Why not to buy cheap, CRAP lightning cables

[aluminimac]

I recently bought a cheapo lightning cable, based upon a certain risk factor (6M only being £6) and based upon Amazon "reviews" (not wise, but it was cheap, so...).

Anyhow, I thought I'd show you why saving money IS NOT always a good idea, and why to avoid "CloudSeller" cables - because they're JUNK.

Attached, my investigatory photo; the poor quality is likely why my iPod Touch keeps making the charging sound, then stops charging, then repeats again and again as you wiggle the lead.

Pay the extra folks, it's worth it.

 

[mojolicious]

Yep, I've finally through with cheap Lightning/dock cables. Yours does look spectacularly awful, but my collection might well be the same at that magnification.

Just this morning I spent an hour looking for a list of accredited MFi manufacturers, but couldn't find one. Does anyone know if a definitive list exists? Seems strange that the Apple website wouldn't have such a list.

 

[7thson]

Live and learn. Sometimes even the name brand MFI, looking at you iFrogz, stuff just isn't up to snuff.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Weird thing: my OEM lightning is the only one that has corrosion on it.

 

[rui no onna]

Just this morning I spent an hour looking for a list of accredited MFi manufacturers, but couldn't find one. Does anyone know if a definitive list exists? Seems strange that the Apple website wouldn't have such a list.

My AmazonBasics lightning and 30-pin cables work great. I do believe they're Apple certified.

 

[D.T.]

I recently bought a cheapo lightning cable, based upon a certain risk factor (6M only being £6) and based upon Amazon "reviews" (not wise, but it was cheap, so...).

Anyhow, I thought I'd show you why saving money IS NOT always a good idea, and why to avoid "CloudSeller" cables - because they're JUNK.

Attached, my investigatory photo; the poor quality is likely why my iPod Touch keeps making the charging sound, then stops charging, then repeats again and again as you wiggle the lead.

Pay the extra folks, it's worth it.

Yikes, that’s pretty poor execution. Nice closeup photos!

There are some 3rd party options, that are cheaper than OEM that look outstanding:

http://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-...513405&sr=8-2&keywords=amazon+lightning+cable

$13.99 for a 3m cable, not bad.

The Amazon Basics product line seems very solid - in fact, I picked up Amazon Basics banana plugs (for custom audio cables) and I’d highly recommend them

I have a credit voucher for Moshi and I’ll probably use that to score an extra Lightening cable, and I’d suspect it’ll be high grade too (it should be, it’s the same price as an Apple cable Plus they’re a well regarded 3rd party Apple product manufacturer)

 

[huck500]

The Amazon cables are pretty good, but one that I used for a few months started fraying at the lightning connector end. It got heavy use with lots of movement, so it's probably not indicative of poor quality.

The main issue I have with the Amazon cables is that the size of the plug is too large to fit through the hole in my case, just FYI.

 

[localboy28]

Weird thing: my OEM lightning is the only one that has corrosion on it.

Post a pic

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Post a pic

There ya go.

 

[richwoodrocket]

Here's my generic lightning to 30 pin adapter. Works fine except it dosent play music. That's ok because I always use bluetooth though.

 

[Agent-P]

Monoprice is MFI certified and I haven't had any problems with their lightning cables. Bought a 6ft cable for about $7 less than Apple's 1m cable.

 

[Shrink]

Sorry if this is a stupid question...but isn't there a risk of damaging one's devices using a "CRAP lightening cable"?

 

[boomhower]

Every single lightning cable I own from genuine Apple to a variety of off brand have blackened connectors. Just about all still work perfectly fine.

 

[SomeGuyDude]

Every single lightning cable I own from genuine Apple to a variety of off brand have blackened connectors. Just about all still work perfectly fine.

Yeah, they all work fine. Doesn't bother me. I just find it funny that my off-brand ones are clean as a whistle still.

 

[aluminimac]

Here's my generic lightning to 30 pin adapter. Works fine except it dosent play music. That's ok because I always use bluetooth though. View attachment 468550

Nice clear photos there.... yep

 

[alphaod]

There ya go.

Take that to an Apple Store or call them. They replace these for free.

 

[DonnyXMX]

[Apple MFI Certified] AYL® 8-Pin Lightning to USB Cable (6 Feet/ 1.8 Meter) Made For iPhone 5S / 5C / 5 / iPad Air / iPad Mini iPad 4th generation, iPod 5th generation and iPod nano 7th generation OFFICIAL LICENSED PRODUCT
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00IX2VGFA/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1397697468&sr=8-3&pi=SY200_QL40

 

[mojolicious]

Dear Mr:
Good day!

No?

Thought not.

There's a world of difference between 'certified for' and 'happens to work with'.

 

[serglb]

I use Belkin or iFrogz. Those never let me down.

----------

there ya go.

wow

 

[meistervu]

Why not by cheap crap anything

By definition, anything that is crap doesn't work, so there is no reason to buy it.

 

[CausticSoda]

As for most products, if you buy the cheapest you are likely to get total rubbish. If you buy the most expensive, you are likely to get among the best at a considerable premium (the law of diminishing returns). The "smartest money" tends to be spent in the middle. Of course, we are mostly Apple addicts, and lean toward the right of the spectrum. C'est la vie.

 

[ZhenyaF]

2 of my OEM lightning cables (out of3 that I have) have cracked and are showing inside wiring, yet the Amazon ones are perfectly fine. I guess not all aftermarket ones are crap

 

[Jalopybox]

Tech Armor. Lifetime warranty. Done and Done.

 

[Zmanbaseball2]

Tech Armor. Lifetime warranty. Done and Done.

I'm with you on that. I have 3 of them! Still look new and have no ware on them for over 5 months.

 

[LDS33]

Lightning Charger Class Action

looks like there may finally be a class action over these chargers. http://www.consumerclassactionlawyers.com/apple-i-phone-5-lightning-cable-defective.html