[Adam Y.]

Originally Posted by Tristan Lall

Also, there are a lot of tapes out there, and using them can be a totally valid solution to an engineering challenge. I don't need to list all of the properties of tape that can be advantageous, but one stands out: it's quick to work with. Especially at smaller regionals (where teams will often go straight from the exit of the field back into the queue), or in the elimination rounds (where pit access is impractical), the ability to make quick repairs does more to keep the level of competition high than does an arbitrary restriction on the legal fastening methods.

I don't particularly find tape all that faster than any other technique. It certainly is no faster to slip a piece of heat shrink tubing over a wire before you reconnect it than to use electrical tape.