After posting the piece about the Psion Series 3, I intended to get my hands on a Psion Series 5 for comparison. After all, it was the follow up device in the Psion range. However, actually buying one is a smidge expensive. E-bay prices for good condition models are exorbitant and I could only find one retailer offering reconditioned units whose prices are not bad at all, especially compared to auction sellers but still high enough to put off a casual purchase. It was a bit like a replay of the 1990's, wanting one but never being able to fully justify the price and buying one. All was not lost, though. Just as in the '90's, there was a cheaper alternative that does almost exactly the same thing as the Series 5: The Oregon Scientific Osaris.
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| It looks decent... |
Oregon Scientific started out life in Portland, Oregon (I see what they did there!) producing electronic weather stations, digital clocks, electronic learning devices and the like. From a UK perspective, the clogged up the Argos catalogue with tat but at the back end of the 1990's. They licensed the EPOC operating system from Psion and released this relatively cheap PDA.
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| With the usual software... |
I say relatively cheap, at £219.99 to £279.99, it was cheaper than a Series 5 proper but also didn't offer everything that the Series 5 did. The main differences were the screen and operating system. The Osaris packed an 18MHz Arm 710 chip with 4 or 8Mb or RAM depending upon the model. The screen is a backlit and touch capable, with a resolution of 320x200 pixels (The Series 5 offered a 640x240 screen). Unlike the Psion, the Osaris used a forked version of the EPOC operating system, release 4. With the technical gubbins out of the way, what about the device itself?
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| ... but even here you can see issues with the screen |
It's fairly light and quite compact. Built from plastic, it doesn't feel overly robust and I wouldn't want to drop test of these machines. The hinge is quite easy to operate and upon opening, there is a plasticky rattle that gives pause for thought. Closing it gives a sharp snap that is more reassuring. The display is bordered by two touch-sensitive menus, leading to the smaller (although cheaper) display. These function as you'd expect and to be honest, the smaller display size is something you tend to forget about in day to day use. It helps that the side menus have a similar background to the display. One issue with the display is the fixed angle of the hinge, meaning if you're not in the right position, you'll have to contort yourself to see the screen clearly. Some might also find the screen a bit too murky and in less than decent ambient light, the backlight is a must.
The main draw is the keyboard and, whilst not up to the standard of Psion's Series 5, is more than good enough for note taking. The keys are relatively big and quite easy to tap away at. Initially, I found them a tad stiff with little feedback but with some perseverance, I grew to accept the feel. It's not a keyboard you could bash out a lot of words on but it does the job.
The built in software is the Psion standard package, so Word, Sheet, Data, Agenda etc. Nothing much to be added about those.
Connectivity is as per late 1990's standard PDA tradition - a compact flash slot that permits file transfers even today using a USB to CF adapter, RS-232 for a serial PC link and an IR port for beaming contacts and phone connections. Power is supplied by two AA batteries and they are easily replaceable.
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| Power, IR, RS-232 and slot for stylus |
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| CF slot cover |
Is this a device that could be used today? Well, maybe. Certainly you can use it for typing on the go, but the rather firm keyboard and the fixed angle screen hinge are two of the main ergonomic reasons against the Osaris. File transfers are still possible using a CF card and I don't have a serial cable or software to try a PC link. In one sense, I am glad I didn't get my hands on one of these back in the day. Yes, it looks a bit like a Psion, and it acts like a Psion, but it's not a Psion. With too many corners cut to hit a budget, it just can't compare with it's more expensive cousin.
Hello Dinosaur speaking- with all that kerfuffle why not use a pencil and a bit of paper for taking notes since the device seems little use for anything else- even when produced. Now it is understandably an interesting museum piece of "ye olden tymes" a mere 20 or so years ago . My how tekkie time doth fly
ReplyDeleteA good question - and one that the Osaris itself isn't a good answer for. The budget feel and iffy keyboard make the device more awkward than a pen and a piece of paper. The Psion Series 5 offered a keyboard that made data entry much more comfortable. I think that's where a lot of older tech (and maybe some newer devices) fall down. The convenience of having something typed up so you can just transfer it over to a PC/laptop for editing/posting etc needs to be in line with the ease of the data entry itself. This is why I pay particular attention to keyboards as they remain the most convenient manner of text entry. And no, touchscreens are in now way a replacement, despite what some tablet users think.
DeleteYou are right in calling it an interesting museum piece. It'll probably not see much use but the fact that it is of some (albeit limited) purpose even today shows that the basic idea of such a device is sound.
I own an Osiris 8 Mb palmtop but it has lain dormant for a few years and the back-up battery has died. I have put new AA batteries and a replacement CR2025 backup in but there is no response when I try to switch on. Is there anything I can do to re-awaken my Osiris?
ReplyDeleteI have known a similar problem with a Psion and plugging in a mains charger with new batteries fitted got it going and it ran fine with batteries alone after that. Aside from that, I can suggest checking the battery contacts, maybe the hinge mechanism but other than that, I can’t think of anything else. Sorry.
DeleteThat sounds well worth trying. I'll give it a go
Deletetomorrow and report back - thanks.
A bit late response, but did you check the switch for holding the battery room cover? It seems Osaris have some protection, 'cause ii won't turn on if the switch being in opened position.
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