[comp.dcom.modems] Choosing a V.32 modem

burke@pollux.usc.edu (Sean Burke) (10/07/89)

 Not wanting to enter the '90s with an '80s modem, I lately perused the 
mailorder ads in the October Byte, and I came across a number of appealing
(cheep :->) V.32 modems:

  Courier V.32		V.32,MNP5,.22bis,Bell,...	AT	$900
  Lightspeed 9624E	V.32,MNP5,.22bis,Bell,...	AT	$800
  ProModem 9600		V.32,MNP5,.22bis,Bell,...	??	$700
  *Mystery-Modem* V.32	V.32,    v.22bis,Bell,...	AT	$500

 Clearly, the adventurous modem shopper has quite a range of options today.
The *Mystery-Modem*, by the way, is advertised by an outfit called "ONLINE
STORE" on page 335.  The Lighspeed featured on p144h, and the Promodem on 349.
The Courier gets a one-line entry on p226.  The ProModem is the only one whose
ad does not claim Hayes compatibility.  None of the adds above used phrases 
like "fully V.32 compliant" though the Lightspeed cited "V.32 compatibility".

 So my questions are, in order of ascending price:

 - Does anybody know who makes makes *Mystery-Modem*? Has anybody bought and
used one?  There are both int and ext versions!  Would I really be crazy enuff?

 - C'mon, the Promodem talks AT, right?  Has it been reviewed in any magazine
articles?

 - Who are these Lightspeed guys?  Why should I pass by a reputable vendor
like USR to save less than 100 bucks?

 - Who are these USR guys?  Would I pass up a stellar outfit like Telebit 
just to save $600?  In a minute.

  Am I missing any other good deals?  I'm going to call about the MysteryModem,
and if I get a thirty day return I'll go fer it.

Sean Burke

"The nice thing about true hopelessness
 is that you don't have to try again" - Jules Shear