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Calculator blog


Musings and comments about our common interest

 

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Some more pictures of the other colors for Voyager cases

Here are some pictures of the other colors for voyager cases. The ambient light makes the Bordeaux much lighter than it really is. The brown is actually very similar in color to the original vinyl cases of 40 years ago. Here they are in comparison with the standard black leather case. BTW: the more I use it, the more I like it and enjoy the feeling.

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Voyager cases - how the colors really look

 

I have here some pictures of the Voyager cases (valid for the HP10c, HP11c, HP12c, HP12c Platinum, HP15c, HP15c LE and HP16c). The new colors Bordeaux and brown are shown here. You can see that the brown color is a very dark one - actually the closest to the original dark brown vinyl case of the original calculators!!

In the first picture, the order is brown - Bordeaux - black, while in the second the order is inverted: black - Bordeaux - brown

voyager cases

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voyager cases

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Different colors for the Voyager true leather cases

We have just ordered from our supplier two new more colors for the leather cases. 

Up to now, we have been selling the black case. I think that the quality is really excellent and the first batch is nearly gone. We have ordered a second batch - and also the two new colors: Brown and Bordeaux (which would be called Burgundy elsewhere). The pictures of the two colors that I have do not make justice to the real aspect - I will post them once the first batch has arrived.

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More about the leather case for voyagers

I have sent the first lot of Voyager cases to customers. Trust me: the look wonderful ,and have the leather texture of the original vinyl cases!!

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Why have we started producing the Voyager leather cases? or look at HP's late cases disaster!

 

Ignacio Sánchez asks me why have we started with the Voyager cases, and not with the much more sought-after HP41 cases. These are commanding 30€+ prices in the market - and that's for a 40 year old ugly vinyl case!

The reason was twofold. On one hand, it was a simpler model to produce, and being no leather expert and having to rely on a factory, let's start with a cheap, simple thing before commiting a big amount in tooling (the HP41 case is sibstantially more difficult)

On the other hand, those who have recent Voyagers must be very upset with what they have. There are many cases that are disintegrating. Here below we will show two cases, one that came with an original HP15c LE, and another that came with a recent, Atmel-powered HP12 (while it appears holding a 15c LE inside too!)

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The case for the HP12c was notably worse (and I did not treat them wrong at all!!!): I can't wait to change it for something new. This is something you cannot lay on your office table!

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If you have an early HP12c model (the three batteries, even the single CR2032 battery type), you have a case that stands the test of time. You are not in this circumstance. You don't need the new leather cases. But if you have one of the HP15C LE or later HP12C units, you will NEED the Calculator Store's leather Voyager case!! We will be receiving the initial batch next week already. See below how they look - a pity that we cannot use the HP logo!!

Voyager Case

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More about: HP12c case
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Leather cases for most significant calculators

We have planned to sell a range of calculator cases for several models - all of them made from Ubrique cow leather. You have seen the tests of the HP12c - which was the easiest of all possible cases. You can see the test below. A question would be which other colors may be interesting. We have seen samples of Burgundy (nice) and Brown (very, very nice). If the original black model sells well, then the brown is next, and the burgundy will follow.

The next model will probably be the Pioneer case, also in leather. It is just slightly longer than the HP12c's, but the same profile - and it also can be used with the newer HP17bII+ (tested with the originals). The factory has already the original samples and could start production if we see that the Voyagers sell well. The original 12c vinyl case had a better texture than the Pioneer cases - although there has been an evolution to a very plasticky version over time - I am thinking about the cases I receive with the HP42s. Also these "plastic" cases break much more often - it is difficult to find a really "complete" unit. However, finding a replacement is quite easy, easier in fact than with the Voyagers: you just need to buy a second hand HP10b off Ebay, and you have it. (you can even drop the calculator later :-)). 

Third in line is a case for the HP41. The original case is one of the ugliest I have seen. What were the HP guys thinking? The shape: I can understand that they thought that everybody would buy the card reader to have it included in the standard case. However, the color was ridiculous! Compare it with any other case built before, even for the humble Spices (hp31, 32, 33, 34, 37): much better!!

Here there are some questions to answer before ordering it, and I would like your input:

  • Sized for the calculator or for the calculator + card reader?
  • Color: Black? dark Brown? light brown (closest to the original)? Burgundy?

 

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True leather case for the HP12c

We have ordered the first production batch of leather cases for the Voyager family of calculators - including the HP12c and HP15C.

The original vinyl cases of the early HP12c were very resistant - as well as the early Pioneer units (HP17bII and HP42s and the like). However, later versions were made of PE-leather, which is much less resistant than vinyl. I have several cases of HP15c Limited Edition and HP12c Anniversary Edition and both have a very bad aspect after 5 or 6 years of normal use. I will not post here pictures of said cases, lest anyone identify these cases with our new product.

Our plan is to contact all the customers that have bought a HP15C from us to offer the premium leather at a discount in the first place. It will be 25€ shipping included - everywhere in the world. Then we will offer the case to the rest of our customers.

The initial batch will be in black leather. However, we are testing other colours like brown and burgundy. First, black; then other colours. 

By the way: anyone interested on true leather HP41C case? 

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True leather cases?

 

 

We are planning to introduce three leather cases for the most typical HP calculators. We will start with:

  • The ubiquitous HP41 case. We will use the exact same shape as the one we know. We are using as template the original one, loaded with a 41c+card reader, to make sure it fits. We will have to find also the yellow sponge for those that do not have a card reader.
  • A Voyager case (hp12c, hp10c, hp11c, hp15c, hp16c). The original case was in vinyl, but later versions were in PE and had a very bad behaviour - including the anniversary versions of 12c and 15c. There have been previously leather cases by HP very well made, with a burgundy leather external and a cream leather internal, with upper cover; but it was so nice and thick that it could not really be used for your jacket pocket - which is for me the original intention of the Voyager line. (also the later HP12c Platinum units were far too thick for jacket use)
  • A Pioneer case. This is also a thin calculator that can fit in a jacket pocket. I don't know who was in charge of selecting the cases for the latest HP17bII+ - again, they won't fit comfortably on the jacket pocket. 

The key for both the Voyagenr and Pioneer cases is that they fit quite tight - and do not slip out immediately. Normal fabric is ruled out, while suede- or felt-type may work well. Also, in my opinion, the suede-like feeling of the inner part of a leather may work, too.

We will keep you updated. Meanwhile, let me show you 4 different types of HP41c covers, 

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And also a Voyager Burgundy leather case, and a similar case for the Clamshell type:

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