Type, Precision, Input mode | Scientific, 8 BCD digits, exponent ±99, Reverse Polish Notation |
Programmable | Yes, keystrokes, 105 program steps, no editing except overwrite. |
Performance Index | 0.40 This is by far the slowest machine in my collection! The already pretty slow HP-55 (1975) is 2.5 times faster. The HP-15C which was introduced about one year earlier (1982) is almost 7 times as fast. The HP-71B which was introduced one year after the MK-61 (1984) is 53 times as fast. |
Memory | 15 storage registers (0-9, a-e), 105 program
steps. MK-52: Nonvolatile EEPROM memory for program and data - but the data must explicitly be copied to EEPROM! MK-61: Volatile memory. |
Display | 8 digit mantissa, 2 digit exponent, separate
signs, green
LED. The display is extremely dim and the green numbers are hard to read behind the green display cover. |
Special features | RPN entry mode, regular 4-level stack, T-register is not changed upon stack drop. |
Original Pricing, Production | MK-52: 1981 (115 rubles) - around 1991 MK-61: 1983 (85 rubles) - around 1992 Made by Elektronika in Russia. The back label indicates that these units were made in the KWASAR factory. |
Batteries | 4xAA or external AC power supply (MK-52) 3xAA or external AC power supply (MK-61) |
Dimensions | Length 16.8cm, Width 7.7cm, Height 3.5cm |
Links | MK-61 Command Reference. MOSCOW: MK-52, MK-61 (Andrew Davie) Soviet Calculators Collection: MK-52, MK-61 (Sergei Frolov) RSkey: MK-52, MK-61. Key map, Pseudo-writing mode, Journey Of Big Numbers (Gregory Escov) |
Comment | Definitely a cool device! Provides a powerful
set of programming
functions. One of the most advanced Soviet calculators ever made. Mechanically, the unit is of very cheap making. The keys provide no feedback whatsoever and the display is so dim that it is hard to read. Apparently, the MK-52 and MK-61 are pretty much the same units. However, the MK-52 is equipped with two card slots for expansion ROM packs. |
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