Hanimex BCM368

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Calculators: Handheld: Hanimex BCM368


		Size (approx):	72mm (max) x 125mm x 18mm (max) (w,h,d) Weight 100g excluding batteries.
		Power:	3.0V DC, 2 x AA size batteries. Also accepts adapter/charger (4.5V DC max, 3.0V DC, 300MA [sic] No. 280826(9)) through a top side socket to the far right. A warning note on the back states that "Alkaline battery must not be used with AC adaptor". Ni-Cad batteries that are in the calculator are charged simultaneously when operating from an AC adapter.
		Case:	Made from a matt black plastic front and smooth light grey plastic rear. The upper panel is printed with white and green text for the brand and model name. The flat and flush neutral plastic display filter gives an OK image. They keys are short travel with a loud click but work well enough. They do, however, rotate as the key holes are a little too big.
		Display:	8 digit green VFD with a ninth digit for negative, memory and error indication.
		Features:	Standard four function with percentages, change sign, square root and four-function memory.
		Age:	c1975
		Manufacturer:	Hanimex, made in Singapore, serial number 777087 on a sticker inside the battery compartment.
		Comments:	Futuristic design that looks very smart indeed, unfortunately the matt black panels at the front scuff very easily. The logic is quite good but let down by lack of recovery. The original cover is brown soft plastic with open top and half-moon cut-outs either side. Similar design to the Binatone Cadet.

Components:	1 x IC: NEC µPD278C H69476, 28 pin DIL, 0.6" width black plastic 1 x 9 digit VFD module: Single glass tube flat faced, NEC LD8118 2 x transistors 3 x diodes 6 x capacitors 24 x resistors 1 x transformer: H06 740 Sumida
Boards:	The main board (SPL 0059) sits face down on top of the keyboard assembly (K148 ETCO KBA190576 KW145355) which is fixed to the front. They are joined by 16 strong, bent wires. Two holes in the main board allow access to the screws holding the keyboard to the front.
Construction:	Very difficult to open as this is held together by internal lugs only and the sides are so stiff and tight fitting that damage is very likely to result. If you really must try, I found the best way was to push gently out the top edge of the rear section and prize apart with a fingernail. I would not recommend it. The rear section will eventually lift off, hinging from the bottom.

Logic comments:	(C) cancels the last number entered whilst a second press will clear the whole calculator
	Input overflow is suppressed; inputting a ninth digit is ignored
	There is automatic constant on multiply and divide only
	Negative numbers are represented by a "-" sign in the far left (ninth) digit thereby allowing full eight digit negative numbers.
	Overflow shows the result and "C" (or "E" if negative) in the far left (ninth) digit and is not recoverable
	Divide by zero results in zero and "C" in the far left (ninth) digit and is not recoverable
	Memory store is indicated by a decimal point in the far left (ninth) digit
	Overflow in memory retains the original number
	Change sign can be used in mid number entry but not before
	Negative square roots are not allowed and show zero result with "C" in the far left (ninth) digit and is not recoverable
	No major bugs found.

The manual measures 115mm by 70mm and is 12 pages in total. The cover is green and black whilst the inner pages are black only, on a stippled paper. This example is in German only and has plenty of calculation examples.

Printed in Singapore with a list of Hanimex worldwide offices on the back.

My example also came with a single sheet yellow guarantee card stamped with the model number BCM 368R.