From: "lois laulicht" <lois.laulicht@channel1.com>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems
Subject: zyxel a product revw
Date: 7 Apr 92 08:31:43 EST
Reply-To: "lois laulicht" <lois.laulicht@channel1.com>
Distribution: comp
Organization: Channel 1 Communications


                        Promises! Promises! Promises!
                                  (c) Jerome and Lois Laulicht
                                CCC of WV.
                           Valley Head, WV  26294



This piece started out as simply a product review of the Zyxel modem
manufactured by Zyxel Communications Corp. and distributed by One
Networking of Anaheim, California. In the process of looking at the
Zyxel 1490E we had to seriously look at what the other modem
manufacturers were doing. We went beyond the limitations of simply
a look see at a new product because of the enormous amount of interest
generated by high speed modems and the vast differences between the
2400 baud modems we are easy with and these new devices we must
master.

The most recent issue of PC Computing (April 1992; Lightning-Fast
Modems for Less by Dale Lewallen) did not look at V.32bis/V.42bis
modems. Perhaps there were not enough modems at the "shipping stage"
that cost under $500 using the newest data compression and modulation
modem protocol. We decided these were important features and focused
upon a V.32bis/V.42bis; MNP5 compression standard with send and
receive fax capability because it represents the most recent advances
in modem/fax technology. It seemed like the best way to go if we
wanted high capability  and relatively low cost all-round
communications ability.

The modems we looked at, although heavily advertised in major PC
publications, were not available for immediate shipment with ALL of the
advertised features, with one exception...Zyxel!  They were the
following:


 Modem Mfg.     V.32bis/v.42bis    Avail.     Price      Send/Receive
                                                            Fax
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 COMPUCOM          The Star         Now       $399.       No-In 45 days
                                                          + $45.00

 Prac.Peripherals  V.32bis/V.42bis  Now       $279/$259     No-2-3wks
                                                          +$100/$90

*Supra Corp.       V.32bis/v.42bis  April     $399        Included

 Zoom Telephonics  V.32bis/V.42bis  April     $379/$399      No
                                             +$399/$439   Included

 Zyxel             V.32bis/V.42bis  Now       $450         Included

*Supra is presently shipping after a several week delay resulting from a
product recall. They are back ordered 2-3 weeks.
+This model is also back oredered at least four to six weeks.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Let's be clear! The Zyxel 1490E is a very fine modem which allows one
to send and receive fax at a reasonable price and with a FIVE YEAR
warranty. Their tech support is top drawer and the company appears to
be planning on being around for quite a while.  Delivery is immediate,
no standing on one foot waiting while the manufacturer cleans up its
act, but right now!  We have been using the Zyxel for almost six weeks.
Since the major difference between these high speed modems is the use
of a Rockwell chip as opposed to the Goldstar chip it seems to us that
the Zyxel is a good reliable modem with G3 send and receive fax
capability.

We put the Zyxel through its DOS paces using Telemate by White River
Software and an older version of BitFax software. Using Mark
Herring's Deluxe2  as our mail reader of choice, we were very satisfied
with this tried and true combo.  When in the Windows environment, we
used Crosstalk for Windows and shareware versions of both Winfax and
WinQwk.  Again the performance was excellent.  Once flow control
problems were solved the modem consistently performed at between 1200
and 1400 cps given the variability of line noise into our rural West
Virginia office.

Their excellent manual suffers from the lack of a subject index.
Finding one's way around a high speed modem can be difficult enough
without paging through a rather long document looking for help.
Complete and clear on-line help on disk using the manual as a primary
reference guide would strengthen this or any similar product
enormously.
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(Continued in the next message)
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Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems