Rent or buy cable modem? Brand?

garyhope · Post by **garyhope** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 2:59 pm

My ISP ( @Home) just started to charge me rent on my cable modem. They said I could buy my own. Any suggestions as to brand of cable modem to buy and where to buy it from? What price range. I've got a General Instrument "SURFboard" SB2100 at present. Any compatability problems? Could a "refurbished" or used be OK? Thanks all.

xbit · Post by **xbit** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 3:15 pm

You do not wan't to buy a cable modem, that way if it breaks or something @home will replace the modem for free, If you buy the modem and it breaks you are going to be the one paying for a new one. If you do decide to buy a cable modem get a new rca

NoFreakinWay · Post by **NoFreakinWay** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 3:36 pm

I'm on @Home also. I rented for about a year and half. Could have bought one in that time. I finally did and saved the $15.99 per month.
I got the SurfBoard SB3100. It works like a champ.

garyhope · Post by **garyhope** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 3:48 pm

Originally posted by NoFreakinWay
I'm on @Home also. I rented for about a year and half. Could have bought one in that time. I finally did and saved the $15.99 per month.
I got the SurfBoard SB3100. It works like a champ.

Thanks NFW,

Mind if I ask where and why you bought your SB3100 and how much you paid? Mine is a SB2100. What's the diff? I guess your's is newer.

Thanks,

gh

NYR 56 · Post by **NYR 56** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 3:58 pm

Its a much better deal to just buy it. Some ISPs may replace it even if you bought it.

xbit · Post by **xbit** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 4:01 pm

but not all, i bought my cable modem. Most people don't becuse if it breaks the isp will repair or replace it. But i doubt that my modem will stop working anytime soon

FingerDemon · Post by **FingerDemon** » Thu Jun 28, 2001 5:11 pm

I am facing a similar decision with my cable service, with the added problem of the cable connection cutting out regularly without warning only to reestablish itself moments later. I guess what I am wondering is what monthly dollar figure people think the break point is for being too much rent? I don't know how much to worry about the modem breaking, since as I understand it there are no moving parts. (Engineers correct me on this if I am wrong, please) But I guess it could get fried by lightning or a power surge. I have a surge protector between the line and the modem, and either way I think renter's or home owner's insurance should cover that. If you're getting hit by lightning probably the last thing on your mind is your cable modem's well being anyway :-)

So I think I pay $15 a month. I've seen cable modems for sale around $170-$200.

Has anyone noticed substantive differences in performance from one cable modem brand or model to another? Or at that speed, is it just splitting hairs?

Thanks in advance for any reply,

FingerDemon

NYR 56 · Post by **NYR 56** » Fri Jun 29, 2001 4:51 pm

The Terayon modem seems to be faster than others, although it does have a history for packet loss. Back at DSLR, we did some tests, and the Terayon got many people 8mbps, while the others got only 4-5mbps. Chances are with your ISP you wont even get higher than the 5mbps, so basically chose the modem by looks/features.

joepassavanti · Post by **joepassavanti** » Fri Jun 29, 2001 7:54 pm

1st, find out which docsis modems are being supported by your cable company. even though they are all "standardized", each cable company has reserved the right to only carry the brands which it chooses to (i know, it defeats the purpose of standardization). then, i would recommend rca, toshiba, or cisco (if you can find one) if they are on the supported list.

HackMcDivot · Post by **HackMcDivot** » Sat Jun 30, 2001 5:35 am

Is this the norm with cable, you rent for a year then they make you an offer you can't refuse? I have DSL and haven't heard anything like that.

Immortal · Post by **Immortal** » Sat Jun 30, 2001 9:47 am

for my cable company.. we rent it for like 5 bucks or so... and after 2 years... we can keep it...

it's like paying for the modem slowly.. and if they switch modem then.. they give me another one and start the 5 bucx charge again

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Sat Jun 30, 2001 7:25 pm

HackMcDivot, w/ DSL, the hardware is usually either payed for upfront (sometimes as part of the install fee) by the customer, or included for free courtesy of the provider.

As for renting vs. purchasing, do the math and do what's best for you. You'll probably find that purchasing won't begin to pay off for quite some time.

NoFreakinWay · Post by **NoFreakinWay** » Mon Jul 02, 2001 7:44 pm

Gary,

Sorry it took so long to respond.
The original modem they installed was a LanCity(non-DOCSIS) and it started acting up. I decided to buy it and avoid the rental cost. It was $199.00 about a year ago at Best Buy. They no longer carry that brand

ibench · Post by **ibench** » Wed Jul 04, 2001 5:21 am

Originally posted by HackMcDivot
Is this the norm with cable, you rent for a year then they make you an offer you can't refuse? I have DSL and haven't heard anything like that.

It can be the same with DSL. Over here, before signing up for DSL, you either choose to rent their modem or buy it from them...

if you buy the modem, ~ USD 153
monthly rent ~ USD 13
Subscribe for a whole year, and the modem goes free.

note: we only have one ISP :P

back to the original topic:
if you're concerned about buying the wrong cable modem, why not find out what modem(s) your ISP is using, and then go buy the same one?

rocannon · Post by **rocannon** » Thu Jul 05, 2001 3:21 pm

is this a "good" modem to buy?

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Fri Jul 06, 2001 10:53 am

I bought a Motorola SB4100 before I had the cable internet service installed. I saw on @Home's list the SB3100. Went to Motorola's site which said the SB3100 was no longer made, the SB4100 replaced it. I assumed (never do that) that @Home would accept the 4100 in place of the discontinued 3100.

Well they don't! I'm stuck with a $160 modem that I can't use and no cable service. Ask them on the phone if they will accept a particular modem before you buy it. Learn from my mistake.

Barry F.

ace · Post by **ace** » Sat Jul 07, 2001 7:43 pm

they have an rca 226 for 180 at radio shack for 180 with a 100 dollar rebate. cant beat that!! it has ethernet or usb.

HalfLifer · Post by **HalfLifer** » Sat Jul 07, 2001 8:08 pm

They will accept either of the two, Barry, the person on the phone was mistaken.

glc1 · Post by **glc1** » Sat Jul 07, 2001 8:15 pm

Not only is modem support cable co. dependent, but it can also be area dependent (i.e. same cable co., but different locations and different modems supported). I'd double and triple check before purchasing a thing.

richjt · Post by **richjt** » Sun Jul 08, 2001 9:43 pm

I had a buddy who bought his cable modem and it got zapped by lightning after three months and he went ahead and started to rent. You can surge protect the modem(Through the Power Supply)....but the cable line might cause you a drop on bandwidth.

So the choice is up to you...I had a lightning strike last week and lost my router, but not the cable modem.

My @Home service uses the Toshiba cable modem....$145 online right now with both USB and Ethenet hookups.

My $0.02

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