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5mx weight is 350 g per Psion's 5mx User Guide p. 191 (354 g was the Wikipedia figure)
 
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| image        = [[File:Psion Revo.jpg|250px]]
| image        = [[File:Psion Revo.jpg|250px]]
| caption      = A Psion Revo
| caption      = A Psion Revo
| developer    = Psion Teklogix
| developer    = Psion
| manufacturer = Psion Teklogix
| manufacturer = Psion
| type        = Clamshell palmtop / PDA
| type        = Clamshell palmtop / PDA
| release_date = November 1999
| release_date = November 1999
| discontinued = 2003
| discontinued = 2003
| cpu          = ARM710T @ 36 MHz
| cpu          = ARM710T @ 36.864 MHz
| memory      = 8 MB ROM; 8 MB RAM
| memory      = 8 MB RAM; 8 MB ROM
| storage      = Internal RAM disk only — '''no CompactFlash slot'''
| storage      = Internal RAM disk only; no memory card slot
| display      = 480 × 160 monochrome LCD, 16 greyscales, resistive touchscreen, '''no backlight'''
| display      = 480 × 160 greyscale LCD with reflective backing, touch-sensitive; no backlight
| sound        = Speaker
| sound        = Loudspeaker, ½ W 8 Ω
| dimensions  = 157 mm × 79 mm × 17 mm
| dimensions  = 157 mm × 79 mm × 18 mm
| weight      = 200 g
| weight      = 200 g
| os          = Symbian (EPOC32) Release 5
| power        = 2 × internal AAA NiMH rechargeable cells (650 mAh); 6 V DC mains adaptor
| os          = EPOC Release 5 (Symbian)
| predecessor  = [[Psion Series 5mx]]
| predecessor  = [[Psion Series 5mx]]
| successor    = Conan (prototype, never released)
| successor    = Conan (prototype, never released)
| model        = Rebadged as the Diamond Mako; Chinese-market 618C and 618S
| model        = [[Psion Revo Plus]]; Diamond Mako; Chinese-market 618C and 618S
}}
}}
The '''Psion Revo''', launched in November 1999, is the small, light EPOC machine: the same '''36 MHz ARM710T''' and the same software as the [[Psion Series 5mx|Series 5mx]], in a case '''157 × 79 × 17 mm''' weighing '''200 g''' against the 5mx's 354 g.<ref name="wprevo">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Revo "Psion Revo"], Wikipedia. Source for the launch date and lifespan, dimensions and weight, the processor and memory, the omissions relative to the 5mx, the Revo Plus, the Diamond Mako and Chinese-market rebadges, the Conan prototype, the OpenPsion and Revol projects, and the entire battery and charging discussion.</ref>
The '''Psion Revo''' is a clamshell palmtop computer released by Psion in November 1999. It runs EPOC Release 5 on the same 36 MHz ARM710T processor as the [[Psion Series 5mx]] and runs the same software, in a case of 157 × 79 × 18 mm weighing 200 g, against the 5mx's 350 g.<ref name="wprevo" /><ref name="revohb" /><ref name="ug5mx">Psion Computers PLC, ''Series 5mx User Guide'', version 1.1, October 1999, p. 191 (specification). Hosted on this wiki: [[:File:Psion Series 5mx User Guide (October 1999).pdf]]; see [[Psion Series 5mx User Guide]].</ref> Compared with the Series 5 and 5mx, the Revo has a smaller 480 × 160 screen, no memory card slot, no backlight, and two internal rechargeable NiMH cells in place of user-replaceable AA batteries.<ref name="wprevo" /><ref name="revohb" />


The weight came out of the specification. Relative to the Series 5 and 5mx the Revo has a '''smaller screen''' (480 × 160 rather than 640 × 240), '''no flash-card slot''' and '''no backlight''' — and, most consequentially for anyone owning one today, '''no user-replaceable batteries'''.<ref name="wprevo" />
== History ==


== Hardware ==
The Revo was launched in November 1999 with 8 MB of RAM, and was followed by the [[Psion Revo Plus]] with 16 MB and a larger battery. SONICblue sold the Revo Plus in the United States and Canada as the Diamond Mako, and Psion and Enfour made two Chinese-market versions, the 618C (traditional characters) and 618S (simplified characters).<ref name="wprevo" />


A successor, codenamed Conan, was close to completion when Psion left the consumer PDA market. It ran EPOC Release 6 and was to have Bluetooth and a backlight, although Bluetooth did not work in the development builds.<ref name="wprevo" />
The OpenPsion project (formerly PsiLinux) ports Linux to Psion machines including the Revo, and Revol is a version of OpenPsion optimised for the Revo.<ref name="wprevo" />
== Specifications ==
<templatestyles src="Template:StyledTable/styles.css" />
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:left;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:left;"
|+'''Psion Revo specification'''<ref name="wprevo" /><ref name="spec">[https://www.psion.netogram.com/psionspecifications.html "Psion 3mx, Psion 5, Psion 5mx, Psion Revo and Psion Revo Plus specifications"], netogram.com. Source for the ROM and RAM sizes, interfaces, docking station, average run time and power adapter rating.</ref>
|+'''Psion Revo specification'''<ref name="revohb" />
! Item !! Specification
! Item !! Specification
|-
|-
| '''Processor''' || '''ARM710T''' at '''36 MHz''' — the same part as the Series 5mx
| Processor || 32-bit ARM710T core, 36.864 MHz
|-
| ROM || 8 MB (Psion's handbook gives 8 MB or 16 MB depending on model)
|-
| RAM || 8 MB (16 MB on the [[Psion Revo Plus|Revo Plus]])
|-
| Display || 480 × 160 greyscale, reflective backing, 125 × 48 mm viewing area; touch-sensitive, with 9 program icons and 5 command icons beside the screen. No backlight.
|-
|-
| '''ROM''' || 8 MB
| Keyboard || 53-key QWERTY
|-
|-
| '''RAM''' || '''8 MB''' (16 MB on the [[Psion Revo Plus|Revo Plus]])
| Sound || Loudspeaker, ½ W, 8 Ω
|-
|-
| '''Display''' || 480 × 160, 16 greyscales, resistive touchscreen. '''No backlight.'''
| Storage || Internal RAM disk; no memory card slot
|-
|-
| '''Storage''' || Internal RAM disk. '''No CompactFlash or other card slot.'''
| Communications || RS-232-compatible serial link through the docking station, up to 115,200 baud; infrared
|-
|-
| '''Interfaces''' || IrDA, and RS-232 on a 9-pin D-sub, at up to 115,200 bit/s
| Batteries || Two internal AAA NiMH rechargeable cells, 650 mAh
|-
|-
| '''Connectivity''' || Docking station
| Mains adaptor || 6 V DC ±10 %, 500 mA
|-
|-
| '''Power''' || '''Two internal, non-user-replaceable NiMH AAA cells, 700 mAh''', about 14 hours
| Size and weight || 157 × 79 × 18 mm, 200 g
|-
|-
| '''Mains adapter''' || 100–240 V AC ±10 %, 50/60 Hz
| Operating temperature || +5 °C to +40 °C
|-
|-
| '''Size and weight''' || 157 × 79 × 17 mm, 200 g
| Storage temperature || −10 °C to +40 °C
|-
|-
| '''Operating system''' || Symbian (EPOC32) Release 5
| Operating system || EPOC Release 5
|}
|}


It is '''software compatible with the 5mx''' and, like it, carries a small suite of office and communications applications in ROM. Extra software is installed from a desktop computer through the docking station.<ref name="wprevo" />
The Revo is software-compatible with the 5mx and has office and communications programs in ROM. Other programs are installed from a desktop computer through the docking station.<ref name="wprevo" />
 
== The batteries ==
'''The Revo was notorious for battery and charging problems''', and this is the single most important thing to know about the machine.<ref name="wprevo" />


Where the 5mx takes two ordinary AA cells you can change in a corner shop, '''the Revo's two 700 mAh NiMH AAA cells are soldered to a connector and sealed inside the case, under the nameplate'''. Twenty-five years on, essentially every surviving Revo needs them replaced.<ref name="wprevo" /><ref name="r3uk">David Savery, [https://www.r3uk.com/index.php/tech-tips/34-disassembly-guides/3-psion-revodiamond-mako-disassembly-and-battery-replacement "Psion Revo/Diamond Mako Disassembly & Battery Replacement"], R3UK, 2004. Source for the disassembly and battery replacement procedure, the cell specification, the temperature sensor and the case microswitch.</ref>
== Battery and charging ==


Three specific behaviours are worth knowing before you touch one:
The Revo's two AAA NiMH cells are inside the case under the lid nameplate, not in a battery compartment. They are charged from Psion's 6 V mains adaptor, either through the docking station or through the power socket at the rear of the machine.<ref name="revohb" /><ref name="r3uk" />


* '''Revos suffer from batteries coming loose and unplugging''' inside the case — a problem Psion '''fixed in the [[Psion Revo Plus|Revo Plus]]'''.<ref name="wprevo" />
Charging, as Psion describes it:<ref name="revohb" />
* '''Use NiMH cells only.''' Because of the way the charging circuit works, nothing else is recommended.<ref name="wprevo" />
* '''Do not put a Revo on charge when the battery is already above about 80 %.''' The charge termination depends on sensing a thermal change around that level, and '''missing it can and does lead to overcharging'''.<ref name="wprevo" />


The full procedure, including the recalibration charge that has to follow it, is on the '''[[Psion Revo Battery Replacement]]''' page.
* The Revo fast-charges to 85 % in about 1½ hours from empty, with the red light below the Esc key lit, then trickle-charges with the red light off.
* The first charge, and the first charge after a hard reset, should be a full one, which can take up to 6 hours. It sets up the battery gauge.
* Once fully charged, the Revo does not start charging again until it is disconnected from the adaptor and reconnected.
* A full charge gives typically 12 hours of continuous use. Switched off, the Revo uses about 1 % of its charge per day and keeps its data for up to 6 weeks. When the battery has run down there is enough left to keep the data for about 2 weeks.


== Variants and relatives ==
The charge controller finds its calibration point by detecting a thermal change in the cells at about 84 % of indicated capacity. Kevin Millican's charging notes advise against putting a Revo on charge above about 84 %, because the charger may then fail to drop to trickle charge; any level between 10 % and 80 % is fine.<ref name="millican" /> The cells are NiMH, and nothing else is recommended as a replacement.<ref name="wprevo" />


{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:left;"
A small number of 8 MB Revos had battery packs whose cells were a loose fit and could shake loose, resetting the machine and losing all data. Psion's fix was to replace the undersize cells and glue the new ones in place.<ref name="millican" /> On older machines the battery connection cable can wear and develop a high resistance, which switches the machine off under heavy load even with the gauge above 50 %.<ref name="millican" />
|+'''The Revo family'''<ref name="wprevo" />
! Machine !! Difference
|-
| '''[[Psion Revo Plus]]''' || '''16 MB''' of RAM instead of 8 MB, a larger battery, and the loose-battery problem fixed
|-
| '''Diamond Mako''' || A [[Psion Revo Plus|Revo Plus]] rebadged by SONICblue for the United States and Canada
|-
| '''618C and 618S''' || Chinese-market Revos produced with Enfour, for traditional and simplified characters respectively
|-
| '''Conan''' || The unreleased successor. A third-generation PDA running '''EPOC Release 6''', intended to have '''Bluetooth and a backlight''' — although Bluetooth did not function in the development builds
|}


== The backlight that isn't ==
The replacement procedure, including the full recalibration charge afterwards, is on the [[Psion Revo Battery Replacement]] page.


The Revo has no backlight, and there is a persistent story that the wiring for one was left in place. Pads marked '''EL+''' and '''EL−''' do exist under black tape on the screen PCB — but a voltmeter across them shows '''no reading, AC or DC''', with the unit on or with the Fn + Space sequence that works on a Series 5.<ref name="r3uk" />
== Backlight pads ==


'''Fitting a backlight to a Revo has not been shown to work.'''
The Revo has no backlight. R3UK's David Savery, taking apart his Revo Plus, found pads marked EL+ and EL− under black tape on the screen PCB, but measured no voltage across them, AC or DC, with the machine on or after pressing Fn+Space, the Series 5 backlight key combination.<ref name="r3uk" />


== Linux ==
== Documentation ==


The '''OpenPsion''' project (formerly PsiLinux) ports Linux to the Revo, and '''Revol''' is an optimised version of OpenPsion specifically for it.<ref name="wprevo" />
* [[Psion Revo Handbook]], version 1.1, February 2000 ([[:File:Psion Revo Handbook (February 2000).pdf|PDF]]): Psion's user guide, with the charging instructions, care and safety, troubleshooting and reset procedures, and the specification.<ref name="revohb" />
* Psion published no service manual or schematic for the Revo.


== General maintenance ==
== General maintenance ==
{{Main|Psion Revo General Maintenance}}
{{Main|Psion Revo General Maintenance}}
Cleaning, charging practice and storage. See the [[Psion Revo General Maintenance]] guide.


== Troubleshooting ==
== Troubleshooting ==
{{Main|Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide}}
{{Main|Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide}}
Charging and battery faults, resets and other symptoms. See the [[Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide]].


== Battery replacement ==
== Battery replacement ==
{{Main|Psion Revo Battery Replacement}}
{{Main|Psion Revo Battery Replacement}}


== See also ==
Opening the case under the nameplate and replacing the two AAA cells. See [[Psion Revo Battery Replacement]].
 
== Related pages ==


* [[Psion Revo Plus]] · [[Psion Series 5mx]] · [[Psion Series 5]]
* [[Psion Revo General Maintenance]]
* [[Psion Series 3mx]] — the SIBO machine the Revo replaced in the small-palmtop role
* [[Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide]]
* '''[[Battery Refurbishment]]'''
* [[Psion Revo Battery Replacement]]
* [[Psion Revo Plus]]
* [[Psion Series 5mx]]
* [[Psion Series 5]]
* [[Battery Refurbishment]]


== References ==
== References ==


<references />
<references>
<ref name="revohb">Psion Computers PLC, ''Psion Revo Handbook'', version 1.1, February 2000, part no. 6070 0001 01: "Getting started" (pp. 14–18), "Care & safety" (pp. 196–198), "Troubleshooting" (pp. 200–203) and "Specification" (p. 206). Hosted on this wiki as [[:File:Psion Revo Handbook (February 2000).pdf]].</ref>
<ref name="wprevo">[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Revo "Psion Revo"], Wikipedia.</ref>
<ref name="r3uk">David Savery, [https://www.r3uk.com/index.php/tech-tips/34-disassembly-guides/3-psion-revodiamond-mako-disassembly-and-battery-replacement "Psion Revo/Diamond Mako Disassembly & Battery Replacement"], R3UK, 9 August 2004.</ref>
<ref name="millican">Kevin Millican, [https://www.millican.info/oldsite/revobats.htm "Revo Battery Information"], 25 May 2003.</ref>
</references>


{{Navbox-Psion}}
{{Navbox-Psion}}


[[Category:Psion]]
[[Category:Psion]]

Latest revision as of 13:15, 30 September 2026

Psion Revo
A Psion Revo
Specifications
DeveloperPsion
ManufacturerPsion
TypeClamshell palmtop / PDA
ReleasedNovember 1999
Discontinued2003
CPUARM710T @ 36.864 MHz
Memory8 MB RAM; 8 MB ROM
StorageInternal RAM disk only; no memory card slot
Display480 × 160 greyscale LCD with reflective backing, touch-sensitive; no backlight
SoundLoudspeaker, ½ W 8 Ω
Power2 × internal AAA NiMH rechargeable cells (650 mAh); 6 V DC mains adaptor
Dimensions157 mm × 79 mm × 18 mm
Weight200 g
OS / FirmwareEPOC Release 5 (Symbian)
PredecessorPsion Series 5mx
SuccessorConan (prototype, never released)
Model no.Psion Revo Plus; Diamond Mako; Chinese-market 618C and 618S

The Psion Revo is a clamshell palmtop computer released by Psion in November 1999. It runs EPOC Release 5 on the same 36 MHz ARM710T processor as the Psion Series 5mx and runs the same software, in a case of 157 × 79 × 18 mm weighing 200 g, against the 5mx's 350 g.[1][2][3] Compared with the Series 5 and 5mx, the Revo has a smaller 480 × 160 screen, no memory card slot, no backlight, and two internal rechargeable NiMH cells in place of user-replaceable AA batteries.[1][2]

History

[edit | edit source]

The Revo was launched in November 1999 with 8 MB of RAM, and was followed by the Psion Revo Plus with 16 MB and a larger battery. SONICblue sold the Revo Plus in the United States and Canada as the Diamond Mako, and Psion and Enfour made two Chinese-market versions, the 618C (traditional characters) and 618S (simplified characters).[1]

A successor, codenamed Conan, was close to completion when Psion left the consumer PDA market. It ran EPOC Release 6 and was to have Bluetooth and a backlight, although Bluetooth did not work in the development builds.[1]

The OpenPsion project (formerly PsiLinux) ports Linux to Psion machines including the Revo, and Revol is a version of OpenPsion optimised for the Revo.[1]

Specifications

[edit | edit source]
Psion Revo specification[2]
Item Specification
Processor 32-bit ARM710T core, 36.864 MHz
ROM 8 MB (Psion's handbook gives 8 MB or 16 MB depending on model)
RAM 8 MB (16 MB on the Revo Plus)
Display 480 × 160 greyscale, reflective backing, 125 × 48 mm viewing area; touch-sensitive, with 9 program icons and 5 command icons beside the screen. No backlight.
Keyboard 53-key QWERTY
Sound Loudspeaker, ½ W, 8 Ω
Storage Internal RAM disk; no memory card slot
Communications RS-232-compatible serial link through the docking station, up to 115,200 baud; infrared
Batteries Two internal AAA NiMH rechargeable cells, 650 mAh
Mains adaptor 6 V DC ±10 %, 500 mA
Size and weight 157 × 79 × 18 mm, 200 g
Operating temperature +5 °C to +40 °C
Storage temperature −10 °C to +40 °C
Operating system EPOC Release 5

The Revo is software-compatible with the 5mx and has office and communications programs in ROM. Other programs are installed from a desktop computer through the docking station.[1]

Battery and charging

[edit | edit source]

The Revo's two AAA NiMH cells are inside the case under the lid nameplate, not in a battery compartment. They are charged from Psion's 6 V mains adaptor, either through the docking station or through the power socket at the rear of the machine.[2][4]

Charging, as Psion describes it:[2]

  • The Revo fast-charges to 85 % in about 1½ hours from empty, with the red light below the Esc key lit, then trickle-charges with the red light off.
  • The first charge, and the first charge after a hard reset, should be a full one, which can take up to 6 hours. It sets up the battery gauge.
  • Once fully charged, the Revo does not start charging again until it is disconnected from the adaptor and reconnected.
  • A full charge gives typically 12 hours of continuous use. Switched off, the Revo uses about 1 % of its charge per day and keeps its data for up to 6 weeks. When the battery has run down there is enough left to keep the data for about 2 weeks.

The charge controller finds its calibration point by detecting a thermal change in the cells at about 84 % of indicated capacity. Kevin Millican's charging notes advise against putting a Revo on charge above about 84 %, because the charger may then fail to drop to trickle charge; any level between 10 % and 80 % is fine.[5] The cells are NiMH, and nothing else is recommended as a replacement.[1]

A small number of 8 MB Revos had battery packs whose cells were a loose fit and could shake loose, resetting the machine and losing all data. Psion's fix was to replace the undersize cells and glue the new ones in place.[5] On older machines the battery connection cable can wear and develop a high resistance, which switches the machine off under heavy load even with the gauge above 50 %.[5]

The replacement procedure, including the full recalibration charge afterwards, is on the Psion Revo Battery Replacement page.

Backlight pads

[edit | edit source]

The Revo has no backlight. R3UK's David Savery, taking apart his Revo Plus, found pads marked EL+ and EL− under black tape on the screen PCB, but measured no voltage across them, AC or DC, with the machine on or after pressing Fn+Space, the Series 5 backlight key combination.[4]

Documentation

[edit | edit source]
  • Psion Revo Handbook, version 1.1, February 2000 (PDF): Psion's user guide, with the charging instructions, care and safety, troubleshooting and reset procedures, and the specification.[2]
  • Psion published no service manual or schematic for the Revo.

General maintenance

[edit | edit source]
Main article: Psion Revo General Maintenance

Cleaning, charging practice and storage. See the Psion Revo General Maintenance guide.

Troubleshooting

[edit | edit source]
Main article: Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide

Charging and battery faults, resets and other symptoms. See the Psion Revo Troubleshooting Guide.

Battery replacement

[edit | edit source]
Main article: Psion Revo Battery Replacement

Opening the case under the nameplate and replacing the two AAA cells. See Psion Revo Battery Replacement.

[edit | edit source]

References

[edit | edit source]
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "Psion Revo", Wikipedia.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Psion Computers PLC, Psion Revo Handbook, version 1.1, February 2000, part no. 6070 0001 01: "Getting started" (pp. 14–18), "Care & safety" (pp. 196–198), "Troubleshooting" (pp. 200–203) and "Specification" (p. 206). Hosted on this wiki as File:Psion Revo Handbook (February 2000).pdf.
  3. ↑ Psion Computers PLC, Series 5mx User Guide, version 1.1, October 1999, p. 191 (specification). Hosted on this wiki: File:Psion Series 5mx User Guide (October 1999).pdf; see Psion Series 5mx User Guide.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 David Savery, "Psion Revo/Diamond Mako Disassembly & Battery Replacement", R3UK, 9 August 2004.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kevin Millican, "Revo Battery Information", 25 May 2003.


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