Modem Reviews

Having recently purchased both the Microsoft Wireless Intellimouse Explorer for Bluetooth and the Belkin Bluetooth card I was hoping for compatibility between the two. I could not locate presales literature for either device indicating compatibility. Net result is that the PC card does not have the "input device" (according to Microsoft phone support), service needed by the mouse, therefore your mouse will not work with the Belkin card. Belkin phone technical service says they will have a software upgrade to support Bluetooth mice by March 2003. One additional challenge is that the driver software is not signed. It will still load on Windows XP if you allow it. Driver upgrade is confusing. The driver upgrade from Belkin, Version 1.2.2.4c, when loaded indicates that it is Version 1.2.1.20, which is the same as the old version. Technical support says that the new driver is loaded but they "forgot" to update the version number. Good points - simple to install if you follow the directions, small and sturdy form factor, easy to contact support, good price.

I bought this USB external modem for a used Blue and White G3/450 which came without an internal or external modem. At the time of the purchase, there was only one other external modem I could find for the Mac, and that was made by Zoom at twice the price. I still can't explain the discrepancy in price between the two modems.

The Best Data comes with a USB cable and phone cord, FAX software, no on/off switch or volume control (this is controlled by the Mac OS), and is plain in appearance (grey plastic). In Mac OS 9.2.1, the modem does what is supposed to. Drop the 56USBP file into the Modem Scripts in your Extensions folder, select it in your Modem control panel, and log on. Best Data advertises faster log-in and log-off times and faster download speeds due to the v.92 protocol, but I have never seen these improvements. There seems to be little difference from the v.90 protocol. Note that the box says "v.92 Lite." I don't know what that means.

Many factors affect modem speed. According to CNET's bandwidth meter, surf speeds for this modem range around 38k via fastermac.net. Connect speeds with the Best Data are usually in the 44 - 46 range. With the internal GV modem in my blueberry iMac, I occasionally hit 48, as I did with the even more reliable and speedy Diamond Supra USB. The Diamond had the fewest disconnects, the GV internal had the most, with the Best Data somewhere in between but still on the low end.

While I was shopping, it was difficult to distinguish between models, and Amazon is not always on top of such things, so here is the official name: Best Data Macintosh 56K USB Data Fax Modem, SmartOne series, Model 56USBPMAC, controller-based hardware modem with five-year limited warranty. The box says Mac OS 8 or higher but there is a sticker that reads that the USB chipset in this modem is compatible only with OS 9.1 and higher.

The bag is great (not sure if it's waterproof), the lens cleaner works well, and the AC adapter is useful. However, I think the rechargeably batteries are not really good -- they never seem to fully charge. I got it for a great price though, so I won't complain too much

I tried to config this on a Linux only net but couldn't do it. Had to get a friend with a Windows laptop to make it work. Turns out the problem is that the HPS3P can't reassemble packets when receiving a GET request with authentication (always lost the authorization and kept asking for a password). Hawking tech support was responsive until I pointed out their firmware was buggy. I had used a Hawking PN7337 until it died and it was much easier to setup on a Linux network.

As a long time Lonely Planet fan, I've often cited and sworn by their guidance. The CitySync USA Springboard Module falls just a bit short of what I would have expected from them.

The module is small and fits inline nicely with a Visor and I wasn't able to tell much loss in battery life. Content is easily and quickly accessed and found. More importantly most all the lonely planet book(s) content is duplicated in the card. So the four cities are pleasantly at hand. A 5th city is yours to download when you register, though it resides in your handheld and not the card.

Though, I'm not sure if I can find a review of a map location. Say if one were to click on a point of interest on a map, you can't readily pull up its review. Which brings my second point, the interface is quite unattractive and cluttered.

But if you are a lonley planet addict as I am, its definatly worth having...though you'll still need Vindigo installed for street navigation.

I like to use my Palm device to do email on the road, so when I switched to the Clie, this was the first peripheral device I got. I've used it a number of times, and would say that it's the worst modem I used for a Palm device to date. My first gripe is that I can't hear the modem noise or any other phone communication like I could with other modems. Tried adding the modem command it said you needed for this, but still nothing. This can make it a little hard to tell if you are dialing a bad number on the road versus one that is just a little slow. The other main problem is that the battery life is pretty bad, and it's not always easy to tell if they are low or not. I often will have to change batteries a couple times over the course of a weekend of retrieving mail. On the positive side, it's nice that you can plug the normal AC adapter into the modem to power it and recharge your Clie as well. Overall, not a great modem, but does get the job done.

This item is good, but information in description failed to mention what type connecter it was for the modem itself. The description should say the type connection as my modem has an x-jack and this one does not. There was nothing to tell this in the information provided. I would not have ordered knowing it was the wrong connector.

This Creative ModemBlaster V.92 Modem installed first time and automatically with Win2K. When I booted the system, it came up as already installed! No need to go through the driver installation procedure. It consistently gets 48kbps for downloads and I see bursts of 100 - 150kbps for web site pages.

I noticed that Win2K was using one of its generic drivers to run the modem and thought, "Let's upgrade to the latest driver from Creative Labs." Well, that turned out to be a mistake. After installing the driver, the system restarted and then locked up in the Windows 2000 startup screen. I had to restart again, press F8, and then pick last known good configuration to restart the computer. Win2K restarted with the old generic driver and everything is working fine again.

I bought this modem after returning the Best Products equivalent product because Win2K didn't recognize it after several attempts to get it installed, to no avail.

I have been using this for the past 3 months. I have yet to have any problems. Did not test the .v92 as I do not have call waiting. Highly recomended.

I bought this modem after my V.90 failed. It installed perfectly
on my Win 98SE system and every function advertised worked, in-
cluding V.92 Modem-On-Hold features of Answer an incoming call
and Place an outgoing call, while maintaing my modem connection.

My modem was the PCI Di5633 Internal, without a Speakerphone and with out the Flash. I see Amazon appears to lump all Creative ModemBlaster product reviews together, from the comments I see in others reviews. So, problems some have noted may be Windows Version or Modem Version related.

Note you MUST have Creative's NetWaiting program running to use
the V.92 Modem-on-Hold features. I noticed I had to specifically
move NetWaiting to my Windows Startup folder to get it to load
on starup (bootup), even though NetWaiting Settings had "Launch At Windows Startup" enabled. It would not load on startup until I
dragged NetWaiting to my Windows\ProgramFiles\Startup Folder.

In addition, you must have Call Waiting on your telephone service
to Answer and incoming call and Three Way Calling on your tel service to Place an outgoing call. Otherwise, your modem connection to your ISP(internet) will be lost. Hope this helps.

I just purchased this item and it arrived today (2/2/2004). I called in to activate, and according to the operator (omnisky no longer exists, it's now Earthlink which should have told me it wasn't worth the hassle to begin with) no one supports the omnisky wireless modem any longer. Just a warning to those who purchase this item... think you're getting a hot deal?? nah... just a useless paperweight worth 80 bucks...

I've already posted a terrible review about the omnisky service; how the modem crashes the visor, how the coverage is thin even in major metro areas (like, say, New York City and Chicago). Their tech service was very responsive and they did make an effort over several weeks to get my service working better, sending me new modems, giving me different IP numbers that they said could result in better service coverage. They appeared to try all sorts of things to get my service working. They failed. When I finally said, this isn't working, I want to give up, give me my money back, they said NO, the warranty period is over. They had my money and they wanted to keep it. What's worse they wanted more and they got it.

Around a month before my one-year term was set to end, Omnisky charged my credit card for another year of service. I called and told them to take the charge off my card; that I did not want to renew. They said NO. There would be a $200 fee to cancel "early." They said I had to call them again on the exact day that my current service contract ended and cancel THEN. I asked if they could just make a note now to cancel on that day. They said NO. I had to call AGAIN. If I did not call on the exact day my current term ended I would be charged for each day that passed until I got around to calling again. By the time I did call again they had gotten me for another $16.

This is what your Visor says when you insert the Minstel modem: "Omnisky. Think it, Do it."

This is what it says to me: "Omnisky. Think it. Can't do it? Tough. We'll take your money anyway. Oh, and when you're not looking, we'll take even more money. What the heck. It's all in your contract. We have your credit card number."

I bought a Handspring Visor Platinum along with this modem to allow me to access my email remotely around the city. My cell phone has NO coverage problems ANYWHERE in the area. The OmniSky service and this modem has coverage problems almost EVERYWHERE in the area. After reading many online reviews I swapped out the useless stub antenna on the modem with one that is longer, from my cell phone. This helped improve access dramatically. However, even being outdoors within 1000 feet of a cell tower (GTE is my OmniSky CDPD carrier) I had trouble. Literally, if I coughed (and my hand shook) I would lose the connection! I'm NOT kidding. When you are in a sweet spot, and it works, it works great. But the problem is that sweet spot usually entails me standing with my arm out-stretched holding my Visor up in the air like the Statue of Liberty! This is NOT a good thing. I think Omnisky (and Novatel) are on the right track, but this technology is still in its infancy. My advice, unless you need access on the road where you KNOW you will have good coverage, expect to "work" with this a bit. Technogeeks, apply, but do NOT buy this for your Mom! I must also mention, that OmniSky tech support is EXCELLENT! They answer the phone quickly and they actually know the software and hardware! I've always been happy with them, it's just the CDPD coverage that stinks. If I could rate them separately, the modem would get 4 stars and the coverage would get 1 star.

I just had a second one die on me. The exact same thing - it worked for a while, then started giving fatal errors and erasing everything. Two of them in two years? Forget it.

The first time, I sent it back to Xircom and got a replacement. But if not used for a few months, it seems to start to melt down horribly.

I recommend avoiding this at all costs.

I suggest you download ProxiWeb instead of Avantgo (OK but a pain when on a fullsize webpage). I bought this because I didn't want to carry a cable around like the Thincom. The three AAA batteries are a pain. They last about 4 hours before they trash your Visor: Xircom what is up with this? You are suppose to be THE modem company and you need 3 AAA batteries that last only 4 hours before a Visor Trashing: BAD BOYS!!!! I had two Hard Resets and thank God for the PC backup which was a 1.5 hour pain. Since the return time was gone from my CompUSA I decided to get the Back Up Module to make this Hard Reset easier. Well go buy the Back-Up, it is worth the peace of mind. Otherwise while it is working with ProxiWeb it works quite well. I had a blast surfing the Web. Remember to buy fresh batteries and you should have no trouble. Otherwise wait for the Sixpack.

I dont know why people here sais its a good for nothing product, I had one for about three weeks now and I am very satisfied about it. I had a small problem with it, but the fix was quite easy. The problem was that the AvantGo software that comes with this modem is bad installed and each time I tried to run it was crashing my palm so I had to do a hard reset. How I figure out this ? I just copied (with File Mover) the software from the modem into the palm memory, I made a hotsync and then I ran the avantgo software (from the backup) into the Palm OS Emulator software. This reported a problem with libmal.prc, so to fix it I downloaded avantgo software again from the (...) site, I install it on my palm , then with filemover I moved it into the modem memory (great idea this writable eprom memory for the modem). Then I restarted my palm and voila ! it worked.
With this modem I am now able to use lots of cool client software (pop3, imap, vnc, http, https, wap, ssh, telnet, yahoo messenger , IRC), and I just want to say that if there is any system administrator out there .. you have to check this out, the palmVNC and ssh clients are wonderfull. I found even a http server for my Visor !