Opinions on Maxell Communicator series

[TAGO MAGO]

I just purchased a few of the Maxell communicator series cassettes unopened. Anyone have an opinion on these. Are they just as good as Maxell's low bias tape, or do they use seconds.

[Cadillac Kid]

They used to be the official choice of US Customs and the DEA for wiretap and undercover recordings. I have worked with dozens of these and always thought they were good for these type of voice recordings and the shell is of decent quality. If you want to record a major drug deal, they are ideal.

[TAGO MAGO]

Originally Posted by Cadillac Kid

If you want to record a major drug deal, they are ideal.

They should list that as one of the "suggested uses" on the box.

[KentTeffeteller]

Maxell Communicator Series is the commercial/industrial version of UR. Very good normal bias tape which is reliable as a rule. Let's record a Drug Deal! These cassettes are of 40 key quality!

[TAGO MAGO]

Originally Posted by KentTeffeteller

Maxell Communicator Series is the commercial/industrial version of UR. Very good normal bias tape which is reliable as a rule. Let's record a Drug Deal! These cassettes are of 40 key quality!

That's good to know, since I was usually pretty happy with the UR tapes (which I guess replaced either the LN or the UD, or both). I find it odd to say that it has a more reliable shell than a normal Maxell as I think their normal shells have been exceptionally reliable. I have never had one fail me yet (except for having an XL-II eaten by a cassette deck years ago, but has been fine since I repaired it).

[stevesailor]

I just acquired a quantity of the 1985 vintage C45 Maxell Pro Communicators. Anybody know what years these were made? The cases seem pretty solid: 5 screw construction. They seem to be everywhere on the web, but I'm wondering if the quality varies over the years they were made. Are the 1985 versions better? Since they are "Professional" versions, is the tape thicker and is the binder better?