Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!utgpu!water!watnot!watmath!clyde!rutgers!ames!amdcad!rpw3 From: rpw3@amdcad.UUCP Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc,comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: Migent Pocket Modem (query) Message-ID: <14944@amdcad.UUCP> Date: Tue, 24-Feb-87 06:52:39 EST Article-I.D.: amdcad.14944 Posted: Tue Feb 24 06:52:39 1987 Date-Received: Fri, 27-Feb-87 01:10:08 EST References: <327@uhccux.UUCP> Reply-To: rpw3@amdcad.UUCP (Rob Warnock) Distribution: world Organization: [Consultant] San Mateo, CA Lines: 72 Keywords: portable modem Migent Worldlink Xref: utgpu comp.sys.ibm.pc:1905 comp.dcom.modems:298 Summary: Funny you should mention... I just got one 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", 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