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Inexpensive Modems.txt
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1992-08-28
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Date: Tue, 07 Jul 92 08:08:14 PDT
From: Paul Brians <BRIANS@WSUVM1.CSC.WSU.EDU>
Subject: Inexpensive Modem Information Text File
Here is a collection of messages on current inexpensive modems prompted by my
query in the Digest. Lots of good information here. The consensus: thumbs
down on the Xeba, lukewarm support for the Zoom, cheers for the Supra. I
can't afford any of them at the moment, but others will doubtless find this
information useful. Thanks to all who contributed info.
Now, does anybody know where to get the Supra for under $300?
Paul Brians, Dept of English, Washington State Univ. Pullman, WA 99164-5020
****************************
Daniel E. Rudman
CAEN Macintosh Systems Division
The University of Michigan
Or, if you were really smart, you'd call up MacZone and order a
SupraFaxModem, with 14.4K/14.4K, FaxSTF software, cable, and other misc.
goodies for only $379.00. It is my understanding you can get it cheaper
elsewhere, as well.
The modem is fairly good. The Xeba sucks, from what I hear. Supra's modem
is small and heats up pretty fast.. and you'll have to be a little tricky
if you have noisy lines AND you want 14.4K communications (mine often
drops to 12K under AppleTalk Remote.
You can get it for UNDER $300 (the SupraFaxModem, that is)... if you don't
want a cable (big deal) or the FaxSTF software (who needs it). I've heard
it offered as low as $289.00, but I don't remember where... check around!
****************************
From: M94JHINSON@Ruby.VCU.EDU
Subject: modem shopping
I was just shopping for a quicker modem myself, and considered the same
options you are, but I bought one of the new Supra V.32 fax/modems and would
suggest it over the others. First, my modem's speaker went out not long after
I got it, and the tech. support was excellent. They're kinda hard to get on
the phone, but I had my modem back within a week. They were also good about
sending an upgrade for the fax software. Next, price. I got my V.32 for $251!
This didn't include the cable or the software (the cable was $9 more), which
they call the "MacPack." I got it from MacZone, but this is a little lower
than their advertised price--I talked them down to match Mac's Place prices.
Everything I heard suggested that the Supras are more reliable than either
the Zooms or the Xebas. Plus, if you pay the extra $20 or so, for the MacPack
you get an older version of Microphone as your comm software. Good luck.
****************************
From: Tim Rushing <RUSHING@WSUVM1>
I bought a Supra Fax/Modem v.32bis from Mac's Place for $378. It
supports MNP2-5 and 10. V.32, V.32bis, V.42, and V.42bis. 14,400
modem and send/receive fax. I've been pleased with both the
fax, the modem, and the documentation. It comes with a five
year warranty and the company claims it will be coming out with
add-ons this fall which will support caller id (though the state won't
let us use it in Wash.) and voicemail.
When I dial up the mainframe, I usually connect using V.42. Sometimes
I end up connecting at MNP 5. The network gurus here tell me these are
the only protocols supported here. V.42 is error correction and does
nothing for compression. MNP 5 is 2:1 data compression, but
if you're downloading a bin-hexed or other pre-compressed file, it
actually takes longer using MNP 5. So, if I'm planning to download
I make sure I have a V.42 connection. It's a shame they don't support
V.42bis data compression. That works at 4:1 and automatically shuts
off if the material being sent is pre-compressed.
Hope this was helpful.
****************************
From: capnal@aqua.whoi.edu (Al Duester)
I bought a Zoom v.32bis (14,400 faxmodem) last month. I've had this problem
with the *other* end. I get a logout, and then my phone sits connected to a
distant modem because I haven't been paying attention to the lights on my
modem. About one time out of forty, the remote system doesn't hang up or
release (like it's supposed to) on a logout. An hour later I notice that I
have carrier! Luckily this happens with local lines and not long distance
(so far).
I have had situations where the Zoom refuses to acknowledge the "+++"
string, and I've had to switch it off. That's happened 2-3 times in the
month that I've owned it.
You should be aware that currently the Zoom will not be able to connect to
some 2400 baud modems at 2400, only at 1200. Zoom tech support claims
they're working hard on getting a ROM upgrade out to solve the problem. I'm
not positive they know what's going on yet........ You might try a command
string of AT&Q5S37=6N0DT which on mine forces a protocol negotiated 2400
baud connection. Replace the Q5 with Q6 to try a non-negotiated connection.
****************************
From: hallofjustice!bursik@uunet.UU.NET (Dave Bursik)
I owned one of the earlier Xeba Fax/data modems (24/96 V.42) and
ended up trading it for a Supra FaxModem Plus (same specs, much
better construction).
I had both hardware and software problems with the Xeba modem but
have gotten much better results from the Supra. (Its software is
missing a few features of the Xeba's, but what *is* there *works*.)
Even if Logicode (Quicktel/Xeba) has improved the software and
electronics of their products, the "cute" case they use is pretty
flimsy; I also prefer the 2 or 3 character status LED's on the
Supra to the (meaningless) icons that are on the Xeba.
Supra's customer service is much better than Logicode's (I had to
send a couple of letters to Logicode to get my money back once I'd
returned the modem).
If you're comparing Xeba & Supra, buy the Supra. If you want to
save a few bucks & like Zoom modems, by all means get one of those
instead of the Xeba.
-Dave Bursik
LCC, Inc. / Arlington, VA / (703) 516-7398 / uunet!lccinc!bursik
****************************
From: Cheng Ng <ng@ics.uci.edu>
QuickTel advertised several months back in MacUser. I ordered a V.32 modem.
They originally promised to shipped in 3 weeks, but it was more than
2 months when they finally shipped. They also lied; each time I called them
to inquired, they promised to ship the following week.
The modem finally arrived dead (it failed the self test, don't they test them
at the factory?). Calls to technical service was put on hold forever.
Once they took my number but never call back. They finally agreed to take
the modem back, but I was out shipping cost.
Maybe they have since cleaned up their act, but do you want to do business
with them?