Shoestring USB cable for HEQ5 Pro

[Startrek (Martin)]

I’ve ordered a shoestring USB cable to connect my laptop to my mount via the Synscan handcontroller
The only issue is the cable only comes in a 2 metre length and I need at least 3.5 metres to connect between laptop and handcontroller and later on (if I decide to discard using the handcontroller) direct to the mount

I believe the shoestring cable has some integrated electronics inside the USB plug so you cannot simply extend the 2 metre cable to a 3.5 metre cable using a standard USB cord ?

Any ideas or advice would be appreciated

[doppler (Rick)]

The hand set to mount cable can be extended by replacing it with a longer standard cat 5 network cable. I think that the shoestring cable electronics is to convert the network connection to USB so an extension should work at either end, but a boosted USB extension might be needed if you extend the USB end. (something to do with the USB 2 mtr working limit I think).