DM42 Taking Apart the Calculator and Fixing Stiff Keys

[@MrWaalkman]

So for folks coming along in 2022 and later it seems that the key problem has been fixed. Mine shows no stiffness at all.

[@west]

That does seem to be the case, which is great news!

[@andersongoncalves193]

As a fan of Douglas Adams I can appreciate that don't panic sticker

[@west]

Anderson Goncalves I actually cycled through my off images until I got to that one because I felt it would be appropriate given that I was telling people to take part their calculator. I do enjoy being able to customize those images! That particular one was uploaded at the Swiss Microsoft forum by another user.

[@no_fb]

Thanks for this video! I finally bought one, but it was badly assembled when I received it, one of the 3 pins at the bottom was not in and there was a big gap on the corner. Not very reassuring. It's quite hard to open, actually, perhaps due to the fact they forced it closed in that state. I put it back properly and it seems fine. Except there are frequent keyboard bouncings or misses, the keyboard doesn't inspire confidence. Other than that, it's very nice.

[@west]

That sounds like some unfortunate quality control. Michael from SwissMicros has been pretty responsive on their forums in making things right with the customer.

[@no_fb]

It seems the two keyboard problems above are actually well-known in these forums, but I haven't seen him comment much on the matter. A change in the software could be the solution but it's not sure, we won't know until he tackles the issue. Compared to the original HP-42S, the enhancements from Free42 and Michael are pretty good. I think the main issue Swissmicros must address is the quality consistency, the credit-card-sized products were terrible, the original-sized 1xL series were much better, but the 42 is one step back IMHO. I wouldn't trust it to make sensitive calculations because of the keyboard, for example, whereas I would with the DM15L. The old HP calculators were not at the same complexity level as the recent ones like the HP50 (except the 48 which was pretty close), but the quality was outstanding, I'm sad HP didn't keep their reputation by continuing their production or at least maintaining the same quality and robustness. If someone else could take over with similar products, that'd be great!

[@west]

@@no_fb I hear you. If I could have my HP keyboard on this DM 42, it would be perfect.

[@dooncoz]

Thanks for your videos. I just ordered one of these looking forward. Side note what brand of screwdriver do you have they look really high quality? Best

[@west]

Nice! I hope you enjoy it. It is a set of Wiha technicians tools. There may be better but these have worked just fine for me.

[@XPGlowWorm]

How do the keys on DM42 feel compared to the HP 42 / HP 32SII?

[@west]

It is nice, but admittedly not as nice as the Pioneer series had. HP really had something special going there. I did end up selling my HP 42s though and strictly use my DM42 now.

[@sundancer667]

I cannot see why you took the calc apart just to push keys??? Couldn't you do that with the assembled unit as well?

[@west]

If simply pushing the keys while assembled worked, then no one would have any issues with stiff keys. Many users hoped that using the calculator a lot would help the keys...and it does a little. However, taking it apart and "over-flexing" them takes only a few seconds and the results are instantly improved for everyone who has tried it, more so than six months of heavy use! So no. You couldn't do that with the unit assembled.

[@sundancer667]

@@west Mmh, ok.

[@dkpndbrtsky]

Thank you. Very Helpful

[@west]

I'm glad, and you're welcome. It's unfortunately the biggest detractor from the calculator, which I love in every other way. Mine felt so much better afterward and I've had no problems yet.

[@picramide]

Why do you have two?

[@west]

Ha! Why not?! I bought the second as a gift.

[@picramide]

@@west Great gift. Great video too. Mind boggling what the right firmware will do. I've got tubes of LPC1114 chips. Have done very little with them. Must port Free42!

[@west]

@@picramide The more devices running Free42 the better ;)

[@medicalphysicistforr]

All your videos are way too soft on volume. Need to record audio a little hotter Let the bar hit the red on peaks Red is not to be avoided-with the way you speak (you talk into your chest) you need the hotter recording peak level anyway All the vids are like that Thanks for making these vids I ordered a DM42 last night

[@west]

Surely not all my videos! Trust me, it’s better than clipping audio. You are welcome to turn the volume up on your end. But later videos do have a better microphone.

[@TheAnalogKid2]

that's a dumb idea. you've just put 10 years of wear on the keys by over-flexing the plastic.

[@west]

Thank you for your "constructive criticism". The initial models had VERY common complaints of overly stiff (almost unusable) keys. This made the calculator usable for a whole lot of people. So no, not really a dumb idea after all.