3G Cables Question

[Noodle]

Does anyone know if the USB cable for the Sanyo 8200 that 3G Cables sells is a charging USB cable?

[3G Cables]

Does anyone know if the USB cable for the Sanyo 8200 that 3G Cables sells is a charging USB cable?

No, it is not and there is a reason. They will fry your phone. Just search this forum here and you will see that people are frying their phones with charging cables.

WARNING: Some other sellers out there selling you aftermarket charging USB Data Cables claiming to be similar to this. Or the cable w/o any software. These are cheap aftermarket cables and are not certified in any way by any company including Futuredial®, Samsung®, or Datapilot. Read Below...

• If they were real, ask seller why their cable is not sold by Samsung or Futuredial, this is because it can ruin your phone.
• Others can ruin your phone because the power is not regulated or FCC/UL power approved (the UL symbol is on any certified power cable in the U.S. that is approved).
• Using a charging powered USB cable can ruin your phone or it's battery. It can also damage your USB hub, ruin your computer, and other devices connected to your USB hub, please be careful fellow eBayers
• Call Futuredial @ 408-541-9042 to verify that the charging version is non-certified and a cheap aftermarket.
• Or call Datapilot @ 949-789-8200.
• Contact Samsung's tech support @ this page to double verify.

[Noodle]

Thanks for the info :)

[Noodle]

Ok I'm actually going to resurect this thread. No offense 3G Cables but nobody else posted and I'm curious, I read through some other threads here and all anyone else was curious about was if the charging USB cables would over charge. From the threads I read it still seems unsure.

Can anyone tell me their experiances with a charging USB cable good or bad. Thanks

[billchase2]

hmm... i just have the normal usb cable for mine and i use it to transfer photos to my computer (bitpim software). not sure about the charging thing...

[Jumpcut]

I've used retractable charging USB cables from Boxwave for well over a year, first on an A500 and now on an A680. It really charges and the data throughput is great. Plus, because it's retractable, it takes up virtually no space. (I don't work for Boxwave, it's just the one I have experience with...other brand charging cables probably work similarly.) It comes in especially handy on overnight trips because I don't have to bring my cell phone charger, I just plug my cellphone into my laptop overnight. It has never overcharged.

[Noodle]

Now I wouldn't be using this just to charge my phone more looking into it for if I'm traveling and need to connect to my laptop without draining the battery. Has anyone else used the charging cable from gomadic or others aside from boxwave? Just trying to get a bit more of an opinion.

[3G Cables]

Now I wouldn't be using this just to charge my phone more looking into it for if I'm traveling and need to connect to my laptop without draining the battery. Has anyone else used the charging cable from gomadic or others aside from boxwave? Just trying to get a bit more of an opinion.

Since some people don’t believe me, I am in the process of doing a full write up on how charging cables will, and have fried phones. I am including pictures of the PC board inside the real OEM desktop charges to show you that they have capacitors and zener diodes within them to regulate voltage fluctuation and over-charging. Why do you think that true OEM equipment has these components? The aftermarket charging cables do not, that is why they will fry our phone. I am happy to hear that many people have not had any problems using charging cables, but I have spoken to many people that have fried their phones using them. It is just a matter of time before the charging cables fry your phone. It is a risk that some are willing to take apparently.

I will post a link to the full review here soon when I am done.

[Jumpcut]

I searched SU for examples of people frying their phones, but was only able to find one thread and it turned out it was bitpim software that was causing the problem on an unsupported phone. 3GCables, can you direct me to the threads you were refering to? I might not have entered the right keywords. I have no doubt that some poorly-made cables could cause the problems you describe...have you ever heard of this happening with Boxwave cables? I've used 2 different cables from them over the past 18 months with no problems whatsoever. They seem like a pretty reputable company (although I realize they're a competitor of yours).

[3G Cables]

I searched SU for examples of people frying their phones, but was only able to find one thread and it turned out it was bitpim software that was causing the problem on an unsupported phone. 3GCables, can you direct me to the threads you were refering to? I might not have entered the right keywords. I have no doubt that some poorly-made cables could cause the problems you describe...have you ever heard of this happening with Boxwave cables? I've used 2 different cables from them over the past 18 months with no problems whatsoever. They seem like a pretty reputable company (although I realize they're a competitor of yours).

It has nothing to do with competition. We could easily have the one conductor jumped over in our cables to make them charging at no extra cost however we know the dangers. Again, I am happy that nothing has happened to your phone yet. And yes, Boxwave is a reputable company and I am not attacking them at all, but I do want people to know the dangers. You will see what I am talking about when I post my full review. It should be soon.

[KennyD]

My dad has used Boxwave's minisync retractable charging cable for a year or so on a bunch of different phones (sanyo) and it's never fried or messed up anything. It works awesome.. I just bought one for myself and I've been using it for a while now and it's working awesome with my 8200. I wouldn't use the cable itself to charge the phone (like overnight) I would still use your travel/desktop charger just to be safer but we've never had or heard of any problems with these boxwave cables.

I think they're safe :)

[Jumpcut]

I think they're safe too. Other than warnings not to do it, I haven't seen a post by anyone who has actually had their phone fried in this way. But if anyone has actually had their phone fried by a charging cable, please post here and let us know what brand cable and phone you were using.

[dbett]

I purchased the retractable charger/data cable from Tangshop.com for my Samsung i500. They offer both cigarette lighter and wall plug adapters for straight charging use.

The description for the wall adapter says: "Special circuitry design protects your PDA." The back of the adapter has the "UL" logo.

Now, obviously that "special circuitry" does nothing if you are charging directly off your computer's USB port, or a USB hub. So power spikes from those sources could cause problems. But I would expect most computers should have pretty good power regulation on the USB power leads, albeit that still leaves the possibility of "overcharging" a battery.

However, I also have a Samsung data cable which I use at home (I use the i500 cradle at work). But I don't have a problem using the retractable unit when traveling as a charger (with the power regulated wall adapter) and as occasionally needed for a data connection. I just wouldn't leave it plugged in overnight to my laptop (and I probably wouldn't use it with a cheap powered USB hub.)

[Jumpcut]

Good point. I've charged my phone through my laptop overnight without problems, but I probably won't do that anymore, and just use it for data connections. I'd like to hear other people's experiences with charging cables. I imagine there must be thousands of people using them and I can't help but think that companies like Boxwave (who only sell charging cables) would be out of business by now if they were frying phones.

[vermag]

3GCables is probably right with the data (on frying phones), but I have used Gomadic's charging cable for over 14 months (including about 100 overnight charges), and my 8100 phone, battery and laptop are still OK. I never carry any other phone charger on my road trips.

[Richard257]

I too have been using a Gomadic charging cable for over 2 yrs. First w/Sanyo4900 and now w/Sanyo8200, no problems at all.
Richard

[Noodle]

Now I haven't looked into how many cables are not UL approved but do you know the kind of testing that gets done on electronics and such before they can be stamped UL approved. I'm not doubting 3G Cables claims on frying phones I'm just looking for second opinions.

Anyway my ex-gf's brother and her uncle both work for UL and my god they do some crazy testing as in damn near anything you could possibly think of to torture test stuff and if it has a UL approved stamp on it you can be pretty damn sure it's been put through the wringer.

[dbett]

Now I haven't looked into how many cables are not UL approved but do you know the kind of testing that gets done on electronics and such before they can be stamped UL approved. I'm not doubting 3G Cables claims on frying phones I'm just looking for second opinions.

Anyway my ex-gf's brother and her uncle both work for UL and my god they do some crazy testing as in damn near anything you could possibly think of to torture test stuff and if it has a UL approved stamp on it you can be pretty damn sure it's been put through the wringer.


Just to be clear about my post. The actual USB-to-Phone cable from TangShop is not UL approved. Just the wall plug adapter that can be used with it to make it a straight charger.

3G is correct that the actual combo charger/data cable has no electronics in it that would protect from power surges or (the unlikely possibility of) overcharging.

[Noodle]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (MobilePhone PM-8200/US/1.0) NetFront/3.1 MMP/2.0)

Ok I see what your saying. now is it more of a cost issue then why these cables don't have the circuitry in them to prevent overcharging.

[3G Cables]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (MobilePhone PM-8200/US/1.0) NetFront/3.1 MMP/2.0)

Ok I see what your saying. now is it more of a cost issue then why these cables don't have the circuitry in them to prevent overcharging.

Yes, that is the whole point why they don’t put the protective circuitry because to stay competitive that would not make sense because it would raise the production cost of the cable by at least $10-$15 each which very few people would buy.

The likelihood of frying your phone with a charging cable is low, but it can, and has happened, that is why I highly recommend against them.

Just like smoking crack. It can kill you on the first time you use it but that is unlikely. However, if you keep smoking it, there is no doubt you will die from it. Charging cables have a risk, and the longer you use them, the greater the risk becomes.

Sorry for the crack analogy but it is the only thing I could come up with that might make an impact and help you to remember =)

[Noodle]

lol well it works as an analogy. :)

[dbett]

In the case of the retractable cords, I think it's also a matter of keeping the units small. It would be kinda hard (absent the use of pretty expensive minature power circuitry) to get any type of surge supression/power regulation in the form factors being used for the retractable cords.

[Jumpcut]

...and that (being retractable & small) is one of the best features about those cords.

I'd still like to hear other people's experiences with charging cords -- especially if their phone has ever been fried by one -- to get a better idea of the actual risk.

[sheureka]

I'd still like to hear other people's experiences with charging cords -- especially if their phone has ever been fried by one -- to get a better idea of the actual risk.
I've been using charging cords for over two years, and never had a problem. All the cords that Gomadic (http://www.gomadic.com) and the Supply Net (http://www.thesupplynet.com) sell are charging and those are both big suppliers. We would have heard about it if there was a problem with their cords. - sheureka

[Jumpcut]

We would have heard about it if there was a problem with their cords. - sheureka

I'd agree with that. From the responses to this thread, I think it's safe to say that any risks from using a charging cable are very minimal.

[Noodle]

anyone have a preferance on the cable then? gomadic, thesupplynet.com, or boxwave. and not just the cable but price, speed of delivery, cs if there are any problems, etc.

[dbett]

anyone have a preferance on the cable then? gomadic, thesupplynet.com, or boxwave. and not just the cable but price, speed of delivery, cs if there are any problems, etc.


I had good results from TangShop. Easy to use site. Good price. Quick delivery. And the retractable cable seems pretty well made.

I haven't tried any of the others.

[Jumpcut]

I've had good luck with the Boxwave retractables. I've ordered two separate cables for 2 different phones...both were quality products with fast delivery. On their website, they hang 2 bricks from the cord to demonstrate the durability, but they also state "Use in this manner is not supported, and not recommended. Demonstrated here to only show the strength of miniSync." :eyeroll:

[dbett]

I've had good luck with the Boxwave retractables. I've ordered two separate cables for 2 different phones...both were quality products with fast delivery. On their website, they hang 2 bricks from the cord to demonstrate the durability, but they also state "Use in this manner is not supported, and not recommended. Demonstrated here to only show the strength of miniSync." :eyeroll:

Apparently this is a common marketing technique. TangShop has a picture showing a laptop hanging from their cable - with a similar disclaimer.

:eek:

[Noodle]

yeah they have theirs hanging a laptop directly from the usb port from the looks of it. :) I think two bricks would be heavier than most laptops though. Anyway thanks for all the great info folks. And if anyone else has anything else to report or experiances with any other cables or companies please chime in.

[HylaBrook]

I too have been using a Gomadic charging cable for over 2 yrs. First w/Sanyo4900 and now w/Sanyo8200, no problems at all.
Richard

I am using the cable from Gomadic for Sanyo4900, want to get a 8200. wonder whether I can still use the cable, or do I need to a new one that says suitable for bothe 4900 and 8200?

Thank you.

BTW, we have been using the data cable for a year, and often left the phone connected to pc, not a lot data transfer, just because I think it is an alternative way to charge the phone. Recently there seems something wrong with my battery because sometimes it turns off for no reason and sometimes when I connect the cable, it also turns off. But I suspect it is because of the low quality of the battery, since it is bought from ebay. My wife are using the original battery. She uses the cable even more than me, but there is nothing wrong with her battery.

[rumluver]

I have bought the Tang Shop cable and found those guys hard to work with. There cable will not let you sync only charge. I am looking for a calbe I can charge and sync at the same time. I travel 25days a month and get tired of getting off line to recharge my phone. I am using Future Dial for getting online and to sync, Any ideas?

[djfreake]

with my cable i can either sync or charge depending on how i insert the plug into the handset...i wish there were a plug that did both at the same time

[rumluver]

Pmi has one that a buddy of mine is using. I am going to order one on Monday. He ordered on the web and it took 4 weeks to get it.

[Jumpcut]

Pmi has one that a buddy of mine is using. I am going to order one on Monday. He ordered on the web and it took 4 weeks to get it.

I see you have an A500, my old phone. I have an excellent retractable charging cable from Boxwave that will sync and charge the phone simultaneously. I don't need it anymore, so if you want to buy it from me cheap, PM me.

[rberkey]

I have a USB charging cable (not purchased from 3G cables) and it works just fine. I've been using it for quite a long time.

[3G Cables]

I have a USB charging cable (not purchased from 3G cables) and it works just fine. I've been using it for quite a long time.

You are one of the many lucky ones. Not everyone frys thier phone using a charging cable but it does happen.

[hunhao78]

I purchased my charging cable from a company called 123usb.net to replace my older futuredial cable and so far have not had any problems with it. Left it charging overnight several times. Lot better deal if you ask me since it costs just about a third of a non-charging cable.

my .02 cents