A tape drive-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: determining a length of a window of a servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position estimate, and determining a number of the windows of the servo pattern to use for calculating a lateral position value. A lateral position estimate is calculated for each of the number of the windows of the servo pattern using signals which correspond to each of the number of the windows. Moreover, the lateral position value is calculated by using the lateral position estimates. The lateral position value is used to control a tape head actuator. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.