Cool! HP48GX Emulater

mmurphy99 · 11-28-05, 08:56 PM

Hi,
You may be interested to know that SMI has a great HP48GX (Classic 7.1N) emulator that works great w/x50v its free.
I use it all the time, just don't shut off the 50v without exiting SMI first. You can download part one for free part 2 survey software is not needed. you can download to install to card or memory.
www.smi.com.
Its easy to back up my port data and misc. programs I've accumulated over the years and programed myself. Now I just pack the Axim x50v Not Both!
MJM

EngrPaul · 11-28-05, 09:12 PM

OK I'll give it a try.

I hope it's better than the hpcalc.org versions :)

The best things about the emulators is that they run much faster than the HP48 ever did (4MHz?)

borderline · 11-28-05, 09:22 PM

This gives me an error when I start it. I assume because I didn't install the survey part of the software. It's also painfully slow on my X50V.

I'll stick with my real HP-28S for now (which is rapidly hurtling towards antique status, but still going strong after 15 years.)

EngrPaul · 11-28-05, 09:29 PM

yes, it's true... aint nothing like the real thing.

I'm not that impressed either. It would be nice if the hpcalc.org guys could do the HP48GX in a VGA version. That would be a beauty!

Thanks for the link :)

kam33mitch · 11-28-05, 09:58 PM

I agree that the HP calc screen is to small to read at 1/4 of the screen. I wrote my own software which handles the basic functions and units without all of the programming stuff and features bigger number buttons and 10 point type on the data screen. If there was enough interest I would post it.

11-29-05, 12:55 AM

Originally Posted by EngrPaul

yes, it's true... aint nothing like the real thing.

I'm not that impressed either. It would be nice if the hpcalc.org guys could do the HP48GX in a VGA version. That would be a beauty!

Thanks for the link :)

They did, just need to download the kml patch file and they have a kml file for Wombat3 for the 48GX and Beemers VGA for the HP49. The Hp49 one is the nicest looking, but both have a display which is close to the same size as the original calculator. You may have to do a bit more work than you like to get it working, but once you do it works fine.

CodeBubba · 11-29-05, 09:10 AM

If you want a good, solid, HP calculator on your Ax (not a graphical one but one to get work done with), check out MathU-Pro at www.creativecreek.com. It costs about $25 and implements a fully programmable HP calculator.

Programs like Math-U-Pro really turn the Ax into a bona-fide device-eliminator. One less thing to carry around.

-CB :approve:

kam33mitch · 11-29-05, 11:39 AM

I just tried the wombat 3 with the PPC1.05 emulator and it looks great. At last a readable and useable tool. Damn 1.5 years of programming down the drain.

11-29-05, 10:43 PM

Really sorry about that, if you want something new to work on I'd love a better looking VGA skin for emu48 than the Wombat one. Have you checked out Beemer's VGA HP 49 skin? That really looks good! Wouldn't something like that be great for the HP 48.

EngrPaul · 11-30-05, 12:36 AM

Yes, I found the Wombat3 VGA kml+bmp. It's good, but not the fantastic "looks like the real calculator" interface I'm hoping for.

On my other (QVGA) device, I've been using PPC horizontal, which looks similar to a real 48, but buttons are moved around. I'll start using Wombat2 so I can be consistent between PPC's.

I'm using 1.06... wasn't released very long ago. :approve:

http://privat.swol.de/ChristophGiesselink/emu48.htm

EngrPaul · 11-30-05, 12:38 AM

P.S. the SMI Emulator thing was a little messy to clean up...

mmurphy99 · 11-30-05, 02:23 AM

At last a readable and useable tool. Damn 1.5 years of programming down the drain.

I don't think you give SMI a fair review after all readable and useable are the qualities I like most about the SMI it was buit for real world use in the feild. I thought it was well thought out especially the display changes to function keys when R L shift keys are pressed and alpha mode when apha key pressed. I tried the Wambats 2 & 3, didn't realy function as well in feild use, couldn't see the function keys as well. Can't judge a book by it's cover.

EngrPaul · 11-30-05, 09:23 AM

You're probably right. I do my Engineering at a desk and I can tolerate the small text on the buttons. If I was comparing emulators in the field I would lean toward the SMI solution.

Is the SMI emulator intended to be freeware? The availability may be temporary.

I like the fact that the emulator from hpcalc.org is lightweight. I have a lot of software on my device, I've had good success with them coexisting because I'm very choosy about how heavy each is.

11-30-05, 10:57 AM

It is freeware because they are using the same GNU licensed version of emu48 that you get at hpcalc.org. They added a few things, but basicly this is the same software, you can find the license in the folder.

EngrPaul · 11-30-05, 01:34 PM

I just did a screen capture of "Jemac's Gx" on my desktop computer emulator. The calculator face of the screen capture is smaller than 640x480 pixels.

I wish I knew about this type of programming, I would make a real VGA emulator in a heartbeat.