Good MicroUSB cables
Jan 27, 2015 | 11:50 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 474
We've been lucky and only had the port on the Nexus 7 break so far. For the remaining situations, swapping out the cable restores the ability to charge so I've been assuming something happened to the cable.
Jan 27, 2015 | 1:17 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Aside from OEM/stock (HTC, LG, Asus & Motorola) cables that go with the USB chargers - these flat ones @eBay/USA seller are good for my needs (up to 2 amps for the Nexus 7) including quick charging - carry both the 3' an 6' variants, store flat & easy to stash away, inexpensive and shipped free - delivered in less than a week. Got them in bright orange color & easy to visualize to reduce the odds of being left behin or forgotten in the hotels.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Color-Flat-M...item2ed0a63a31
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Color-Flat-M...item2ed0a63a31
Jan 29, 2015 | 11:06 am
#18
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Suburban Philadelphia
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Posts: 3,393
As others have said, cables are cables. You can't go wrong with Amazon Basics, although their cable prices are a little steep.
I prefer retractable cables, and have not had any issues with them. I carry four (one spare with me), and have spares at home.
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Retracta...sb+retractable
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_4?...qid=1422318258
I prefer retractable cables, and have not had any issues with them. I carry four (one spare with me), and have spares at home.
http://www.amazon.com/Micro-Retracta...sb+retractable
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_pg_4?...qid=1422318258
Jan 29, 2015 | 1:36 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2007
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I keep tension on both sides and let them retract slowly... sometimes I'll have to pull back out a bit then continue to let it retract, but I've never had any completely fail to retract. My most common failure modes are the cam mechanism that PREVENTS them from retracting failing, or the cable itself developing a short.
Jan 29, 2015 | 7:55 pm
#20
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 164
I've been using 3 retractable USB and 3 retractable iPhone cables for three years, and only had to replace two.
Jan 29, 2015 | 11:25 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 474
Just saw that Wirecutter has an article on microUSB cables. The user comments have very good information on cable stiffness and longevity of connectors. Anker through Amazon seems to be the one I've been looking for in my OP.
Feb 3, 2015 | 1:14 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 5
Something I didn't see mentioned here is that for faster charging you should look for 28/24 AWG gauge usb cables. They have a larger power wire than the cheap 28/28 gauge. This will allow faster charging and also allow those devices that draw a lot of power to charge while in use.
Mar 2, 2015 | 1:40 am
#23
Join Date: Mar 2012
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I second the recommendation on Monoprice cables. They are high quality and at a good price. Plus, the higher end phones are a little more sensitive on the better quality cables (you can see if you use an app than measures sustained and max current).
Mar 2, 2015 | 6:35 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Well, my new T100TAM will not charge from retractable cables nearly as well as the T100TA I had prior to the Surface Pro. I ended up getting a couple of 6ft iXCC 28+24awg cables from Amazon and they seem to charge the T100TAM at full speed when paired with the PowerGen 3.4a Dual USB Charger, and give a little more distance from the outlet when needed. They are hefty but don't take up much space when looped instead of rolled tightly.
Mar 2, 2015 | 1:13 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
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Just saw that Wirecutter has an article on microUSB cables. The user comments have very good information on cable stiffness and longevity of connectors. Anker through Amazon seems to be the one I've been looking for in my OP.
This was before the rapid rise of Anker, though; I'm a huge fan of their products and recommend them or Amazon Basics without hesitation as well, if you just want something easy you can get delivered via Prime.