[net.micro] ProModem followup. People's opinions.

conrad@lasspvax.UUCP (Conrad Cady) (05/08/85)

A while ago, I posted an article asking what people think about Prometheus
ProModems.  I have inserted parenthetical comments in the three responses 
I received.  If you have any more comments to add, please send them to me,
and I will post another followup, if there is enough interest.  [I got many
other messages saying stuff to the effect of "please post what you learn".]

-<first reply>-----------------------------------------------------------------
* I tried a Prometheus modem here for about a week and once I figured out
* the correct switch settings to emulate a Hayes (manual was wrong), it
* worked like a champ.  Unlike some other new modems, it can still
* recognize busy signals and give up without waiting a long time, even in
* Hayes emulation.
* 
* Gary Grossoehme
* Prometheus + Pro-YAM II
* 
* The main problem with the Prometheus mode is the "DIAL COMPLETED"
* message which YAM thinks is "CONNECT" (it's looking for a T).
  [Is this a problem with the modem, or Pro-YAM?  I don't know, as I
  have never used Pro-YAM.]
* ---
* By iterative empirical methods, I've determined that the following
* switch setting works with YAM: 1-4,6,9 on; 5, 7,8,10 off.
* This doesn't agree with any reasonable interpretation of chapter 5
* of their manual, so it might be wise to call Prometheus to see which
* is wrong - the manual or this unit.
  [A fluke, maybe?  In either case it doesn't sound good.]
* The modem seems to work fine as a Hayes clone, at least as far as
* Pro-YAM is concerned.
* --
* Chuck Forsberg WA7KGX	..!tektronix!reed!omen!caf
* Omen Technology Inc 17505-V NW Sauvie IS RD Portland OR 97231
* Voice: 503-621-3406	Modem: 503-621-3746 (Hit CR's for speed detect)

-<second reply>----------------------------------------------------------------
*    I had a promodem 1200 (external) bought for me by the company here
*    and it worked for about two weeks.  One day, I tried to use it just
*    as I had previously done, and it did not work.  My suggestion at this
*    point is to get some other brand.  I am waiting to get the modem 
*    back (it was sent last week for repairs), and maybe it was just
*    a fluke failure, but just to be safe, you might look at some other
  [Another fluke?  Sounds a little suspicious.  The quality should be 
  checked pretty thoroughly before you buy, if possible.  Will most mail-
  order places replace defective products?  I don't think so.]
*    brand.  I would appreciate hearing what others have to say about
*    this modem, so if you get a chance, send me other's replys.
* 
*    John Blankenagel
*    tektronix!tekig5!johnbl

-<third reply>----------------------------------------------------------------
* From: clyde!ukma!ukengr44!bennett@cornell.UUCP
* 
* 	I own a ProModem 1200 (external) and am *THOROUGHLY*
* satisfied with it. It beats the hell out of a Hayes. I recommend
* the ProModem to everybody!
  [This is encouraging.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Any other comments?  You can mail the comments to me, and if I get enough,
I'll repost the results.  Don't post the comments.

In the meanwhile, I have borrowed a U.S. Robotics Password modem to use, and 
have had *no* trouble with it.  It has Hayes autodial facility, and, well, it 
seems to work just fine.

Thanks to all who responded.

Conrad
-- 
Conrad Cady, 513 Clark Hall LASSP, Cornell U., Ithaca, NY 14853 (607)256-3963
{ihnp4,decvax,allegra,vax135}!cornell!lasspvax!conrad    conrad@lasspvax.arpa