I'm completely unbiased since I've bought both IPExperts and CCBootCamp (and Solutionlab too). The fact that I got solutionlab and IPExpert too does say something, CCBootCamp labs are not for everybody and doesn't covers everything.
Having gone through both, I would say that CCBootCamp has been the defactor standard for CCIE preparation for a long time , but mistakes starts creeping in somewhere in Lab 16 onward although Lab 19 and Lab 20 improved since. Quick Comparision First Look : The first feeling is sort of disappointment, since it's a stack of papers, with no proper binding and even some info missing from the pages due to bad photocopying. If I would give CCBootCamp a 5/10 for this, then I must give IPExperts 9/10 for this. Workbook is properly binded and all printing done on glossy high quality papers . Diagrams are all in Colors and definitely not using your inkjet printer. Lab scenerios : CCBootCamp has more diverse labs , but is more distracting due to the different eqpt requirements in each lab scenerios. IPExperts builds on individual topics, making it easier to focus and also the standard lab setup makes it easier to setup the lab and focus on configurations. IP Experts breaks their lab into 19 topics and then 5 full scenerios. CCBootCamp scenerios is more tricky in certain ways. Recommendation : CCBootCamp for more experienced engineers and IPExperts for those who wants to focus on individual topics. If you are not sure , I suggest going for IPExperts first although I would give both 8/10 for the lab scenerios . Value for money : CCBootCamp is more expensive (about 50% more) , but has been around longer and has a proven ability to provides updates although somewhat irregular . IPExperts has not stated their official policy on updates, is it free or will there be some small fees. I have bought CCBootCamp more than a year ago and I'm still receiving updates free . Looking at the bigger picture, would $200 differences makes a huge differences to you if you divided it by 12 months ? On the other hand, IPExperts has also provided a couple of updates since they started and has proven to be responsive to comments. All in, I still find both good and I believe that the competitions would only lead them to improve their services. If you have the $$$, get both, otherwise, IPExperts would be a good choice. ""Michael Cinquanti"" wrote in message news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]... > I too am completely biased (since I'm the Publisher of CertificationZone > and we sell the IPexpert Lab Workbook), but the fact that Mr. Ellis knows > 150 CCIEs who have used his service does not support the idea that > one Lab reference is the *best choice*. Since the ZONE has only been > selling the IPexpert Lab Workbook since July, Brad knows that we do not yet > have 150 customers who have used our book and passed the Lab Exam. But > based on the way our book is flying off the shelf and based on the fact > that qualified reviewers have told us that our reference is an excellent > study > tool, I suspect that it won't be too long before we do have that many > CCIEs and more. > > As for constant updating, in the past three months, the IPexpert Workbook > has been updated two times and already includes a sample lab in the new > one-day format. Yet another Update is being prepared now and will be > distributed, free-of-charge, to anyone who owns a previous version. > > We have also had people who've passed the lab and people who've failed the > lab review our book from cover-to-cover. The results are unanimous. They > think the IPexpert Book is a great preparation resource for the Lab Exam > and worth every penny it costs. We've published one such review (from a guy > who's currently preparing for his second Lab Exam attempt) at the ZONE > website. We should have a second review (from a guy who's already earned > his CCIE) posted at the site sometime this month. > > But I can't answer Pieter-Jan's original question -- and neither can Brad > Ellis. Postings on Newsgroups and Mailing Lists can be helpful, but don't > depend completely on what you read there. I urge all CCIE lab candidates > looking for appropriate references to examine all the alternatives > carefully. Visit the websites, use e-mail and those toll free phone > numbers, examine the qualifications of the authors, ask for references, and > contact those references directly. If you find two you like and can afford > to do so, buy them both. Good luck with the Lab Exam. > > >I am completely biased (since I am one of the owner's of NLI), but I do know > >of over 150 CCIE's that have used the ccbootcamp labs to get their CCIE...I > >havent heard of one CCIE yet that has used the other labs to get their #. > >:) > > > >Also, the bootcamp labs are constantly being updated and added on to. In > >fact, we are in the process of modifying all of our old labs by removing the > >obsolete technology and changing them to a 1-day format (which means we give > >you pre-config files with IP addresses, not a real big deal there). > > > >thanks, > >-Brad Ellis > >CCIE#5796 > >Network Learning Inc > >www.ccbootcamp.com > > > >""Pieter-Jan Bakhuyzen"" wrote in message > >[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]... > >> Hi, > >> > >> I'm looking to buy a CCIE Lab Workbook to prepare for my CCIE Lab in June > >> 2002. > >> I've found the following two on the net: > >> > >> - Certificationzone - IPexpert Lab Preparation Workbook 2.0 > >> - CCBootcamp - CCIE LAB Package Subscription > >> > >> Has anybody used these and which one is considered the best choice? > >> > >> Regards, > >> > >> Pieter-Jan Bakhuyzen > >> CCNP, CCDP, MCSE > Mike Cinquanti > President > Genium Publishing Corporation Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=25793&t=24920 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
