HP Voyager

Hewlett-Packard Voyager series

Company type	Product line
Industry	Calculator manufacturing
Founded	1981
Founder	Hewlett-Packard
Products	Programmable calculators (HP-10C, HP-11C, HP-12C, HP-15C, HP-16C)

The Hewlett-Packard Voyager series of calculators was introduced by Hewlett-Packard in 1981. Each model in this lineup is programmable, operates using Reverse Polish Notation, and features continuous memory. Despite their shared design language, every model was equipped with unique functionalities aimed at different user segments.

Models

The Voyager series consisted of five distinct HP calculators models, some available in various versions produced during different periods:

• HP-10C – entry-level scientific calculator (1982–1984)
• HP-11C – intermediate scientific calculator (1981–1989)
• HP-12C – financial/business calculator (1981–present)
• HP-15C – advanced scientific calculator (1982–1989, 2011, 2023–present)
• HP-16C – programmer’s calculator (1982–1989)

HP-10C

As the simplest and final addition to the Voyager line, the HP-10C was a basic scientific programmable calculator. While functional, the HP-11C offered twice as many features for a modestly higher price, making it the more popular option. Marketed as an entry-level device, the 10C’s relatively high cost compared to rivals resulted in limited sales and a brief market presence, rendering it one of the rarest calculators in the Voyager collection.

HP-11C

The HP-11C occupied the mid-tier segment as a scientific programmable calculator, striking a balance between capabilities and affordability that appealed to professional users.

HP-12C

The HP-12C stands as HP’s flagship financial calculator and holds the distinction of being their longest continuously produced product since its debut in 1981. Its ongoing popularity prompted a significant redesign and feature enhancement in 2003 with the launch of the HP 12c Platinum and HP 12c Prestige. Various anniversary editions have also been introduced, highlighting its enduring demand.

HP-15C

The HP-15C was positioned as a premium scientific programmable calculator, equipped with advanced functions such as a root solver and numerical integration, along with support for complex numbers and matrix calculations. Originally manufactured from 1982 to 1989, its devoted fan base led HP to issue limited re-releases in 2011 and again in 2023.

HP-16C

Designed specifically for computer programmers, the HP-16C featured tools for debugging and converting between numeric bases including hexadecimal, decimal, octal, and binary. It also incorporated specialized bitwise logic operations and shifting capabilities. Although HP has not created another dedicated programmer’s calculator since then, many of the 16C’s functions have been integrated into later models.

Arithmetic

Numerical analyst William Kahan from UC Berkeley, known for developing the IEEE 754 floating-point standard, was commissioned by Hewlett-Packard to create the numerical algorithms for these calculators. He also contributed to writing their manuals.

Programming

Calculators in the HP Voyager series are keystroke programmable, allowing users to record sequences of keystrokes that can be executed to solve particular tasks. Their programming supports conditional and unconditional branching along with looping constructs for repetitive actions and decision-making processes.

Programming features differ among the Voyager models:

Feature	HP-10C	HP-11C	HP-12C	HP-15C	HP-16C
BSP / ←	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
LBL	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
GSB/RTN	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
x≤y, x=0	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
x=y, x≠y	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
x<0, x≠0, x>y, x>0	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
x<y, x≤0, x≥y, x≥0	No	No	No	Yes	No
DSE, ISG	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
DSZ, ISZ	No	No	No	No	Yes
SF, CF, F?	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
I (I)	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes

Models

The HP-12C and its variants continue to enjoy widespread use and remain available through Hewlett-Packard.

In 2011, the HP-15C, which had been out of production for many years, was reintroduced as a "Limited Edition" before being discontinued once more.

In 2023, the HP-15C made a brief comeback in the form of a Collector's Edition.

Emulators

Hewlett-Packard offers official emulators of the HP-12C and HP-15C for purchase, compatible with both Android and iOS platforms.

Simulators

A variety of software calculators replicate HP devices, including models from the Voyager series. Among these, the WRPN Calculator, an open-source simulator of the HP-16C available in the public domain, stands out as one of the longest-running projects.

Clones

To meet sustained interest in the Voyager series, SwissMicros (formerly RPN-Calc) introduced a collection of credit-card-sized calculators that emulate original HP firmware on contemporary hardware. This series includes the DM10, DM11, DM12, DM15, and DM16. While sharing identical hardware, these models differ in keyboard layout and firmware, which can be updated through a dedicated port.

Following the release of larger devices in 2015—namely the DM15L, DM41L, and DM16L—the DM11L was launched in January 2016, with the DM12L following in February. A limited edition of the DM10L was scheduled for release in 2019.

See also

• Bulk CMOS semiconductor fabrication technique employed in HP Nut processors

External links

• MyCalcDB:
• SwissMicros Producer of HP calculator replicas.