#28.8 modems
30 messages in this thread
I am planning on getting a 28,800 modem in the next few days, anyone with any
suggestions as to which work well and which to avoid? I am leaning towards the
Supra model.
Thanx in advance,
..Steve
Cruising on Autopilot
from beautiful Coastal South Carolina
From what I hear, the Supra model is your best bet. The one reviewed by PC Mag
didn't perform too well, but it had a Rev4 ROM I believe, and the ROM rev is up
to 15 or so now. I'm not sure whether there's a ROM flasher for the Amiga yet
– Alex Baker said he was going to try and make one – but at least there's a
chance of getting one, whereas with other brands of modems, it'll be a cold day
in hell before you can get a ROM flasher. Of course you could always bring
your modem to the place you bought it or something…
Regardless, as far as I can see, the Supra offers the best bang for the buck on
the economy level – the first model that beats it, the USR Courier, costs about
twice as much, and no other models in its price class offer flash ROMs.
One thing I want to know is whether there's a silent answer version. Anyone?
Mr. Zombie
PMFJI but what is a ROM flasher.
Hani
Apparently the Supra v.34 modem has a Flash ROM or similar technology. That is
a ROM which can be reprogrammed in place (no need for special equipment or to
remove the ROM). With the right software on your computer, you can upgrade the
ROM by downloading a new file and running the software. There is a PC version
of the software, but, so far, no Amiga version.
dale@iam.com http://www.iam.com
Intangible Assets Manufacturing
There is a silent answer availible. I have not used it but the docs say it has
a new feature for watching between FAX and DATA.
Zeddock Miller
Can it auto-answer only if it detects a fax tone and let an answering machine
keep the call otherwise? I think the SupraFaxModem 14.4LC (I think that's the
model) does that, as long as you leave 3 seconds of silence at the beginning of
your answering machine announcement.
Mr. Zombie
Yes, I am testing the Silent Answer feature now, and it seems to work. Though I
am plagued with a short-dual ident-a-ring, recognition problem.
Zeddock Miller
Thanx Paul,
A local sysop is trying to talk me out of the supra and going with the USR
Sportster, saying the supra has a hard time talking to his USR. While the
Courier I have now, has served me exceptionally well, I have heard the
sportster is not even made by USR but subcontracted out. Mac Warehouse has the
Supras for $229! (They even offer a generic 28.8 for $139!)
With the high speed modems, mass storage devices and other computer
peripherals taking a nose dive in prices the last year, it is ironic the 4000
(an obsolete model!) I want so bad has gone up tremendously. :-/
..Steve
Cruising on Autopilot
from beautiful Coastal South Carolina
Steve-
I would not go with the Sportster. I have a 14.4 Sportster, and there's
nothing wrong with it, especially for the price I paid, but the 28.8 Sportster
is in the same price region as the Supra and has fewer features – like no Flash
ROM. Also, I'd advise against the generic 28.8 unless you're really pinched
for cash, because even some of the name 28.8 modems in the PC Mag review did
very poorly and just didn't seem to be worth the money.
Unless the Courier drops way down in price, I expect I'll get the Supra,
especially if it supports Silent Answer.
Also, the problem that sysop is referring to may have gone away with newer Revs
of the Supra's ROM, although I'm REALLY just guessing, way out on a limb, on
that one.
Mr. Zombie
The Sportster 28.8's have a bunch of problems with their fax code in firmware.
The Couriers are OK…. The Supra uses the most recent Rockwell code with
alot of enhancements and I highly recommend it. The Sportster _is_ made by
USR.
-Jonathan
MAC Quadra/486PC compatible courtesy Amiga, Emplant and BB. Emplant beta
tester. Running AP v1.78. E-mail: JonathanB@delrina.com
I take it you own one? Does it support Silent Answer a la the Supra 14.4LC?
Mr. Zombie
Yes, I have many and it does support silent answer.
-Jonathan
MAC Quadra/486PC compatible courtesy Amiga, Emplant and BB. Emplant beta
tester. Running AP v1.78. E-mail: JonathanB@delrina.com
Hi Steve
Don't let anyone talk you out of the Supra V34, I use one and they work
great. The problem he is referring to is not in the Supra, it was a
retraining problem in the USR's! When they got the last flashrom code
installed we lost the problem. You will want to make sure your new Supra
has the latest flash installed too. I was having some problems with poor
quality line connects until the last flash came out recently.
That is a great convenience, whatever you get try to make sure it has the
flashrom feature. Forget that generic 288 too: didn't work too well for
one of my points.
Good luck
Tom
alternate: jonest@hfsi.com
I never met a man I didn't like…Will Rogers
Tom (& Paul & Jim & Karl & all the others),
Thanx for all the info! The Supra it is! Now just waiting for CIS to open
some 28.8 nodes!
..Steve
Cruising on Autopilot
from beautiful Coastal South Carolina
Steve –
> A local sysop is trying to talk me out of the supra and going with the
> USR Sportster,
Before you decide, read the traffic on the USR forum (MODEMVENDOR, section 4)
for a few days….
jsaklad@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
If you are price shopping for modems, I just got a Supra 288 last week from
Computability for $199 plus $10 for 2 day shipping.
— Lowell
> From what I hear, the Supra model is your best bet.
Practical Peripherals make very good modems, as testified to by several local
SYSOPS. They provide a >>lifetime<< limited warranty.
> I'm not sure whether there's a ROM flasher for the Amiga yet – Alex Baker
> said he was going to try and make one – but at least there's a chance of
> getting one, whereas with other brands of modems, it'll be a cold day in
> hell before you can get a ROM flasher. Of course you could always bring
> your modem to the place you bought it or something…
If the EPROMs are upgraded on a Practical Peripherals modem, PPI will send you
the new one FREE if you ask for it (as for instance, in their CIS forum). No
flash ROMs.
I've been waiting for the top-of-the-line LCD 28800 PPI modem. Probably be
getting it in a couple of weeks.
jsaklad@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
You don't have to send your modem into the factory to get the ROM replaced?
That was the one thing that bugged me about the PP28.8k modem as reviewed in PC
Mag.
In any case, let me know how it turns out.
Mr. Zombie
The only PPI modems that you need to send in to the factory to get ROMs
replaced are the 28.8 and 14.4 pocket modems. All the desktop models are
upgradeable by users.
Just be aware that we are transitioning tech and support facilities to Georgia
this and next week. If you guys want, I'll post the GA tech support number.
// Christian – AP 1.77
\X/ Only Amiga Makes It Possible
> You don't have to send your modem into the factory to get the ROM
> replaced? That was the one thing that bugged me about the PP28.8k modem
> as reviewed in PC Mag.
I haven't bought my PPI 28.8k modem yet, but with my former PM9600SA and my
present PM14400FXSA, the answer to the question above is No, you don't. I also
haven't seen the PC mag article. I'll copy your message verbatim over in their
forum (GO PPIForum) and ask.
I left a private message on the forum requesting the ROM update, it was
acknowledged, and in a few days I received the ROM in the mail, together with
the (straightforward) installation instructions. No sweat!
jsaklad@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
Jim, What is the price range of the PPI 28.8? I do like the idea of having
support on CIS. I too, have heard good things about PPI.
..Steve
Cruising on Autopilot
from beautiful Coastal South Carolina
I think I have seen one of the PPI 288 modems for about $240 at Computer City
and CompUSA. The top-of-the-line ones with the 3-line LCD display, just coming
available now, are more like $350, I think.
jsaklad@welchlink.welch.jhu.edu . . JimDoc, on AutoPilot
Well, *I* have ordered the Supra, so you know what I think. OTOH, my order has
been on backorder for more than a month, so the word seems to be out.
-Karl
I just got the Supra 288 and so far so good (especially if you're reading this
msg!)….
The jump from 2400 to 14400 is…. stunning! I used to be able to read stuff
as it went by on the screen; I'm now lucky if I can even SEE the stuff as it
wizzes by! 🙂
– Barry Jarrett
careening around CIS on my Amiga!