Customer Reviews

Diamond Smart One 56Kbps USB V.92 Controller-based Data/Fax Modem

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This has to be one of the worst external modems ever made for the Mac. It is, however, still an improvement over Apple's own internal modem, in that, once the Best modem manages to negotiate a connection, it stays connected. But getting that initial connection with the Best modem is often difficult, and dealing with the necessary workarounds can quickly tire one's patience. After having consistent difficulties with this modem when I first bought it, I tried to contact Best Support, but I never received a reply. So, I returned it to Amazon.com for an exchange. After receiving the second Best modem, I had exactly the same problems, so I concluded that the defects I was experiencing were probably generic to the model. The basic issue seems to be that the modem often fails to initialize properly. To reset it requires that you unplug the USB cable and re-plug it, sometimes over and over, until the device finally responds. The modem has the same difficulty in both OS 9 and OS X; the only difference I've noted is that, in OS X, it can take up to 15 seconds after issuing the Connect command for the modem to actually start dialing. I've had to unplug and re-plug the USB cable as many as a half dozen times sometimes to get the device to work. So why do I put up with it? Because, as I mentioned at the beginning, once this modem makes a connection, it stays connected, which Apple's own internal modem typically failed to do. In that sense, the Best modem is just marginally more tolerable. It's just a shame that this Best modem appears to be the only external modem that's now made for the Mac. Caveat emptor!

I bought the Best Data 56USBPMAC modem from my local Mac Store after having a lot of trouble with my imac flat panel internal modem (apparently the internal modem couldn't handle phone line noise).

The connection speed increased dramatically, from 27000 at best (sometimes the internal modem slowed down to 900) to over 42000. However, after a few days I started getting the error message that the modem could not be found, or the never-ending disconnect. I eventually discovered that after my computer had gone to sleep, I saw a light on the modem with the letter OH. I don't know what that meant, except perhaps "on-hold"? Anyway, I've tried reconnecting the USB plug into the back of the computer after the computer has been sleeping and before trying to connect, and that seems to have solved the problem.

That is a bit of a nuisance, but still tons better than the frustration with the internal modem disconnects and slow speed.

The internal modem in my iMac died so I bought this one. Very simple to set up. But there seems to be an intermittant bug in the modem's software that causes problems with my computer (which is running OS 10.2.8). Without warning, the computer won't recognize the modem and I'll have to continually fiddle with iMac's network and modem settings.

Other times, when I disconnect from being online, the computer will hang in the disconnect mode and look like it's in the process of disconnecting even though it's no longer online. When this happens the only solution I've found is to reboot my computer, which is a pain.

Repeated emails and faxes to Best Data tech support have resulted in a total of zero responses from the company, so if tech support is important to you, avoid this modem.

As other reveiwers noted this modem cannot stay connected. You can reestablish connection by unplugging and plugging the USB but this is a pain. Instructions that come with modem are incomplete and do not give information about lights. Also Best Data tech support does not respond. There are bound to be better choices.

I bought a best Data USB modem listed as suitable for Mac and WIndows since I use both. The Windows software was not accepted by this OS and when I proceeded anyway the modem would not run. The instructions said to consult the web site for Mac drivers . After going thru the various layers I found the site has NO OS X drivers.

I gave it one star because that is the minimum. To be fair I don't know how it works since I could not make it work.

I bought another USB modem and it installed and runs; so I do know how to install this stuff.

So what you have here is a WIndows Mac device that cannot install on Windows XP or Mac OS 10. Not needing another paperweight, I returned mine.

I purchased this device at my local Frys on an employee recommendation and also based on details on the box. I could not get my g4 1.25 dual to see the modem in spite of everything I tried. The tech support would not respond, the website has no mac drivers, my mac wouldnt recognize it as a USB device and the included instructions and the CD have no drivers or details that would be helpful. After a frustrating few weeks I gave up and returned this. The only thing it did properly was power on when connected to a usb port. Pathetic.

We purchased one of these to use at work as a fax modem.
The drivers are poorly written, and often fail to initialize. When they do initialize the driver often crash, and it requires a full cold reboot to get the modem working again.

Best data (as noted by other reviewers) refuses to provide any tech support. I suspect this is because they know their products are defective.

After I hit save, I'm dropping this modem in the trash.