Scientec XS-5297

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Calculators: Handheld: Scientec XS-5297


		Size (approx):	72mm x 132mm x 18-25mm (w,h,d) Weight 80g excluding batteries
		Power:	9V DC using 1 x PP3 size battery (500mW). It does not accept an adapter. The on/off switch is on the left hand side in line with the first row of keys.
		Case:	The calculator is made from a two-piece matt black plastic case which is sloped at two different angles, making it almost wedge shaped. The front is dominated by a gold coloured metal plate with brushed-effect finish. It is printed with black text for the brand and model number, key labels and grid design around the keys. The red display filter is flush and tilted to give a good if limited angle of view image. They keys are short travel loud click type but feel cheap.
		Display:	8 digit red LED with individual bubble lens and no ninth digit
		Features:	Standard four functions with change sign, percentages and four-function memory
		Age:	1980
		Manufacturer:	Made in Hong Kong, serial number 60185775.
		Comments:	Cheap, lightweight calculator from the height of the price discounting era. Similar in feel to the blue and white Texet models with a single chip , display unit and nothing else. The logic is quite poor for the late date with seven digit negative numbers, the pseudo fixed decimal bug and no recovery from memory overflow. Not quite sure about their model numbering system and what it could stand for! Very similar to the Conic LED 650.

Components:	not done 1 x cpu; Texas TMS0972NL CBT 8014 (week 14 of 1980), 28 pin DIL, 0.6" width 1 x 8 digit red LED display unit with individual bubble lens 0 x transistor 0 x diodes 0 x capacitors 0 x resistors 0 x transformer
Boards:	The main cpu board (CENTRE + PCB 186011) sits clipped onto the front of the calculator and is joined to the main keyboard assembly (PCB190043 REV B) via a 14-way ribbon connector.
Construction:	Very difficult to open as this case is held together with internal lugs - I do not recommend trying to open it for fear of damage. The easiest way I found was (after removing the screw on the back) to use a finger nail to prize out and push out the rear section along the top side. Eventually the rear section will lift off.

Logic comments:	(CE) clears the last number entered whilst (C) clears the whole calculator
	Input overflow is suppressed, keying a ninth digit is ignored
	There is automatic constant on all four functions
	Negative numbers are shown with a "-" in the immediate left digit but as there is no ninth digit to travel into you are limited to seven digit negative numbers
	Overflow shows the result flashing which is recoverable using (CE)
	Divide by zero shows "0." flashing which is recoverable using (CE)
	The change sign function can be used in mid number entry and before
	There is no indication of memory store - you have to remember it
	Overflow in memory hooks up the calculator and is not recoverable and you lose the memory contents
	The percentage key used in isolation will cause a divide by zero error
	It suffers the pseudo fixed decimal bug: key in (1)(+)(.)(0)(0)(0)(=) gives "1.000" which remains a fixed three digit decimal number until you need more digits or use multiply or divide

The box measures 80mm by 142mm and is 34mm deep. It is of double tuck-end construction and printed in silver, red and black. There is no country of origin mentioned.

It is big enough to only just hold the calculator, manual and bubble-wrap bag it came in.

The manual measures 70mm by 120mm and is a six-sided fan-fold black printed sheet.

In English only it has basic instructions and examples as well as a no-brand line diagram of the calculator.

Reference number 601-270306-4.