From: schuster@panix.com (Michael Schuster)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: Re: ZyXEL 1496S - Should I buy one?
Date: 20 Aug 92 21:42:53 GMT
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix & Internet, NYC

In article <14435@mindlink.bc.ca> Mike_Benna@mindlink.bc.ca (Mike Benna) writes:
>I'm interested in the ZyXEL 1496S and I'm hoping someone out there who
>owns one can answer a few questions for me.  Feel free to only answer
>the questions you know the answers to, or those you feel like answering.
>
>1) It's got all this neat stuff indicating signal strength, noise level,
>etc. but how good is it at noise rejection?  My limited experience in
>the past has indicated that USR Couriers and Hayes modems are very good
>on noisy lines, and that Supras and Practical Peripherals are very poor.
>How does it compare to those modems?

It compares favorably with the Hayes and USR modems.
Many users on the Fidonet HS_MODEMS echo have found them to do =BETTER=
than Supras on noisy lines (e.g. they can connect at 14400 on the
same lines that the others can only get 9600 or 12000 out of).

>2) Does it have any problems connecting to other V.32/V.32bis modems?

No. Such compatibility problems were fixed a log time ago, when the
product was still maturing. The Zoom, Supra, PPI etc are still at
an earlier stage of development.

>In particular I'll be calling a USR Courier V.32, USR Dual Standard, GVC
>V.32/V.32bis, and Practical Peripherals 9600SA modems on a regular
>basis.  Does anyone have firsthand experience talking to any (or all) of
>these various modems?

I connect with USR's (ancient HST, V.32 Dual and V.33bis Dual) all the
time.

>3) How do you feel about the construction quality of your modem?  Do the
>pieces of the case fit together properly?  Does it run hot?

The fit and finish are good; not exceptional. I'm a beta tester; considering
the number of times my 1496E and 1496S have been opened and closed (and they
still look new to the casual observer) I think they fit together well enough.
The circuit boards are well laid out and easy to work on (e.g. I've done
some minor board-level modification without fear of destroying what's
on these). Heat is not a problem.

>4) Does the 1496S (as opposed to the 1496E) have an external volume
>control?

No. Electronic (AT command and/or S-register) only.

>5) What kind of warranty does it come with, and has anyone needed
>warranty service yet?  What were your experiences with warranty service?
  
I believe that Zero One Networking/ZyXEL USA has a 5-year warranty on the
hardware. I've read numerous reports from other users here, on the  support
BBS, and the Fidonet echo of near-instantaneous turnaround when modems were
returned for hardware problems. There seem to be a lot fewer DOA 's and
infant mortality cases than, for example, the Supra or Dallas Fax models.

>6) Finally, and probably most importantly, would you buy another one?

Absolutely. I recommend them all the time. I've been using mine since
late last fall and have come to rely upon them absolutely.


-- 
_______________________________Mike Schuster________________________________
NY Pub. Access UNIX/Internet: schuster@panix.com | 70346.1745@CompuServe.COM
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