Brinlock 806

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Calculators: Handheld: Brinlock 806

	Size (approx):	75mm x 135mm x 23mm (w x h x d) Weight 102g not including batteries.
	Power:	3.0V DC using 2 x AA size batteries. It accepts an adapter (DC 3V) through a socket on the top side to the far right.
	Case:	The two-piece matt black plastic case is slightly raised at the top to accommodate the batteries and tilt the display. A black printed metallic sticker sits in its own recess above the display with the brand and model number. The flush green display filter gives a clean right image. The orange and brown keys are short travel with a loud click and work well enough.
	Display:	8 digit green VFD with a ninth for negative, memory and overflow indicators.
	Features:	Standard four functions with percentages, square root and four-function memory.
	Age:	1980
	Manufacturer:	Unknown, made in Hong Kong. Serial number 023840
	Comments:	Cheap but reasonably well made calculator from this little known brand. The logic is sound with only negative square roots letting it down. Typical orange 1970s colour scheme grows on you but clashes with the green display. A very late VFD calculator with a surprisingly large amount of components.

Components:	1 x cpu: Texas TMS1044NL MT 8018 (week 18 of 1980), 28 pin DIL, 0.6" width 1 x 9 digit VFD, flat front glass encapsulated: Futaba date code 8K 2 x transistors 4 x diodes 4 x capacitors 4 x resistors 1 x transformer
Boards:	The main cpu board sits on top of the keyboard assembly and is held in place by plastic lugs. The boards are joined by a 22-way block of wires.
Construction:	Extremely difficult to open as the rear section is held on by three lugs either side and one at the top and bottom. Careful prizing off will eventually result in the rear section lifting off. Be very careful as damage can easily result - if in doubt do not do it.

Logic comments:	The (C/CE) key is used to clear the last number entered whilst a second press clears the whole calculator.
	Input overflow is suppressed, inputting a ninth digit is ignored
	There is automatic constant on all four functions
	Negative numbers are shown with a "-" in the far left (ninth) digit thereby allowing full eight digit negative numbers
	Divide by zero shows zero and “C” in the far left (ninth) digit and is recoverable using (C/CE)
	Overflow shows the result and “C” (or “E” if negative) in the far left (ninth) digit and is recoverable using (C/CE)
	Negative square roots are allowed and result in a negative number
	Memory store is indicated by an upper “n” in the far left (ninth) digit

	The scan on the left shows the box which measures approx. 80mm x 135mm and is 28 mm deep, which is barely bigger than the calculator - so not much else went in. I do not think there was a cover as my box contains what looks like an original bubble-wrap pouch. The orange, black and grey design looks awfully like the Satek 8M box . A late generic calculator that can be seen at Satek 8M. There is a very basic manual which is too poor (and too pointless) to scan1 which consists of a four printed page, black and white manual, measuring approx. 65mm by 130mm.		This scan shows the inside of the calculator with the back removed. A large padded sticker obscured the id number of the display near the top. Most of the circuitry appears to be based around the voltage converter needed to drive the VFD. Also note the few extra holes which means this board was likely used for other models.