50g

Hi all;
I'm new to this group, I joined it in hopes of getting some help 
learning the new machine. I've been using a TI 86 for years, time to 
move up but the user manual isn't very helpful! I think I'm OK with 
RPN but some functions that SHOULD be quick and easy (like the TI) are 
turning out not to be. Elementary things like unit conversions (ex: 
convert yd^3 to m^3) seem to be very exhaustive to accomplish!
My primary use for this calculator is in doing survey calcs (bought 
the DZign software pac with the 50g).
All comments, suggestions gratefully accepted.
Thanx
Richard

scramjet41 wrote:
> Hi all;
> I'm new to this group, I joined it in hopes of getting some help 
> learning the new machine. 

Same here.  This reply to you, is in fact my own first post.

> I've been using a TI 86 for years, time to 
> move up but the user manual isn't very helpful! 

Boy, there's an understatement.  One thing: you can pretty much ignore 
the thin "User's Manual" you got with the calc, in favor of the PDF 
"User's Guide", which is much better, although it could also be improved.

Speaking of which, I was thinking of going down to Kinko's or somewhere 
like it, and getting it printed and spiral-bound.  Has anyone here ever 
done that?  If so, how did it come out?  How much did it cost?

> I think I'm OK with 
> RPN but some functions that SHOULD be quick and easy (like the TI) are 
> turning out not to be. Elementary things like unit conversions (ex: 
> convert yd^3 to m^3) seem to be very exhaustive to accomplish!

Lucky you picked this example -- that particular task is very simple, IF 
you have the calculator in the right set of modes.  The "right set" in 
this case is flag 117 (Soft MENU) checked, and RPN input mode.  Once you 
have the 50 in that state, go into the UNITS menu, pick VOLUME, type a 
number  like 100, and hit the softkey corresponding to 'yd^3'.  The 
display reads 100_yd^3.  Then hit the left-shift (white) key, and hit 
the key with the units you want to convert to, 'm^3', and the conversion 
happens.  You only have to use CONVERT if you have some units that 
aren't on the menus, like 'qt/hr'.  And even then, you can store that 
unit in a variable, and make a custom menu with it (and the units you 
regularly use), and then this same method (with the left-shift) works 
the same way.  Handy!

> My primary use for this calculator is in doing survey calcs (bought 
> the DZign software pac with the 50g).

Me, I don't need a calculator much, and when I do I need a programmer's 
calc (like my HP-16C).  I just like calculators, so I have a bunch of 
them.  I have the 50G just because it's a candidate for "best handheld 
calculator in the world".  Depending on what you consider "best" of 
course...


-- 
Dave "Maybe the HP-15C?" Boyd
               "That's sucker talk."
               -- Raven, _This_Gun_For_Hire_, Universal, 1942

--- In 50g@yahoogroups.com, Dave Boyd <boydda@...> wrote:
>Thanks for the tip...for some reason the 117 flag wasn't staying 
checked but seems to be now. Crap, do I have a s***load to learn. 
Like I said, my issue at this point is to learn the survey apps 
(cogo, etc) with this thing, and get conversant with it's use in 
general engineering (civil) work. I think you're right about the 
Kinko's thing, it's certainly a better way to go than pulling up a 
page at a time on the desktop. I may try it on my way home tonight.

Thanx

Richard
> scramjet41 wrote:
> > Hi all;
> > I'm new to this group, I joined it in hopes of getting some help 
> > learning the new machine. 
> 
> Same here.  This reply to you, is in fact my own first post.
> 
> > I've been using a TI 86 for years, time to 
> > move up but the user manual isn't very helpful! 
> 
> Boy, there's an understatement.  One thing: you can pretty much 
ignore 
> the thin "User's Manual" you got with the calc, in favor of the 
PDF 
> "User's Guide", which is much better, although it could also be 
improved.
> 
> Speaking of which, I was thinking of going down to Kinko's or 
somewhere 
> like it, and getting it printed and spiral-bound.  Has anyone here 
ever 
> done that?  If so, how did it come out?  How much did it cost?
> 
> > I think I'm OK with 
> > RPN but some functions that SHOULD be quick and easy (like the 
TI) are 
> > turning out not to be. Elementary things like unit conversions 
(ex: 
> > convert yd^3 to m^3) seem to be very exhaustive to accomplish!
> 
> Lucky you picked this example -- that particular task is very 
simple, IF 
> you have the calculator in the right set of modes.  The "right 
set" in 
> this case is flag 117 (Soft MENU) checked, and RPN input mode.  
Once you 
> have the 50 in that state, go into the UNITS menu, pick VOLUME, 
type a 
> number  like 100, and hit the softkey corresponding to 'yd^3'.  
The 
> display reads 100_yd^3.  Then hit the left-shift (white) key, and 
hit 
> the key with the units you want to convert to, 'm^3', and the 
conversion 
> happens.  You only have to use CONVERT if you have some units that 
> aren't on the menus, like 'qt/hr'.  And even then, you can store 
that 
> unit in a variable, and make a custom menu with it (and the units 
you 
> regularly use), and then this same method (with the left-shift) 
works 
> the same way.  Handy!
> 
> > My primary use for this calculator is in doing survey calcs 
(bought 
> > the DZign software pac with the 50g).
> 
> Me, I don't need a calculator much, and when I do I need a 
programmer's 
> calc (like my HP-16C).  I just like calculators, so I have a bunch 
of 
> them.  I have the 50G just because it's a candidate for "best 
handheld 
> calculator in the world".  Depending on what you consider "best" 
of 

> course...
> 
> 
> -- 
> Dave "Maybe the HP-15C?" Boyd
>                "That's sucker talk."
>                -- Raven, _This_Gun_For_Hire_, Universal, 1942
>

--- In 50g@yahoogroups.com, Dave Boyd <boydda@...> wrote:
>
> scramjet41 wrote:
> > Hi all;
> > I'm new to this group, I joined it in hopes of getting some help 
> > learning the new machine. 
> 
> Same here.  This reply to you, is in fact my own first post.
> 
> > I've been using a TI 86 for years, time to 
> > move up but the user manual isn't very helpful! 
> 
> Boy, there's an understatement.  One thing: you can pretty much 
ignore 
> the thin "User's Manual" you got with the calc, in favor of the 
PDF 
> "User's Guide", which is much better, although it could also be 
improved.
> 
> Speaking of which, I was thinking of going down to Kinko's or 
somewhere 
> like it, and getting it printed and spiral-bound.  Has anyone here 
ever 
> done that?  If so, how did it come out?  How much did it cost?
> 
> > I think I'm OK with 
> > RPN but some functions that SHOULD be quick and easy (like the 
TI) are 
> > turning out not to be. Elementary things like unit conversions 
(ex: 
> > convert yd^3 to m^3) seem to be very exhaustive to accomplish!
> 
> Lucky you picked this example -- that particular task is very 
simple, IF 
> you have the calculator in the right set of modes.  The "right 
set" in 
> this case is flag 117 (Soft MENU) checked, and RPN input mode.  
Once you 
> have the 50 in that state, go into the UNITS menu, pick VOLUME, 
type a 
> number  like 100, and hit the softkey corresponding to 'yd^3'.  
The 
> display reads 100_yd^3.  Then hit the left-shift (white) key, and 
hit 
> the key with the units you want to convert to, 'm^3', and the 
conversion 
> happens.  You only have to use CONVERT if you have some units that 
> aren't on the menus, like 'qt/hr'.  And even then, you can store 
that 
> unit in a variable, and make a custom menu with it (and the units 
you 
> regularly use), and then this same method (with the left-shift) 
works 
> the same way.  Handy!
> 
> > My primary use for this calculator is in doing survey calcs 
(bought 
> > the DZign software pac with the 50g).
> 
> Me, I don't need a calculator much, and when I do I need a 
programmer's 
> calc (like my HP-16C).  I just like calculators, so I have a bunch 
of 
> them.  I have the 50G just because it's a candidate for "best 
handheld 
> calculator in the world".  Depending on what you consider "best" 
of 
> course...
> 
> 
> -- 
> Dave "Maybe the HP-15C?" Boyd
>                "That's sucker talk."
>                -- Raven, _This_Gun_For_Hire_, Universal, 1942
>

Hi, welcome.  I was going to get mine printed at Kinkos, also, but 
they wanted about $100 ea. (I was getting the 49g+ AUR and UM 
printed).  The guy from Kinkos that gave the quote said that the 
price was after being deeply discounted and that it should really be 
more than that.

If you have a laserjet at home, it might be a worthwhile project to 
print in batches.

The end result is I never did print it--but I put it on my PDA and 
carry it with me that way :)

BTW:  Be sure to check out Debug4x from www.debug4x.com--it has a 
full 50g emulator and programming environment--useful for testing 
your calc programs before "crashing" your actual calc.  Also, it 
gives a lovely calculator for Windoze.

--Scott

> Hi, welcome.  I was going to get mine printed at Kinkos, also, but 
> they wanted about $100 ea. (I was getting the 49g+ AUR and UM 
> printed).  The guy from Kinkos that gave the quote said that the 
> price was after being deeply discounted and that it should really be 
> more than that.
> 
> If you have a laserjet at home, it might be a worthwhile project to 
> print in batches.
> 
> The end result is I never did print it--but I put it on my PDA and 
> carry it with me that way :)
> 
> BTW:  Be sure to check out Debug4x from www.debug4x.com--it has a 
> full 50g emulator and programming environment--useful for testing 
> your calc programs before "crashing" your actual calc.  Also, it 
> gives a lovely calculator for Windoze.
> 
> --Scott
>

There is a website www.lulu.com, that does book printing.  Last I
looked the prices arn't to bad.  

Trevis

--- In 50g@yahoogroups.com, "Trevis" <trevis1st@...> wrote:

> There is a website www.lulu.com, that does book printing.  Last I
> looked the prices arn't to bad.  
> 
> Trevis
>

Thanks.  Looks interesting.  Quick inspection looks like "perfect 
binding" limit is 740 pages--800 pp is about max for lulu.  Could try 
breaking into volumes.  Price was about $5.00 for the binding and 
$0.02 per page.  900 pages would be approx. $23 if they supported that 
many pages.  Not bad at all :)

--Scott

--- In 50g@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" <blueelectron@...> wrote:
>
> --- In 50g@yahoogroups.com, "Trevis" <trevis1st@> wrote:
> 
> > There is a website www.lulu.com, that does book printing.  Last I
> > looked the prices arn't to bad.  
> > 
> > Trevis
> >
> 
> Thanks.  Looks interesting.  Quick inspection looks like "perfect 
> binding" limit is 740 pages--800 pp is about max for lulu.  Could try 
> breaking into volumes.  Price was about $5.00 for the binding and 
> $0.02 per page.  900 pages would be approx. $23 if they supported 
that 
> many pages.  Not bad at all :)
> 
> --Scott

Considering the dialog on printing out the 50 manual, I suspect that I 
am going to be disappointed in the answer that I receive but I guess 
it's time to get the bad news if that is the case.  Question: Can't I 
just call HP customer service and order the 50g manual?  Thats all it 
took to get the manual for another brand of calculator I bought.

--- In 50g@yahoogroups.com, "Scott" <blueelectron@...> wrote:
>
> --- In 50g@yahoogroups.com, "Trevis" <trevis1st@> wrote:
> 
> > There is a website www.lulu.com, that does book printing.  Last I
> > looked the prices arn't to bad.  
> > 
> > Trevis
> >
> 
> Thanks.  Looks interesting.  Quick inspection looks like "perfect 
> binding" limit is 740 pages--800 pp is about max for lulu.  Could try 
> breaking into volumes.  Price was about $5.00 for the binding and 
> $0.02 per page.  900 pages would be approx. $23 if they supported that 
> many pages.  Not bad at all :)
> 
> --Scott
>

I printed mine on double sided hole-punch paper at work, two pages per
sheet (Acrobat Reader can do this). Came out fine - 222 sheets of
paper if I recall correctly.

No cost to me. :-)

Actually, I printed out two copies - one with a 10 mm "gutter," which
is the one I bound for myself, and the first one I printed without the
gutter.

If anyone cares to pay for shipping I can send the one without the
gutter to you. Otherwise, it is going in the trash.

- Marco