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Calculators: Handheld: Decimo Vatman (black keyboard)
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Size (approx): |
83mm
(max) x 132mm x 30mm (max)
(w,h,d) |
| Power: | 6.0V DC, 4 x AA size batteries, 0.3W. Also accepts adapter/charger (undefined) through a top side socket on the right. | ||
| Case: | Chunky two piece plastic case. Bottom is light grey and the top is matt black. Green display filter has painted logo and is flush with the case. The Decimo logo is printed metal inset panel. Keyboard surround is black unlike the more common brushed aluminium ones. The green plastic display filter has a printed white model name. Top is slightly tilted upwards, including the back, which causes the calculator to rock, especially with no batteries to weigh it down. The on/off switch is located on the top side, in the middle. | ||
| Display: | 8 digit green VFD display – with a ninth used for minus and error signs. | ||
| Features: | Basic four function with percentages | ||
| Age: | 1975 | ||
| Manufacturer: | Manufacturer: Decimo Electronic Handy Calculator. Made in Japan. Serial No. 501 52239 | ||
| Comments: | Classic calculator that has a quality feel in the hand. The logic is sound but lack of recovery is a nuisance and it suffers the negative zero bug. Imbalance on the desk is odd. Original black soft plastic case is top flap and front popper closing. For those non-UK viewers, VAT stands for Value Added Tax - the purchase tax system in the UK. Looks exactly the same as the Elite 3001. |
| Components: | 1 x cpu: Hitachi HD 3633 5B21
(date code 21 February 1975), 40 pin DIL 1 x 9 digit single round VFD display 2 x transistors 5 x diodes 7 x capacitors 2 x resistor arrays 4 x resistors 1 x transformer: DCT-02 |
| Boards: | The keyboard assembly (ref: GK152-101 GICO Japan) sits on top of the main cpu board (ref: 800PK-H) and is fixed to it by 11 stiff wires. |
| Construction: | Gently prize the front off by using the coin slot at the top. Be careful, you can easily damage your calculator - if in doubt don't try it. |
| Logic comments: | The Clear Entry key (CE) is used to clear an input number; the clear (C) key is used to completely reset the calculator |
| Overflow on the input of a number is suppressed typing in a ninth digit is ignored | |
| The constant function is automatic on multiply and divide only | |
| The negative sign is shown on the far left (ninth) digit thereby allowing full eight digit negative numbers | |
| An overflow is shown with the result and a “C” (“E” if negative) in the far left (ninth) digit and is not recoverable | |
| A divide by zero or overflow error is shown by a "C" in the far left (ninth) digit and is not recoverable. | |
| It suffers the negative zero bug: key in (1)(-)(2)(=) to give "-1", then (+)(1)(=) to give "-0" |
