Which USB type for Droid?

[Zargon]

Big +1 for Monoprice.

[Joey77042]

Anyone know what happens if you try to use USB 3 with the droid? benefits? harmful? good idea? bad idea?

[takeshi]

Monoprice's site is down until tomorrow. Is that link for a USB 3 cable?

[cuskit]

Great information! Thanks. I knew it was Micro, I just didn't know which to get, there is like 3 different versions?

Well, only one that works for the Droid. I previously owned the Motorola Razr, and was REALLY perturbed when I found out my chargers (2 -AC and 3 car chargers) were now worthless! My VZW rep explained that they (manufacturers) are trying to make this a universal thing, but I believe they want the proprietary use so each can force consumers to buy their own. Fortunately we have places like monoprice that gives us high quality cables and adapters at very attractive prices compared to VZW stores (5-10 times the cost)!

But stick with the part number I gave you and you'll be fine. 6' is a perfect length, the shorter 1.5' and 3" just come up way too short. And the cost difference is negligible. Later - mikey

Not sure on proprietary. I have 8 items that use micro usb. I actually find it better than regular as far as holding up. Hell, even my 3 bluetooth headsets in the household use this type of charger. All new blackberrys use it as well....I could go on and on.

That's what I meant - most manufacturers have made the switch to MicroUsb. Five years ago every phone had a proprietary connector - they began the changeover to USB, then mini and now Micro. Apple still keeps theirs - but the advantage with that is having audio and data streaming through one connector. I haven't the foggiest notion of the tech part of it - but I wish we could run our audio through the MicroUSB and eliminate a second cable. I know this has been discussed - but truthfully I didn't understand the tech restrictions. Can that be done? Is it a software issue or hardware related? mike

[FoFa]

I bought two 6 footers off eBay for 2.99 each, free shipping. So two were a total of 5.98.
I use one with the wall charger. The other at work (where I needed the length). The short one I have at home because that is the proper length for that.

[switchblade5984]

okay so we need a usb 2.0, anyone know the difference between the 28/28 gauge and the 28/24?

[cuskit]

okay so we need a usb 2.0, anyone know the difference between the 28/28 gauge and the 28/24?

USB cables used for the purpose such as Droid Smartphones require a cable capable of transmitting both power and data. As such - there are minimum standards set up for the construction of stranded wires used in these cables. Basically what this means to the layman is that the MicroUSB cables we use for our Droids consist of two separate pairs of wire in the same casing. One for power transfer (charging your phone) and one for data (I digress...).

28/28 means that both pair are the same gauge, 28/24 includes one heavier gauge and one lower gauge. To elaborate - this means that you are getting a higher gauge wire for the power transmitting side (the 24 gauge) with a 28/24 rated cable, while with a 28/28 you are getting the same lower gauge for both power and data. The data side is not as critical as the power side.

It may be confusing - but the lower the number - the thicker the wire. For example, 28 gauge is a thinner wire than 24 gauge. There's a lot more to it than just the gauge involved here - but you only asked numbers. But you should also be aware of the difference between high speed and low speed. Gauge also comes into play here. But twisted strands play a more important role than the gauge - which is why on high speed USB they recommend twisted data strands, though it is not required. If you are either buying or receiving cables for your Droid - be sure to inquire just what you are getting. Many of the problems we hear about on these forums are directly related to cheap cables (I'm speaking quality - not price. The two do not always go hand in hand). Many chargers do not work - you hear of Droids going haywire and such, and the touch screen working weird when connected to the cheaper (quality) chargers - in many cases this is caused by inferior quality cables.

By the way - the power stranded sides are always untwisted while the data strands may or may not be (higher quality cables use twisted strand for data).

For the record - these facts come from a meager understanding of wiring left over from a long and distant memory of high school electricity 101. Should anybody with a more qualified knowledge be able to explain this better (or even tell me I'm wrong), have at it - I'm all ears with wide shoulders!

I will state here that all the MicroUSB High Quality Cables included FREE with shipped MIKRADLES are the 28/24 gauge. I could supply a cheaper wire which would work in most cases, but I feel the quality of the cable should be at least as high as the quality of my product! mike

[switchblade5984]

okay so we need a usb 2.0, anyone know the difference between the 28/28 gauge and the 28/24?

USB cables used for the purpose such as Droid Smartphones require a cable capable of transmitting both power and data. As such - there are minimum standards set up for the construction of stranded wires used in these cables. Basically what this means to the layman is that the MicroUSB cables we use for our Droids consist of two separate pairs of wire in the same casing. One for power transfer (charging your phone) and one for data (I digress...).

28/28 means that both pair are the same gauge, 28/24 includes one heavier gauge and one lower gauge. To elaborate - this means that you are getting a higher gauge wire for the power transmitting side (the 24 gauge) with a 28/24 rated cable, while with a 28/28 you are getting the same lower gauge for both power and data. The data side is not as critical as the power side.

It may be confusing - but the lower the number - the thicker the wire. For example, 28 gauge is a thinner wire than 24 gauge. There's a lot more to it than just the gauge involved here - but you only asked numbers. But you should also be aware of the difference between high speed and low speed. Gauge also comes into play here. But twisted strands play a more important role than the gauge - which is why on high speed USB they recommend twisted data strands, though it is not required. If you are either buying or receiving cables for your Droid - be sure to inquire just what you are getting. Many of the problems we hear about on these forums are directly related to cheap cables (I'm speaking quality - not price. The two do not always go hand in hand). Many chargers do not work - you hear of Droids going haywire and such, and the touch screen working weird when connected to the cheaper (quality) chargers - in many cases this is caused by inferior quality cables.

By the way - the power stranded sides are always untwisted while the data strands may or may not be (higher quality cables use twisted strand for data).

For the record - these facts come from a meager understanding of wiring left over from a long and distant memory of high school electricity 101. Should anybody with a more qualified knowledge be able to explain this better (or even tell me I'm wrong), have at it - I'm all ears with wide shoulders!

I will state here that all the MicroUSB High Quality Cables included FREE with shipped MIKRADLES are the 28/24 gauge. I could supply a cheaper wire which would work in most cases, but I feel the quality of the cable should be at least as high as the quality of my product! mike

much appreciated!

[MJ5150]

Mike....I pull data/fiber cable for a living. Your comments are accurate for this audience. Do your research people on the quality of the USB cable. There is a difference.

I wouldn't have a problem buying a USB cable from cuskit, he knows what he is talking about. But hey, I can make my own.

-Mike