bond@aerospace.aero.org (Walt Bond) (08/19/90)
In article <STUCKI.90Aug16133549@neuron.cis.ohio-state.edu> stucki@neuron.cis.ohio-state.edu (David J Stucki) writes: >Does anyone have good or bad or otherwise recommendations for Zoom >Technologies' 2400 baud modem (with sendfax)? > >thanks in advance... > >dave... Recently had my "Maxon 2400" go belly up, and they want $55 to fix it. Damn thing only had a 90-day warranty, and now I know why. Anyone want to buy it for, say, $35? It still works if you let it warm up for a while, sometimes. I see that for $69 I can get what appears to be an OEM version of the Zoom 2400 from 800-MAC-STUF. 2yr warranty. This sounds like the ticket, but wait... The Zoom 2400 sendfax modem is only $119 from several sources. I decide to try one from Software-That-Fits since they have free tech support and a 30-day return policy. 7yr warranty. 800-972-3018. It shows up in a couple days, works just fine as a Hayes-compatible data modem (am using it right now) with Versaterm. But there are problems... Software with the modem is "Quicklink II Fax" version 1.0.2, created 20 April 1990. This is a basic comm program with TTY, VT100/102/52 emulation and X/Ymodem and Kermit/"SuperKermit" (whatever SuperKermit is, and they don't say) file xfer. Has a scrollback buffer. This same program is supposed to send faxes, but they must be either simple text, Pict, MacPaint, or TIFF files. Not a bad effort considering the price, but the VT102 emulator has problems. For example, when talking to a VAX/VMS host running EDT, deleting a line in the buffer didn't scroll the text up to fill the gap as it should. I hit real problems when trying the FAX feature. This from a MacIIcx. Either the machine would lock up with no message, or Quicklink would complain that it can't find the modem. After some fiddling I give up and call Zoom's 800-number, but they refer me to their tech support line (not toll-free). So we try Software That Fits tech support. They just happened to be trying to get a Zoom sendfax to work and had been having problems also. But... next day they said they had gotten it to work per the instructions and that another customer who had been having problems managed to send a fax also. He said Zoom said that this was sensitive to the serial cable pinout and gave me the "correct" pinout. I check my cable and sure enough, it isn't exactly as he said it should be, even though it has worked fine with a data modem (and with the Zoom). At this point I'm undecided whether to bother getting a new cable or not. Even if it does work, the Quicklink II software isn't very wonderful - hanging the machine is not nice, no matter what sort of cable might be there. You can't simply take a MacWrite file and fax it either. Anyone else tried this puppy? The next-most-interesting modem is a new one from Global Village (see P144 of 7 August 1990 MacWeek), 800-736-4821. $150 gets you a "Teleport" modem that plugs into the ADB, and uses the ADB for both power and data transfer, without affecting keyboard or mouse response, they say. Includes a sendfax option that may be $60 or free, depending on whether or not they decide to extend a special offer. The fax software isn't available yet, but the modems are. 5-yr warranty, 30-day return option. Modem is Hayes compatible and has MNP-5. Person I talked to there sounded knowledgable, but has been nearly a week and I haven't gotten the printed info I requested yet. A CDEV will remap one of the normal serial ports into this modem. Or if you have COMM- toolbox running, this is another available serial device. (posted for a friend, but you can reply here. we have no affiliation with any of the above except as potential or real customers of uncertain satisfaction.)
ts@cup.portal.com (Tim W Smith) (08/20/90)
$150 for 2400 bps (not baud, dammit!) + $60 for the ability to send a fax is $210. This doesn't strike me as a good deal. Prometheus has a 2400 bps (not baud, dammit!) + send FAX modem that I've seen in stores for $230, and it comes with good software (Backfax and Macknowledge), and Prometheus is a well known company in the modem world. I sold mine, but not because of any flaws in the product. Rather, I decided that I wanted something that would receive also. For $280 mail order, there is the DoveFAX Desktop, which can also receive FAX. Also, the DoveFAX can operate in the background, and the FAX is 9600 bps, unlike many of the send only FAX modems, which are 4800. I've had one for a few days, and it seems to work fine. Tim Smith
bond@aerospace.aero.org (Walt Bond) (08/21/90)
In article <33015@cup.portal.com> ts@cup.portal.com (Tim W Smith) writes: >$150 for 2400 bps (not baud, dammit!) + $60 for the ability to send >a fax is $210. This doesn't strike me as a good deal. As you stated it, perhaps not. However, there is added value in the smaller footprint, no external power cube to mess with, built-in MNP Level 5, and possibly included free sendfax software (if their intro offer is extended) that looks like a chooser-selectable printer (and is thus compatible with most any Mac software, unlike Zoom/Quicklink). BTW, the problem with the Zoom/Quicklink on MacIIcx did turn out to be the cable. Thing will send faxes, but the user interface and compatibility with Mac applications (can only send plain text (ASCII), TIFF, or PICT files) leave much to be desired.
SSRBH@CUNYVM.BITNET (Steve Robinson) (05/09/91)
I am looking for any benchmark comparisons between two modems, Zoom Telephonics and SupraModem Plus. Both claim 2400 baud rate, MNP5 and v.42bis protocols. Last year's MacUser had the Zoom leading a pack of 2400B modems but this did n ot include the Supra version. The Supra uses an Intel chipset and the Zoom use s one from Rockwell, I believe. Are there any non-trivial differences ?