HP 12c - they don't make em like they used to (apparently)

[Hank Outlaw]

Hello,

My wife gave me an HP 12c financial calculator as a college graduation present back in 1985. It lasted what seemed like 15 years, and I only changed the batteries once as I recall. The display eventually went bad.

I purchased a new HP 12c last March from the HP Store and noticed a few oddities right off the bat, like a PR Error on occasion, shutting off in the midst of a calculation, a troublesome "7" key, etc. I tried to use it a couple of days ago and the display is not displaying! You can enter all 8's but they display as 6s, 4s, etc. FWIW, this was was made in China.

I called HP customer service, tried a hard reset, (-) sign and press on, etc., and the tech said unfortunately there was nothing HP could do because it was outside the one year warranty... by approx. one month!

So, I'm wondering... what experiences have you had, which model should I purchase next (Platinum?), or should I begin hunting for an older one on Ebay (they don't make em like they use to, or do they?)

Thanks,

Hank

 

[EddieB]

I don't know about the newer ones. My early 80's model is still working and the late 90's model hasn't skipped a beat from almost daily use. The first one is USA built and the second one Brazil. I never noticed that before

 

[gregb]

My HP12c from 1989 stopped working two years ago. Replaced it with a 12c made in China, which is working fine, so far.

 

[Pilgrum]

I attempted to use a "Normal" calculator awhile back. I was sooooo lost.
I have a couple of older 12Cs that have been trouble free..
I see 12Cs at garage sales and on Craig's List often. Perhaps I should pick up another older model since the new ones are giving people trouble.

 

[CGgonnabee]

I have a platinum that I bought about 6 years ago. Works like a champ and I don't think I've had to replace the battery.

 

[nauthead]

I have the 12c as an app on my phone. I think the price was $5 for the version without pop up adds and it works as well as my regular 12c.

 

[Michael S]

I have a 12C Platinum I bought about 4-5 years ago. Made in China. Never replaced the batteries, no issues so far. Definitely faster on IRR calculations than the original ones.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

My first one still works - probably 3rd set of batteries. - circa 1992. Next was pre-test 1998 so I had a back up if one failed. Sometime in the mid 2000s, # 3 because the other two had such a hard life and the keys were getting "soft". I forgot to bring a calc. to class in 2013 so ran to Off Max at lunch and got one, they only had the platinum. All still working as I said.

 

[Michigander]

My 1984 one still works but I can barely read it the window is so scratched up. Bought a new one a year ago and it works fine. Have one on my phone and on the iPad, but I don't like those and want the tactile feel of the real ones.

 

[hastalavista]

I've had mine since around 1984; bought it before I even knew what appraising was about. Works like a champ; I've changed the battery one time that I can remember.

I do have the HP12C download on my desktop at home. I didn't know there was a phone app.