Please recommend an ISDN (64kb) Modem

[Shagga]

As the topic says really. Wadda ya think people? Are there good and bad ones?

Cheers all.

 

[rockhard]

Eicon Diva ISDN Pro PCI

http://www.eicon.com/worldwide/products/ISDN/divapro.htm

Ive had mine for nearly a year now and wont look any other PCI ISDN modem.
Its a hardware modem with great driver support. The latest drivers rock in that you can setup to channel bond, but when an incoming or outgoing call is made it automatically hangs up one line, then reconnects when theyre done

Highly recommended

 

[Shagga]

Thank you for that. I will check it out today. As my ISDN connection is going to be 64k wiil the Eicon Dive Pro support that. It says it's a 128k Modem. I presume it will. Also, I cannot seem to locate the Diva Pro but all I can find is the "Diva Pro 2.0". I found one at PCWorld would you believe and it was about £50. However, the "Diva Pro 2.0" which seems to be the one I can find using mail Order is in the region of £130. What is the difference?

Thanks again.

Anyone else?

 

[MWink]

Overall I don't recommend ISDN. My father has it and I could rant for days about all the problems he has had with it. As for modems, whatever you do STAY AWAY FROM 3COM/USR!!! My father has a USR Courier I-Modem (very high end) and it has been nothing but trouble. I think at least 4 of them have died due to unknown causes. Attempting to get a fax = days of headachs. USR = nothing but problems!

 

[mikable]

MWink wrote:



<< Overall I don't recommend ISDN >>



Wow, something must be going on. I've had ISDN for 4 years with 99.9% up time! no problems no issues. one of the most stable connection methods I have.


MWink wrote:



<< STAY AWAY FROM 3COM/USR >>



Wow again! I have a 3COM/USR ISDN pro TA it's rock solid! I have had the same unit since the begining! Nothing but praise for it.

Have you ever tested your power? Not many people do, thinking a surge supressor is all they need. Problem is most normal supressors only work a few times before they wear out and doesn't protect against anything but spikes. Nothing kills electronics faster then dirty power. heh, I could be totaly off here, but alot of problems could be power related.



Anyway, I recommend the 3COM/USR ISDN Pro TA

 

[MWink]

<< Have you ever tested your power? Not many people do, thinking a surge supressor is all they need. Problem is most normal supressors only work a few times before they wear out and doesn't protect against anything but spikes. Nothing kills electronics faster then dirty power. heh, I could be totaly off here, but alot of problems could be power related. >>



First, the power around here is very very good. Second, that system is protected by an APC Smart-UPS 700 and the ISDN modem is protected by an APC ProtectNet (or something like that).

 

[Shagga]

Unfortunately, ISDN is the only method faster than 56k modem at the momemt. I don't have Cable and I've had ADSL from BT on order since the beginning of June 2000, nearly 2 years now. I have got so tired of waiting so I'm gunna give ISDN a go and see if it is any better. I hope so.

I have had a USR Sportster Flash now for some years, now I appreciate it isn't ISDN but it has been excellent. I do, from personal experience rate USR very much and will have a look at what they have to offer, but thanks for the warning....

Any other suggestions people?

Cheers,

 

[rockhard]

<< As my ISDN connection is going to be 64k wiil the Eicon Dive Pro support that. It says it's a 128k Modem. I presume it will. >>


Yup, 64kb no probs

As far as i can tell both cards have the same capabilities i think.
My card is quite old and is now not listed. It has the same name etc as the Pro 2.0 but a larger PCB. Im thinking that theyve just redesigned the PCB and die shrunk the chipset maybe to save costs and lower the selling price of the card?

If you were to get this card or any other for that matter i would highly recommend you buy from a reputable mail order site like Insight or Dabs as they have a 7 day cooling off policy so if your not happy you can return the product for full refund.
I buy all my stuff like this now as feel it less risky being able to return no questions asked

You state that you wont need 128k? Rumour is that BT is on the verge of offering a 128k option for their Anytime service some time this year so the features of the Eicon could come in handy

If your unsure you could always order from here:-
http://www.insight.com/cgi-bin/bp/1351922519/uk/result.html?t=A&a=s&f=p&d=eicon+isdn


<< EIC3A02KMR eicon diva 2.0 32-bit pci isdn terminal adaptor ca
mfg's part # EIC305941
Ordered upon request.
£41.49 / £48.75
>>


Give it a try, if you not like send it back for full refund.

 

[oldfart]

One minor point. You dont use a modem for ISDN. It's not analog. You need either a terminal adapter or an ISDN router. If you are using more than one PC on the ISDN line, get a router.

 

[MWink]

<< Unfortunately, ISDN is the only method faster than 56k modem at the momemt. I don't have Cable and I've had ADSL from BT on order since the beginning of June 2000, nearly 2 years now. I have got so tired of waiting so I'm gunna give ISDN a go and see if it is any better. I hope so.

I have had a USR Sportster Flash now for some years, now I appreciate it isn't ISDN but it has been excellent. I do, from personal experience rate USR very much and will have a look at what they have to offer, but thanks for the warning.... >>



If you are talking about single channel ISDN vs 56k, it is not faster. My 56k modem is just as fast as my fathers single channel ISDN line.

As for the modem, I have used a lot of USR products and their modems (especially the older ones) are very good. I have never seen one fail. The ISDN modems OTOH are very unreliable.

Use ISDN at your own risk. Just be warned that it is far more trouble than it is worth.

 

[oldfart]

IDSN is faster than a modem. I have been using ISDN for ~ 4 years (cable is on the way soon). I have a 128K connection and use an ISDN router. A good V.90 dialup connection is ~ 45-50K downstream and ~ 28.8K upstream. ISDN is 64K/64K or 128K/128K. It will also be much better for online gaming since it has a much lower latency than a modem connection.

 

[rockhard]

<< If you are talking about single channel ISDN vs 56k, it is not faster. My 56k modem is just as fast as my fathers single channel ISDN line. >>


? Average connection speed your going to get with 56k modem is going to be between 4300 bps and 5000 bps.
With ISDN being digital you will see a regular and reliable 7500 bps (1.5 x faster than 56k analogue).
This i have observed from years of using both types of connection.
56k modem is pants for surfing, period. My m8 who is on same ISP as me has 56k modem and it is so painfull to surf on his rig My rig is like bliss in comparison.



<< As for the modem, I have used a lot of USR products and their modems (especially the older ones) are very good. I have never seen one fail. The ISDN modems OTOH are very unreliable. >>


Me jots note down to avoid 3Com ISDN TA's



<< Use ISDN at your own risk. Just be warned that it is far more trouble than it is worth. >>


If the person installing the TA is not very good with computers and networking then i would agree with you
Once setup though, ISDN is far more reliable and less troublesome than 56k modem in my experience

 

[Shagga]

Thank you for the replies it has been informative. I have no problems with ordering from Mail order Places on the web and have been doing so for quite some time now. rockhard thanks for that, but the Eicon Diva modem you list is not the Pro. I wonder what the difference really is between the std and the Pro. If BT do offer a deal with 128k I would be up for that I suppose.

I think I'm going to go for the Eicon Diva TA. Is there any benefit to have PCI instead of USB/Serial. I presume they are very slightly quick in PCI form but not really noticeable. I seem to have all my IRQ's taken up already. I guess I could disable COM2 which would free an IRQ for the PCI card so it shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers again.