Vadic 9600bd modem deal
9 messages in this thread
Richard,
I would suggest you look into US Robotics… They now have a 14,400
baud modem on the market selling for around $650 – $750. I know, I KNOW…
What would you want with a 14.4 KB modem??? Well, if more people had them
then BBS access would be a SNAP!!! For those of you who say the price is
somewhat exorbant (SP?) as I recall it was not TOO long ago that 2400's
were selling for about the same, and look at them now!
Jamie
Jamie,
I've been told the US Robotics modems use proprietary data
compression, & won't go past 9600 when talking to other makes. All the
protocols the Vadic uses are industry standards. Also, Info World's
testing rated it at slightly over 18KB thruput – not the fastest one they
tested, but it provides the most bang for the buck at the special price.
It's still a steep price for a modem but, as you implied, your average BBS
power-user could make it pay for itself in a short while. I figure this'll
hold me until ISDN comes along…
— rh —
Richard,
You are correct that the HST needs to talk to another HST to go up to
14,400. However, since the other modems won't go past 9600 no matter which
modem you are talking to, how is it better to go with one? Granted you
need a dual standard HST to talk to other V.32 9600 baud modems, but I have
not found that a problem. I own a plain HST and have yet to find a 9600
baud or greater bulletin board that did NOT support it! On the other hand
I have seen BBS's that while they support the HST do not support V.32 so
your other modem would not be useful on it. I suggest you check out the
BBS you plan on calling to see which types of modems it supports before
making a decision.
A dual standard costs around $900, but a plain HST is only around
$500 and I love mine!
Kenny
Kenny,
If both ends support MNP level 5, your effective throughput is
increased about 80% thru data compression. InfoWorld recently tested
several V.32/MNP 5 modems, & found throughput ranging from 15 to over 19KB
(heavily dependent on the type of data being sent, of course). You're
quite right re HST's popularity on BBSs. Most of the BBSs I haunt already
support V.32 &/or MNP 5, & I made durn sure my employer's network dial-ups
are compatable, so this solution works for me.
— rh —
Richard,
The HST also supports MNP level 5, in addition to the 14,400 bps.
Kenny
Kenny,
I didn't know that — shouldn't be surprised, I guess; most of the
newer models support levels 2-5, & even saw an ad for one supporting up to
MNP level 10! At any rate, my Vadic came in this afternoon, so perhaps my
wife won't be posting the MCI bills on my office wall quite as often…
— rh —
I own a US Robotics HST 14,400 baud modem and LOVE it! There are BUNCHS of
BBS's that support it! Including the Lattice BBS. I definitely recommend
it!
Kenny
Kenny,
Is it using a compression scheam? From what I've heard its running
a straight 14,400 baud.
Jamie
Jamie,
Yes the HST runs at 14,400 bps and will automatically adjust rates
down or up (has the following 12K, 9600, 7200, 4800 etc) if necessary. It
does have MNP up to Level 5, but that can be disabled if you want.
Kenny