ElectroValue - 9 track tape drives, 3480, 3490 tape drives

9 track drives

Some specifications for our most popular drives are below. We have more detailed specifications if you need them.

Hewlett Packard 88780 (7980)
HP 88780 drive is our premier 9 track tape drive. HP88780

Most of our customers purchase this drive as part of a complete package containing the drive, a controller card, software, cable and free technical support.

SCSI packages for Win95/98/ME come with ElectroValue software. SCSI packages for Win 2000/XP come with NovaXchange. This drive is shown without the optional desktop enclosure.

1600 / 6250 density standard. 800 bpi is optional at $295 extra.

High reliability. Built-in diagnostics. Auto loading and auto threading 512k Cache buffer (1 megabyte option available)

Compact form factor Handles 6", 7", 8.5", 10.5" reels. Rack mountable or use with an optional desktop enclosure optional desktop enclosure.

PERTEC or SCSI (single ended or differential) interfaces available

Complete Pertec packages include drive, 16 bit controller card, cable, software, and comprehensive manual. Pertec package requires a computer with an empty ISA slot.

Complete SCSI packages include drive, SCSI controller card, cable, terminator, software, and comprehensive manual. SCSI package requires a computer with an empty PCI slot.

The HP88780 (also know as 7980) is an auto loading tape drive that operates at 1600 bpi PE and 6250 bpi GCR densities. This drive operates at 125 inches per second tape speed to achieve maximum streaming performance. 

Physical specifications: 8.75 " high, 19.0" wide, 26.5" deep. (mountable in a standard 19" equipment rack). Weight 85 pounds + packing carton.

Model; Format Drive Only Win/ME package Win Xp Package
HP88780Scsi 1600/6250 $745 $945 $1145
HP88780 diff 1600/6250 call call call
HP8870 Pertec 1600/6250 $445 $745 n/a

All of our HP 88780 drives come with 1 Megabyte memory option as a standard courtesy by us.

Cipher F880
The Cipher F880 is easily the world's most popular 9 track mini-computer tape drive.Cipher F880

This auto loading drive streams at up to 100 Inches per second. This drive is shown with the optional desktop enclosure. This drive has a Pertec interface.

F880 physical specifications: 8.75 " high, 19.0" wide, 24.5" deep. (mountable in a standard 19" equipment rack). Weight 85 pounds plus a packing carton.


$Call for pricing

Cipher M990
This drive reads and writes 1600,3200 and 6250 densities.

Cipher M990 9 track drive
$Call for price

Which brand drive should you consider?

  • If you have Cipher drives and are comfortable using and servicing them, you may want to stick with them.
  • If you are buying a drive for the first time, we suggest you seriously consider the Hewlett Packard drives.
  • If you want a drive to read in oil and gas exploration tapes, please call us because you may need a drive to read in large blocks.