The use of slew rate controlled RS485 drivers, like LT785, tremendously helps to get the loop working, even if unsuited terminations and unsuited cables are used. They also allow the use soft grounding techniques by drastically minimizing any signal return currents running back via the shield. Even an unsuited routing of the RS485 cables within the device's enclosure is highly forgiven when using slew rate controlled RS485 drivers

I agree that it is advantageous to use slew rate limited transcievers, but I do not agree with the implication in the above that if you do, you can forget the other rules.

Using slew limited drivers is an ADDED security as to data integrity and sometimes a REQUIRED method to limit radiation (again in a perfect world there would be none from a twisted pair).

I would severely punish anyone that used a slew rate limited transciever as a means of ignoring the rules (termination, no stubs ...)

Erik