Multitool.org Forum
Non Tool Forum => Gadget Freak and EDC Forum => Topic started by: Whoey on December 05, 2016, 01:57:32 PM
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Any one have any thoughts on USB cables? A few of mine are due to be replaced and although there are seemingly tons of cheap ones available I'm thinking a few fast charge/quality cables might be in order rather than cheap junk.
These would be for charging my phone and tablet, both microusb to standard usb.
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Buy good quality cables. There is a reason why cheap cables are cheap. The most important being the wires. Cheap cables use very thin, low quality wires with poor insulation. Not what one wants when trying to get a tablet to charge.
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I replaced all of my cheap generic cables with Anker cables, haven't had one fail yet :tu:
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interesting, also seeing a variety pack on amazon for a somewhat reasonable price.
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major irony, the cable that came with my Motorola Defy is the only cable I used for that phone, and most of the time with my Nexus 4... and it's still pretty much intact as new, whereas the cable for our Kindle, Nexus 7 then Tab 8.4 have all worn next to the actual jack part requiring replacement. :facepalm:
I have added Anker cable pack to my wishlist, and once I place my next amazon order I'll probably throw them in with it.
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I usually just buy cheapo cables on eBay, usually 6-10 at a time. They get lost and/or destroyed too easily to waste money on good ones.
Def
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I use blackberry oem and the adaptor is my built in htc adaptor work fine. For powerbank i use unknown cable, still working
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
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Hmmm... in my case the cables accumulate and accumulate and I have to get rid of them from time to time :think:
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I usually just buy cheapo cables on eBay, usually 6-10 at a time. They get lost and/or destroyed too easily to waste money on good ones.
Def
I made a test once, I could draw 1.5~2Amps from a good 1.5m Samsung cable (that was given with their fast charging travel adapter ), with same wall adapter, only 500mA with a cheap USB cable
You can get cheap ones, but at least make sure they have a large gauge (low AWG number)
This blog post explains it quite well (and much better than I would): http://goughlui.com/2014/10/01/usb-cable-resistance-why-your-phonetablet-might-be-charging-slow/
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I usually just buy cheapo cables on eBay, usually 6-10 at a time. They get lost and/or destroyed too easily to waste money on good ones.
Def
I made a test once, I could draw 1.5~2Amps from a good 1.5m Samsung cable (that was given with their fast charging travel adapter ), with same wall adapter, only 500mA with a cheap USB cable
You can get cheap ones, but at least make sure they have a large gauge (low AWG number)
This blog post explains it quite well (and much better than I would): http://goughlui.com/2014/10/01/usb-cable-resistance-why-your-phonetablet-might-be-charging-slow/
Thanks for the link. I'll check it out, but there's a very good chance I won't have any idea what they are talking about... :P
Def
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Cheap cable = thin wire = high resistance = slow charging & easy to break.
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Cheap cable = thin wire = high resistance = slow charging & easy to break.
:cheers:
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Resistance is futile
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Resistance is futile
xD
PS: and that's why some tablet dedicated chargers are 5.3V instead of 5V to take into account the voltage drop at high current :tu:
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I've only noticed variance on the Amperage on chargers, never voltage...
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The last fast charge ones I bought are JuicEBitz ones off amazon. I've had them quite a while and are really good. They come with a couple of nice velcro cable tidies to, which have come in handy for other things.
These ones...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/JuicEBitz%C2%AE-Charger-Android-Tablets-Premium/dp/B00S2WQDNG/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1481548864&sr=8-6&keywords=fast+charge+usb+cables
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I was looking at this Anker 6 pack for 10gbp: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016BF4I5K/
The amazon.es version is 5 cables for 10 euros. :facepalm:
The difference is one less of the shorter cables, which is fine for my purposes.
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also really digging this usb3.0 hub: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-AH430-4-Port-Compact-Aluminum/dp/B00INMS8VK
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Anker should be pretty good. I just got an anker battery for my note 4 and it seems better than the samsung original, and comes with 18 month warranty.
It's just a shame some of the ones in that pack are so short.
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also really digging this usb3.0 hub: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-AH430-4-Port-Compact-Aluminum/dp/B00INMS8VK
Now that looks good. I think I'll treat myself to one of those for work. We are getting new computers in the new year and mine is a laptop with only 2 usb ports on it, the rest are on the docking station at the back so it will come in handy, and look cool on my desk to.
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also really digging this usb3.0 hub: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-AH430-4-Port-Compact-Aluminum/dp/B00INMS8VK
Now that looks good. I think I'll treat myself to one of those for work. We are getting new computers in the new year and mine is a laptop with only 2 usb ports on it, the rest are on the docking station at the back so it will come in handy, and look cool on my desk to.
I like that the ports are upwards instead of forwards, yet it's still stylish and not blocky.
Anker should be pretty good. I just got an anker battery for my note 4 and it seems better than the samsung original, and comes with 18 month warranty.
It's just a shame some of the ones in that pack are so short.
1.8m is perfect for my tablet/sofa surfing device which is the main one I need replaced atm, my motorola cable is 0.9m, and that's pretty much perfect for most of my uses, so having one extra smaller might just be the winning combo for me.
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I've never broken or needed to replace any USB cable........I have spares :rofl:
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I am still waiting on my latest load of el cheapos from eBay. I hope they arrive soon- my last batch are almost all dead. :ahhh
Def
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I still have the anker cables on my want list, but after looking at other usb3 hubs (my new board has a couple usb3, so it'd be nice to have some at desk level instead of having to reach behind my tower) I may wait until I can get a usb3/e-sata docking station with SATA connections, and a card reader in addition to usb3 ports, that would help out quit a bit rather than ending up with multiple different devices cluttering my desk even further.
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Pulled the trigger on a anker 5 pack as it's on special on amazon.es today at less than half price. Also threw in a 4 port usb3 hub, not the one I mentioned earlier as it has a short cable, and I wanted at least 1m to get from my tower to desktop. And a much needed offbrand toner for our laserprinter to meet the minimum order free shipping (actually the hub was the topup).
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Anker pack has arrived, plugged my phone in using my usual wall wart and one of the short cables, it's charged from 70-92% in what seems like a very short time compared to before. Also swapped out my tablet cable for the 1.8m cable, and my wife's phone is charging on one of the 0.9m ones...
So far so good.
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Maybe I should look into some better cables. I am running out of cheapos again.... :ahhh
Def
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They do seem to charge notably faster than before, using the same adapters. Also the micro usb jack end is very snug and stays plugged in tightly so far in all devices. Also they each have their own velcro like ties to help keep them tidy when not in use.
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I picked up an Anker 4 port usb 3 hub yesterday. I get my new pc at work in the next week or two and it comes with 1 usb 3 port so got the hub in prep for it. It's model number A7507
The black thing in front of it is a velcro pad to hold it down. Once I get my new pc I'll stick it down with it to secure it.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/406/31685717983_e9a53abf6a_b.jpg)
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They do seem to charge notably faster than before, using the same adapters. Also the micro usb jack end is very snug and stays plugged in tightly so far in all devices. Also they each have their own velcro like ties to help keep them tidy when not in use.
The last USB hub I bought has two higher amperage ports indicated for charging devices.
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I ended up with some other generic usb3 hub, mainly since my new mainboard has 2 USB3 ports on the back, and I wanted something on my desktop to not have to climb down under my desk and find the plug in the dark... thus it required a hub with at least 0.75m of cable, and many fell short.
I ended up with a ugreen generic one (http://www.ugreen.com.cn/product-733-en.html) with 3 ports on the front and one on top, it also has a plug for an external power supply, but I did not get it with the one I ordered, nor do I use it for charging any devices, it's more for my USB memory sticks and external hard drives. So far it's been fine, but I haven't exactly done any speed tests with/without it.
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Anker do a 7 port one with a 1m cable that also has an external power supply if needed, but they are too expensive at $50
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Years ago I needed a 4 port hub so I went to the store to buy one. They ended up being $40-50 each, and I was prepared to pay half that at most. So, I came home, went on eBay and bought two 7 port hubs for less than $10, including shipping. One had disappeared over the years, but the other is still going strong.
Def
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Anker do a 7 port one with a 1m cable that also has an external power supply if needed, but they are too expensive at $50
and the price is what put me off...
I paid less than half the similar anker model.
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there seems to be special on Anker products, on all Amazon sites, if interested.
I ordered some car chargers
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I have a cable set from Costco it is 27.00 comes with two 6' heavy duty cables, double car plug and double house plug. They charge fast and charge iPads no problem. I got mine for free they came with my iPhone 7. My couch has phone plugs they work well with them as well. https://www.costco.com/Ubio-Labs-Lightning-Cable-Mobile-Charging-Kit.product.100305663.html?catalogId=10701&langId=-1&storeId=10301&krypto=R4DgD4W0YtQpuxE2DG7g8uIoXhhXmzGkkbLz6OR4bcQSPYmjtmLKOvMp8LJ7NSodmo5w6tythkgG%0Amv%2BvyRK%2F2wUycctyCKuzM0KqD1du%2BvrbsGWmRs2kZcv0uhkw4PgY
Mike