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From: jtn@potomac.ads.com (John T. Nelson)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems,comp.sys.mac.hardware
Subject: Searching for inexpensive V.32 9600 bps modems (was cheap telebits)...
Message-ID: <8398@potomac.ads.com>
Date: 1 Mar 90 17:59:38 GMT
Organization: Advanced Decision Systems, Arlington VA
Lines: 62


Well I've made my decision on what kind of modem to purchase.  I had
originally thought that a Telebit T1000 or Telebit Trailblazer would
be the appropriate modem for me, with it's built in support for UUCP
resistance to line noise and and high speed transfer rates.  At least
one poster pointed out, however, that I might be making a mistake with
the Telebits and I can see now that they were right, so I've decided
to purchase a Racal Vadic 9632VP V.32 compatible modem.

The rational:

Telebits are great for UUCP transfer and high-speed transfers with
other Telebits.  You just can't beat 'em.  They are also quite
reliable even over cruddy communications lines.  The problem is that
all of the Telebits are EXPENSIVE ($550 for the least expensive
Telebit) and do high-speed transfers using their own proprietary PEP
protocol.  This is achieved by running the line in half-duplex mode
and the Telebits are notorious for slow line turnarounds which means
running SLIP on a Telebit would be PAINFUL.  Telebit does manufacture
a V.32 modem which also incorproates PEP but this modem is $1050
discount pricing.  Too much for me.

MacUser, a Macintosh magazine, ran a big article on high speed modems
recently in which they tested and rated different manufacturers' V.32
modems.  They rated the CONNECT service modem as tops due to it's
superior performance and all the little extras that CONNECT throws in.
CONNECT is apparently a business oriented bulletin board service so
you get a free subscription and 1 hour's connect time to their service
with the modem.  The problem with this is the price:  $999 for a lot
of stuff I don't need.

 The Racal Vadic 9632VP rated second with excellent throughput and
very good resistance to noise.  The USR Courier V.32 rated just behind
the Racal.  Although the USR was slightly faster, it was much more
expensive.  The runners up included the Prometheus ProModem 9600 and
Mac Friends Lightspeed.  The Mutltitech V.32 modem showed
dissapointing performance and line noise resistance, despite the
ravings about Multitech modems on the net.  The Prometheus and
Lightspeed similarly showed only average throughput and noise
resistance.

The lowest price for the Racal Vadic, that I've found, is $650 from
Lex Computers in Columbia Maryland.  That's a VERY good price for a
V.32 modem.  The USR Courier V.32 can't be had for anything less than
$900.  The Prometheus and Mutitech modems show solid although average
performance at a decent price.  The Prometheus can be obtained
mailorder for about $750 and the Multitech is available from Avnet
(414) 796-2400 for about $680.

So, the Racal looks best with the lowest price and second place
performance characterstics.  Cowabunga!

Since most of the high-speed modems in my calling vicinity are Telebit
T2500's, they will also support V.32 and it will be possible to
converse with them at the higher rates if necessary.  I also believe
that proprietary protocols (as nice as the g protocol spoofing and PEP
are) are a thing of the past.  The emergent standards of today will be
the defato standards of tomorrow so V.32 is it.  V.32 also means SLIP
support!  The only problem is that I won't be able to talk to Telebits
in PEP mode.  Big deal.

Enjoy!