GR86 Good quality USB Cables

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Totally Hooked
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I'm using a Carsifi wireless adapter for my Android Auto and it's been a bit flaky lately. Disconnected a few times. Noticed it was happening over bumps, seems to be the actual cable...wiggling it makes the Carsifi disconnect, and does the same when connected directly to the phone so pretty sure it's the cable at fault.

Have grabbed another cable for now and it's working fine, but it's triggering my OCD to use a 1 metre cable to bridge the 2cm distance between the cars USB ports and the Carsifi.

So....where does one buy good quality, but short, USB cables these days? Preferably with 90 degree connectors to fit nicely under the armrest? You'd think that USB cables are one and the same but it seems AA can be sensitive to cables, and ensuring you buy good quality ones seems a bit of a minefield. Any advice from our resident A/V experts?

Picture of the old cable below. Perfect dimensions, but evidently, sub optimal quality.

1000048235.webp
 

This is the one I have now, "mylb". Remember buying it because it was only 10cm long, which is ideal. Wonder if I should just try my luck on another one, and accept they just need regular replacement. Might try your one though.
 
Thanks, just ordered some of those as well. Will have more than I need, but they will come in handy around the house anyway.
 
I seem to be in the minority here, but I used the cable that came with mine (looks about 10cm) and it's worked fine. There is a particular road junction where it fails, but that is down to the electronic frequencies in the area and re-connects when clear.
 
chopper602 said:
I seem to be in the minority here, but I used the cable that came with mine (looks about 10cm) and it's worked fine. There is a particular road junction where it fails, but that is down to the electronic frequencies in the area and re-connects when clear.
Click to expand...
I think I replaced it with the one I was using because it had a nice, neat 90 degree connector...but the one that came with the Carsifi has now disappeared into general use somewhere around the house.
 
Yes I have one similar to that which I leave as a normal charging cable in my girlfriend's car. Quality is a little questionable though; sticker fell off one end not long after I started using it. Still works.

The thing is, is you look on eBay or Amazon, there are numerous cables for lots of combinations of length, angle and connector, but they are almost always from completely random Chinese brand, so quality can be hit and miss. I wish the likes of* Anker or uGreen had more options but they generally offer only longer cables.

*Yes, I know they are probably still a Chinese company, but they seem to be on the higher end of product quality from what I've experienced.
 
Sadly, like most things, they all are made from China (I then read your small txt), so I have found myself now buying from AliX and missing out the UK middle man reseller who is trading on eBay and Amazon and saving myself £££. Don’t get me wrong, not always but do now check.
With cables nothing lasts forever, but recent ones have done well so far but i am not in the habit of yanking cables from devices, unlike what i see others doing and wincing in the process.
 
Over the years I've bought a lot of cables of various types and applications from Kenable. I've never had issues with quality from them, always great service too. Aside from USB cables they often stock less common things for good prices too.

Kenable - supplying cables, networking peripherals and power products since 2002.

Not only has Kenable got the range, it's also got the prices! Every type of cable, all the cabinet accessories you need and a fantastic range of power cables, PDU's and desktop power solutions.
www.kenable.co.uk www.kenable.co.uk
 
I prefer cables with TPE or similar coating, to me they are more rigid than the web material. I find usb cables that support 4k (or high speeds (10Gbps/20Gbps) tend to be better quality.
 
chopper602 said:
I seem to be in the minority here, but I used the cable that came with mine (looks about 10cm) and it's worked fine. There is a particular road junction where it fails, but that is down to the electronic frequencies in the area and re-connects when clear.
Click to expand...
Same here.

I've tried other cables but the cheap feeling original is still going strong.
 
ZN8 said:
Over the years I've bought a lot of cables of various types and applications from Kenable. I've never had issues with quality from them, always great service too. Aside from USB cables they often stock less common things for good prices too.

Kenable - supplying cables, networking peripherals and power products since 2002.

Not only has Kenable got the range, it's also got the prices! Every type of cable, all the cabinet accessories you need and a fantastic range of power cables, PDU's and desktop power solutions.
www.kenable.co.uk www.kenable.co.uk
Click to expand...
I generally like kenable, but I've had 2x 50m reels of ethernet cable that weren't complete, one via amazon and one direct.
 
TorqueOfTheDevil said:
I use this (30CM version) when not using the excellent Ottocast Mini

it has served me well so far.
Click to expand...
Do you need a cable adapter / corner thing to stop this Ottocast Mini hitting the trap doors? Looks like it might not clear, but the advert says it doesnt need adapters!

I'm also after a new cable and will use the above suggestions, however i've started using a Samsung cable that came in an old phone box and appears to deal better with the bends than others. Right-angled ones are a great idea, especially reversible!
 
I can confirm the mini fits perfectly.. I'll get a pic later.

They have a sexy new cube one out, all metal and glass not sure if that one fits (all down to the orientation of the USB port) but it looks nicer and possibly lower profile.

Edit:

Ottocast Mini and the cable I linked to. in an ideal world the UCB A end would be swivelled 180, but it clears my Sandisk USB Drive.

WhatsApp Image 2025-10-17 at 13.20.56_ea301369.webp
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-17 at 13.21.00_a0748f08.webp
 
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