Plain Vanilla Fax, Not Feature Stripped
by
nad_masters
,
in Computer Hardware at Epinions.com
,
Nov 25, 2002
Pros:
Plain vanilla fax without skimping features
Cons:
Menus can be a bit hard to navigate around
The Bottom Line:
An average fax machine, for an average price.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
The Sharp UX-P200 is a very plain fax machine without looking too extravagent even on the store shelf (as a demo!). But if you are looking for a fax machine that won't break the bank, this is it!
There are a few minor drawbacks, but nothing too much to complain about. I will list my personal pros and cons later in the review. Lets see what $80 can net you:
Features
Automatic Dialing (30 numbers)
448 KB memory size (approx. 24 pages)
9600 bps modem speed with automatic fallback
203 pels/in (Horizontal)
Standard - 98 lines/in (Vertical)
Fine/Halftone - 196 lines/in (Vertical)
Super fine - 391 lines/in (Vertical)
Automatic document feeder (10 pages max) letter/A4, 20 lb paper)
Thermal transfer recording (image transfer onto paper)
64 levels of grascale (Halftone)
16-digit LCD display
Copy function
Impression
This is a relativey compact unit that have features stated above, as well as caller-ID and busy-line retry.
Image quality of sent and recieved faxes are very coarse in quality (but much like many other faxes). It's a bit grainy, and recieved faxes are pixelated. In Super fine, it takes FOREVER to transmit and recieve pages because of the modem speed. Copies takes just as long (as if you were reciving a fax). But if you don't do much faxing, this is not a problem at all. For larger ammounts of fax, a better/faster unit may be your cup of tea. (Or use Internet-based faxing such as www.concordfax.com).
With today's fax modems at 14.4 kbps, 9600 kbps is pretty slow. This is especially true when trying to fax photos in very high quality modes.
The memory fuction is neat, but with only 448 kb, the 24 pages capacity is a bit overstated. Remember, we are talking graphical information here! You can't even recieve a full page of a Super fine resolution (photo) if you run out of paper.
There really isn't much else to say about the UX-P200 except that it works as advertised, and it is very plain vanilla. I'm am surprised at a few features included in such a unit such as busy-line redialing, and a 30 memory speed dial. You can also fax broadcast to all 30 recivers in the memory (or a select few).
The menu system is hard to figure out. This is definately a good time to read the manual before you head out on your own. Luckly, after it's set (time, date, fax number, and business name), it won't need to be touched - even after unplugging the unit. There is a battery back up just like how a PC have a battery for backing up the CMOS info. However, as stated in the manual, once the batter is kaput, you must send it back to Sharp to get it replaced. I have yet to open up the unit to see what kind of battery (and if it is user replaceable), but most likely than not, by the time the battery dies out, you'll probably be thinking about getting a newer model anyways.
About the only thing I am worried about in the long run is availability of the imaging film (pretty much ink). The UX-P200 uses heat to transfer the image onto paper. The UX-P200 may or may not be popular enough to find at your local electronics store.
So are you a fax junkie? If not, this is your unit. If you so, this is definately not for you.
