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Source for quality USB cables?

Acquisition Deep Sky
17 replies•624 views
John Stone avatar
John Stone avatar
Hi,

I'm moving a couple telescopes to a remote site and while testing in the back yard I've had some USB cables stop working.   At least things cleared up when I replaced them.

I'm looking for a supplier of high quality, outdoor rated, gold-plated connectors, etc.  USB cables in various configurations:

USB 3. 0 A -> B
USB A -> USB C
USB C -> micro USB
etc.

Has anyone found a source for something like this?

Thanks.
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Brian Puhl avatar
Brian Puhl avatar

If i’m looking for quality stuff, Mouser or Digikey will always be my go-to.

That being said for USB cables i’ve always gambled on Amazon. The selection is honestly endless.

Francesco avatar
Francesco avatar

Hi John! I can recommend cables from Lindy ( https://www.lindy.co.uk/cables-adapters-c1/usb-c449 ), they have cables both gold plated and not of any kind.

You can find them on Amazon too.

They are very light and really well made!

They tend to be a bit stiffer under freezing temperatures but nothing that can create problems.

I used them under -19C without any problems!

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apennine104 avatar
apennine104 avatar

Hi, I’ve had good luck with https://www.usbfirewire.com/. They are a bit pricey but come in numerous angles and lengths when I can’t find exactly what I need on Amazon.

-Chris

Ali Alobaidly avatar
Ali Alobaidly avatar

I’ve been using the same set of cables I purchased from AliExpress in 2022. They survived multiple Kuwaiti summers with temperatures soaring upwards of 40°C at night. I’ve found that even cheaper cables can be reliable as long as they aren’t bent in every direction when you’re cable-managing your rig, so I wouldn’t stress too much about it.

That being said, if you want peace of mind, I recommend the Pegasus Astro cables for power (male-to-male DC cables) and their USB Type-B 3.0 cables. I also wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their Type-C to Type-A cables. The new ZWO cables are really well made too (not the old flat ones).

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Chris White- Overcast Observatory avatar
Chris White- Overcast Observatory avatar

I use FireWire as well. May off the shelf configurations, and very good quality. I tested a set for several months in my backyard before deploying and they have been in use for 15 months remotely.

Kyle Cerniglia avatar
Kyle Cerniglia avatar

John Stone · Nov 14, 2025, 06:22 AM

Hi,

I'm moving a couple telescopes to a remote site and while testing in the back yard I've had some USB cables stop working.   At least things cleared up when I replaced them.

I'm looking for a supplier of high quality, outdoor rated, gold-plated connectors, etc.  USB cables in various configurations:

USB 3. 0 A -> B
USB A -> USB C
USB C -> micro USB
etc.

Has anyone found a source for something like this?

Thanks.

Digikey, Mouser, or Monoprice.

I’ve scratched Amazon off of the list after getting piles of fake cables.

Daemon de Chaeney avatar
Daemon de Chaeney avatar

I now use Lindy, as previously mentioned by Fransesco. So far, they’ve been the only cable that hasn’t given me USB disconnect errors when it’s cool. Even cheap cables seem to manage reasonably in warm to hot conditions, but the problems start when they get cool.

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Michael Jarvis avatar
Michael Jarvis avatar

I have had good luck with Prima Luce cables, especially for connecting to the ASI 2600 MC Pro. The supplied cables from ZWO are not as reliable.

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Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
Willem Jan Drijfhout avatar
+1 for Lindy here as well. Another high end USB cable manufacturer is Oehlbach. I've been using their cables a lot as well and never had an issue.
AlexFilothodoros avatar
AlexFilothodoros avatar

I’d suggest cables from Pegasus Astro.

SonnyE avatar
SonnyE avatar

As an aside to good cabling, I’ve taken to greasing my connectors with Super Lube, the same as I use for mount maintenance.

I started out doing just one, then grew into doing all my USB cables.

So far, no problems (Going on 3 years now).

Also, it’s a good idea to occasionally exercise the connectors by unplugging them and plugging them back in several times. That wipes the contacts to clean them. (Not so critical when they are greased.)

David Albers avatar
David Albers avatar

I would recommend L-Com cables. They are what AstroPhysics recommends and also what my friends who have remote sites use. L-Com Cables

KJ avatar
KJ avatar

apennine104 · Nov 14, 2025, 11:19 AM

Hi, I’ve had good luck with https://www.usbfirewire.com/. They are a bit pricey but come in numerous angles and lengths when I can’t find exactly what I need on Amazon.

-Chris

Huge plus to them; agreed they’re a little pricey but not having to worry about cable snags or zip/velcro tie messes is nice. I have everything sized and angled to fit close to the body to prevent snags. I did my entire rig with my onboard PLL Eagle using them, with the exception of the HDMI to my JetKVM (they have a minimum order for HDMI but USBs you can get one of whatever)

I paid around 290 shipped for all of the cables I got from them that went to my EAF, MiniCam, guide cam, AM5 mount, JetKVM USB, etc all in that in a various mix of USB connector types (A,C,B,B3.0), and angles (up left, up right, up, down, etc)

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Itto Ogami avatar
Itto Ogami avatar

usbfirewire.com as mentioned above.. pricier, but have worked flawlessy on my rig at Starfront.

Luka Poropat avatar
Luka Poropat avatar

SonnyE · Nov 18, 2025, 07:04 PM

As an aside to good cabling, I’ve taken to greasing my connectors with Super Lube, the same as I use for mount maintenance.

I started out doing just one, then grew into doing all my USB cables.

So far, no problems (Going on 3 years now).

Also, it’s a good idea to occasionally exercise the connectors by unplugging them and plugging them back in several times. That wipes the contacts to clean them. (Not so critical when they are greased.)

I had multiple experience with this WD-40 solution, on some occasions like the marketed for bearings etc. it might evaporate however sprayed on connectors etc. it worked nicely with having a slim coating that protected the connectors from moisture or oxidation. People also use SuperLube’s dielectric grease but I find its more expensive (in EU), and a bit messy given it is always in its greasy element. My solution has mostly been spray it with this type of solution and cover it with nice electrical tape. Almost everything that is on my rig is protected that way.
I know ZWO coats the PCBs of their mounts in some sort of protective coating as well. 1661734744-30001-silicone-11oz-front-min.jpg

Bill McLaughlin avatar
Bill McLaughlin avatar

I have had good luck with both StarTech and TrippLite as long as you can avoid counterfeits of those. I am running my Moravian camera over a 15 foot TrippLite at a remote site and it has been perfect for years.

I will say that ZWO cameras do not like either long cables, poor cables, or hubs - but that is the crappy USB circuitry that they use, not the cable. I have run the same cable that will not work with a ZWO and used it on the Moravian with no issues.

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AstroÅmazer avatar
AstroÅmazer avatar

I have had good luck with Fasgear cables. Kinda cheap but better than most Amazon products.