DATAMATH CALCULATOR MUSEUM |
Montgomery Ward P8F aka TXI-8644A
Date of introduction: | August 1, 1973 | Display technology: | LED-modules + lens |
New price: | $59.50 | Display size: | 8 |
Size: | 5.7" x 3.1" x 1.6" 146 x 79 x 41 mm3 |
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Weight: | 5.1 ounces, 144 grams | Serial No: | 37X-0002843 |
Batteries: | 4*AA | Date of manufacture: | |
AC-Adapter: | Origin of manufacture: | USA | |
Precision: | 8 | Integrated circuits: | TMS0103 |
Memories: | |||
Program steps: | Courtesy of: | João Oliveira |
This neat calculator does not look like a Texas Instruments product. To identify it, you have to know more about the coding used by Montgomery Ward:
Models starting with
• TXI were
manufactured by Texas Instruments
• DAN were imported by
APF Electronics, Inc.
• DNS were manufactured by
National Semiconductor (later Novus)
• EKJ were imported by Kings Point Corporation
• GLE were manufactured by Lloyd's Electronics, Inc.
An identical housing was used for both the P8P alias TXI-8645A and the P8M alias TXI-8646A calculators. The printed circuit board and the serial number of the calculator gives you another information: Late P8F calculators (e.g. 37X-0026077 from Thomas Brockmeier) carry a PCB with a marking P8F/P8P. Okay, the same PCB in two calculators. Please compare this serial number with the P8P: 37X-0066692. Let's assume that the P8P replaced the P8F in the year 1974 and the happy customer got the %-key for free.
Dismantling this P8F reveals another surprise: The printed circuit board (PCB) carries a magic number that links to a lot of other calculators like the Radio Shack EC-300 and EC-1000.
This calculator looks very unfamiliar compared to other Texas Instruments calculators. Notice the combined [-=] and [+=] keys not known from calculators sold by TI.
Don't miss the rare TXI-8661A
based on the Exactra 23
calculator.
If you have additions to the above article please email: joerg@datamath.org.
© Joerg Woerner, December 5, 2001. No reprints without written permission.