FAX and the SupraModems?
43 messages in this thread
Can anybody tell me if there is a any FAX software available that
will work reliably with the SupraFAXModem V32bis…as advertised on the
back cover of the Jan issue of Compuserve Magazine?.
It would seem to be a very attractive price (399.95) for a FAX modem
that will also do V32bis (and I presume V32 also). I would very much like
to upgrade to this modem but I would like to be sure of the ability to both
send and recieve FAX on it.
Would also be interested to hear from anyone who knows of any
discount retailers in the U.S selling this modem/software. It is not easy
to check for the best prices from here.
Many Thanks
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
So far, they've announced software for Windows and the Mac, but not the
Amiga. According to unverified reports from people here in the Amiga
forums, Supra is willing to talk with any party who'd like to develop such
software for the Amiga, but the rumors also said the deal wasn't very
"sweet", so only time will tell. I'd bet that some Amiga software shows up
sooner than later, after the device starts shipping. the Amiga market
serves them well, but it doesn't compare to the size of the PC and Mac
markets.
John,
Thanks for the input regarding the FAX software…..I did not
realise that FAX software was written specifically for a modem. I was under
the mistaken impression that FAX software would work any FAX modem.
That kind of puts a damper on things but the price is good even for
just a straight v32bis modem is'nt it???
Thanks
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
YEs, $399 is excellent for a v.32bis data modem. Street price should be
under $300. Apparently there is one outfit in the Compuserve Mall (GO MALL)
that has them advertised for $272.
I don't know about the compatibility of various Fax packages to each modem.
Could be that a modem supporting say, Class II, will work with any pacjage
that talks Class II. I don't expect to have to wait too long for Fax
capability.
-larry
Larry,
Any idea who the vendor on the MALL is?….I scanned through the
Mall yesterday under "modems" but could'nt find that particular one on
offer anywhere but then Im not an expert with the Mall.
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
Sorry Paul, I can't remember the name of the vendor. I looked myself, and
cold not find the modem offered. If I see the fellow who mentioned it, I'll
ask.
-larry
Safe Harbor (414-548-8125) is advertising the Supra modem for us$245. I
have not heard of any fax software being available for it yet.
– Whapp!ng from the North Coast Michael
Michael,
Thanks for that info….at those prices I may just fly over and
pick it up!! :-).
I will give Safe Harbor a ring tomorrow and see if they have one in
stock.
Does anyone know if this modem (FAXv32 bis) will connect at all speeds
i.e 2400, 9600 and 14.4 etc in DATA mode?.
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
Yes, it will. I got an information flyer from Supra, and the FAX ability
is an ADDITION to a full-fleged data transferring modem. Everything you
chould want in a modem is there, plus the FAX ability.
– db —–> via Whap!
> Would also be interested to hear from anyone who knows of any discount
> retailers in the U.S selling this modem/software.
One usually reliable source quoting SupraFAXModem 14.4 for $305.00 is:
Safe Harbor Computers – 2120 E. Moreland Blvd, Ste. L – Waukesha WI 53186
Information and Service: 414 548-8125 Bulletin Board (24 Hrs): 414 548-8140
(2400 BAUD)
or 414 548-8154 (9600 BAUD)
Abel Supply (Computer Shopping Network) quotes the same item for $272.09
Computer Shopping Network – 7207 Chapman Hwy – Knoxville TN 37920
Store (Voice Lines) (615) 577-5100
FAX OrderLine (615) 577-1170
MultiUser BBS (Modem) (615) 573-8888
Hope this helps….
. . . . . JimDoc
Jim,
Thanks for all your suggestions for the Supra Modem….I have just
got off the phone from both Supra and Safe Harbor and both were very
helpful but as yet the V32bis modem is not available, they hope to ship in
about 3 weeks.
Its nice to know also that Safe Harbor will entertain international
orders, I will try them again in a few weeks.
Many thanks to all who have helped with this thread, looks like I
just got to sit tight and wait now!.
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
Paul,
I am also thinking of getting the Supra Modem perhalps from the US. I would
be very interested in hearing how you get on getting one and how well it
works over here.
Paul
Paul,
I currently use the Supra2400 Plus which I also imported from the
U.S, I got it direct from Supra so they sent me the correct power supply
(220-240v) at the time. If you get one in the U.S from a retailer you will
more than likely have problems with this item but it is only an external 9
v DC adaptor that is needed which you can get in just about any electrical
shop.
The only other problem will be the phone plug as the U.S type is
different from the U.K BT type but again this easy to change with either an
adaptor or just put your own plug on the existing cable.
Dont forget that it wont come with a nice green "BT approved"
sticker…. but I dont worry about that. The modem itself is exactly the
same as you would buy in the UK (inc NO green sticker).Be careful with
prices though, if you order from Supra you will be charged about 50+
dollars for carriage/insurance and also have to pay VAT and Duty in the UK
when it arrives (17.5% VAT + approx 6-7% Duty) which will bring it close to
UK prices…..much better to try and get one from a U.S retailer at a
discount price and persuade them to send it U.S Mail (as opposed to UPS
carrier) and it will work more to your advantage ;-).
The main advantage of importing from the U.S is to avoid the delay
in getting your hands on a new product…usually about 3-4 months and I
HATE waiting!!.
Hope this helps
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
Paul,
I have a friend over in the US, so I am thinking about getting the modem
sent to him, and asking him to send it on to me as a gift! I expect he
could devalue it a little for the customs forms etc. I was over in New York
a few weeks ago, its amazing just how much cheaper many items are over in
the US compared to here. If you get one of the modems I will be very
interested to hear how well it works over here.
Paul
I should also point out that Practical Peripherals rarely is in the lead in
time-of-release of new products, but they are often up there with the best
in terms of quality.
They now have LIFETIME warranties on their modems. AND on-line support
here on CompuServe (GO PPIForum). And a BBS.
They have announced the PM14400SA (free-standing V.32bis, V.42bis modem
with 9600bps fax capability), but have not yet announced price, or release
date (or upgrade cost for us PM9600SA owners).
. . . . . JimDoc
That's nice to see. The benefit to the buyer is obvious. Looks like the
v.nnbis/Fax modem wars are going to heat up real quick.
-larry
Jim,
I dont know much about the Practical Peripherals equipment…..I have
seen them advertised on CIS and in the magazine but I have not seem them in
the UK. That doesnt matter to me anyway as I will import from the U.S.
Does your PM9600SA do FAX?….if so how much was it and does it have
any software?.
I think I will get a V32bis from Supra Corp Safe Harbor say that they
have a large waiting list and it may take some time for me to reach the
top…..so I figure it would be much quicker to get one direct from Supra
(if a little more expensive!)
The PM14400SA does sound very interesting but I really want a new
modem ASAP……I was very close to ordering a Miracom HST Dual Standard
when the CIS mag dropped through my door.Surely this new wave of cheap 14.4
V32bis modems will spell the end for the HST standard wont it?.
Paul
Plymouth,England
Paul:
I would think we're seeing the last days of the HST standard. It serves US
Robitics right for trying to set a standard, and then not licensing it to
other companies. There's too many modem manufacturers out there to allow
one company to set a standard. Besides, V32 and v32bis are better, despite
them being more complicated.
Paul
OTOH, why in the world would you buy a modem that doesn't support HST,
since US Robotics will sell you one that does both, eh?
There are a HUGE number of HST capable modems out there; US Robotics was so
far ahead of the rest of the industry it's funny, and that's one good
reason to show them some respect.
On our company BBS, we get a huge number of HST modem connects… buying
non-HST would have cut those people off, which would be stupid.
–Ben
Ben,
One good reason not to buy an HST is because you can only get it
from US Robotics.
Don
I guess I don't see your point Don, if you have one.
US Robotics is a huge, stable company with a large quantity of product out
there. They do good service, too – We had a lightning strike and they
didn't even flinch – fixed it for free under the two year warranty.
They're more likely to be in business than, say general motors, next year.
–Ben
Ben,
The HST standard will die this year with the mass production/availability
of the (cheap) v.32bis/fax chip sets. Anyone buying a new modem today
would be crazy (or have money to waste) to buy an HST Dual Standard.
The 2 year warranty doesn't impress me too much. My modem (PM9600SA) has a
lifetime warranty. Supra has a 5 year warranty.
-sja
That's what you said LAST year, and you were wrong then, too. Remember?
–Ben
Ben,
It's not US Robotics themselves…it's that the only place to get
one is from them. No standardization. IF USR decides to drop it tommorow,
everyone who currently owns one is SOL.
Like many companies…they tried to get one up on the competition
by keeping their methods proprietary rather than licensing it and making it
a standard. They'd have made more money in the long run (in my opinion).
In one way or another, all of us here have taken the risk of not
going with a standard. And there are times when that can be good, and
there are times when that isn't so hot. When dealing with equipment as
generic as a modem, I don't think moving away from the standards is such a
hot idea, unless you've got an extremely strong reason. I once bought a
modem that didn't support the AT command set. I got it for about 25% of
the normal price for a 1200 baud modem ("way" back when they cost $400 and
up) so it was worth it…but boy was it a real pain trying to get software
to autodial it or to get it to go "transparent" so file transfers would
work.
Don
You seem to be a bit confused. An HST DS modem user wouldn't be SOL if USR
went out of business tomorrow. The modem is 100% compatible with the v32
stuff that is out there, so you're in like Flynt there, and it ALSO runs
HST modes, which the "standard" modems lack… it's MORE of a modem then my
Zoom, for instance.
The only thing you'd have to watch out for is the modem having a problem
(if there was no USR company) but as I told Steve, I don't think that's
likely to happen.
There every reason TO buy a USR DS for a BBS operator, and in fact, any
other action is decidedly unfriendly to the users out there… there are
TONS of USR modems in the marketplace.
–Ben
Ben,
Surely price is the deciding factor here isnt it?…
SupraFAX V32bis | Courier HST DS
|
14.4k Data V32bis| 14.4k HST/V32bis Data
14.4k FAX | NO FAX
|
| ————————————————–
$399 (list) | $ unknown (list)
$305 (cheapest- | $ 800 (cheapest ad-
ad Ive seen)| Ive seen)
I will be interested to observe USR's response to this onslaught from
the V32 bis brigade.
I certainly do respect USR for being the first but I respect my wallet
more :^).
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
Well, since the Supra is Vaorware at present, I guess price isn't the
factor, _patience_ is the factor. Also remember for an AMiga, the Supra has
NO FAX because there is no software at present.
For a BS operator, compatibility is the important factor, and the HST's
cost about 450$ for which you get v32/v42 & HST both. Not out of line at
all. The $450 price is for a BBS operator.
Have you ever heard the expression, penny-wise and pound foolish?
When you can run 14.4k as a user, and you save some bucks to run 9600
instead ( that >9600 rate doesn't really apply to compressed data, usually
although my Zoom will run 12k baud for real with another Zoom) the question
that arises is, how long will it take your phone bill to eat those
"savings" you had if you operate on HST based systems?
With a modem, the money you spend to buy it isn't the last, nor usually the
larger part of, money you spend. A slower modem costs you more.
An HST will send data at an honest 14.4k baud without compression.
–Ben
Ben,
I can accept many of your views concerning the need for BBS
operators to provide compatibility for as many users as possible, but now
that also requires you to provide not only HST and V32 but now V32 bis as
well.I know that the latest Dual Standard provide all three and at the
price you mention for the sysop deal I could hardly argue that it is an
"over the top" price, but surely in the end it is the BBS user and not the
provider that will set the standard.
I feel that price per k/sec is what will win through at the end of
the day. Can you please explain what you mean when you say that a HST will
do an "honest 14.4k without compression"?….surely a V32 bis will also do
the same , I was under the impression that V32 bis has a 14.4 connect rate
without compression and that V32 was 9600.
I would quite like a DS but I cannot connect to CIS with HST (so HST
only modem is out of the question) and at a UK price of close to $1200 for
a DS I will take my chances and be "patient" in the hope that a real world
(real cheap :^) V32bis modem will be with us soon. It does seem to me that
CIS has made the choice , and that is a pretty big BBS.
Regards
Paul
Paul
Plymouth,England
It's hard for me to comment on the market in the U.K. – it's pretty alien
to me. You people still have to pay the post office extra to run a modem?
Or was that some other country like Germany (or both)?
And yes, USR provides everything in one tidy box… and the price is more
than acceptable.
The thing that I look at is how many HST's were sold out there before;
also, look how many BBS's actually have HST modems, or dual standards…
because there are so many, that pushed the users somewhat to buy HST
modems, and there sure are a lot of them out there. For access to an HST
only BBS, with an older modem, you need a DS; I wouldn't suggest to anyone
that they should buy an HST only modem at this point, it's silly. For
access TO your BBS from users who are HST only, you need a DS.
I'll have to look at the v32bis stuff, but I was under the very strong
impression that 9600 was about all you could get, uncompressed, and to get
9600 reasonably with data that is lharced, for instance, you had to turn
the compression off anyway. I could be wrong… I kind of breeze thru
telecomm as much as possible, because I've too much else on my tiny little
mind. :^)
–Ben
So tell me Ben, when are you getting a Telebit for your BBS?
-larry
Why, Larry – how many do you have? <grin>
–Ben
About three months ago I wrote US Robotics a letter and I told them that:
– Giving huge discounts to BBS sysops that bought USR HST modems was a
stroke of marketing genius. What a way to create a market for your
product!
– I told them that I am looking to purchase a high-speed modem. I want a
modem line protocol that will be around for a long time. V.23 and V.32bis
are the international standards and the modem I get will do both. However
there are a LOT of BBS systems that support HST and not V.32 so to me it
would be advantageous to have both line protocols.
USR makes a "dual standard" modem that does both V.32 (maybe V.32bis as
well, I can't remember and the brochure is at work) and HST. Last time I
checked, there was a $300.00 difference between the two. I told USR that
the difference was WAY out of line considering that V.32 would soon outsell
HST if it wasn't already. I told them that I'd buy the 'dual standard' if
it was only an additional $50.00 (max) more than their V.32 only modem. I
suggested that they license HST to other manufacturers ASAP for dirt cheap
before HST is left behind by V.32 and/or drop the price on the 'dual
standard.'
I think USR has a nice product but their marketing and pricing structure is
out of date.
-J
I wouldn't have a USR modem in my house, after experience with one of their
so-called modems. Personally, I think it was a coffe warmer. It worked
better at that than as a modem. It didn't even have the redeeming virtue of
small size, so I couldn't throw it very far.
-larry
> Does your PM9600SA do FAX?
No, sorry, the PM9600SA is a straight data modem. When I got it for $500
it was listing for $700. With the V.32/V.32bis wars the list price may be
down now, however.
. . . . . JimDoc
There will shortly be an upgrade available for the PM9600SA that includes
v.32bis and fax. GO PPIFORUM for more details.
-sja
I called those same guys 3 weeks ago and they told me THEN that it would be
three weeks from when I originally called. It's a bummer to hear that's
it's still AT LEAST three more weeks away.
– via Whap!
How reliable is this Abel place. That price seems awful low compared to
others I've heard. How long have they been around and how do they usually
advertise?
– via Whap!
If I may butt in here. I have been a regular customer at Abel supply.
They go now by the name Computer Shoppers Networ, but they're so well known
as Abel, so they still answer to it.
Give them a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed. They've been
around I believe for about 3-4 years.
Mig C.
John,
If I may interject, I've been dealing with Abel Supply for years and have
been very satisfied. They're located in Tennessee and I've never seen them
advertise. However, they consistently have the lowest prices on hardware
and software. This is all factory sealed merchandise, not repacks or
refurbished goods.
You call or fax them or leave an order on their BBS. Within a few days the
product arrives. If there's a problem, they'll exchange it and they'll pay
return shipping. Otherwise, you will have received the same product
everyone else is selling, but at the lowest possible cost. I guess they can
do this because they don't advertise.
I always use Abel and I recommend them.
Dom Fontana
What are the phone numbers for Abel?
Bill, K3OZM
CSN -Computer Shopping Network (formerly Abel Supply)
Voice: (615) 577-5100
BBS: (615) 573-8888
FAX: (615) 577-1170
– Whapp!ng from the North Coast Michael
> How reliable is this Abel place.
Hmmm. Reasonably reliable. Better than Montgomery Grant. Not as good as
Safe Harbor. I think they have little on-the-premises stock, so you order,
then they get it from the supplier, then re-ship it to you. It takes longer
than someone who has the item in stock.
> That price seems awful low compared to others I've heard.
Whenever I can, I try to quote people an Abel price, because, if they list
a product, it is almost always the lowest price I can find.
> How long have they been around
At least 4 years to my personal knowledge.
> and how do they usually advertise?
AHH! NOW you come to it! As far as I can tell, they don't. They have a
BBS (if you get on, and get to the libraries, the fastest way to get the
master pricelist is to say you want to download, and as for "CSN", and it
will list the latest Computer Shopping Network archived pricelist, such as
CSN0122.LZH) and you can often find their price list(s) on non-comercial
BBS's.
Their BBS number is : (615) 573-8888 (24Hours, 8N1-300 Thru 9600 Baud)
Store (Voice Lines) (615) 577-5100 FAX OrderLine (615) 577-1170
. . . . . JimDoc
Jim:
CSN has an ad (the first I've ever seen) in the current issue of Amazing!
– Whapp!ng from the North Coast Michael