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3x Micro USB Cables (Black) with Solid Copper Cores for $4.50 Including Shipping

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Hi folks, today we have 3 x 1m Micro USB Cables with solid Copper Cores available for $4.50 including shipping.

These are normally priced at $1.75 each.

So, I hear a thousand OzBargain voices screaming that there was a deal on here a few days ago for $2.19 plus shipping for three cables. Why is mine more and why is it a good deal? Well, read on Ozbargainers! It's boring but could explain some things :-)

Something that I have found out, through painful trial and error, is that not all cables are made the same. Everyone knows this, it's not much of a revelation but what I have found out is this. Most of the cheap cables you see floating around (my own ones from earlier this year included much to my shame) are made from Copper Jacketed Steel cores. The reason this is such a big deal is that steel doesn't conduct electricity nearly as well as copper (it's why most cables tend to be made from copper, it's the lower end that typically aren't).

Functionally, it amounts to this, if electricity isn't conducted as well, it means a slower charge speed and slower data transfer rate. After doing some testing of the old cables I found that charge rates could be as low as 300ma, which means for your typical Galaxy S2 battery (of 2150mah) it's going to take 7ish hours to charge and for a Galaxy S3 (at 2650mah) it's going to take almost 9. Roughly.

As soon as I found this out I cancelled any orders of the previous type and went searching for an economical cable that was better.

Enter these beauties, after testing them with a couple of battery monitor/charge rate apps on my Galaxy S3 I can report that they charge at a minimum of 800ma current. It's a big difference and I've tried to keep the price down as far as I can.

If you have any questions about this kind of thing, let me know and I will answer to the best of my ability, or go do some research and then answer :-)

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closed Comments

  • for me all of them the same, better to buy the $1 each :)

    • Fair enough, they aren't the same though :-)

    • +4

      They're definitely not all the same at all. I've gone through dozens of them, from eBay, from retailers, and only some of them will charge my Nexus 7. Others will in fact end up draining power. Try the app called Battery Monitor to see how much power is getting into your phone.

      • do you think this would charge the nexus 7 faster?

        my original nexus 7 charger cable died on me. i tried using a different charger from ebay but it was much slower but its working.

        • +5

          I will be honest and say that this cable isn't as good as the original nexus 7 ones. I have both :-)

        • thanks for response =]

        • +4

          No worries, I don't want to give people false expectations. I'm doing a charge test with my nexus 7 now

  • +1

    I'll bite.
    Any similar 2m cables?

    • Not at the moment, it's something slated for the future

  • +2

    Do you have some cross-section photographs of the different cables? Good on you for doing the research!

    • In terms of a photo of the actual cables, it's kinda hard to see because the wires are so slender so it's difficult to see whether they are CJS or solid copper. Not with any camera I own anyway

      • Get them under a microscope. ;)

  • +2

    +1 for the information given.

  • So, I hear a thousand OzBargain voices screaming that there was a deal on here a few days ago for $2.19 plus shipping for three cables. Why is mine more and why is it a good deal?

    So if we pay double, we get a better cable? Automatic bargain!

    I'd rather see some evidence from a qualified person why a copper jacketed steel core cable isn't capable of conducting 1000ma. Using a phone app as evidence isn't good enough. I have always used the cheapest junk micro USB cables to charge various phones and have never experienced anywhere near the ridiculous charge times that you have claimed.

    • +1

      Other deal was $3.19 inc shipping so it's not double :-)

      Also I feel it important to note that I am not saying that the Savvysteal cables were one type or the other because I don't know which type they were.

      Any comments should not be taken as trying to trash Savvysteal it was not my intention and not my style, just in case anyone was to take it that eat

      EDIT: Also, with regards to the conductivity of Copper Jacketed Steel, it's simple science (chemistry/physics) that steel (which is basically iron) does not conduct electricity as well as copper. This means that the throughput of current is lower, thus a lower charge rate and a slower data transfer rate. I am no expert of course so feel free to verify and refute if I am wrong. I am always prepared to accept when I am incorrect and like to be shown the right answer. In this case I am fairly sure I am right though.

      • +3

        It's the size of the conductor that really matters, which you haven't made any comparisons between, and you still have a copper coating. And now you're claiming that data transfer rates are affected, which is getting into complete nonsense territory. Your testing method has poor accuracy and your claims are wild. Hope everyone enjoys their cool cables though.

        • Like I've said elsewhere, if you can point me to the stuff that suggests that data transfer rates have no relation to conductivity I will be more than happy to retract my statement but given that the data is sent over the copper wire as an electrical signal, how on earth could it not be affected.

          The copper coating, from what I have been able to ascertain, is there to provide some shielding and enhance the performance of the steel core but it's the steel core that does most of the conducting and iron/steel is a much poorer conductor than copper. Is that an incorrect statement?

        • +3

          it's the steel core that does most of the conducting and iron/steel is a much poorer conductor than copper. Is that an incorrect statement?

          Sorry, it is actually incorrect. The steel core is only there to provide greater flex strength/cable gauge…the copper still does the lion's share of the conducting IIRC. Electrons will always follow the path of least resistance until the conductivity load of the copper is saturated. Iron is also a fair conductor as I recall; not quite as good as copper, aluminium or silver; but not useless either.

          Don't get me wrong, good copper cored cable is great stuff; but for data transfer purposes, there is definitely a point at which more is better just becomes overkill in a short, low current/voltage cable like USB.

          [edit] As much as I am often loathe to use wikipedia, this page contains some excellent explanations of the related variables in various conductors: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistivity_and_cond…

        • +1

          Fair enough

  • +3

    Need longer cables.. have more than enough for 1m cable.

    • +2

      I'll start looking into it then :-) You being the second person to request.

      • +1

        Count me as third. I need a 3m one too…

        • Just answered your ebay message. I am currently sourcing them and will see what I can do.

        • 2m and/or 3m option please :)

      • +2

        Please count me as a fourth. One metre long just isn't enough when you're in a hotel room and the only charging socket is at the other end of the room!

        • USB power pack.

        • i'm the fifth

        • It would appear there's some serious interest so I'll see what I come up with

  • +1

    Electric conductivity, maybe. But there will be zero impact on data transfer. It's a digital signal we're talking so either it goes through or it doesn't.

    • +1

      True, it's still an electrical charge going through the wires and if the conductivity is lower there will be more signal loss, thus the signal needs to be resent, resulting in lower data transfer rate.

      I am 98% sure on what I just said there. It's kind of like signals over a LAN, if the packet isn't received correctly it's resent. Different technology of course but similar concept.

    • +2

      Cable quality having zero impact on data transfer simply isn't true! If it were true, everybody would have fibre-optic data speeds on our copper phone wires. If simpy having a working connection was all you needed, then the pair of copper wires we use for our phone lines would work at exactly the same speed as the USB 2 cable connected to a hard drive. They are essentially the same thing. Except it doesn't work that way!

      Cable resistance and impedence come into play when you're working at USB 2 frequencies. Some cables might have twisted-pair data wires which reduce interference, but some don't. Some cables also have an extra layer of grounded shielding around all the wires between the insulation and the outer sheath, providing extra protection from interference. Using a poor quality cable the data connection might seem stable if you're just browing through lists of files or copying a few small Word documents over a USB cable, but try copying a bunch of large file or watching video with a poor quality cable, the connection may fail. I've had problems with hard disks before and cheap cables. They work OK to copy small files one at a time, but try copying a few hundred MB of data and the connection fails. You can tear your hair out trying to work out what's wrong - that's why one of the first things to always try when you have computer problems is TRY A DIFFERENT CABLE.

      I'm not saying people need to buy $200 monster cables, but the OP of this bargain is definitely correct when saying that some cables are built very poorly. A $5 well built cable might be exactly the same as a $200 monster cable, but a $1 eBay cheapie which even feels thin and nasty might just be thin and nasty.

      I have plenty of cables here that work only sometimes with data. My poor wife wasted half an hour yesterday trying to copy photos from her camera, but the transfers kept stalling part way through. Tried another cable, it was a bit faster, but still not reliable. Both cables were eBay cheapies, very thin wires. They were useless for charging mobiles, but I thought they were OK for data. Turns out they were NOT OK for data transfer.

      After she told me how frustrating copying the photos was (it should have been such a simple job!) I found her a good quality cable from a WD hard drive, it transferred all the photos in 2 minutes without a hitch. The cheap cables said they'd take between 8 and 20 minutes to copy all files, but the connection between camera and computer kept dropping out regularly so she'd have to start from scratch.

      Also just because a cable works with one device doesn't mean it'll work with another. One cheapie micro-usb cable I have ONLY seems to work with my Nokia phone, but won't charge my Kindle or HTC. Another only works with the HTC but not the Kindle or Nokia. However, the original cables that came with the Kindle, HTC and Nokia ALL work with ALL those devices. I thought I'd be saving hassle when I bought a cheaping 4-port charger from eBay with four 2m cables, but the cables that came with it were all junk. The original manufacturer cables work fine though.

  • +1

    Do you have more specs on the cable? Is it 24AWG for the 5V cores?

    • Let me get back to you on that one. That number seems familiar (and I know what it means) but I don't have it on me and will contact the supplier again to find out the AWG of the wires.

    • +1

      OK, I finally got the information back. Wires are 28AWG. I am working on some 24AWG or thicker but it's actually kind of hard to find (so far anyway) without making a special order.

      I'm still looking.

  • would it be possible to get a clear photo of the other side of the micro usb end? So far I've found only two cables that will properly fit into a Nexus 4, the official cable and a Samsung one. Problem, however is that for some reason the Nexus 4 is very pedantic about the Samsung cables, meaning it doesn't work all the time (tried multiple cables).
    All other cables I've used are either very difficult/tight to plug in or do not fit at all. This is due to the pins on the micro usb end, sticking out too much and being difficult to retract when you try to plug the cable in

      • regarding the actual cable wrapping itself.. i've had nothing but split shields at the microusb end with these kind of cables.. do you have a more durable (thicker) type of cable?

        • What do you mean by the shield? Cause these cables are unshielded, in terms of the copper braid kind of shielding. I am going to get some of those in and see what the difference is.

          If you just mean the rubber/plastic coating and where it meets the ends then the answer is also no unfortunately.

        • yeah i mean the rubber/plastic part… it always splits with those thin ones just like the one in your pic :/

        • Well, I've never had that problem but to be fair that's probably because I've never had any cable for long enough for it to happen, I keep losing the bastards!

  • OP/REP - is this the size I need for my kindle keyboard? Thanks

    • +1

      Does your Kindle take Micro USB? I don't know what the connectors are on that tablet but if it uses a micro USB cable then the answer is yes.

    • +3

      Yes, it is :)

    • +1

      It is noteworthy that my Kindle KB is the only device I own that seems to show a preference for heavier duty cables & specific USB ports/chargers for charging purposes!

      Data xfer, not so much of an issue; the cheapies seem to work fine there; but it's a pedantic little bugger when it wants some juice! ;)

      • +1

        I hear you! The cables that originally come with the Kindles are fantastic. Very long and thick, hard to tangle, and white so they don't become invisible in a black laptop bag. I had three of them but they were all destroyed by clumsy family members who keep falling sleep with their Kindles on charge, then rolling over on it or dropping it. Unfortunately original cables sell for $10 EACH not including postage! I've been looking for some cheap 'disposable' style cables but haven't come across anything good yet.

        Also very few after-market cables fit my HTC phone properly, as the socket is slightly recessed. The original disintegrated at the thin insulation joins, so it wasn't built too well either, but at least it charged the phone properly. A lot of cheaper cables don't work properly.

        I'd like to order some of these from Brent's Bits but 1m is just too short, and they might not even fit the HTC.

  • I know what you are talking about and I will prefer thicker copper core or higher AWG. But hard to tell what's the quality of your cable except buy and cut one, you gotta give us more info of spec.

    • +1

      I'm waiting on the exact specs, China has a holiday currently and the factory will reopen after that and I should be able to get the exact specs.

      • As mentioned above just now, cables have 28AWG wires in them.

  • +1

    Ordered some after I discovered my cables won't charge my Nexus 10 - only the official cable does … hoping these allow full amperage to be drawn and charge.

    • The max I have tested is 800ma so hopefully that's enough.

      • +2

        Yeah me too - will let you guys know here.

        Kind of annoyed [read super pissed] that devices are supposed to be moving to the same connector so they can charge / reuse cables but they are all using different cables and amperage so you don't get any real benefit compatibility or confidence any set 'will work' or even not damage a device. I have iPod, iPhone, iPad, touchPad, and Nexus 10 USB wall charges and they all output different power over the USB and an assortment of micro USB cable only one combination charges the Nexus 10 [even USB3 of my relatively new computer doesn't].

        So those complaining about Apple changing cables at least you can be fairly confident of longer term and cross device compatibility.

        Sorry had a rant in me tonight.

        • As mentioned below, the iPad's and I assume the Nexus 10, require a reasonable current draw to charge properly and it's not so much that the connectors etc. aren't the same, it's that the manufacturing process and materials vary so much. Especially at the cheap end of the market. If you have a 2Amp charger but a cable that can only handle a 300ma draw, then that's all you are charging at.

          These cables are a step up but they certainly can't handle the likes of an iPad in terms of draw. I have no idea what the nexus 10 needs.

        • Got them today, have only tried 1 but I'm getting 8 - 9
          % charge per hour pretty much what I get from the official cable. So happy. Now I need to find a suitable replacement charger.

        • Awesome, glad to hear it :-)

      • +1

        I think the problem with your Nexus 10 is the same problem as ipad users suffer. USB ports dont allow enough current to recharge. Try using back USB ports or buy from ebay a 'USB charging adapter"
        e.g. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ex-Pro-iPad-USB-Charging-Adapter-…

        Probably cheaper ones out there also

        • +1

          I understand the PC USB power won't work, but I think I have a point about charging cables not really being a standard for mobiles when the device, cable and charging point can often form a unique combination requirement. So right now I can charge my Nexus at home but can't have a second set of working equipment @ work .. or even my car (which has USB in the dash , and I have cigarette USB charger).

          I can't see a place to even buy official Nexus 10 [Samsung] replacement chargers / cables - so now it will be a swing in the dark until I happen to find an alternative compatible cable. I have 5 other micro USB cables (from various products like phones, head sets etc - not ebay cables) here and have tried them all and only the official cable works. Though those devices certainly have a lower power draw requirement.

          Interesting only the official cable and the official charger work I have tried the working cable with other similar chargers (all power 10" tablets).
          I have access to iPad 4 chargers at work [5.2V 2.4Amp]
          Old TouchPad charger [5.3V 2.0A]
          The Nexus 10 charger [5V 2.5A] - bloody hard to read this on the tiny label too.

        • USB ports dont allow enough current to recharge. Try using back USB ports or buy from ebay a 'USB charging adapter"
          e.g. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Ex-Pro-iPad-USB-Charging-Adapter-…

          are there any downsides to using such an adapter that draws more current than usual?

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/220912740481
          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/280789367345

        • Um, tonester above, see below. We were typing at the same time.

        • thanks - is your answer that there is no downside?

        • See below below.

  • +1

    The cheaper and longer the cable the more likely you are to have lowered voltage/current-draw issues, but I'd lay me some odds that many of the problems above relate to people using cables without two joined usb plug pins.
    Cardz sort of alluded to it with his link to the iPad usb charge adapter.
    The shorted data pins in proper charge cables (as opposed to data 'only' cables and falsely labelled others) are required to 'tell' many devices that they're connected to a proper charger and not to a restricted (nominal 500 mA) usb output. They then go hell-for-leather and draw their maximum rated current to charge the battery faster.

    Edit: If you're keen to play around with some of the cables you already own (sorry brentsbits), have fun: forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=844284 (No hyperlink - won't link with the dubs in url)

    • +1

      Tonester, just as a general rule - and despite the fact that the usb ports on even some usb 2.0 equipped laptops can deliver as high as 8 or 900 mA (contrary to standard usb specs, but designed to accommodate portable harddrives), the less power you draw from your computer's power supply (especially a laptop) the less heat is generated and the longer your computer will last - oh, and if you've read this sentence without taking a breath, congratulations!

    • +2

      No apologies necessary, I am totally cool with people getting value out of what they already own, it's also good for people to be better informed in general and it then allows them to know what's really a bargain and what's just cheap :-) I'm trying to make my products be in the former category rather than the latter wherever I can :-)

  • +1

    Good to hear. While we're both still awake at this ridiculous hour of the morning, I don't suppose you collect flashlights by any chance…? http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/98409 ;-)

    • Unfortunately not. I could do some special orders perhaps….

  • Hi brentsbits!

    Thanks for this deal, I know first hand that not all cables are the same. El cheapo eBay $1 ones often charge at 250 or 300ma instead of 850mas for a high quality OEM one. So to all those that say a cable is a cable its definitely not true.

    I'll be buying some, tho I find the 1.5m cables a lot better in terms of practicality. Would u be able to stock these next time? Thanks!!

    • I will be seeing what I can do for the longer cables

  • I'll buy some too. Good price if they're decent cables.
    Now I just need to find a well built wall charger.

  • The last one of this deal just sold out, thanks for your support folks.

    I welcome feedback on these cables, I like them but if there's comments to be made I will be happy to receive them. Whether they are suitable or whether I need to source a better cable again.

    I'll be posting another deal in the next couple days.

    Cheers,

    Brent

    • Would be good if you can provide more cable specs for the next one
      - core diameter/thickness (square mm or AWG)
      - shielding
      - strain relief at ends

      etc.

      Good quality USB charging cables (at a decent price!) are hard to come by.

      • This is true, I will sort it out. Typically cheap cables won't be shielded, or if they are it will be essentially aluminium foil of some description. I'm trying to find decently price ones with copper braid shielding, but it's proving challenging.

        With regards to the strain relief, what exactly is this, can you give me some links so I can see what it's all about?

        • Personally, I don't care much about shielding because I'm only going to use it for charging.

          The strain relief is the stripy bit at the cable ends and is what prevents the cable from bending sharply and breaking off the connector. (But I've had cheap cables with strain relief break right after where it ends).

          Example here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/randomized-nonsense/7183299068/

          I'll overlook the above if the power pins are (eg. 24AWG or better)

          Here's a nice cable that has 20AWG power pins, but not much strain relief and a bit too expensive.

          http://www.arctic.ac/en/p/equipment/accessories/558/micro-us…

        • I thought that's what you meant. Shielding will help with the charge rate as well, less power loss through radiation or whatever it's called.

          I will be seeing what I can do :-)

        • No, shielding won't have any impact on charge rate.

          We're talking about DC 5V, not AC. There's negligible radiation from the power wires (apart from any noise generated/passed through by the switchmode power supply that it's connected to).

        • crosstalk and whatever else won't affect the chargerate? So pretty much it's the guage of the wires?

        • -1

          Crosstalk affects charging? Omg do you know anything? Can't beleive people have swallowed your lies and drivel so far.

        • Wow, that was aggressive.

          You might actually notice that that was a question right there and not a statement.

          Regardless, throughout the entire discussion off all off these aspects I have readily admitted when I was wrong and was genuinely happy to learn new things.

          I'm no electrical genius and have never claimed to be one through either deed or word.

          Your deeds and words however say a lot about you.

          On a side note, wondering what the point of posting this in a deal almost two weeks expired?

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