Sysops Modem Sale Programs -- SYSMOD19.ZIP -- 04-JAN-93 Straight Talk About Modems For Sysops Since 1991 [INTRODUCTION] You may have heard that various modem manufacturers offer discounts on high-speed modems to qualified sysops. However, you will soon find yourself chasing down every BBS in the country trying to get all the details. When you get the details, you still have to sort through and find out who really has the best deal. Since I've spent a couple years doing this for myself, I figured other people would like to save the time and trouble as well. I've been a Sysop since 1988 and would like to help anyone else along that I can! [DISCLAIMER] But first, an important disclaimer: I am not a modem reseller nor do I have employment or compensation of any kind from any modem manfacturer. I don't own stock in any of these manufacturers nor do any of my relatives. Every attempt has been made to insure the accuracy of this document. However, information does not age gracefully. So if this document is older than 90 days, please delete it and download the latest copy from me. I am currently claiming no copyrights on any material and hereby acknowledge that all trademarks belong to their respective owners. [HISTORY] SYSMOD01.ZIP is the first ever release and created on 02-DEC-91. It contained information on Hayes, Intel, and USRobotics offers. : . SYSMOD17.ZIP was created on 21-NOV-92. There are three important changes from US Robotics in this issue. First, a clarification on their signup sheet that you should expect to wait up to 8 weeks following your order to get your modem. Second, the new file EURODEA2.ZIP will be welcome relief for European sysops. This edition also marks a new section dealing with shipping times and and European compatibility. Last, the report is now available via anonymous-ftp, at least for a while anyway. The site is ftp.cimage.com and directory /pub. SYSMOD18.ZIP was created on 09-DEC-92. AT&T's Paradyne division enters the sysop market with absolutely the best deals I have seen this year. AT&T Paradyne takes the Top Gun award on their first showing. The only down-side is their 6 to 8 week waiting period, which is at least double the industry average. Please note I have changed much of my personal contact information, except for my USPS address. Look in the following section for exact details. I have clarified the ftp address in order to make it reachable by everyone. Please fill out TEMPLAT.DOC when sending me update information. Thanks! SYSMOD19.ZIP was created on 04-JAN-93. AT&T's Paradyne division has requested the following changes to their information: (1) They report shipping time has been cut from 6-8 weeks down to 3-4 weeks. Kudos for taking our orders seriously! (2) Corrected AT&T Paradyne 3721-B1-001 to show FAX capability (sorry, my mistake). (3) Please note these are SPECIAL PRICES and will EXPIRE on 01-FEB-93, after which all will undergo a minumum $25 increase. These SPECIAL PRICES also carry a maximum limit of 4 per customer, although that limit will be lifted after expiration. The FORVAL information is now back in the archive! My apologies go out to Chris von Motz (a.k.a The Flying Dutchman) who has been doing an outstanding job of filling orders since day one. He also informs me that he has come down $50 on the price as well. SYSMOD20.ZIP was created on 09-JAN-93. First, I corrected my Internet e-mail address which has always been incorrectly listed. My aplogies to those who have been trying to reach me; the correct address is sysop@hal9k.ann-arbor.mi.us. Note that the USPS address has changed too! Corrected Supra Corp. information: dropped internal v.32 (no longer in discount plan). Lowered price on internal v.32bis modem by $50. Thanks to John McGing for sending me update information! Corrected Ven-Tel Inc. information: added new v.32bis models, added MCA PS/2 bus models, dropped price of v.32 modems more than $100. Thanks to Wm. Duemmler for sending me update information! Added Digicom information: Scout series of modems, see SCOUT.TXT for full details! Please Note: there will be some delay before SYSMOD21.ZIP comes out. I am hoping to make the final improvements: (1) Discontinuing coverage of 9600 baud modems, there is no sane reason to buy them in 1993. We must make room for v.FAST modems. (2) Distribute a version of this file in Word-For-Windows format. (3) Freshen up the modem review listings (they are OLD!) (4) Discussion of firmware upgrade procedure for each manufacturer. If you know the firmware upgrade policy for any manufacturer, please contact me! (For example, Practical Peripherals will send out free ROMs on request by phone). [HELP ME STAY UP TO DATE] If you have information about discounts offered by a manufacturer not already on this list or you have an update for an existing manufacturer, the please contact me through one of the ways listed below. Also, please use the handy worksheet provided in TEMPLAT.DOC to make your corrections in. It will save both of us time and reduce errors! HAL 9000 BBS: (313)663-4173 1200/2400/9600/14400 v.32bis (313)663-3959 1200/2400/9600/14400 v.32bis Fax: (313)663-6861 Internet: sysop@hal9k.ann-arbor.mi.us ftp: pinto.cimage.com (or 139.171.201.125) latest version in /pub directory U.S. Mail: Victor R. Volkman P.O. Box 130206 Ann Arbor, MI 48113-0206 [MANUFACTURERS REPRESENTED] I have compiled these files mainly from the various manufacturer's BBSs. The filenames are often silly, but I have carefully insured they are unmodified and direct from the manufacturer to you. Here is a summary of the files contained in this ZIP file: Manufacturer Filename Date of Issue Notes =========== ============ ============= ====== Aceex ACEEX.ZIP 01-OCT-92 ATI SYSOPLAN.ZIP 16-JAN-92 #1 AT&T Paradyne BROC_ORD.SYS 09-DEC-92 Digicom SCOUT.TXT 01-JAN-93 Forval FORVAL.ZIP 12-DEC-92 #2 Hayes Corp. H96SYSOP.TXT 16-AUG-92 Intel Corp. OFFER.TXT 15-AUG-92 Multi-Tech MULTI.DOC 18-FEB-91 #3 Okidata N/A No offer Practical Per. SYSBBS.TXT 03-MAR-92 Supra Corp SUPRA.TXT 26-NOV-92 Telebit N/A No offer USRobotics SYSDEAL.TXT 11-OCT-92 U.S./Can. " EURODEA2.ZIP 11-OCT-92 Europe Ven-Tel VENTEL.TXT 24-NOV-92 Zyxel ZYXEL.TXT 06-JUN-92 [NOTES ON MANUFACTURERS] [1] The ATI offer has some highly unusual conditions in the sysop contract including control of your tagline, your user records, and certain vague marketing rights. You must also supply a phone bill listing the number of telephone lines you have. [2] The Forval offer is available for sysops and end-users alike. Unlike all other offers, this is not direct from the manufacturer but it is from a factory-authorized dealer (Mikro-Tek Repair). Forval is claiming that their v.32bis modem will be upgradable to 19,200 carrier without an EEPROM change. Currently, only certified-checks and money-orders are accepted. To order, call The Flying Dutchman BBS at 408-294-3065 or 408-286-5702, both are v.32bis or contact: Mikro-Tek Repair Voice 408-294-0526 619 North 4th Street 408-286-5701 Days 8AM-5PM San Jose, CA 95112 [3] The Multi-Tech sysop discount program offers you 50% off the base list price. So, keep this in mind when you read MULTI.DOC or you might get sticker-shock. This one is unusual in that there are no forms to fill out, rather you must write a formal business letter including all the necessary information. See MODEMS.DIR, a PROCOMM+ dialing directory with the BBS numbers of all manufacturers offering sysop discounts. [SUMMARY CHART] Here's where the SysMod report really becomes useful. I've boiled down the data from the manufacturers into this simple chart that you can use to pick the price/performance modem of your choice. The minimum criterion is v.32 performance, since this is the worldwide standard. All modems must have v.42bis for error correction and data compression as well. Your users won't settle for less and neither should you. TABLE I --- SYSOPS HIGH-SPEED MODEM DISCOUNTS BY VENDOR AND MODEL TYPE =============|==============|==============|================|=================| Vendor/ | 9600 v.32 | 9600 v.32 | 14400 v.32bis | 14400 v.32bis | Product | Internal | External | Internal | External | =============|==============|==============|================|=================| Aceex | N/A | N/A | 1496VP* | 1496V+* | | | | $290 | $320 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| AT&T | N/A | N/A | 3721-B1-001* | 3710-A1-201* | Paradyne | | | $202 | $222 | | | | | 3710-A1-211 | | | | | $206 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| ATI | N/A | 9600 ETC/E | N/A | N/A | Technologies | | $275 | | | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Digicom | N/A | N/A | Scout Plus PC | Scout Plus | Systems | | | $219 | $259 | | | | | Scout Plus/MAC | | | | | $289 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Forval | N/A | N/A | 14400 (Int.) | 14400 (Ext.) | | | | $375 | $405 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Hayes Corp. | N/A | Ultra 96 | N/A | Ultra 144 | | | $399 | | $499 | | | Refurb. | | Optima 144+FAX* | | | $250 | | $299 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Intel | N/A | N/A | SatisFax/400 | 14.4 EX | | | | $249 | $269 | | | | | SatisFAX/400e* | | | | | $279 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Multi-Tech | MT932ECB | MT932EAB | N/A | N/A | | $450 | $450 | | | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Practical | N/A | N/A | PM14400FXSA* | PM14400FXSA* | Peripherals | | | $249 | $249 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Supra | N/A |SupraFAXModem*|SupraFAXModem* | SupraFAXModem* | Corp. | | $199 | $199 | $249 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| USRobotics | | | | HST Dual Stand. | | N/A | N/A | N/A | $449 | | | | | Courier v.32bis | | | | | $349 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Ven-Tel |PCM96FAX* /ISA| EC96FAX* |PCM144FAX* /ISA| EC144FAX* | | $310 | $330 | $325 | $365 | |MCM96FAX* /MCA| |MCM144FAX* /MCA| ECV.32bis* | | $340 | | $400 | $550 | | | |PCMV.32bis* /ISA| | | | | $505 | | | | |RMV.32bis II | | | | | $450 /RACK| | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Zyxel | | | U1496B* | U1496E* | | N/A | N/A | $289 | $299 | | | | | U1498* | | | | | $450 | -------------|--------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| * Modems with an asterisk include 14,400 baud FAX send/receive at no extra charge! Notes on Table I: 1. All internal modems are assumed to be PC-AT ISA bus unless otherwiwse noted. 2. Consult manufacturer for details on availability of Caller ID or voice-mail processing options (any modem above). TABLE II --- SYSOP BUYERS RESTRICTIONS - IMPORTANT! =============|===============|==============|================|=================| Vendor | BBS must have | After buying | Maximum number | Credit Cards | Contract | been up and | it, you must | of modems you | Accepted for | | working for...| use it for...| may buy... | Purchase | =============|===============|==============|================|=================| Aceex | currently | 6 months | 1 per phone. | none | | | | No Maximum | | | | | | | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| AT&T | 6 months | 6 months | 1 per phone. | VISA | Paradyne | | | No Maximum | Mastercard | | | | | American Ex. | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| ATI | currently | 6 months | 1 per phone. | none | Technologies | | | No Maximum | | | | | | | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Digicom | currently | unspecified | 1 per phone. | VISA | Systems | | time | No Maximum | Mastercard | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Forval | N/A | N/A | | none | | | | No Maximum | | | | | | | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Hayes Corp. | 6 months | unspecified | 1 per phone. | VISA | | (may be | time | Max. 4, may | MasterCard | | waived) | | be negotiated | | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Intel | currently | 12 months | 1 per phone. | VISA | | | | Max. 4. | MasterCard | | | | | American Ex. * | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Multi-Tech | currently | unspecified | 1 per phone. | none, must have | | or plan to | time | No Maximum | Cashier's Check | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Practical | currently | unspecified | 1 per phone. | VISA | Peripherals | | time | No Maximum | Mastercard | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Supra | currently | unspecified | 1 per phone. | VISA | Corp. | | time | No Maximum | Mastercard | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| USRobotics | 6 months | 6 months | 1 per phone. | none | | | | No Maximum | | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Ven-Tel | 6 months | 6 months | 1 per phone. | VISA | | | | No Maximum | MasterCard | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| Zyxel | 3 months | 6 months | 1 per phone. | VISA | | | | No Maximum | MasterCard | -------------|---------------|--------------|----------------|-----------------| * Indicates no personal checks accepted. TABLE III --- SYSOP ORDER PROCESSING, AVAILABILITY, FIRMWARE UPGRADE POLICY =============|========================|==============|=========================| Vendor | Orders can be placed | Typical time | Firmware (ROM) upgrade | Name | placed for shipment | between order| policies | | to these countries... | and arrival | | =============|========================|==============|=========================| Aceex | U.S., Canada | | | | (Canadians must pay 8% | Unspecified | | | GST, +7% Ontario res.)| | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| AT&T Paradyne| U.S. only | 3-4 weeks | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| ATI | U.S., Canada | | | Technologies | (Canadians must pay 8% | | | | GST, +7% Ontario res.)| 4-6 weeks | | | CAN$ prices assume | | | | exchanges rates of | | | | of CAN 1$ = US $0.83 | | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Digicom | U.S., Canada, Europe, | | | Systems | Africa, Asia, Australia| Unspecified | | | (185 to 245 VAC) | | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Forval | U.S., Canada, Europe | | Anyone can download | | (call for details) | 1 week * | from their BBS and load | | | (or less) | the EEPROMS w/AT command| -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Hayes Corp. | U.S., Canada | | Will replace entire | | (Canadians must pay | 1 week * | modem if warranted, | | pay 13.9% customs tax) | (or less) | otherwise no upgrade | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Intel | U.S. only | 2-4 weeks | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Multi-Tech | U.S. only | Unspecified | | | | | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Practical | U.S. only | 3-4 weeks * | Call their voice line | Peripherals | | | and they will send FREE | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Supra | U.S. only | 3-4 weeks | Call their tech support | Corp. | | | BBS and order them FREE | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| USRobotics | U.S., Canada, Europe | | | | (110/220 VAC only) | 4-8 weeks | | | | | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Ven-Tel | U.S., Canada | 1 week | | | | (or less) | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| Zyxel | U.S., Canada | 1 week | | | | (or less) | | -------------|------------------------|--------------|-------------------------| * indicates the shipping time has been personally verified by my own purchasing experience. "Unspecified" means there's nothing in writing, you could be looking at from 1 to 8 weeks. [ANALYSIS] VIC'S TOP GUNS: AT&T Paradyne shoots down all competition with an incredible deal. They currently stand about $27 cheaper than the next lowest priced competitor. However, they have a price increase of about $25 scheduled for 01-FEB-93. Practical Peripherals and Supra stand down to second place. VIC'S GOLDEN TURKEYS: Now goes to USRobotics for the most expensive v.32bis deal available. The Dual Standard costs nearly twice as much as the lowest-priced competitors. [CAVEATS] One restriction, which goes for all vendors, is that they generally expect at least a one-line advertisement somewhere in your welcoming screens. For example: "Using the finest Model YYZ modem from Acme Modem Co.", would be perfectly acceptable in all cases. If you are a modem reseller, check the contract carefully. Many vendors exclude modem resellers from sysop discounts. Most vendors will expect you to create a special account on your BBS for them to verify at least one of your phone numbers. They don't like to have to sign on without a pre-existing account. Delivery times and schedules vary radically, so your mileage may vary. My own experience with Hayes Corporation is that they will generally ship Sysop orders within 48 hours. I have also ordered from Practical Peripherals and they have a mandatory three week waiting period before they ship. On the far extreme, US Robotics guarantees a four to eight week waiting period. Remember, the manufacturers are doing you a favor by offering discounts below retail. Please observe courtesy. These prices NEVER include shipping and handling, which is always extra. For Canadian, European, and other sysops outside the U.S., you may or may not be eligible for a discount offer. Please check carefully ahead of time to avoid disappointment. You may want to check with their European subsidiaries before contacting the U.S. office. Read all of the fine print before you sign anything or commit money. [WHERE TO FIND REVIEWS] Of course, I have neither the time nor resources to review every single modem that comes out of the factory. However, I have compiled a short list of product reviews that may help you make the right choice. There are three main topic groups: modem technology, v.32bis modems, and v.32 modems. Naturally, there will be some overlap between them. Since the general public doesn't understand anything more than 2400 baud, each of them usually has an explanation of v.32 for the non-technical user. The "winner" of each comparision has been spotlighted, where applicable. Learn About High Speed Modem Technoloy (listed in reverse chronological order) "Highlights: V.32/V.42bis Modems", PC Magazine, Vol. 11, No. 5, 03/17/92, p. 286 Feature "An XT can support 9,600 bps high speed communications" PC Magazine, Vol. 11, No. 5, 03/17/92, p.395 Salemi, J. PC Advisor "How to Buy a High-Speed Modem -navigate standards lingo", PC Computing Vol. 5, No. 1, 01/01/92, p. 206 Lewallen, D Feature "Brief explanation of V.42/V.42bis modems", PC World Vol. 9, No. 10 10/01/91, p. 269 Heim, J. Info Edge "What to Ask When Buying a 9,600-bps Modem", PC Computing Vol. 4, No. 7, 07/01/91, p. 210 Smith, G. Connectivity Watch 14,400 baud v.32bis modems (listed in reverse chronological order) "Maximum Modems: 14,400 bps and Rising", PC Magazine, Vol. 11, No. 5, 03/17/92, p. 285 Feature COMPANY PRODUCT RATING SPECIAL -------------------------------------------------------------- Intel 14.4 EX Editor's Choice Hayes Micro. Prod. VSeriesUltraSmrtm14400 U.S. Robotics Courier V.32bis GVC SM144V Digicom Systems 9624LE+ Micro Integrated Co MiCC 14410/SA Motorola Codex 3260V.32bis Microcom QX/4232bis AT&T Paradyne Comsphere 3810 Editor's Choice CXR Telcom AJ 9632-MM2 "Telebit Modem QBlazes Through On-Line Space", BYTE, Vol. 17, No. 3, 03/01/92, p. 259 Notebook "High Speed Modems", PC World, Vol. 9, No. 12, 12/01/91, p. 236, Buyers Gd "High-Speed Modems: Faster Than a Speeding Bullet", InfoWorld, Vol. 13, No. 26, 07/01/91, p. 51. Prod Comp COMPANY PRODUCT RATING ----------------------------------------------------- Motorola Codex 3260 8.5 Practical Periph. Practical Modem 9600SA 7.8 Universal Data Sys. FasTalk V.32/V42b 7.1 Prometheus Products ProModem Ultima 5.8 NEC Technologies N9635E 7.0 Hayes Micro. Prod. VSeries UltraSmrtm9600 7.1 Microcom QX/4232hs 7.2 U.S. Robotics Courier V.32bis 8.8 <-- Top Score Intel 9600EX 7.4 "10 Best 9,600-bps Modems", PC Computing Vol. 4, No. 9, 09/01/91, p. 143 Feature COMPANY PRODUCT RATING ----------------------------------------------------- Universal Data Sys. Fastalk FAX32 Practical Periph. Pract Modem PM9600SA Hayes Micro. Prod. VSeries UltraSmrtm9600 Intel 9600EX <-- Best Value Touchbase Systems WorldPort 9600 ATI Technologies 9600etc/e Prometheus Products ProModem Ultima Ven-Tel 9600 Plus U.S. Robotics Courier HSTDual Stand. U.S. Robotics Courier V.32bis "Digicom's V.32bis Modem Leads Pack" PC Week Vol. 8, No. 17, 04/29/91, p. 83 Reviews COMPANY PRODUCT RATING ---------------------------------------------------- Digicom Systems 9624LE+ <-- Analyst's Choice Forval America IM14400 Codex 3260 U.S. Robotics Courier V.32bis "V.32/42bis Modems Making Their Mark", PC Week, Vol. 8, No. 15., 04/15/91, p. 113. Buyers Gd "High Speed Redefined: Two V.32bis Modems" PC Magazine, Vol. 10, No. 6, 03/26/91, p. 36. First-Looks, Main COMPANY PRODUCT ------------------------------------------ U.S. Robotics Courier V.32bis Forval America IM14400 9,600 baud v.32 modems (listed in reverse chronological order) "Modems That Squeeze the Most Out of V.32", BYTE Vol. 16, No. 10, 10/01/91, p. 214 Reviews COMPANY PRODUCT ------------------------------------------- Computer Peripher. Viva 9642e ATI Technologies 9600etc/e Cardinal Technol. 9600V42 Practical Periph. Practical Modem 9600SA American Mitac Series 9610 Everex Systems Evercom 96E+ Intel 9600EX Maya Computer Maya Modem 9600 Digicom Systems 9624LE Universal Data Sys. FasTalk V.32/V42b Zoom Telephonics Zoom Modem V.32 Turbo Supra SupraModem 9600 "10 Best 9,600-bps Modems", PC Computing, Vol. 4, No. 9, 09/01/91, p. 143 Feature COMPANY PRODUCT RATING ----------------------------------------------------- Universal Data Sys. Fastalk FAX32 Practical Periph. Pract Modem PM9600SA Hayes Micro. Prod. VSeries UltraSmrtm9600 Intel 9600EX <-- Best Value Touchbase Systems WorldPort 9600 ATI Technologies 9600etc/e Prometheus Products ProModem Ultima Ven-Tel 9600 Plus U.S. Robotics Courier HSTDual Stand. U.S. Robotics Courier V.32bis "Communicate in the Fast Lane With a 9,600-bps Modem", PC Computing, Vol. 4, No. 2, 02/01/91, p. 254 PrimeTime COMPANY PRODUCT ---------------------------------------------- Hayes Micro. Prod. VSeries UltraSmrtm9600 "First in a New Class of Data-Plus-Fax Modems", PC Magazine, Vol. 10, No. 16 09/24/91, p. 49 First Looks, Main COMPANY PRODUCT VERSION RATING SPECIAL ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Universal Data Sys. Fastalk FAX32