Sometimes Hot. 3COM 3CR29210 DOCSIS 1.0 (DOCSIS 1.1 capable) USB/ETHERNET Cable Modem -- sometimes $15, sometimes $26

[TheDiggler]

TechDepot is offering the 3COM 3CR29210 OfficeConnect Cable Modem for:
$59.95 - $40MIR + $5.95 S&H = $25.90 shipped (which is the lowest price I've ever seen on this modem).
[*]Link to 3COM 3CR29210 @ TechDepot @ $59.95
[*]Link to $40 MIR

*EDIT #1 - 02-06-2003*
TechDepot is now offering the modem for $54.95 w/ the same $40 MIR, SHIPPED FREE!
Final price is now >>> $14.95 AR<<< !!!

*EDIT #3 - 02-07-2003 (Edit #2 is listed down below)*
Ok, TechDepot has reverted back to the original deal: $59.95 + $5.95 S&H - $40 MIR = $25.90. Expect the price to fluctuate as inventory moves in waves and then doesn't move. Based on current inventory count, it looks like they sold about 200 of these suckers in 1 day while it was available at the $14.95 AR price.

I own this cable modem and it works great! My ISP is Optimum Online, and although I can get a free cable modem rental from Optimum Online, I prefer to own my own cable modem. Why? Optimum Online offers special promotions from time to time for new activiations. I've discovered that if I cancel my existing service and re-subscribe, I can take advantage of the "new activition" plans. It's much easier to cancel service when there's no cable modem to return to the cable co.

For those of you paying actual cable modem rental fees, get rid of those fees by buying your own cable modem. You may want to confirm w/ your Cable Company that the modem will work; however, if your cable co uses DOCSIS 1.0 cable modems, this modem should work just fine for you.

Note 1: 3COM discontinued this product back in 2001; however, they claim that they're honoring their 5 yr warranty on this product.

Note 2: Optimum Online had a firmware update available for my cable modem. They applied it directly accross the cable line, thus, I have no means of providing you the updated firmware. The updated firmware *MAY* have upgraded my modem to be DOCSIS 1.1 compliant; however, I'm not 100% certain of that. All I know is my bandwidth shot through the roof after the firmware was updated!

Note 3: This cable modem supposedly directly supports up to 15 simultaneous computer connections. Stated another way, if you hook up a HUB to the cable modem's ethernet port, each computer connected to the HUB should be able to obtain a REAL IP ADDRESS via the cable modem network. I've never tested this capability, so YMMV.

*EDIT #2 - 02-06-2003*
For additional information about this modem, see:
[*] 3COM 3CR29210 Product Support Page
[*]3COM 3CR29210 END OF LIFE STATEMENT
[*]3COM Discontinuance of Cable Modem Family of Products (mentions 3COM is honoring original warranty)

 

[odog]

warning this is the most imcompatible modem i have encountered. having worked with over 100 thats not a good sign. with the default 3 year old firmware the modem does not do baseline privacy. if your system runs baseline privacy, this modem might have issues if they do not upgrade the firmware.


the only one 3Com modem, that is going to be DOCSIS 1.1 certified, is the sharkfin model(this is due to some contract obligations with some large cable companies)

 

[TheDiggler]

I can only report my experience with this product. It's been a rock solid cable modem for me. Plus, it's made by 3COM, a company known for making durable & reliable networking products.

Now that this deal is down to a mere $15 AR, it's a very inexpensive risk to see if this modem will work on your cable system. Besides, TechDepot has a return policy (30 days I believe, but don't quote me on that). Since the item's now being SHIPPED FREE, your only loss (should you return the product) is the cost to ship it back to TD. Of course for the hassle (and cost) of shipping back an item that'll ulimately cost you $15, you may as well keep the thing (maybe sell it on eBay).

 

[Optical]

Will this work with ATT Broadband in the bay area? I'm planning to switch back to cable after DTV Internet is dead.

 

[NICKel]

Anyone use this with COX in the PHX AZ area?

 

[TheDiggler]

Originally posted by: Optical
Will this work with ATT Broadband in the bay area? I'm planning to switch back to cable after DTV Internet is dead.

Although I found this deal on my own, according to what Ben has heard over at "Bens Bargains dot net ," this modem works w/ ATTbi. Again, YMMV.

*EDIT* I've added an *EDIT #2* to the original post in this thread containing 3COM LINKS w/ more info on this modem.

 

[jTek]

I have had this modem for about 9 months and it works just as good as the RCA modem I was renting from Comcast. No problems at all.

 

[rufruf44]

This doesnt work with Cox-HSI. Its required a firmware update that 3com refused to let the end user do and have to be sent back to them (or at least thats what the helpdesk blaberring about).

 

[TheDiggler]

2 Updates:
1) Lots of people have reported (in other forums) that this modem indeed doesn't work w/ Cox. One user in here has reported that it works w/ Comcast, I've reported that it works w/ Optimum Online, and Ben claims it works w/ ATTbi. Aren't ATTbi and Comcast the same ISP these days?

2) See EDIT #3 in the original post. TechDepot has reverted back to the original deal price (for now).

 

[TicoAz]

IT will NOT work with Cox, And other providers will prob be / phasing it out soon......

Cox stopped aproving it 7+months ago, Due to lack of support and I heard there is some kind of security flaw in it....

 

[caribiner23]

My experience:

I used this modem successfully on one suburban Chicago AT&T system, and when I moved to another suburban Chicago area served by AT&T the modem would not sync. The technician told me it had to do with the equipment at the headend, which had been upgraded. My signal strength was fine at the new place.

A Motorola cable modem synced instantly.

The customer reviews for this modem at Amazon show very mixed results.

For what it's worth, when the 3Com was working for me, it never gave a minute's worth of trouble.

 

[TheDiggler]

Update:

Received my 3COM 3CR29210 shipment today from TechDepot. The modem they sent me is CLEARLY A USED MODEM. Furthermore, the special distributor's UPC Label affixed to the box (i.e. the one who is offering the MIR) is so faded, you can hardly make it out. There's no way I'll be able to get my rebate w/ such a faded label.

I called TechDepot about this, and they're cross shipping me a replacement unit and supplying me w/ a pre-paid return shipping label to ship the old one back. I told them to make sure the replacement unit is BRAND NEW. Their response: they should ALL be Brand New.

So far it's been a fairly painless process to arrange for a replacement unit. It should be here on Monday. Will report back then after I've received it.