the graphing capabilities (or better) than those of the 42s ??
How price this calculator MD 42 Scientififc Calculators? Thank you.
Loooong time 42S user here, and, as much as I love the original, this looks absolutely awesome. It gives the 42S pretty much everything it was ever missing. I want one badly.
Ha, my original 42s is sitting sad and neglected in the drawer, while I use this daily at work. It's fantastic and with the source being released in the very near future, I look forward to more improvements and capability from the community.
What is your opinion about an infinite stack? I know the 28's had this and I always thought it was cool though I never had a 28 myself.
I have mixed feelings, I've used it on the 50g. On the one hand I think it's nice to have the record. In practice, I rarely, if ever, find myself needing more than four levels (unless I just want a history of various calculations). And then again, I often find myself using the replication of the T value to be a nice feature. Maybe a toggle in the settings could be done!
@@strykersimpson I have a HP-28S and a Prime, both of which have infinite stack. Infinite stack is great. I had an older HP-28C in which the infinite stack could run out. When I sum up a list of numbers I would push all numbers on the stack before I do repeated add operations.
thank you. I received my dm42 but I can't open it until christmas :( your video helps me for the waiting :)
Olivier Lécluse I guess Christmas day will be highly anticipated then!
It's really pity that in Russia the only close analog MK-161 has only serial port (plus limited parallel one) and
an uncomfortable keyboard. (but it can be used to handle external devices including analog signals; it's for chem. lab equipment primarily and for device testing). Plus I've heard the vendor decided to encrypt the firmware 1 or 2 years ago.
Logan can you tell me if the DM42's solver behaves the same way as the HP35s when you want to input an equation and solve for any variable in the equation? (I may not want to wait for my chance to buy a DM42 and may go ahead and purchase an HP35s this week, and wait for another year before purchasing the Swiss Micros).
/Thanks in advance.
If I understand you correctly, yes. You put in multiple variables and when you use the solver, a menu pops up with each of the variables. Say you have three variables: you store values into any two of those variables and press the third one to solve for it.
ruclips.net/video/p-A31vAeVrQ/видео.html
Oh, I see, perhaps not. HP42 uses the M variable.
I was hoping the DM42 had a solver that could implement solving for unknown variables like the HP35s: D = Vt + 1/2gt^2 --see here: ruclips.net/video/Ed2rt8fqX5s/видео.html
For various reasons I wanted to be able to see my equation on the LCD screen.
/Thanks in advance
Correct, with the 42s (and DM42) you enter your equation as an RPN program. The 35s has algebraic entry, which is nice but slower. I suspect that eventually someone will modify the firmware on the DM42 to be able to do some kind of algebraic entry, because I like that in many ways too, but the 42s way is nice also.
How does this compare to the WP-34s?
Well, I do have a WP-34s (still need time to do some videos) but it's really difficult to compare the two since they are so different. The WP-34s is closer to the lower-end scientific calculators in style, but with lots more functionality. I personally find all the menus and shift keys cumbersome but it does have a lot to offer. One of the biggest drawbacks is you only get the one line of the stack, and no soft keys so your programs are limited stylistically. But I would say all the functionality of the WP-34s can be implemented cleaner on the 42s if you take the time to create the program (conversions for example). If you want to compare the two yourself, there are apps for both Free42 and WP-34s you can play around with for free.
Just curious if anyone has any thoughts of this calculator versus the TI-92 Plus? I have the TI calculator and I am considering the DM42. I am familiar with RPN so that isn't going to be a concern.
I’m not sure there is a meaningful comparison. They are very different for different purposes.
Kind of a random comparison, but I own both, so here goes (off of the top of my head). I really like both the TI-92 (Plus or original, they are both great) and the DM42.
The quality is great on the 92, and it's pretty darn big. :) It kinda looks like TI decided to put to rest those pesky "Pocket Computers" from Japan (of which I own several).
The 42 is slim, solid, and has a high quality feel.
The 42 is hackable, the 92 not so much.
The 92 is a graphing calculator, the DM42 currently isn't (but with new firmware this could change).
The 92 is based on the Motorola 68000 (the non-plus version has a socket for memory expansion).
The 92 has a very good display, the 42 has a great one.
I'm happy with the keys on either, but I like the firmness of the 42 better. But given the age of the 92 it could just be the difference of the years.
Engineers review, very nice. Thanks a lot👍
Hi Logan, I received mine in January and realize that there have been several firmware updates. As a favor, can you do a video for firmware updates? My version is 3.1.
That's a good idea, I need to update my second DM42 anyway. Give me a bit, currently busy with work.
Should be up here now:
ruclips.net/video/SKT9tuHzV3E/видео.html
Key presses work very well for me.
How does one change decimal point to comma (and vice versa) ?
Metalmork Mörkmetal Orange and then DISP. F5 and F6 will then change the radix to comma or period.
Logan West Fantastic! Thank you
They should do the hp50g too
How do you show the many digits of it's SUPER HIGH PRECISION?
Shift + show.
is it possible to change the fonts on this calculator? maybe more classic seven segment style font
Sort of. Doing Shift+ f5 gives you the old-style 42s font, but that and the default are the only two you can switch between. However, the firmware should be released open-source eventually and then you might see people adding in other fonts.
thank you for your quick answer
well if you are sure the shift+f5 thing then "the old-style 42s font" is more than enough for me.
at least the screen won't look as modern as it is now (yeah i am very retro-style about my gadgets) i cannot stand the modern look of today's calculators and i just cannot find a brand new HP48g/s on any eBay website in the whole globe
Just threw up a demo video for you:
ruclips.net/video/RuC_FAXfqKY/видео.html
thank you for the video.
but can these font configurations be saved as the default settings or i 'll have to reconfigure font face each time the dm42 is powered on?
Every time you power it on it will be just like you last left it. You can also save states and offload those on USB. For example, I have two of these calculators and if I get on set up just the way I like, with certain programs, settings, number formats, etc. I can save that state, transfer it to a computer, and then transfer that file to the other calculator and now both are set up exactly the same. I use states primarily so I can set the calculator up for say, a financial application with applicable programs, and then set up another state for a specific radar system I work on with programs only applicable to it. You can set it up any way you like and always come back to any of those setups. But powering off and powering on doesn't change any settings or states.
what do you think about the keyboard quality?
i have heard a lot of complains about them
It's definitely stiffer than any other calculator I've used, but I have to admit I've gotten used to it (or perhaps it's loosening up). I used to get what seemed like multiple presses, but I think in retrospect it was me not pressing the key hard enough. I don't know, if I could change one thing about the hardware design I would probably make the keyboard less stiff but that's honestly a minor complaint. I use it daily in preference to any others, including my old HP 42s.
i am aware of the stiffness thing. stiffness by itself is not a problem for me. i am just concerned about the built quality of the keyboard; does it have a cheap feeling to it ? are keys flimsy ? do the keys break or malfunction quickly ? as in the terrible hp 35S
Oh no, not at all. It's an extremely solid and well-built calculator. I've heard absolutely no complaints about that on the HP forum, where are you hearing this? I had 35s and it doesn't even come close to the quality of this keyboard.
thank you for the answer
actually i don't remember whether it was a RUclips or some forum where i heard some complains
anyway thanks for clearing that up.
And one other thing... (just got mine)... ANY keyboard is better (to me) than trying to use a touch screen 42S app :) :)
Charge a CR2032???? I think you are confused. External power just speeds up the processor and is useful for loading programs/firmware.
Hey now, it had been rumored for a year before its release that it would be USB rechargeable, you can't see the battery label without taking the battery out, and I assumed it was a LR2032. I also have a correction right in the description.
ML2032 is the rechargeable version.
@@bazwright1962 There is also the LIR2032. All three are rechargeable.
im lost.. what are these calculators meant for? what industry?
The HP 42 was originally developed in the mid 80s for engineers of all types. This company (Swiss Micros) has made a clone of it with some upgraded features, such a USB saving and loading and a larger screen. It's primarily for people who love RPN calculators and yet want modern hardware.
Where can I buy it?
www.swissmicros.com/
*The Best Calculator hp 48 GX $ 199. 99 for Designing , Estimating and Land Survey in The world*
It sure would be cool if they made a 48g
I got DM42 just now!!
Nice! What are your impressions so far?
I don't think you can recharge the battery. It's just a regular CR2032 lithium coin cell.
Ian Abbott Now I'm second guessing it.
It is a CR2032 but I thought still rechargeable through USB (I've seen the battery bar and voltage level go up). Plus, if it's not then they made the battery a bit difficult to change!
I suppose it's possible that every time I've plugged it in coincided with a rise in temperature and consequent rise in voltage, but one of the calculators was at three bars and after plugging it in for an hour was up to four. Then again I pulled out the battery and it did say CR not LIR... I'll follow up on this.
The voltage recovers naturally when it's been "off" (really just drawing tens of microamps) for a while.
You can get rechargeable coin cells, e.g. ML2032, as you've probably already noted from reading the SwissMicros forum.
Also, it's not drawing current from the coin cell when powered via USB, so it has time to recover!
Ian Abbott right, I'm aware of that but I specifically did a test where the calculator had been off for many hours. It was at 2.87V. I plugged it in to USB for 15 minutes and when I unplugged it the result was it being at 2.93V. You are likely right and it may be that the firmware does a running average or something, so the lower voltage wasn't instantaneous but just based off a previously averaged value from when it was wrong. Thanks for correcting me on this.
put rubber in the end of the screw driver not to scratch calculator or use wood pencil
I don't understand. When did you think there was a possibility of scratching the calculator?
Use the equation solver; post that and other calculations, matrix, vectors, complex numbers so I can decide whether to buy one.
The fundamental operation is the same as the HP 42, and I have separate videos on all those features you ask about. This video was just to highlight the changes.
But wouldn't complex numbers (and matrices) be far easier to manipulate on the DM42, or is there no difference at all?
No difference in matrices (still shows two lines) and only difference with complex numbers is being able to see all levels of the stack simultaneously. Now, the firmware is a public license which means they will be releasing it at some point and I would expect the calculator community to come up with some nice new features, perhaps a more table-based input for the matrix and options on entering complex numbers. That hasn't happened yet but I have no doubt it's coming. There's already a long list of feature requests but this initial version was just to get the base 42 out the door.
Thanks for that info!
9:29 WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!! You missed the circled "A" and 2 "B's"
Supposed to disconnect ribbon "A" before removing the 2 "B" screws !!!
Uh...obviously.
i think a ti nsprire is a better calculater
Learn how to spell "calculator" correctly, then tell us what you think.
I think you’re gay