[Info-vax] SDLT 1 tape cartridge longevity?

[mathog]

On Nov 2, 2:31 pm, mathog <dmat... at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> While shopping found a "new" brand "Echo", which sells _recycled_
> tapes.  See for instance:
>
>  http://www.tapeandmedia.com/detail.asp?product_id=ECHO-SDLT

For balance, here is Maxell's dire warning about recertified/used
tape:

  http://www.maxell-usa.com/getpdf.aspx?id=15&type=support

Of course, if we are to believe the lifetime estimates from Fuji,
Quantum, and yes, Maxell, then DLT and SDLT cartridges should have
many years of usable life left in them after 5 years in a backup
rotation.  Even if the tape was used once a day for 5 years, that is
only  1300 uses, in theory that leaves 90% of the projected life still
available.  This assumes no abuse or tape scrubbing. However, since
the tape cartridges have no use or wear indicators, there is no way to
know what they have been through.  So buying recertified tape would be
a lot like buying a used car - without service records and with the
odometer reset to zero.

There does seem to be a lot of recertified tape out there these days,
which makes me wonder where it is all coming from.

Regards,

David Mathog