@agnesnutter tips are unique to these vs the Pro

@agnesnutter Definitely charging-only, no data.

Be aware that like all magnetic-tip cables, when the magnetic tips are off, these can be shorted out by iron filings and even some rust particles, which can result in their getting hot enough at the tip to burn you. Use and store them in a clean location only.

@agnesnutter I can’t imagine data transfer could be possible with a simple magnetic connection.

Although one of the Amazon reviews claims “works with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay” … I have to think they’re doing that (those) wirelessly. (Also, that particular review reads as if it was written by the product sales manager.)

@richrauch The other version of this cord, sold previously, has additional rings in the connector which allow for data transmission (though it’s not the best in my experience).

@pmarin Flying is not the same as solar-orbital.

@pmarin Yes, once you figure out a way to get it to fly…

@pmarin if you didn’t follow it a few years ago, yes this really did happen. I think it’s passed Mars now. Nobody in the suit of course (4 Polaris Dawn astronauts in space now in similar suits on spacewalk mission).
This was an animation video based on real things. And one of the most classic songs of all time.
/youtube

First time I saw the dual booster side-by-side landing it was so awesome.

@pmarin I don’t have the car, but at least I got the t-shirt (from SpaceX, apparently no longer for sale).

@shahnm maybe a USB-C powered substance smoking device? Actually remembered those exist now.

@shahnm Honestly when I first read about jarring pivots and been-there-done-that, I thought this was about the election debate tonight. But I know we are advised (for good reason because we have no civility anymore) from bringing up political topics here.

@craigcush I bought the previous ones they sold - similar design but different brand I believe . I loved the concept but the design would not allow the charger to fully fit into my Iphone charging port with the protective case on. I had to remove the protective case for it to fit. I would hope these are a bit longer and you won’t run into that problem.

@craigcush I got a similar one in an IRK, same brand but without the swivel feature. A charging cable that glows is a cool concept, but the illumination saps power that could be going into charging your device. In some cases, stuff would either charge glacially slow or not at all. Also there wasn’t a way to turn the glow feature on and off, it’s going at all times that the cable is plugged in regardless of whether a device is using it, so if you don’t want it to glow 24/7 you have to constantly unplug it from the USB port.

It’s telling that as someone who’s been a huge blinky LED dork for many many years, I tossed mine in a box after a couple weeks and haven’t really thought about it since. I’d rather buy something like this as a purposefully decorative feature separate from also trying to have it charge a phone.

@captstack @craigcush these cables glow at all times? Charging a device or not? I thought it would be a neat gimmick but ultimately annoying if it only lit up while charging the device. Being lit when merely being plugged in is a total deal breaker. Thank you for the info. Hard pass.

@craigcush I purchased a 3-pack of the other variant (swivel tip, non-glowing 360 Pro) that were on sale during a mehrathon some time ago, so nothing from here on is about the specific version on sale here.

I normally find these things to be pretty gimmicky but I’ve gotten pretty addicted to the convenience (swivel tip is a must) since I still have a lot of micro USB devices. I figured I’d give it time to see how they held up before replacing most of my cables, and they ended up being convenient/durable enough that I bought another set during the next mehrathon for a total of 6 cables.

A word of warning: there’s a coating on the tips that WILL wear off over time, causing corrosion on the copper that will attenuate charging rates somewhat, but I admittedly made this worse by using steel wool like an idiot rather than a synthetic scrub pad, and it doesn’t take much to get them back to normal for a long while. I tested the voltage on these and they will charge at a slightly lower rate when corroded, but if you touch them up with Scotch Brite or similar instead of steel wool like my dumb ass you should be fine. Either way this is an inevitable trade off since the coating WILL wear off on way of another.

Having said all that, the convenience of being able to use the same cable across devices with different ports as well as the reduction in wear and tear on the ports themselves (you’re not constantly plugging/re-plugging, if you trip over them the magnets will simply snap apart instead of bending/pulling your whole damn port off the PCB) makes these worthwhile in my opinion.

Just to reiterate: I’ve never used this particular variant of the product, I’m just commenting on the concept itself mostly, and the quality of the cables I purchased. These might be okay for work or something, but as others have mentioned I wouldn’t want these around if you’re trying to sleep.

@craigcush your going to lose tips even if you are very careful. You’ll take your phone out of your case for something at some point when you are trying to get something done and the tip will go flying. Sometimes my iPhone won’t recognize getting plugged in and have to take out and put back in. Neat idea, magnets are not the way.

@craigcush yep. Got a 3 pack whenever that was (~8?? months ago). At least one of the lightning tips didn’t work. Since that’s what we almost exclusively use, I probably should’ve returned/complained, but didn’t.

@craigcush I bought the Statik Pro cables and absolutely love them. These appear to be charging only though. If you want that, it would be good. It would help keep your charging port from getting worn out (which is one reason I like these cables)

However, the main reason I love the Pro ones so much is that they’re the only cables that I’ve had long term success with when using Android Auto. The swivel head and magnetic connection keeps the cable from becoming damaged.

@craigcush these might be higher quality but i got a similar concept off Temu and the magnet wasn’t very strong. it got stuck in my phone pretty quickly and it’s easy to misplace the little end bits.

@caseyloreants I agrée completely. They really suck.

@werehatrack Even the connector tips get old instantly. I thought I’d use them in the space under my gear shifter. They were BLINDING.

@werehatrack I think they’re good for spots that are out of the usual spots… Like kitchen… Corner of living room. Having it in your bed area is gonna be such a bad time, so bright

Something went terribly wrong. Please try again.

@mediocrebot That’s OK. I was really starting to worry what you might come up with.

@mehcuda67 Inquiring minds foolishly want to know…

/showme just the tip

Something went terribly wrong. Please try again.

@mehcuda67 Yeah, you’re right, the bot’s not gonna go there.

@andymand These are annoyingly bright LEDs rather than the gentle glow of an electroluminescent cable from decades gone by.

This is based on my experience with a couple such cables in years past.

Someday, cable makers may learn how to incorporate dimmer circuits in their products such that they are compatible with sleep.

@tcoopergm the adapter is supposed to stay in your device…

@Chakolate 5 contact points, then?

I wonder if the multiple contact point ones are for data. Or for communicating max charge rate and voltage through the data lines. (These are charge only.)

@Chakolate “6 contact points”

Happy hunting.

@Chakolate The 6-point ones can carry data, and they can also carry the negotiating signals for the higher-voltage and higher-current charging modes supported by devices that want C-to-C cables.