1. A method for computing intersymbol interference-based estimates for a channel using reduced-state detection techniques, said channel having a channel impulse response, said method comprising the steps of: computing a plurality of partial intersymbol interference based estimates, wherein at least one partial intersymbol interference-based estimate is based on a selected partial intersymbol interference-based estimate; and selecting said selected partial intersymbol interference-based estimate from among the computed partial intersymbol interference-based estimates for path extensions into a state.