USRobotics USB Fax Modem Review
by Matt Gerchow
The USRobotics USR5637 USB fax modem is the perfect dial-up modem for anyone who uses Linux as their operating system. It is a hardware modem that uses USB, specifically the "ppd" and KDE KPPP USB communication drivers. If you use Windows as your operating system, this particular modem is still great, but there are less expensive options available elsewhere.
For Windows users, this particular modem has bundled BVRP Phone Tools, which is great phone book software that will work on any version of Windows, including Windows 7. However, the bundled software will only work with the USRobotics modem and not any other, so keep this in mind if you consider upgrading in the future and you want to continue using the same software.
The real benefit of this USB fax modem is because it is an external hardware modem, which means it does not use as much processing power as an internal modem would, meaning you have more power available for your every day tasks instead of remaining connected to the Internet. In addition, since it does not require a special OS driver, it is functional across all operating systems no matter what you happen to use.
This modem is particularly light and is well constructed and the packaging includes a long phone cord for connecting your computer no matter where it may be in the room. It also includes a special ferrite donut to help cut down on the amount of interference. So far, I have no had any problems out of this modem with interference, so I would say this particular feature does its job.
The lights that communicate the modem processes are easy to read and follow, so you always know what's going on. The power light is green and the communication light that blinks depending on what action the modem's performing is clearly labeled, so you always know when the modem is ready to go, since both lights will be on.
As previously mentioned, the software that is included with the modem is the BVRP Cla#ssic Pho#ne Tools for Win#dows. The software is extremely easy to install and everything you need to get started is included on the CD, including the drivers for your particular operating system. For Linux users, there is a README that will help you get started.
A manual is included and it is not very detailed, so if you have questions about setting up and using the program or the software, it is better to consult the README file or the Internet for additional help. The bonus of the printed manual is that it is in multiple languages, so even if English is not your first language, you should have no trouble getting this modem set up and ready to go.
Since it is a USB fax modem, the modem can be used to receive and send faxes. The software that is bundled with the modem has fax capture functionality that it installs and will let any program print a received fax to document form. In addition, Phone Tools will let you crate a cover page and allow you have a final look over the document before it is sent.
The only downside to this program is that the entire fax must be printed using this program. You cannot add additional pages after you have created it, which can be troublesome if you have a fax you are constantly modifying before sending. This means if you have multiple pieces from different sources you want to send, you will need to paste them all into the same document, whether it is a Word document or an Acrobat document. However, this is only a minor set back and for the price you pay for the modem and the software, it is not that big a hindrance.
The modem can get very hot after a while, but it does not become so hot that it cannot be touched. Long term operation seems to be good, as I have not had any trouble out of it for the period that I have owned it and used it. The quality you get from the modem depends highly on how well your phone line quality functions, but for what it is, it is a great device.
The price can be a little high for some users, especially considering it is a dial-up modem, but if you need a modem for sending and receiving faxes on Linux, it is second to none. For Linux users, you simply need to purchase the modem and set it up with the required software and drivers and then you can be sending and receiving faxes and getting online just as easily as if you were running a Windows machine. This is because Linux HAL detects the modem immediately, which can save you the hassle of having to search for specific drivers across the internet. There is no need to reboot or type any specific set of commands, making it one of the easiest modems to set up for any Linux user.
Test drive RingCentral and fax free for 30 days
For Windows users, this particular modem has bundled BVRP Phone Tools, which is great phone book software that will work on any version of Windows, including Windows 7. However, the bundled software will only work with the USRobotics modem and not any other, so keep this in mind if you consider upgrading in the future and you want to continue using the same software.
The real benefit of this USB fax modem is because it is an external hardware modem, which means it does not use as much processing power as an internal modem would, meaning you have more power available for your every day tasks instead of remaining connected to the Internet. In addition, since it does not require a special OS driver, it is functional across all operating systems no matter what you happen to use.
This modem is particularly light and is well constructed and the packaging includes a long phone cord for connecting your computer no matter where it may be in the room. It also includes a special ferrite donut to help cut down on the amount of interference. So far, I have no had any problems out of this modem with interference, so I would say this particular feature does its job.
The lights that communicate the modem processes are easy to read and follow, so you always know what's going on. The power light is green and the communication light that blinks depending on what action the modem's performing is clearly labeled, so you always know when the modem is ready to go, since both lights will be on.
As previously mentioned, the software that is included with the modem is the BVRP Cla#ssic Pho#ne Tools for Win#dows. The software is extremely easy to install and everything you need to get started is included on the CD, including the drivers for your particular operating system. For Linux users, there is a README that will help you get started.
A manual is included and it is not very detailed, so if you have questions about setting up and using the program or the software, it is better to consult the README file or the Internet for additional help. The bonus of the printed manual is that it is in multiple languages, so even if English is not your first language, you should have no trouble getting this modem set up and ready to go.
Since it is a USB fax modem, the modem can be used to receive and send faxes. The software that is bundled with the modem has fax capture functionality that it installs and will let any program print a received fax to document form. In addition, Phone Tools will let you crate a cover page and allow you have a final look over the document before it is sent.
The only downside to this program is that the entire fax must be printed using this program. You cannot add additional pages after you have created it, which can be troublesome if you have a fax you are constantly modifying before sending. This means if you have multiple pieces from different sources you want to send, you will need to paste them all into the same document, whether it is a Word document or an Acrobat document. However, this is only a minor set back and for the price you pay for the modem and the software, it is not that big a hindrance.
The modem can get very hot after a while, but it does not become so hot that it cannot be touched. Long term operation seems to be good, as I have not had any trouble out of it for the period that I have owned it and used it. The quality you get from the modem depends highly on how well your phone line quality functions, but for what it is, it is a great device.
The price can be a little high for some users, especially considering it is a dial-up modem, but if you need a modem for sending and receiving faxes on Linux, it is second to none. For Linux users, you simply need to purchase the modem and set it up with the required software and drivers and then you can be sending and receiving faxes and getting online just as easily as if you were running a Windows machine. This is because Linux HAL detects the modem immediately, which can save you the hassle of having to search for specific drivers across the internet. There is no need to reboot or type any specific set of commands, making it one of the easiest modems to set up for any Linux user.
Test drive RingCentral and fax free for 30 days