Winnergear MicFlip fully reversible Micro USB cable at a glance:
- Length: 2m
- Price: £12.99
- Website: www.winnergear.com
Not all that long ago, every electronic device seemed to come with its own proprietary mains adapter. They’d have simple cylindrical connectors that were easy to plug in, but each would be subtly different so you’d have to carry a bagful of adapters when travelling. Woe betide if you got to your destination and found you’d inadvertently picked up the wrong one; the chances of finding a replacement were slim to non-existent.
Over the past five or six years, though, USB charging has become standard. More specifically, the slimline Micro-B-type connector has become near universal across a wide range of devices. Alongside Android smartphones and tablets, it’s found on an increasing number of cameras, for both data transfer and battery charging. Some can even be powered directly from the USB socket, which can be handy for time-lapse or video work.
The ability to top up your battery from a power bank or in-car charger is hugely convenient, but because USB cables were originally designed for connecting devices to computers, their plug designs are not. They only fit one way, with the small, fiddly micro USB connector being especially awkward. It’s OK if you’re in a well-lit room, but trying to plug a power bank and camera together in dim light is another matter entirely. In contrast, both Apple’s Lightning connector and the new USB Type-C are reversible, making them much easier to use.
Help is at hand from this MicFlip cable. As the name suggests, it’s a fully reversible micro USB cable. Cleverly designed connectors at each end means that both can be plugged in either way around. It can be used for both charging and data transfer, has a generous length of two metres, and with a thick, braided cable and aluminium-shelled plugs is built to last. It’s a simple and elegant solution that makes life much easier, and if you frequently use micro USB devices you’ll soon wonder how you ever did without it.
The MicFlip measures 2m and is built to last
