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Calculators: Handheld: Qualitron 1437 (General Model)
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Size (actual): |
76.0mm
(max) x 144.1mm x 32.5mm (max) (w,h,d) |
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Power: |
6V DC, 4xAA size batteries. It also accepts an adaptor (6V 100mA) through a right side socket just about level with the logo. There is an "Inspected" sticker inside the battery compartment. | ||
| Case: | Futuristic curved shape design with slightly raised up display area. The two piece case is made from black matt and gloss white plastic. The keyboard surround is a black painted silver panel with reversed out text for the logo and switch. The key action is short travel with a loud click. The green display filter is titled at about 10 degrees, shrouded by the case. A printed metallic label sits around the power socket stating "DC 6V". | ||
| Display: | 8 digit green VFD with a ninth on the far left for negative and error indication | ||
| Features: | Standard four functions with percentages. | ||
| Age: | c1975 | ||
| Manufacturer: | Californian Qualitron Corporation, assembled in Taiwan, Republic of China. Serial number (inside battery compartment) 148605 | ||
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Comments:
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Unusual shape that Qualitron used for a range of calculators. It can also bee seen in some UK Prinztronic models such as the Prinztronic SC4001M. The logic badly let down by the numerous bugs and lack of recovery - I suspect it is an early Texas Instruments IC. |
| Components: | |
| Boards: | |
| Construction: | Whilst there are two easily accessible screws on the back, I believe that there is another under the rear label which I am not willing to damage in order to open it. |
| Logic comments: | (C) is used once to cancel the calculator, there being no CE function |
| Input overflow is suppressed, inputting a ninth digit is ignored | |
| Negative numbers are shown with a minus in the far left hand (ninth) digit thereby allowing full eight digit negative numbers | |
| There is automatic constant on multiply and divide only | |
| The percentage works well enough with mark-up and mark-down capability; to mark-down 10% off $50 key in (5)(0)(X)(1)(0)(%)(-)(=) | |
| Overflow shows the result and "C" ("C-" if negative) in the far left (ninth) digit and is not recoverable | |
| Divide by zero shows a "C" and "0." and is recoverable | |
| Results of a division are always eight digits, there is no trailing zero suppression: (9)(/)(3)(=) gives "3.0000000" | |
| There is the divide to all zeros bug: key in (1)(/)(1)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(0)(=) to get "0.0000001" then (/)(1)(0)(=) to get "0.0000000" | |
| There is the pseudo fixed decimal bug: key in (1)(+)(1)(.)(0)(0)(=) to get "2.00" which remains a two digit fixed decimal until you need more digits | |
