Saturday, April 4, 2020

Retro Review: Canon Palm Printer P1-DH V

Retro Review:  Canon Palm Printer P1-DH V



Quick Facts:

Model:  Palm Printer P1-DH DV
Company:  Canon
Type:  Printing
Years:   I think this model is around 2016, not sure, I got this from a search on Amazon.  The current version is P1-DH V3
Display:  12 digits
Batteries:  4 AAA Battery and/or AC Adapter AD-380
Original Retail Price:  about $30.00 to $35.00
Logic:  Chain

This review is on an older model P1-DH DV.  I think the current version at the time of this post is the P1-DH DV3. 

I will focus my review on the keyboard and features only, not on the printing features. 

The calculator will operate on AC power alone, without batteries, which I like. 

Unlike most printing calculators, the P1-DH V operates as a four-function Chain calculator instead of an adding machine.  For example:  to add 2, 7, and 11, type:

2 [ + ] 7 [ + ] 11 [ = ]

Result: 20

Features

This is a standard printing calculator that has the following features:

*  Decimal Point Selectors:  F (float, no indicator), 0, 2, 3, 4, A (add mode).  The mode is changed by the key [DEC].   Float is the default mode. 

*  Rounding/Truncate Toggle:  toggle between rounding and truncate with the [5/4] key.  When the 5/4 is on, the calculator is on rounding mode.  Note that this setting has no affect on results on when the decimal point selector is set to Float.

Example:

Float Mode:
1 [ ÷ ] 6 [ = ] returns 0.16 666 666 666

2 Decimal Place Mode:  (2 indicator)
5/4 on (Rounding mode):  1 [ ÷ ] 6 [ = ] returns 0.17
5/4 off (Truncate mode):  1 [ ÷ ] 6 [ = ] returns 0.16

*  One memory register is available, with sum and difference.   When [ M+ = ] is pressed, the calculation is completed and is added to the memory register.   When [ M- = ] is pressed, the calculation is completed and is subtracted from the memory register.

Example:

1000 * 298 + 928 * 172 - 442 * 180

[ RM/CM ] until memory is cleared
1000 [ × ] 298 [ M+ = ]
928 [ × ] 172 [ M+ = ]
442 [ × ] 180 [ M- = ]
[ RM/CM ]
Result:  378,056

*  Time Calculations:  You can enter hours-minutes for calculations in either AM/PM or 2400 hour format by using the [TIME CAL] key.  You know the calculator is ready to accept hours-minutes when the screen shows 00:00.  In AM/PM mode, switch between AM/PM by use the [TIME CAL AM/PM] button.  To calculate the difference between times, the required key is the key with the tilde mark on it.  ( [ ~ ] )

Example:  What time has passed between 23:17 and 11:16?  (2400 hours)

[TIME CAL] [TIME CAL] (00:00 without an AM/PM indicator means 2400 hours):
2 3 1 7 [ ~ ]
1 1 1 6 [ = ]

11:59 (11 hours, 59 minutes)

* Cost/Sell/Margin and Sales Tax Calculation.  See the next section.

The [ B ← → T ] Key

The [ B ←→ T ] rules what functions the blue keys execute on the P1-DH V. 

Indicator T:  Tax Mode (Default mode)

[ TAX+ ]:  Add tax using the rate stored
[ TAX- ]:  Subtract tax using the rate stored
[ RATE ]:  Press this key to enter the tax rate (RATE will be blinking), press [ RATE ] again to finish

Indicator B:  Business Mode

[ COST ]:  Cost
[ SELL ]:  Sell
[ MARGIN ]:  Margin

Enter any of the two values, the third is automatically calculated.

Example: 
Sell = $29.95,  Margin = 8%

[ B ←→ T ] until B appears
29.95 [ SELL ] (SELL flashes)
8 [ MARGIN ]

Result:  27.55 (COST indicator)

Keyboard

The keyboard is nice and light.  The keys are rubber and very responsive.  The key response and register is great.  My hands are a little too big but it is possible to speed calculate on the Palm Printer. 

I like the screen but I wish the indicators were bigger, as they are too tiny for my preference.  Just make sure you triple check which mode you are in.  This model I purchased in December 2019 at a Revivals Store in Palm Springs. 

Eddie

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