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S**Y
I really want to like this
What a great idea! A single USB cable with interchangeable adapter ends that can plug into each of your devices and connect magnetically! Similar to Apple's MagSafe, or Microsoft Surface power connectors, the VOLTA magnetic end aligns the cable end and latches right on to the adapter end plugged into your device whether it be your smartphone, tablet, or other mobile device.I love the idea for a couple reasons. First, it cuts down on the necessity to keep so many cables around...one for mini-USB, another for micro-USB, yet another for USB-C, and so on. The second, and almost more important (to me) is the fact that this will save your device's charging port! You see, despite the connection type (micro, mini, usb-c, etc.), the fact that it must make a mechanical connection each time you insert or remove a plug, the connector wears out. If you don't believe me, just do some quick googling on rated insertion cycles for various usb connectors. Now you'll see numbers that rate the number of times or "cycles" that a cable can be inserted or removed. Typically they're rated in the thousands. You're thinking, hey what's the big deal? I can plug in my phone 1,500 to 10,000 times! Well in the real world where we are harsh on our stuff, cables get tugged, pulled, twisted, phones get dropped...basically, life happens, as we use our devices and plug them in, which reduces the number of actual insertion cycles as compared to the rated numbers from laboratory testing. Believe me, I know...I'm an engineer, and a consumer whose had my smartphones connectors start wearing out before I'm ready to replace the phone yet and there's nothing worse than having to jiggle the cable just right to get your phone to charge or worst of all, no matter what you do futzing with the cable, it just won't charge at all, and then you're hosed once the battery dies!With the magnetic connection of the VOLTA, you alleviate this problem. If the cable gets pulled, bumped, phone drops, etc., the magnets simply separate and no damage. Just realign the magnets, they snap together, and you're back in business.Now, here comes the "but...." I really like the idea of this product, and mostly like it's execution. It does what it says, it charges your devices, provides both power and data connection for USB devices, supports multiple connection types as they advertise, works with quickcharge, and all that. However, here's my problem. The magnets just are not quite strong enough. They're great if you're just plugging in and laying your device down on a table, desk, or other flat surface to charge. But if you want to handle your device (use it in the hand), or you're "in the wild" (out driving in your car, on the metro rail, on the move, etc.) the slightest deflection or tension on the cable, and it becomes disconnected. It doesn't take much. Just the weight of the dangling cable alone can create enough deflective force for the magnets to separate (sometimes slight and unknowingly) and then you must move it back so it reconnects. This has become highly annoying for me. I really want to like this product, but this is the one hangup, and a major one. I'm not saying you shouldn't buy it, just set your expectations accordingly.PROS:- Does exactly what it says- Provides USB connection (power and data) for all your devices- You can buy multiple different connector ends to put in all your devices and just use one cable- Save wear and tear on your device's connector port- Build quality is good and meets expectations- Thoughtfully included plastic removal tool to aid in removing the connector ends from your devices.CONS:- Magnets just are not quite strong enough to handle real-world usage. They're touchy. You must connect it and then gently set it down to make sure the magnets don't separate. Real bummer here.- Packaging is basically non-existent. It arrives in a plastic shipping envelope. Not box or anything, but it does come with its own zippered carrying case (much like what you'd get to carry a set of earbud headphones).- Carrying case is nice looking, but not functional. It is heavier and takes up more space than the cable itself. I just leave the case behind, unless I use it to load up several adapters and an AC USB charger too.Great idea, good product, otherwise good execution on the design if the magnets would just hold better.11/17/18 Update:One of the 3 tips broke. The magnetic outer ring on the micro USB tip just separated and fell apart in my hand. I have emailed their customer support to request a replacement and will report back on how that goes. Knocking off a star. If replacement works out smoothly, I think this may be a 5 star worthy product!
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