These extra steps require skilled labor, which adds to the overall cost. 255 Business Park Circle Suite 503 Theyre backed by Ankers lifetime warranty, and they even cost a few bucks less than their USB-CtoLightning brethren. The Tripp Lite Universal Cable (6 feet) is the longest cable we tested in this category, and its twice as long as our pick. Plus, cables from well-known companies often cost just pennies more. Cables, heat shrink, sleeve were very cheap. How To Make Your Mechanical Keyboard Quieter? But time is money, and how much that's worth to you is different person I guess. Who should get this: Someone who doesnt have access to wall chargers, power banks, or other devices with USB-C ports, and who can live without getting the fastest possible charge but still wants an otherwise great cable. The rubber cable tie that comes with this Nomad cable is also more robust than any weve seen, with thick ridges that keep it fastened shut so your cable stays securely coiled. The keyboard cable on mid 90s Apple Macs ( ie pre USB ) actually came with a small coiled section in the middle - so if you pulled the keyboard towards you it provided some 'cushioning' before you yanked hard on the connectors: The design may have been to keep things tidy - or it may have been to protect the connectors. If you're looking into the mechanical keyboard scene, you'll likely find yourself looking at pretty USB cables, so here's some answers.--------------------------------------------------------------------------Where to buy--Voxelmods: https://www.voxelmods.com/Drag Cables: u/dragcables - https://www.reddit.com/user/Dragxt - or - https://www.instagram.com/dragcables/Define Cables: https://www.definecables.com/Kalamity Cables: https://www.kalamitycables.com/Luxe Cables: https://www.luxecables.com/Mixo: https://mixocables.net/Ducky Llama cable: https://bit.ly/37uEoVUMatrix: https://matrixkeyboards.com/collections/coiled-cables------------------------------------------------------------------------Need PC or keyboard questions answered? I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is not about User Experience. Sometimes these are not open to preexisting customers, and other times, they are. The tie is convenient and easy to use, ensuring that the cable wont come uncoiled inside your bag or become a tangled mess under your desk. Next, we plugged either end of each cable into corresponding ports in a variety of electronic devicespower banks, wall chargers, an iPhone SE, a Magic Trackpad, and a Magic Keyboardand wiggled them around to see how well they stayed put. Sometimes the cable is too expensive simply because you have not shopped it enough. Web design and hosting by Lena Shore. And sometimes, messy causes accidents. Many times, depending on the display (TV or projector) and/or the source, a cheap passive cable will work fine. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The reality is, the digital-to-analog converter in your gear has vastly more effect on the sound. And even if theyre built to last, small or sharp-edged housings can make plugging in a cable feel like a chore (especially if you have hand strength, flexibility, or dexterity issues caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, or a variety of other conditions), so we paid close attention to their size, shape, and texture in our testing. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Its housings are roomy, designed with pleasantly round edges, and made of plastic textured with subtle ridges that make them easy to grip while youre plugging or unplugging. There's typically no middle ground or degradation in audio/video performance. After evaluating Amazon customer reviews of this cable and similar models (including our pick in this category), we no longer recommend this cable due to a high percentage of reports related to fire, heat, and melting. To put each cables sheath to the test, we used a small measuring tape to take and compare their circumferential measurements. Currently its specs dont mention Thunderbolt support, though we see from scrolling the comments that Amazon once claimed it as Thunderbolt 3. The robust build quality of its housings helps to prevent breakage, and their rounded edges make them comfortable to grasp while youre plugging and unplugging. Luckily, there are a few things you can do and some reasons behind the pricing being so high. Tight coils and folds can damage the metal wires inside the cable, causing it to work improperly or not at all. What's the deal with coiled aviator cables costing [$]50 USD ? Plotting two variables from multiple lists. An expensive cable might sound worse on your system than cheap cable. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ask Question Asked 8 years, 3 months ago Modified 8 years, 3 months ago Viewed 2k times 13 Yesterday I saw an interesting idea: What are some potential reasons why so few cables have a coil in their middle - like old telephone cables? When I work I want to feel comfortable. Following our latest round of testing, weve added recommendations for short, right-angle, and cloth-covered Lightning cables, as well as new sections on sustainability and other good Lightning cables. You can do a surprising amount of work on an iPad with the right gear. If our favorite cloth-covered Lightning cable for USB-C ports is unavailable: The Paracable Paraflex USB-C to Lightning Cable, which comes in 3-foot and 6-foot versions, is a good option. Why its great: Like our favorite Lightning cable for USB-C ports, the Nomad USB-C to Lightning Cable with Kevlar (10 feet) can charge iPhones, AirPods, and other Lightning-powered devices as fast as possible when paired with an 18 W USB-C wall charger. But, to repeat: an expensive USB cable isn't going to make your audio sound better, your pictures look better, or your printouts look sharper. Anker's PowerLine cables cost less than the originals, last a lot longer, and look better. Its MFi-certified, so Apple has confirmed that it can reach top charging speeds (when paired with a charger that can crank out up to 12 W of power) and full USB 2.0 data-transfer rates (up to 480 Mbps) with any of the companys Lightning-powered devices. It only takes a minute to sign up. If you dont pay close attention to your cable bill, you may not see all of the different line items that you are being charged for. When we plugged its metal connectors into corresponding ports in a variety of devices, the ends stayed firmly in place, with minimal wiggling. Despite its girth, the cables maximum charge rate is 20 volts at 3 amps, or 60 watts. $11.89 $ 11. We tested dozens of options to find the best cable for charging an iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and Mac accessories. Batteries charge at an inconstant rate, but this figure roughly translates to a full phone charge in an hour, in contrast to three hours. These a la carte cable packages are made to look like they are priced well and allow you some choices, but it just means you end up paying more in the end. Lastly, some cables come with an accessory (such as a hook-and-loop cable tie to keep it neatly coiled) or have a standout feature (such as a small light to let you know when your device is charging). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The price of expanded basic cable has risen at about two and a half times the rate of . What control inputs to make if a wing falls off? However, there really are no limits to the potential uses of coil cords. For every person on here showing off their $85 custom coiled cable there's . Thanks for contributing an answer to User Experience Stack Exchange! We would like to show you a description here but the site won't allow us. Has anyone had experience with the Sinasoid Slate coiled cable? This is type c to type c. The 2 usb c male comnectors costed me $0.5, Aviator connector was the most expensive part coming at $3. and our Why is display of conditional blinking data rarely implemented in modern applications? But if you dont already have a wall charger or power bank with fast-charging USB-C ports at home, or if you just want to have a USB-AtoLightning cable on hand to use in a pinch, this one is your best bet. Why its great: Of all of the three-in-one cables weve tested, the Anker PowerLine II 3-in-1 Cable is a clear standout. The 6-foot version is a good length to reach from a wall outlet to a desk, bedside table, or kitchen countertop without adding unnecessary clutter. Who should get this: Someone who wants a cable thats as long as any weve tested and is even more ruggedly built than the Anker PowerLine II USB-A to Lightning Cable. Coil cords are recognizable for their spring-like shape, but that coiled design provides the cord with a lot more benefits than just aesthetics. I'm also including Lightning because they're effectively just USB cables, with a fancy proprietary Apple nubbin at the end. How can I send a pre-composed email to a Gmail user, for them to edit and send? They even offer mini-USB, micro-USB, and USB-C options. If you prefer a shorter cable, the 3-foot version of this cable is slim and compact, and it can coil up small to fit in a pocket or purse. This means that the cable is effective only at it's at-rest state, rendering the benefits of the coil moot. In the coming years, we will probably see some major changes in the world of cable, and how that will impact your bill remains to be seen. Your email address will not be published. Its plastic housings are sturdy and flexible, and its metal connectors fit snugly in most Lightning and USB-A ports. In the end, we did find reasons why the more expensive cable might be worth itand a few scenarios where the cheaper cable would be just as good. Better-made cables can pass more amps (a measure of electric current) than poorly made cables. Essentially, when you look at what it takes to run a cable company, it will very likely give you a headache. Lightning cables that lack this certificationsuch as the kind you might buy at a gas stationarent necessarily much cheaper, and with those, you run the risk of experiencing slower charging or even damaging your devices. (Top 10 Reasons) 1. However, its a worthwhile investment if you want a cable with unsurpassed charging speeds, length, and durability. It has a shorter warranty than our pick (two years versus five), but its braided-nylon sheath is nearly as slim, flexible, and rugged. Although cable is very convenient, people are starting to realize that they watch television a bit differently now. Could a "better" optical cable result in audibly better PCM sound? In a previous round of testing, in 2019, we found that the double-braided nylon encasing the Anker PowerLine+ II USB-A to Lightning Cable (available in 1-foot, 3-foot, 6-foot, and 10-foot lengths) failed to enhance the experience of using its rubber-encased counterparts. Heck, even getting a bookcase and some curtains will do more to affect the sound than new speaker cable. Wow, This Hobby is Expensive buying So, I'm fairly new to this hobby, and so far I am completely intoxicated with it. before a $20 cable makes sense. It's extremely affordable, charges quickly and is more durable than Apple's own cables . What do the characters on this CCTV lens mean? The cost of the materials and manufacturing is still high. What you really want is either just shorter cables or a retractable device on the cable (like you see in this images search). What To Do If You Spill Water On Your Mechanical Keyboard? They have a shorter warranty (two years, in contrast to the products lifetime) and smaller housings. These fees and taxes add up quickly, and at the end of the month, they will completely change what your monthly package choice looks like. Cablemod offers a custom cable service that lets you choose length, color, connectors, and more. When micro USB arrived, the cables were also expensive. Its exterior is made of the same thick, double-braided Kevlar as that of the other Nomad cable we recommend, and it has an identical rubber cable tie to keep your cable securely coiled. CNET audio reviewer Steve Guttenberg says speaker cables are important. (10 Reasons), Why Are Gym Memberships So Expensive? A religion where everyone is considered a priest. We didnt have a strict price cap, but since most cables cost less than $10, options costing more than that had to offer some standout featuresa lifetime warranty, an extra-rugged sheathto convince us to consider it for testing. It doesnt come in a 10-foot version like our top pick does, its cable tie has a fiddly rubber buttonhole closure, and its 18-month warranty pales in comparison to our picks lifetime warranty. When it comes to coiled cables, Mechcables Coiled Aviator Cable is where its at. The coils will introduce a small amount of inductive reactance into the circuit as well. To do the best possible job I need the right accessories - the right desk, the right chair, the right keyboard, the right monitor, etc. Their top-notch construction and out-of-this-world color combos make them a favorite among keyboard enthusiasts. You can also send him a message on Twitter @TechWriterGeoff or Google+. 3. Swap it out for the USB-C adapter, and youve got a USB-AtoUSB-C cable. Coiled cables are made purely for aesthetics and give no performance boosts to the keyboard. Its MFi-certified (which means you can trust that the Lightning adapter will work properly with iPhones, AirPods, and other Lightning-powered devices), and its sturdy and well made, holding up impeccably after more than two years of occasional use in our tests. Compared with the Nomad cable, this one has a shorter warranty (two years instead of five) and less-ergonomic housings, and a 10-foot version does not exist, but its braided-nylon sheath is nearly as slim, flexible, and rugged (the company gets its name from the type of woven cord that was originally used for World War II parachutes). The installation prices for cable should not even be a thing, but in many areas, they are. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Obviously, the more capable USB-C cable is the $19 Amazon Basics model, which works in all use cases. The cheap $8.62 Amazon USB-C cable is noticeably thinner and lighter compared to the higher-performance USB-C cable on the right. Not only is the cord able to extend further when in use while being able to retract to take up less space when not in use, but that flexibility of design can also create a lot of benefits.