Elite 3001

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Calculators: Handheld: Elite 3001

		Size (approx):	83mm (max) x 132mm x 30mm (max) (w,h,d) Weight 148g excluding batteries.
		Power:	6.0V DC, 4 x AA size batteries. Also accepts adapter/charger (undefined) through a top side socket on the right. The on/off switch is located on the top side, in the middle.
		Case:	Chunky two piece plastic case. Bottom is light grey, top is matt black. Green display filter is flush with the case. The Elite logo and model number is on a printed metal inset panel. The green plastic display filter gives a clean bright image. Keyboard surround is black unlike the more common brushed aluminium Decimo ones. Top is slightly tilted upwards, including the back, which causes the calculator to rock, especially with no batteries to weigh it down. The keys are short travel with a soft click and work well enough.
		Display:	8 digit green VFD display – with a ninth used for minus and error signs.
		Features:	Basic four function with percentages
		Age:	1975
		Manufacturer:	Elite, no other information. Serial No. 5 64301 on a sticker on the inside of the battery cover.
		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. Looks exactly the same as the Decimo Vatman Black and internally even uses the same date coded IC as my example.

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"

	With the front removed you can see the familiar design of the Decimo-type series: GICO keyboard on top of the battery compartment and half obscuring the main cpu board. You can just see the main IC above the keyboard edge.