1974 Commodore 886D red LED calculator

A basic four-function calculator, in production from 1974 to 1975. It still works perfectly, but as typical of early LEDs, the display has a limited viewing angle, and the logic has some quirks.

[@jmacdermott8871]

I have been watching your channel for a couple of years now, but just discovered this old video in your "archives" - wow, did it bring back (unexpectedly) memories! My parents had this exact model - made just before I was born! Growing up, my introduction to computers was the Commodore 64, and I was always fascinated by the calculator with the same branding on it... It wasn't until many years later that I learned of the history behind Commodore's calculator business, and buying MOS as a result of T.I.'s competition, eventually leading them into the computer business. Great stuff! Thank you for sharing this.

[@rangerpru]

your like a bloodhound when it comes to finding vintage thrift store items. :)

[@mraiwa1000]

Very 70's! Gotta love those buttons!!

[@jamiemarchant]

An interesting piece of history. Thanks for showing that.

[@rich1051414]

Forgive me if I forgot, but I don't recall how to manually calculate square roots, other than rough estimations with trial and error. PS: Negative zero and positive zero are different numbers, especially if a display has a limited number of significant digits. It means the number is zero when provided at the necessary precision, but it leans on the side of negative in actuality.

[@Madness832]

I have a Commodore scientific model (SR-4148) w/ an 11-digit + 3 mantissa LED. Uses a built-in Ni-cad pack (which had to be replaced). Lovely find @ the Goodwill about 5-6 years ago.

[@wilkes85]

Nice vintage calculator! Maybe you can put it on your desk and use it regularly, or keep it next to your Commodore 64 :-) It's nice that it uses a standard battery that can be replaced. One of my vintage calculators has a built in battery that won't keep a charge... the other one uses AAA batteries... I keep that one at my desk and use it on a regular basis hehe.

[@craigusselman546]

i love vintage leds.

[@bluenazz]

Nice Commodore calculator Kev! My first experience with Commodore was my purchase of a Commodore portable typewriter in 1966. I bought it when I entered high school. As far as I know, Commodore began as a typewriter company in Toronto, where I grew up. In 1993, we bought a few Commodore PC's at work. They were 386 DX's and ran very well indeed. Commodore must have closed soon after that.

[@umajunkcollector]

This is like my very first calculator, but mine had a larger florescent display. I paid about 70$ for it at May Co. and I thought that was cheap for a tiny ''computer''! I wore it out too!

[@MarkPalmer1000]

The Optostic branded LED display used in these early Commodores was supplied by fellow calculator manufacturer Bowmar.

[@stephaneedwardson1370]

I love those reviews of retro stuff!

[@1205juergen]

Hello, I have the same Commodore calculator 886 D with original instruction manual + leather bag and will soon make a video clip about

[@jedw]

I have a very old calculator with red LED display, it is a Texas Intruments SR-10 It works, but seems to drain batteries in minutes.

[@DvdXploitr]

I like these older calculators.....the oldest one I have is a TI calculator, from early 80s...I think 1981, has the sleeve to go with it as well, its in pretty mint condition, just need to get the button-cell batteries for it...

[@WillOnSomething]

I have an ancient HP-01 calculator watch. Old Calculators FTW

[@theoflashdrive1644]

I have the exact same one but brand new! Never used it and still has all the manuals and stuff. Would anyone know how much it’s worth?

[@KingHenryVR4]

I found a old believe TI red led calculator one time when I was a kid, I used to use it in 7th grade math

[@thealexpshow782]

The calculator display is polarized.

[@dave4shmups]

Great pickup! My Dad said that, in the early 1970's, before his office got a calculator, there was a huge black machine that calculated numbers, and shook when it was on! I wonder what make and model of computer that was?

[@oliversakic5907]

I love it! :D

[@TheMonkeyFarted]

I have a vintage in great shape hp-55 calculator. I use it all the time for math because it works good but the way some things have to be entered in is not the easiest but still awesome.

[@Jeffrey314159]

I have an APF mark-30 calculator that uses blue VFDs. It has been described as a 'memory' calculator with the 'k' and '=' combined.

[@H3adcrash]

Hey i've had one of them! But with a VFD! :D

[@davek12]

Are those keys molded with the numbers in the plastic molded a different color or are they just painted on?

[@EdEditz]

I have one of these too. Mine is serial number 49213. I've got the original leather case too. (well, fake leather I think). I see yours has a black back cover. Mine is all white, back and front.

[@CoolDudeClem]

I have one just like that! Also by commodore.

[@RetroGamerVX]

I've got 2 very much like this, oneboxed too :o)

[@cosmic25sheep]

Wow...we have come a long way in a short time!!!!

[@kirdiks2009]

i bet there was a soviet clone of this calculator, but don't know correct name of it. it have much in common with электроника мк33 like indicator with caseless leds and lenses and exchange button (two-sided arrow in soviet edition)

[@jojjan93]

Wow.. Cool!

[@umajunkcollector]

back then, Commie was known as CBM or Commodore Business Machines

[@kbhasi]

Wow. That "-0" bug was somewhat amusing to me.

[@agfamatic91]

i have the same model i think but on my the 9v battery clip was damage however it do work but i need to solder on a new battery clip. i also have a texas instruments TI-30 that i used for school just a year ago and it also had a LED display with magnifier (i think they sometimes is referd to as bubble displays)

[@gil_L]

Do you have to change caps on old calculators like these?

[@vwestlife]

Not so far.

[@1205juergen]

Today I accidentally uploaded a video about Calculators too

[@sangbeta2043]

I've had that one since the 70's. I also have an APF with a vacuum fluorescent display. LCD's made calculators boring.

[@coolelectronics1759]

I used these in school in 2009 my friends thought they were cool I had a small collection of them. I had a texas instruments with red LED I think it was a scientific model, a SHARP with vfd, a Panasonic I also had a texis instruments one that could only run off of ac power with a proprietary ac adaptor and others I can't remember the brands of. I wish I wouldn't of got rid of them I also had one with an orange display that was also ac only

[@vcomputer4000]

I want to bye this help me

[@1205juergen]

Have a look to my video here : Commodore 884 D calculator with red LED display

[@JohnSmith-eo5sp]

0:22 Amazing, it is Made in the USA, how can this be :-? 2:49 The minus zero may be there to indicate it is a negative exponent of ten, so it is not a bug

[@vincentspencer6046]

My dad add one mid 70s 74 75 onr

[@EastAngliaUK]

Do people even buy calculators still for use in places like school or office?

[@sandmanxo]

I think those are VFD and not LEDs.

[@vwestlife]

Nope, it definitely uses LEDs.

[@highvoltage12v]

I think those are nixie tubes not an leds or a vfd display, do the angle of visibility.

[@vwestlife]

Nope, they are LEDs. Early LEDs were very small and needed a magnifying lens in front of them to make them a readable size.

[@MarkTheMorose]

Was I alone in wanting to see the calculator displaying 'ESSO.OIL', 'SHELL.OIL' and 'BOOBS'?

[@EastAngliaUK]

very over sized LOL