CMX110: fast and reliable
Written: Dec 11 '03 (Updated Dec 14 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Very reliable, fast synchronization with DOCSIS signal
Cons: None really (the manufacturer did not honor the rebate until I went after them)
The Bottom Line: An excellent product, fast and reliable. Be sure your ISP supports this modem before you buy it though.
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| towwang's Full Review: Best Data Products Smart One Cable Modem (CMX110) |
Bought this DOCSIS modem at Fry's Electronics in San Jose, CA; back in early 2001 it sold for $120 minus a $20 rebate. Best Data did not pay the rebate after 3 months of waiting, until I started e-mailing them and complained LOUDLY. The check finally came after 4 months of waiting.
[Package contents]
The retail package I bought contained the following:
CMX110 modem
AC adapter
6 foot EtherNet cable
Manual
Installation CD
Note: it did not include any coaxial cable; the general expectation is that your cable company should provide it. I was able to install and use the modem without ever inserting the CD.
[Installation]
I used this modem with the Comcast (formerly AT&T) cable internet service. I was renting a modem from Comcast and decided to cut that montly extra rental fee. The procedure was for me to notify Comcast, give them the MAC address of the new CMX110 modem (they also wanted the serial number, for who knows what reason).
I was told to wait a few days and then to swap the modems. The CMX110 synchronized itself with the DOCSIS signal in just 27 seconds, compared to the 40+ seconds needed by the rental modem, a 3Com HomeConnect "shark fin" modem. At this point the CMX110 was connected, but the network still would not let it access any subnet except AT&T's web site, where I confirmed the activation of this new modem. From this point on, everything worked flawlessly.
I should mention that I had a Linksys router sitting between the CMX110 and my home computers. The router never had any problems interacting (e.g. obtaining a DHCP address, resolving DNS names, passing traffic) with the modem.
[Performance]
I have been extremely pleased with the performance and reliability of this modem. I consistently achieved the 1.5 Mb/s download and 256 Kb/s upload speeds provided by ComCast. (The manual states that the modem is capable of up to 40 Mb/s download and 10 Mb/s upload, if so provisioned by the ISP.)
In the 2 years I have used this modem, never did I see it lose signal synchronization or fail in any way. It was always on, always ready, always fast.
[Revision history]
2003 12 11 Written by Tow Wang
2003 12 14 Correction: max upload is 10 Mb/s
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 100
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Epinions.com ID:
towwang
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Member: Tow Wang
Location: California; U.S.A.
Reviews written: 42
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
Rabidly passionate about computers and electronics!
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