Like any vintage electronics collector, I love retrobrighting and restoration videos. They are a huge part of what got me into it in the first place. Seeing a device that would normally be thrown into the trash restored to its former glory is extremely satisfying, and a high that I've been chasing for a while. Here are a few of my favorites:
These people are much better than I am at restorations and creating videos, but they have inspired me to be a part of this subculture that tries to keep old electronics working for people to appreciate.
Canon P101-D.
That being said, I have utterly failed to retrobright or restore the Canon P101-D that I recently purchased at Goodwill for $10. When I first laid my eyes on it, I was thrilled to see a device with such a bold orange color. This was the kind of desktop calculator that would turn heads at any cubicle farm. I was going to make other calculator collectors salivate over my unique find. I needed this after learning that a fellow collector owns a Curta.
Proof that I talked to a person.
This was followed up by an image of what the calculator is supposed to look like:
Source: not me.
Needless to say, I was devastated. But I also saw an opportunity to attempt my first retrobright. The video attached to this review shows my process, and I'm trying to get more views, so if you're interested in seeing how that went, check it out. To quickly summarize, it didn't work at all.
The Canon P101-D is a fantastic desktop calculator regardless. It's quite large but doesn't feel like it's wasting space. The numeral and operation buttons all press like mechanical keys with instantaneous responses. The exception is the "paper feed" button, but not at all in a bad way. It has its own sort of deliberate feel when pressed.
Very sturdy and reliable internal components.
When using the printer, every calculation is loud and mechanical, and it's awesome. It feels like a large cash register when this thing really gets going. It's hard to explain, but while loud and mechanical might seem annoying, it feels more like a reminder that this device will probably continue working forever.
And of course all of this leads up to the absolutely gorgeous green LED display. Even with a cracked display cover (my fault), numbers have never looked better. This is simply a beautiful, solid calculator that I will proudly keep on display.
I'm tempted to leave it in the sun for a bit to even out the discoloration, but there's a possibility I'll be revisiting this device in the future with another retrobrighting attempt.
I have contacted Canon customer support to try to find the release year for this model, but they were unable to provide me with an answer. I've searched around for the answer and have found nothing so far. If you have any information about the release year, please let me know so that I can update this review.
Cracked screen (my fault). Still looks great though.
The bottom of the calculator, if you're into that sort of thing.
Bottom of internal components. Excellent materials all around.
Inside view with keys removed.
Every key is made of a nice thick plastic.
View of the LED screen without protective (and broken) cover.
Fans of calculator reviews, I feel bad for discussing two terrible calculators in a row. I try to post a variety of devices throughout the week to keep things from getting boring, and I failed to do that. So to make up for that, I picked a calculator today that I intended to review later on. Today's calculator is a good one.
Casio HR-150LC
The Casio 2-Color Print HR-150LC is the first printing calculator that I added to my collection. I tended to avoid these for some reason, but due to Casio's nearly impeccable reputation for making solid devices, I decided to check it out. I am so glad I did, because the HR-150LC is fantastic.
Unlike the "Big Display" reviewed yesterday, the HR-150LC doesn't try to brag about anything, yet has every right to do so. The display on this is actually huge, and is viewable from almost any angle. Every digit contrasts clearly with the LCD.
Each button feels solid and clicky, so every operation you perform with it is going to feel great, especially if you're using the print feature. It's loud without being obnoxious. The printing mechanism has a weighty feel to it that might cause a lighter calculator to violently shake, but this device is heavy and strong enough to handle it just fine. Even the switches to turn the calculator on or change the floating point are a pleasure to use. It's all very responsive and will make you feel like you can kick math's ass today.
Small but powerful: the printing mechanism.
Whether you're printing calculations or not, the HR-150LC is an absolute pleasure to use. The muted color scheme of the buttons doesn't emphasize contrast yet still manages to look great. Casio is a company that clearly strives to make the best calculator it can and I've always felt like I've got what I paid for with their devices.
It might seem like I'm biased toward Casio, but that's honestly not the case. It's HP calculators that I tend to get overly excited about*. Yet since I've been collecting, Casio has impressed me every single time.
The HR-150LC can run on four AA batteries or the A/C adapter that came with it. I found this one at a local thrift shop for $6. Casio no longer produces this device, as it has been replaced by the HR-150TMPlus. Unfortunately I couldn't find release years for either device, so my best guess is the HR-150LC came out some time in the 1990s.
Back, with battery cover and paper feed.
Back, battery cover removed.
Internal components. Nice and roomy.
Non-essential components removed.
* Before you point out that you can't end a sentence with a preposition, please do some actual research on the English language because you totally can.
