PS>Subject: Netcomm Roadster worth buying?

PS>I'm about to buy a 28.8k modem for BBS & internet use.  I'd like to
PS>buy Australian if possible,  but it must work properly of course.
PS>It would be nice if it was a common enough model that it would
PS>appear in the  configuration menus of most comms software.  It
PS>would be nice if the manufacturer offered good warranty and
PS>support,  preferably without having to ring STD from Melbourne.

PS>I've read lots of mail in several modem areas.  Some peple seems to
PS>swear by their Netcomms,  others think they are absolute crap.  I
PS>assume that the differences in opinion are due to peoples
PS>experiences with  older models, lack of expertise/luck in setting
PS>them up, stupidity, etc.

PS>I'm looking at the new (?) Netcomm Roadster with inbuilt fax
PS>switch.

PS>Does anyone have any genuine opinions based on experience with this
PS>model?

I've had an Automodem E34F (Roadster in an M34F style case) for about 
a year now and have had generally good results.

With any V.34 modem you're at the mercy of Telstra and that length of 
"twisted-pair" to the local exchange!
I believe in a recent review by an Aust. PC mag. that of the Netcomms 
tested, the M34F came out near the top and the Roadster towards the 
bottom  :-(
I've also heard the E34F and Roadster referred to as nothing more than 
expensive "glue-n-go" modems which are nothing more than a basic 
Rockwell chipset with a bit of "local tweaking"!

When I purchased, the only difference Netcomm could tell me about the 
diff. between the E34F and M34F was "...one's got a 16 bit processor 
and better security". Hmmmmmmmm, salesreps!

þ CMPQwk 1.42 1805 þTelevision is democracy at its ugliest.

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