Captivate's MicroUSB Port - HUGE design flaw

[sremick]

Convenience and safety are always at-odds with each other.

 

[barr08]

It's really interesting to see everyone's opinions on this. Having read many of these posts, I would probably hesitate to call this a 'HUGE design flaw' again, and would probably call it more of an annoyance.

Thanks for giving me some perspective. I think that I am so happy with the phone otherwise, that I am just looking to nitpick.

 

[pkoutoul]

I bought a cheapie car charger at Walmart and noticed the same problem. It connects okay, but you have to push hard and then make sure to keep the phone fairly stationary to avoid losing the connection. I also consider it more of an annoyance than a design flaw.

BTW, I wasn't even aware that there was a sliding door until I read this post. I guess mine was open from the factory and I just never noticed it.

 

[sremick]

I wasn't even aware that there was a sliding door until I read this post. I guess mine was open from the factory and I just never noticed it.

Be sure to see this:

USB cable won't stay securely in the Captivate - CapFAQ

 

[pac0naut]

Somebody posted about this a while back and had a link to where we could get OEM cables and car chargers cheap. I think I got 2 data / charging cables and a car charger for about $15.00. Unfortunately, the car charger died somehow.

 

[sremick]

Somebody posted about this a while back and had a link to where we could get OEM cables and car chargers cheap. I think I got 2 data / charging cables and a car charger for about $15.00. Unfortunately, the car charger died somehow.

Yes, there are "OEM" ones that appear on eBay. However, they're "OEM" only in the connector... they are however much shorter than the OEM cables.

If you're looking for OEM length too, you'll pay more... or you can just get a third-party cable from Monoprice for like 1/2 to 1/3rd the price then spend 30 seconds on it with a razor blade.

 

[pac0naut]

Yes, there are "OEM" ones that appear on eBay. However, they're "OEM" only in the connector... they are however much shorter than the OEM cables.

If you're looking for OEM length too, you'll pay more... or you can just get a third-party cable from Monoprice for like 1/2 to 1/3rd the price then spend 30 seconds on it with a razor blade.

Really? Mine were all the same length as the one that was included with my phone.

 

[sremick]

Really? Mine were all the same length as the one that was included with my phone.

Who'd you buy it from? All the vendors I've seen either explicitly mentioned it's about 3' long or if they didn't mention, admitted as much when I inquired. One said he also had the 6' version available for like $5.

 

[pac0naut]

Amazon.com: for OEM Samsung Micro-USB Data Cable APCBU10BBEB: Electronics

My 2 were like a foot and a half long.

Sorry, mine was not from there. It was from City Cellular in California.

 

[Sledutah]

The only cable I had problems with is one from a crackberry, I just trimmed back the black plastic a little and all is fine.

 

[ShannonPricePhoto]

didnt read all of these... but i use an xacto knife and cut a 45

 

[steaky]

Odd. I bought four different cables off eBay and they all work pretty well.

Maybe the monoprice one is especially ill fitting.

I found a guy selling OEM ones on ebay also and ordered a few days ago.

 

[KMan94]

I think the only flaw is that it should be on the bottom. Even my Harmony charger works with it.

 

[reinbeau]

Amazon.com: for OEM Samsung Micro-USB Data Cable APCBU10BBEB: Electronics

My 2 were like a foot and a half long.

Sorry, mine was not from there. It was from City Cellular in California.

That's where I got mine, too. It fits beautifully.

 

[sharkhark]

i dont get this issue? people helped me on here with postings about how to fully click the door open...and re OP's problem...i dont get it? i even bought a el cheapo charger and micro usb combo from ebay for a buck..and it fits fine...must be unusual second party ones he is buying i have no issues??

 

[Chromag]

Well, All connectors do... the door keeps the pocket lint out of it.

The door on mine is pretty much open 24/7 anyways. I bought that same Monoprice cable and I just used a pair of wire clippers to shave it down and it works fine. However - I did buy a generic MicroUSB car charger from Best Buy and used it on a recent trip. Due to the clips (or something) it actually started chaffing the metal on the connector. Suddenly the phone screen is blinking saying "USB Connected" then disconnected, then connected, then disconnected, etc etc. I had to pop the battery on it and find something to fit in there to clean it with. I then went to a Radio Shack and bought their car charger and it worked fine.

 

[sremick]

The only cable I had problems with is one from a crackberry, I just trimmed back the black plastic a little and all is fine.

didnt read all of these... but i use an xacto knife and cut a 45

 

[BigBrit]

Check out this thread re: Monoprice cables.
Hope this helps.

USB cable won't stay securely in the Captivate - CapFAQ

 

[cmt074]

I ordered a random cable off of Amazon which turned out to be a Blackberry branded micro usb that doesn't fit quite right. It def doesn't snap into place but it still charges it and is good enough. I also have a random car charger that I bought at Target that fits perfectly.

 

[Mide]

I know what the OP is talking about. I have 2 MicroUSB cords that work and a Motorola-branded car charger that works great. At work there are 2 chargers for some random Verizon devices that do not fit properly...very odd.

 

[p1gnone]

plantronic's micro usb cable works. it has a slimmer profile than most 3rd party micro usb cables out there.

The sloping case does restrict the feasible set of cables. It will always be an annoyance. Finding the right car charger is hence a struggle too.

Sad how AT&T chose this "stylish" case, when one does no have the problem with the Captivate sister phone, VZ Fascinate, a case I prefer anyway! Who do they think preferred this case anyway?

 

[reinbeau]

I've purchased several aftermarket chargers and USB cables and every single one of them fits just fine.

 

[barr08]

I've purchased several aftermarket chargers and USB cables and every single one of them fits just fine.

You lead a charmed life, my friend.

 

[BookLover]

I've purchased several aftermarket chargers and USB cables and every single one of them fits just fine.

Me, too!

The only thing that didn't work was the mini-to-micro adapter I got from Radioshack. If I sneezed that darn thing disconnected.

The Amazon mini-to-micro adapter fits snugly and I love it. Now I have two connectors on one cable for when I travel.

 

[reinbeau]

You lead a charmed life, my friend.

No, I think it's because I evaluate price vs quality. I don't mind paying a bit more, especially if it saves me time and aggravation.