🚀 go-pugleaf

On 17 Jun 1997 15:39:42 +1000, Robi Karp
> <robi@fluffyspider.com.au.delete.this.to.email.me> posted: 
> : I also want to purchase an external DAT tape drive.  There is a sony
> : one around which is very expensive, around $1300 for 2Gb
> : uncompressed.  I've also been told about some mystery Taiwanese drive
> : that is about $400.  Does anyone have any opinions about these or does
> : anyone know if they will even work with my setup?  Alternatively, can
> : anyone recommend another external DAT drive please.
>
>Hmmmmm, it seems that the "mystery" model they were talking about is
>actually an Exabyte Travan.  Mystery indeed!  It's about 4Gb
>uncompressed and is about $450 extrenal.

In case it's not gratuitously obvious, "Travan == QIC", which means
that that is *not,* repeat *NOT* a DAT drive.  It may be a reasonable
alternative so long as you're willing to pay $40 per tape.

You should be able to find a DAT drive for on the order of $800 (and
here I'm presuming we're talking about US$ within the US; with a price
quoted for Travan 4GB of $450, that sounds like it should be the
correct situation).

Places like CDW (http://www.cdw.com) sometimes have refurbished units
for somewhat less than $800; I've gotten price quotes for HP DAT
drives from CompUSA (special order; they don't stock this) for
$800-$900.  You ought to be able to do better than CompUSA's prices,
but $1300 is most definitely worse than you need to pay.

If you look at the $1400 range, you should be able to get an 8MM tape
drive, which may be arguably better than DAT.  (Again, $1400 is a
price I was quoted at CompUSA.)

Good luck with your quest!
-- 
Christopher B. Browne, cbbrowne@hex.net, chris_browne@sdt.com
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