Best USB extension?

[mikeprevette]

So I have 5 computers at home and only one of them reliably programs my Digisparks. I know it's all about dimensions and pressure, adding a little solder to the usb pads increases the success % quite a lot.  But I have a lot of them to program and I was wondering if anyone had a reliable USB extension cable with spring loaded pins?

[germ]

I'm not sure, but I have two sparkys, and never had any problem at all. Not in the two computers I used and the extension cable.
But using a normal extension cable, can't you just make it tighter with pliers? Or perhaps manage to get some solder or something on the extension cable instead of every spark? Maybe?

[mikeprevette]

Well I've got 120 digisparks here, and beyond dimension variation side to side, they are pretty consistently not making contact with the usb ports used in Macs. Apple has chosen a USB port that has a PCB trace contact, very similar to how the digispark is made, those two together do not work very well with out building up the pads w/ solder.  The little netbook I have here works OK, its usb pins are angled springy contacts. W/ solder and the right amount of downward pressure it works 90% of the time.


I think I'm just going to build a rig with some pogo pins. Unless someone can recommend a bulletproof usb extension.

[Mark]

Mike
I had something similar with my laptop.
I found that you need an ext cord with sprung contacts but also with the metal connector housing showing at the end.
Usually you can remove any plastic coating with a sharp knife.

Be aware that some cables look like high quality, but in fact are a well presented non sprung ie cheap, connector with maybe better wires.


Mark

[Bluebie]

These usb ports without spring loaded contacts seriously exist? I've never found any, and I have a bunch of Apple gear. Certainly Apple's modern ports do have sligtly shallower sprung pins than most other ports, but they are definitely still sprung. I have a really hard time imagining how unsprung contacts would work reliably with anything, especially seeing as many commercial usb products these days use PCB slightly recessed (because pcb mask layer) trace connectors to interface with the socket. Anyhow, the Digispark PCB should be thicker. It should be as thick as a regular usb plug - 0.4mm thicker. This change could probably be implemented with a sticker on the bottom or something like that. I've found that my digispark's work reliably in Mac USB ports, except for the USB 3.0 ports on the very newest Mac's, which are recessed even more deeply than previous ports.

[Mark]

Bluebie
The heading was 'USB extension'.

Yes most decent computers/laptops have good connectors, but the cheap USB extensions may not.

I've noted that the metal casing around the connector helps to pull the two mating surfaces together, which is not present on DS for obvious reasons.
A longer USB would help (as well as slightly thicker) as it seems that most issues are the depth of 'engagement'.
The power pins are longer, hence don't give a problem.

Maybe the answer is to use a header and full USB plug.
For standalone you wouldn't need the plug part, and you could incorporate the pullup and zeners on the plug portion.

Anyway the DS is a great device, and achieved what was required, so a few minor work issues are inevitable.

Mark