🚀 go-pugleaf

I am looking for input regarding purchase of a SCSI tape drive for use with
SCO Unix (3.2.4).  Planning to purchase in 2 months.

I presently use the VP150/i Archive/Maynard drive (150/250 meg capacity, used
as a 150 meg because I have been told if I ever use a 250 meg tape, it will
permanently damage the head and no longer permit reading of my 150 meg tapes).

I actually have a 250 meg tape which came with the unit, if anyone wishes to
comment on their actual real life experiences with the Maynard 150i/250i and
changing of tape sizes, I'd appreciate it.

I have around 30 DC6150 cartridges.  I have been looking at the 525 meg tape
units as I have heard they do not have the same damaging affects when changing
tape sizes (150/250/525).

Cost is a factor, I'd like to keep it around $500 or less if possible.

Internal is okay, I'd be willing to pay extra for external though.

I had some bad experiences with a Wangtek 5150PK drive once, so bad I got rid
of it the first chance I had and bought the Maynard unit (It was considered
gray-market due to being sold by Nevada Computer Products -- they advertise
in PC-Week, and other places, I will *never* do business with them again).  It
developed a problem and I learned there was no factory warranty.  I dealt with
Nevada on the repair, they ended up replacing the drive.  It was a difficult
time dealing with them.  They will not receive any future business from me.  I
found out the lack of warranty AFTER the sale, AFTER the 30 day return policy
had expired.  Never again will I get caught, now I call the manufacturer the
moment it descends on my front steps.

I have seen the VP525Q (or was that CS525Q?) Maynard, also the 2525S, also
Maynard, and the Wangtek 5525ES.  My Wangtek 5150PK unit had problems with
SCO Unix 3.2.2 in that it did not rewind automatically (I think that was the
problem), supposedly fixed in the new version of 3.2.4 I have now.  But, it
was also the only unit at the time which exhibited the problem, as the Maynard
did not.  This made me think firmware bug.  Are the current 5525ES models ok?

What about the Maynard models?  I plan to use it for SCO Unix (90%) and DOS
and/or Windows (10%).  I need a unit for both environments.

I have heard of DAT units, around $1000 range.  While price is a little high,
the capacity and size of the tapes is nice.  I would like to try and keep my
present investment of tapes and continue to use them.  Comments?

What are the differences in the VP/CS525Q and the 2525S?  Ie, what will I
see different performance wise?  I have an Adaptec 1542B controller for my
SCSI controller.

There are a few others out there, such as Mountain and CMS, not really
interested in CMS, Mountain have been "ok" in the past, but not generally
well known in Unix circles it seems.  I guess I would probably prefer to
stay with the DC6000 series tapes unless someone can give me good reason
why the DAT units are better (and $400-$600+ more).

Like I said, cost is a factor.  I'd like it external.  SCSI interface (I need
the card slot for a network card, all 8 slots are in use right now).  Plan to
upgrade during August or September.  Looking for a good price on something that
is reliable with warranty.  If the price is right, I could consider used as
well -- as long as it *was* working last time it was used, and that was not
several years ago.

I am particularly wanting imput on the Maynard/Wangtek 525 meg DC 6525 drives.
Are they both the same in terms of reliability?  What are the warranties and
performance like?  What's the transfer speed?  I read 12-14 meg/minute, is this
an accurate representation (I presently use one that is 6 meg/minute).

Systems using compression do not interest me.  Needs to be compatible with
SCO Unix 3.2.4.2.

I have seen prices as low as $350/$375 on the Wangtek 5525ES, the Maynard
seems to average $475-$550.  Recommendations on supplier?

E-mail would be preferred (although I also read here regularly) as I am not
planning to purchase for a couple of months.  I expect end of next month.

Thank you,

Steven
---
Internet:        steven@sgb.oau.org            |  Steven G. Bradley
                 steven@gate.net               |  Forest City, Florida
                 steven@transquest.oe.fau.edu  |-----------------------
CompuServe:      73232.505@compuserve.com      |  Phone:   407/862-7226
America Online:  sgbradley@aol.com             |  Modem:   407/862-8088