How to Connect USB with other devices by short Wire

While I am glad to see digital cameras, cell phones, MP3 players and other portables are getting tinier and tinier, their designers forgot one simple thing - the cable.

These modern designers have no respect to industry standard and create any special connectors they like. Whenever I add a new USB device into my portable collection, I have to carry one more lengthy and stiff cable.

Can you believe it, I have to carry a bag just to hold these stupid 6-feet cables. Let's do something about this mess.

These are currently available: USB A-to-A, USB A-to-mini, and all the Sprint cell phone cables that Radio Shack carries.

Please specify the cable type in the message field of the online order form.

To be honest, Zip*Linq has all the standard USB and Firewire cables and you don't need to buy those from us.

However, that retractable wheel is still too thick to me and I don't want to carry too many of them but one extension.

Zip*Linq really should remove the two white plates to make it thinner.

Step 1

First, cut this HandSpring Treo cable (about $7 on eBay) like this: leave 1 in at each ends and cut off the cover by .5 in.

Also cut off a 1.5 in heat-shrink tube for later use

Step 2

Cut the wire tips like this: the longest one at the left side is the shortest one at the right side, vice versa.

This way, the to-be-soldered contacts will not touch each other.

Don't forget to put on the heat shrink tube to one side before you start soldering

Step 3

Now solder these ends: red to red, green to green, etc.

Solder properly.

Step 4

Use a electric tape wrap the naked wires and prepare the shielding tips like this.

Step 5

Solder the shielding tips well, so it is hard to break this short cable even you stretch it hard.

Step 6

Now move the heat shrink tube to the middle and heat it with a heat gun.

Looks rugged and decent, does it?

Step 7

I did this to all my cables, including one for my Canon camera and a standard A-to-mini USB for my Odessey 1000 MP3 player.

Add a Zip*Linq A-to-A retractable extension cable, you are all set.

Now kiss your bags good buy!