Couldn't one palm off a cheap old SD card just as easily as a DAT tape? I think the advantage of solidstate memory over tape would be enough to make it worth the effort and you can get a 24-bit recording with the newer options.
I understand your point. I haven't had to explain the 722 yet ;-) but I make sure I get everything off the HD before I go into a situation where I might have to reformat the HD while someone watches me.