Ups and downs with the Osaris (Oregon Osaris)

Member Name: enbe

Product:	Oregon Osaris
Date:	19/02/02 (939 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: memory add on, Web browser, Email/Fax

Disadvantages: problem with quality control, .mbm picture format, can't use .asp .php etc

I thought I would let you know about the Oregon Scientific Osaris HHC which I have owned since December 1999.

I bought it from Argos in the UK and had to swap out 2 units due to booting problems but the retailer did not seem to mind and no significant data was lost. The unit I now use has survived a fall from about 2 feet onto a hard floor and continues to give good service (2002)!
It cost about half the price of the equivalent Psion with the same OS. This list of features is not exhaustive and there are features I never need. I recommend using the Ericsson SH888 mobile as a modem for email and web use. I recommend using non-rechargeable pencells to keep the working voltage high.
The main features of the Oregon Scientific Osiris hand held computer are as follows:
1/ OS on my unit is an EPOC release 4 copyrighted by Symbian Ltd UK which is the same as the Psion
2/ comes with a CDROM of applications and instructions which needs access to a PC to use
3/ 4 MB of memory is standard which upgrades to 16 MB using moderately priced CompactFlash memory addons
4/ full online help
5/ an infra red port
6/ an RS232 port
7/ 6vDC power in
8/ back light
9/ strong case
10/ applications include web browser and email/fax package
11/ data output is PC compatible
12/ WEB BROWSER
favorites
reads files from RAM and the WWW
handles animated graphics
can disable graphics
search facility
font changes
history
13/ EMAIL/FAX
powerful user interface
full remote, sent, draft, inbox, outbox folders
address memory
attachments capable
full message sort
14/ Comms communications program for communicating with other computers
15/ Sketch pad with clip art, crop, rotate, text features etc etc
16/ Bombs game
17/ world time, alarms etc
18/ Spell checker, anagram solver, cross word solver and Thesaurus
19/ OPL text editor for writing compiling and
running your own OPL programs
20/ desktop and scientific calculator
21/ word processor compatible with Microsoft
22/ 3 fonts, bold, italic, underline
23/ handles pictures etc
24/ justification line spacing etc
25/ zoom
26/ search and replace
27/ special characters
28/ Spreadsheet program with graphics
29/ Database program
30/ Jotter
31/ auto file compression
32/ Agenda program for diaries etc with search, multi page display alarms etc etc
33/ printing capability
34/ runs on two pencells
35/ can be backed up to a PC using cable supplied
35/ compatible with Ericsson SH888 mobile phone for mobile email and Internet capability
36/ better than WAP display

On the downside:
1/ it needs an external modem
2/ .MBM format picture files are not universally accepted
3/ Cannot handle complex web addresses eg .php .asp etc etc
4/ Limited frames capability

So after getting a good unit and two years of use the Osaris is still going strong . I have plenty of memory and can send emails and surf the web if I need to. There is rarely a day when I don't pick up the Osaris and use it for something.

Summary: