'Where to source shorter cables?

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

In the past it was generally a good thing to have long cables e.g.
- from the camera to your laptop and so on.

With the advent of mini-pcs and devices like StellarMate long cables are just an invitation to g et all tangled up, as the pc/raspberry Pi will probably be seated on the mount or scope

Is there anywhere one can source shorter cables?For example, Camera usb3/ ST4 /. guide camera usb 2 and so on?

Would make cable management a bit easier . I suppose you could DIY but that’s more than I’d want to tackle.

Or have people found other cable management solutions?

[JA]

I like the shorter is better approach rather than coiling up longer cables. Now days you can find all sorts of short cables - I have seen short 10, 20 and 50cm USB cables on ebay of various plug and speed types. Just set up your rig first and measure what you need.

Best
JA

[mldee (Mike)]

Cable Chick are in Capalaba, Brisbane: https://tinyl.io/5yRG. Probably similar vendors in the other cities.

I bought some USB's from them one time, they seemed to be OK, but nothing special.

As JA says, plenty on EBay, probably also on AliExpress, etc.

[AdamJL]

Ha, this is a question close to my heart. I've been spending MONTHS doing this recently, especially with the weather as it is.

Measure your required cable length first. Then build in the required slack.
Once done, start shopping.

For data cables, I use a combination of Lindy.com.au and Amazon (brands Fasgear and Ugreen... excellent quality stuff!).

For power, well I'm in the process of doing this now, but you can get them from ebay, or find a company that will create custom length cables. I'm going to use these guys:

https://goodwoodaudio.com/products/d...cable-designer

Also think about straight vs right angled vs upside down connectors. They can make a big difference and take stress off the ports in some scenarios.

[AdamJL]

Also, I've purchased cable management clips from here as well

https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/SmartComponents

If you have access to a 3D Printer, you can do something similar. Very handy for those cables where it's impossible to source short variants.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by AdamJL

Ha, this is a question close to my heart. I've been spending MONTHS doing this recently, especially with the weather as it is.

Measure your required cable length first. Then build in the requiredslack.
Once done, start shopping.

For data cables, I use a combination of Lindy.com.au and Amazon (brands Fasgear and Ugreen... excellent quality stuff!).

For power, well I'm in the process of doing this now, but you can get them from ebay, or find a company that will create custom length cables. I'm going to use these guys:

https://goodwoodaudio.com/products/d...cable-designer

Also think about straight vs right angled vs upside down connectors. They can make a big difference and take stress off the ports in some scenarios.

thanks I’ll check these vendors out


Thanks

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by JA

I like the shorter is better approach rather than coiling up longer cables. Now days you can find all sorts of short cables - I have seen short 10, 20 and 50cm USB cables on ebay of various plug and speed types. Just set up your rig first and measure what you need.

Best
JA

I did have a look at eBay but probably didn’t do too thorough a job. Will have another look, thanks

[Startrek (Martin)]

My cable suppliers for the past 5 years

Mwave
Lindy
Cable Chick
Jaycar
Bintel

For fully certified conforming USB3 cables I only use Startech ( unfortunately they don’t make a 0.5m long USB3A to USB3B cable , shortest is 1m so I opt for Cable Chick for that particular cable )

For USB2 cables , Ethernet cables, 12V cables etc... any of the above suppliers are fine.

I tend to avoid eBay (even though on most occasions it’s a cheaper option) and other online 3rd party supplier chains as I’ve had some bad experiences with poor quality cables failing within a 6 months ( mainly cheap copies with suppliers unable to provide cable performance specs )

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by Startrek

My cable suppliers for the past 5 years

Mwave
Lindy
Cable Chick
Jaycar
Bintel

For fully certified conforming USB3 cables I only use Startech ( unfortunately they don’t make a 0.5m long USB3A to USB3B cable , shortest is 1m so I opt for Cable Chick for that particular cable )

For USB2 cables , Ethernet cables, 12V cables etc... any of the above suppliers are fine.

I tend to avoid eBay (even though on most occasions it’s a cheaper option) and other online 3rd party supplier chains as I’ve had some bad experiences with poor quality cables failing within a 6 months ( mainly cheap copies with suppliers unable to provide cable performance specs )

Thanks.

Any suggestions for a ST4 cable supplier?

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by seeker372011

Thanks.

Any suggestions for a ST4 cable supplier?

ST4 cable is simply just an RJ12 plug end to end with 6 wires ( the old telephone cord )

A few of my suppliers have 2m long RJ12 cords but Jaycar does have a 1m long RJ12 cord on their website

[Startrek (Martin)]

Originally Posted by Startrek

ST4 cable is simply just an RJ12 plug end to end with 6 wires or conductors

A few of my suppliers have 2m long RJ12 cords but Jaycar does have a 1m long RJ12 cord on their website

Don’t get confused with RJ11 cords ( the old telephone lead )
RJ11 and RJ12 plugs are the same size but -
RJ11 usually only has 2 or 4 wires or conductors end to end
RJ12 has 6 wires or conductors end to end which is used as ST4

RJ12 pin outs for ST4 connection

Pin 1 not used
Pin 2 Common or ground
Pin 3 Ra +
Pin 4 Dec +
Pin 5 Dec -
Pin 6 Ra -

[Hemi]

Hmmm, I’ve read this post every time it comes up, but hesitated from posting…

There are very few Australian companies that do “very” short cables. There are several on Aliexpress. After doing a bit of research (same as for eBay sellers) I found a couple that did the required ultrashort lengths I wanted.

They've worked very well, and solved the need I had. But as always YMMV.

Cheers

[AdamJL]

Originally Posted by Hemi

Hmmm, I’ve read this post every time it comes up, but hesitated from posting…

There are very few Australian companies that do “very” short cables. There are several on Aliexpress. After doing a bit of research (same as for eBay sellers) I found a couple that did the required ultrashort lengths I wanted.

They've worked very well, and solved the need I had. But as always YMMV.

Cheers

So, will you be sharing with us who these suppliers are?

[Hemi]

Will retrieve the details and pm you

[AstroApprentice (Jason)]

I've ordered many cables from https://www.usbfirewire.com/
They have left/right/up/down configurations for many different length data cables. Fast shipping from US and I've not had any problems with their quality.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by Hemi

Will retrieve the details and pm you

Could you pm me too please?

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Ok sometimes the solution is right under your nose. I own a ASIAIR plus. I remembered just then that it came with various lengths of USB cables and Power cords. I think I can sort out both my mini pc and the ASI AIR with the cables I already have!!

[Wilsil (Wilco)]

Originally Posted by Hemi

Will retrieve the details and pm you

Must be a secret person.

Why pm, just say it on here.
The more people know it, the more he/she might sell.

[Hemi]

Not really Wilco,

I’ve been a member of IIS for over 10yrs. I consider what I post carefully. Lots of readers (members or otherwise ) use the advice and recommendations provided. There have been lots of varying opinions about good and bad sellers on eBay and AliE. Cables can be dangerous, to people and equipment. You can also get lucky with a purchase from a dodgy seller.

I just wouldn’t want to provide a particular recommendation or vouch for an eBay/AliE seller based on a single purchase especially for something like cables. An Australian company where there is potential for redress is another matter.

The discussion was about where can I find short cables. I suggested that there were several such sellers on AliE, where one might start to look. Down to the individual to purchase from who they are comfortable with.

Pm means I choose who to share my recommendation with. My judgment that the member is sensible and takes the advice at face value.

“You can’t be held accountable” I hear you say, and fair enough, but that’s not how I work…

Cheers

[MarkInSpace (Mark)]

I’ve bought quite a few sets of cables from Amazon au site. Quick delivery and sometimes very good prices.