Lightening Cable - Who Makes One Same Size As Apple?

[deeddawg]

I'm conflicted. My wife and I bought a pair of iPhone 5S phones (first lightning devices), and I wanted some additional cables for charging/etc.

Save yourself grief and confusion by ordering from monoprice.com

I have both 3ft and 6ft cables; they work fine with my 5s. Connector ends fit the Apple Leather Case, so unless your other cases have smaller openings you should be perfectly fine. Monoprice publishes the connector size on their site so you can measure to check.

 

[ethereal45]

Save yourself grief and confusion by ordering from monoprice.com

I have both 3ft and 6ft cables; they work fine with my 5s. Connector ends fit the Apple Leather Case, so unless your other cases have smaller openings you should be perfectly fine. Monoprice publishes the connector size on their site so you can measure to check.

The monoprice connector is tiny, and I agree, the ONLY way to go on 3rd party cables.

Pros:
Lifetime Warranty
Cheaper
Certified

Cons:
A little more rigid and cheaper feeling than the Apple Cables, but you can get a 10' model for $15 shipped on Amazon

 

[deeddawg]

The monoprice connector is tiny, and I agree, the ONLY way to go on 3rd party cables. [...]
A little more rigid and cheaper feeling than the Apple Cables, but you can get a 10' model for $15 shipped on Amazon

Agreed on Monoprice being the only way to go. Wish they had something between 4" and 3ft though.

FYI the 3ft black cable from Monoprice is a little thinner and more flexible than the Apple cable included with my 5s. Lightning connector is the same size (gauging by eyeball), though the 6ft cable is a heavier cable and slightly larger Lightning connector. Both still fit the Apple Leather Case with room to spare (not much room on the 6ft). I don't have a 10ft cable.

I've bought a variety of HDMI, 30-pin, USB, and Ethernet patch cables from Monoprice over the years, as well as various connectors (such as right-angle coax and right-angle HDMI adapters) and everything's been very solid.

 

[cbronfman]

RND are apple certified

RND cables - work great. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BR7S9SA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3CZ5XR3PIAJMS

I think they have different lengths.

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

Lightening Cable - Who Makes One Same Size As Apple?

Chargers For The iPhone 5 - iPad - iPad Mini - iPod Touch - Lightning to USB Cable 8 Pin Cord Adapter Wire
http://amzn.com/B00ENO0414
This cable is not apple certified but I got a sample from the company for a review and I get no errors with any of my devices.

 

[djc6]

I chatted with monoprice, they said the connector is 5.5mm thick, 11mm wide, and 18mm long. I've read posts describing it as large, but a couple people in this thread say its more reasonable.

This video indicates its so large it doesn't even fit their own monoprice branded case:

http://youtu.be/Nrs-RRa3JQ4

This video shows the two together and the monoprice one seems a lot larger:

http://youtu.be/GimmsXCOjNM

 

[fairfax38]

I looked at the Monoprice lightning cable a few days ago at a trade show that they were showing at. The connector is very large.

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RND cables - work great. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BR7S9SA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3CZ5XR3PIAJMS

I think they have different lengths.

These do not cost much less that the Apple cables.

 

[djc6]

These do not cost much less that the Apple cables.

But if they are the right size and more durable than the apple ones, then by all means keep the ideas coming Even if they cost more than apple's I'm interested, as they don't seem all that durable.

 

[deeddawg]

I chatted with monoprice, they said the connector is 5.5mm thick, 11mm wide, and 18mm long. I've read posts describing it as large, but a couple people in this thread say its more reasonable.

This video indicates its so large it doesn't even fit their own monoprice branded case:

That video is eight months old. There's certainly a chance Monoprice has changed the design since then.

I looked at the Monoprice lightning cable a few days ago at a trade show that they were showing at. The connector is very large.

What length cable? I have 3ft and 6ft, and the 6ft cable connector is a little larger than the one on the 3ft, yet it still fits the Apple Leather Case. If a 3rd party case has an even smaller opening then you might have an issue.

Here are two pics of the 3ft Monoprice cable end, one with the Apple Leather Case and the other stacked with the Apple branded microUSB to Lightning adapter (purchased in an Apple store so unlikely to be a knockoff). I don't have my 6ft Monoprice or Apple 1m OEM cables with me.

 

[Gjwilly]

Well it took almost a month but I finally got the Lightning cables that I'd ordered from DealExtreme. The ones that claim to have an authentication IC inside.
http://dx.com/p/lightning-8-pin-mal...charging-cable-for-iphone-5-white-95cm-177876

They are the exact same size as the Apple cables and they do work with my iPhone 5 and iPad 4, both running iOS 7 with no warnings of any kind.
BUT......
They do not work with the iPhone 5S.
AND......
After trying them on the iPhone 5S, they no longer work on the iPhone 5.

I'm really wondering now if something in the 5S, either accidentally or intentionally, is frying certain unauthorized 3rd-party cables.
They work just fine before using them with the 5S and then after just one attempt, they never work again.

Same thing happened to three different cables.

 

[boltjames]

I bought the 4" Monoprice black cable and it works perfectly in iOS7 but unfortunately has a very thick endpiece and won't fit in my brand new Spigen Neo Hybrid Bumper.

I'll be in Hong Kong next week, will shop Nathan Road and find a suitable replacement that throws no warnings and fits in the case.

If anyone knows of a small 4 inch to 6 inch black cable that works in iOS7 and has the thin connector, please let me know.

BJ

 

[djc6]

I checked out the Griffin USB to lightning cable. The lightning termination is slightly bigger than the Apple cable, but it is not to much bigger. The Griffin cable worked fine with my Magpul case

I'm annoyed they only make 1m and 3m - I'd like a cable longer than 1m, but 3m is craziness.

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RND cables - work great. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BR7S9SA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_9?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3CZ5XR3PIAJMS

I think they have different lengths.

My concern with RND is that different cables appear to have different ends. For example, the end of this 6 foot cable looks totally different than the one you provided above that is 1.5 ft:

http://amzn.com/B00AGJMLZC

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The Monoprice cable is pretty wide. It does not fit with my Magpul case on.

I found this two week old amazon review that contradicts your monoprice/magpul incompatibility. Which magpul case do you have? Is it the Magpul MAG452 iPhone Field Case for iPhone 5?

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2LQ0T...e=UTF8&ASIN=B00C7Y454O&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=

 

[deeddawg]

I'm annoyed they only make 1m and 3m - I'd like a cable longer than 1m, but 3m is craziness.

Who is "they"? Griffin?

Both Apple and Monoprice sell 6ft/2m cables.

 

[djc6]

Who is "they"? Griffin?

Both Apple and Monoprice sell 6ft/2m cables.

The individual I was quoting mentioned Griffin cables - which do have a slimmer end. Its tapered so its narrow at the end that plugs into the phone, wider at the strain relief end.

 

[deeddawg]

The individual I was quoting mentioned Griffin cables - which do have a slimmer end. Its tapered so its narrow at the end that plugs into the phone, wider at the strain relief end.

Ah, thanks for clarifying.

FWIW, I have the Monoprice white 6ft and it fits the Apple Leather Case fine.

I don't know how the Magpul case opening compares to the Apple case though.

Edit: the 3ft Monoprice cable has a smaller connector than the 6ft cable.

 

[djc6]

I don't know how the Magpul case opening compares to the Apple case though.

I'm also trying to think long term I've had 30 pin accessories for ten years!! Since my 15GB iPod 3rd generation.

I'm looking to buy around six cables/chargers so I want to pick stuff that will be compatible and reliable for years to come (like all my now obsolete 30 pin stuff). That it may not fit my current case is merely annoying - I could easily spend $150 in cables/chargers depending on which lengths I get and from what manufacturer. I figure if I stick close to the apple size, it will lower my chances compatibility issues on future products.

I'd buy genuine apple stuff if it weren't for all the complaints that the cables are flimsy.

 

[djc6]

Edit: the 3ft Monoprice cable has a smaller connector than the 6ft cable.

Interesting. .6mm difference - or 2 hundredths of an inch! I ordered the 3ft and 6ft for my wife's phone, I'll report back what I find.

 

[mscann]

The individual I was quoting mentioned Griffin cables - which do have a slimmer end. Its tapered so its narrow at the end that plugs into the phone, wider at the strain relief end.

Check out the cable and charger that verizon sells. 6 ft and is tapered like the griffin
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...d=14805&accessoryId=62008&initialPhoneId=7242

The picture shows the older model but you will see in the description that it is redesigned to fit lifeproof case

 

[fairfax38]

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I found this two week old amazon review that contradicts your monoprice/magpul incompatibility. Which magpul case do you have? Is it the Magpul MAG452 iPhone Field Case for iPhone 5?

http://www.amazon.com/review/R2LQ0T...e=UTF8&ASIN=B00C7Y454O&linkCode=&nodeID=&tag=

All I can tell you is that Monoprice had a booth with all their gear on display at the CEDIA trade show in Denver last week. With all their guys there we took their lightning cable out of the packaging and tried it in my 5s with the Magpul MAG452 iPhone Field Case and it did not fit. I would like to have acquired the Monoprice cable like everyone else but it was a no go. The Monoprice reps recommended that I buy one of their $3 cases to make their cable work. Take it for what it is pal and make your own call.

 

[0970373]

I bought these on Amazon. They seem to be out of stock at the moment but 5.99 for a pack of two. I can barely tell them apart from my Apple cable that came with the phone. The iXCC cable is just a mm thicker perhaps but I have to hold them together to figure out which is which.

Works fine via USB & wall adapter on my 5S.

 

[deeddawg]

Interesting. .6mm difference - or 2 hundredths of an inch! I ordered the 3ft and 6ft for my wife's phone, I'll report back what I find.

Yep, 0.02" wider, 0.001" thinner.

Finally measured the Lightning ends with an old dial caliper. It's essentially accurate to 0.001 give or take a hair. Monoprice cables were purchased a couple weeks ago. All fit my 5s Apple Leather Case with no interference and no popups.

Apple OEM 3ft cable: 0.300"x0.182" (came with my 5s)
Apple microUSB to Lightning adapter: 0.408"x0.192"
Monoprice 3ft cable: 0.408"x0.228" (black)
Monoprice 6ft cable: 0.428"x0.227" (white)

Apple Leather Case Lightning opening: 0.460"x0.230" (measured to just shy of any resistance moving the caliper blades since the leather "gives" a little)

Hope this helps anyone curious.

 

[djc6]

All I can tell you is that Monoprice had a booth with all their gear on display at the CEDIA trade show in Denver last week. With all their guys there we took their lightning cable out of the packaging and tried it in my 5s with the Magpul MAG452 iPhone Field Case and it did not fit.

I wonder which length cable you tried. I ordered two for my wife (she has a different case) - 6ft and 3ft, and the 3ft one has zero difficulty with my Magpul MAG452 Field Case. Monoprice says the 3ft connector is 10.4mm wide and the 6ft connector is 11mm wide. The 6ft cable still works, just requires a tiny bit of effort to shove it in there. The 3ft cable I have to exert no additional effort to plug it in. Here is picture of 3ft cable plugged into my iPhone 5s w/Magpul case:

 

[Jalopybox]

Why buy longer cables when a usb extension is $2?

 

[djc6]

Why buy longer cables when a usb extension is $2?

The 6ft cable is only 80 cents more than the 3ft, and it is more convenient than carrying around the 3ft cable + extension.

Not sure where the confusion is on why someone would want more than one cable, and when purchasing a second cable pay the extra 80 cents for a longer one Leaving the 2nd longer cable at work, using cable that came with the phone at home.

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

The 6ft cable is only 80 cents more than the 3ft, and it is more convenient than carrying around the 3ft cable + extension.

Not sure where the confusion is on why someone would want more than one cable, and when purchasing a second cable pay the extra 80 cents for a longer one Leaving the 2nd longer cable at work, using cable that came with the phone at home.

I don't even use the cables that came with my iPhone 5 or iPod touch 5. I have about 10 cables from amazon and reviewing samples. The Cable and Case lightning cables and adapters do not give any errors and they look identical to the apple one.

Chargers For The iPhone 5 5S 5C - iPad - iPad Mini - iPod Touch - Lightning to USB Cable 8 Pin Cord Adapter Wire
http://amzn.com/B00ENO04KK