todd@uhccux.UUCP (02/23/87)
I posted a query about the WorldLink 1200 portable Hayes compatible modem
a while back and received two or three favorable responses. Since then a
friend headed to the mainland and tested two portable (cigarette pack sized)
Hayes 1200 compatible modems. After looking at both the
WorldLink 1200
and the
Migent Pocket Modem
his comment was that the Migent seems like a better buy. His reasons were
the Migent seems more sturdily constructed, comes with good documentation,
and the support staff at Migent are knowledgeable and helpful.
The migent is about the same size and price as the WorldLink 1200. The only
drawback I can see in the Migent is that it lacks the LEDs the WorldLink has.
However, that is a relatively minor consideration.
I'd like to ask you net-folks for opinions if you have played with the
Migent Pocket Modem any. The street price of the Migent is supposed to
be around $150, so the price is right for me.
Thanks...todd
--
Todd Ogasawara, U. of Hawaii Computing Center
UUCP: {ihnp4,seismo,ucbvax,dcdwest}!sdcsvax!nosc!uhccux!todd
ARPA: uhccux!todd@nosc.ARPA
INTERNET: todd@UHCC.HAWAII.EDUrpw3@amdcad.UUCP (02/24/87)
In article <327@uhccux.UUCP> todd@uhccux.UUCP (The Perplexed Wiz) writes: >I'd like to ask you net-folks for opinions if you have played with the >Migent Pocket Modem any. The street price of the Migent is supposed to >be around $150, so the price is right for me. >Thanks...todd Talk about your coincidences... I just bought a Toshiba T100 laptop, and as it is totally battery operated (when you want it to be), I wanted a modem to go with it that I could use "from a phonebooth" (so to speak). The salesman at Fry's Electronics (Sunnyvale, CA) pushed the Migent Pocket Modem, at $149. I got one, and I've used it (briefly, so far) both with the Toshiba and with my Fortune System. With the Pocket Modem I got (included) the "Bitcom" communications software, which seems to do the job. It seems to handle 9600 baud o.k. (when I plug the Toshiba straight into the Fortune), and also knows all about the Pocket Modem (of course). You set up a bunch of predefined scenarios, and then to dial one of them you just put the cursor on it and "dial". (Direct connect is one possibility.) The modem itself is *TINY*, and is supposed to run for a long long time on a 9v alkaline battery. It gives you a warning beep 20 min before running out (if you don't diable the beep). It also comes with an A/C adapter, BUT they were backordered (you get a little coupon good for one when you send in your warranty registration card). In addition, it comes with a modular telephone jumper cord (the Pocket Modem has two jacks on the back, wired in parallel), a short DB-25 extension cord (in case you can't screw the Modem directly on your P.C. -- it's designed to screw right onto the back of an IBM or clone), and even comes with a DB-9 to DB-25 cord (which is nice, since the Toshiba uses a DB-9!). All in all, not a bad deal for $149 + tax. As I'll be mostly using it from the Bitcom software, I haven't looked at the Hayes compatibility too much, but just looking at the manual (actually, TWO manuals! one for the modem and one for the software, about 120 pages total) it looks like a superset of most of the latest and greatest Hayes functions, including some that are normally only on the 2400 baud guys. (After I get MINIX ported to the Toshiba, I'll have to learn all the command sequences, I guess, in order to teach Unix\\\\MINIX about it.) I did try a few of the usual, e.g. "ATDT(800)555-1212<cr>", and it works. Like I said, it seems to work o.k., but I haven't had a chance to bang on it "in the field", so I don't know how it likes noisy lines. Also, you would want to be quite careful with all the programmable options if you were using it as a dialin modem to your host system ('cause there's a LOT of options, and you need to get them all right; the Bitcom software takes care of that for a dialout-only situation). It DOES use NVRAM for the options, so even if the battery dies (or a power failure, if using an A/C adapter), you don't lose your settings. p.s. The software is not copy-protected, so you can move it to your hard disk. In my case, I had to get it copied from the 5-1/4" disk it comes on to the little 3-1/2" guys the Toshiba uses. (The salesman at Fry's was kind enough to do that for me.) p.p.s. The software claims to handle XMODEM file transfer, but I haven't tested it yet. DISCLAIMER: My only connection is as a (for the time being) satisfied customer. ("More news at 11...") Rob Warnock Systems Architecture Consultant UUCP: {amdcad,fortune,sun}!redwood!rpw3 DDD: (415)572-2607 USPS: 627 26th Ave, San Mateo, CA 94403
hrs@homxb.UUCP (02/24/87)
> Hayes 1200 compatible modems. After looking at both the > > WorldLink 1200 > and the > Migent Pocket Modem > > his comment was that the Migent seems like a better buy. His reasons were > the Migent seems more sturdily constructed, comes with good documentation, > and the support staff at Migent are knowledgeable and helpful. > I was in the market for a 1200 modem for my Trash 100, and called Migent fro information. They promised to send me material (in December). I did not receive any.! I chose the WorldLink, it was recommended by a user friend, but also because it support the CCITT V. series as well as the Bell protocols. Since I travel overseas, this is a big advantage. I have used it to call a number of machines, and it works very well. Herman Silbiger ihnp4!homxb!hrs