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Calculators: Handheld: Detson E406
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Size (approx): | 90mm x 142mm x 30mm (max) (w,h,d) Weight 152g excluding batteries |
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Power: |
6V with 4 x AA size batteries. It accepts an adapter (6V DC, 300mW series 255A) through a socket on top side to the far right. A rear label states "Caution: the batteries supplied with this unit are not rechargeable. To avoid possible damage to unit, these batteries must be removed when using an AC adapter." | ||
| Case: | Constructed from a two piece smooth beige plastic case with a darker beige keyboard surround. A tilted but flat neutral plastic display filter has a rounded escutcheon moulded as part of the case. Below this is the brand name printed in black text, whilst the power switch is labelled in white text. The keys are squishy but positive in subtle colours. It has a handy brief instruction panel on the back. | ||
| Display: | 8 digit blue VFD with a ninth digit for minus indication | ||
| Features: | 4 function calculator with percentages, change sign and register exchange | ||
| Age: | 1976 | ||
| Manufacturer: | Detson, made in Japan, serial number 6A-148584 | ||
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Comments:
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How lovely, looks like something out of Blake's Seven - stunning. Original cover is soft black plastic with flip over and tuck in top. Reasonably sound logic with good recovery and only let down by the pseudo fixed decimal bug. This is probably a re-branded Lloyd's calculator and one of a range of Detson calculators. |
| Components: | 1 x CPU: Rockwell A5911PA 7541
(week 41 of 1975), 42 pin staggered DIL, 0.6" width black plastic with
metal cap 1 x 9 digit VFD: single tube flat face: Futaba 9-ST-08A 5K (October 1975) 2 x transistors 2 x diode 4 x capacitors 4 x resistors 2 x resistor arrays 1 x transformer: DCT-04B TDK Japan |
| Boards: | The keyboard assembly (E303 E406 5911 GK319-3.4 GICO Japan K1) (sticker 51.1.28 O-3 which is the 28 January 1976), sits loose on top of the main cpu board and is connected via 14 strong copper wires (only 12 of which look to be connected). |
| Construction: | Very difficult to open as it is held together by internal lugs only and the case is very stiff. I would not advise opening it as damage can easily result. The best was I found was to prize apart the sides by pushing in the rear section. When wedged open with some wooden coffee stirrers, you can then pop the bottom edge by again pushing n the rear section. |
| Logic comments: | The (C/CE) is used to clear last entry of a number and a second press to clear the whole calculator. |
| Overflow on number input is suppressed, typing in a ninth digit is ignored | |
| There is automatic constant on all functions | |
| An overflow error is flagged with the result and all eight decimal points alight, and is recoverable using the (C/CE) key | |
| Divide by zero results in a "0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0." and is recoverable using the (C/CE) key | |
| Negative numbers are shown with a "-" to the immediate left of a number travelling into the far left (ninth) digit thereby allowing full eight digit negative numbers | |
| The change sign key will operate on mid entry of a number | |
| The X-Y register exchange reverses the order of the last register with the displayed number; i.e. (1)(0)(/)(2)(X-y)(=) gives "0.2" instead of five | |
| It suffers the pseudo fixed decimal bug: key in (1)(+)(.)(0)(0)(0)=) to give "1.000" which remains a three digit fixed decimal number until more digits are needed or you use multiple/divide. |
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With the front
removed you can see how the keyboard assembly sits on top of the battery
compartment and main cpu board. Most of the components are obscured
but you can see the two resistor arrays and the top of the Rockwell IC.
This format, with the GICO keyboard is very similar to Lloyd's/Lloytron models as well as ones from Decimo. |
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