Short Lightning Cable Recommendation?

amorrison · Mar 13, 2015

I have read where using a short cable to connect an IOS device to the transmitter can reduce lag. I was looking to use a shorter cable anyway just because it looks better. So does anyone have a recommendation for a good short lightning-usb cable for IOS to transmitter that works well? Thanks in advance!!

sirnikolas · Mar 13, 2015

I use .5 meter genuine apple Lightning cable with my Air 2 and it works spot on.

mike_k · Mar 13, 2015

I'm using two of these. I've only flown with them once, but I didn't have any issues.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P66F2YM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Clint · Mar 13, 2015

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P66F2YM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

No issues with these so far....

amorrison · Mar 13, 2015

Thanks for the recommendations, I have ordered all of these. I can't help but think that even apple's cable was not designed to be used as a high bandwidth conduit the way DJI is using it, so cables may vary in their bandwidth capacity. Anyway, I plan to test these to see if I can see any differences in lag.

Jeremyconk · Mar 13, 2015

I also bought the same ones as Mike_K.....
They work great... I bought 2, just in case I need a back-up..... And they look really good on the controller..

doubledown7d · Mar 13, 2015

amorrison said:
Thanks for the recommendations, I have ordered all of these. I can't help but think that even apple's cable was not designed to be used as a high bandwidth conduit the way DJI is using it, so cables may vary in their bandwidth capacity. Anyway, I plan to test these to see if I can see any differences in lag.

Please keep us up to date on what you find. It would be good to know if there is any significant difference. Thanks.

Richard-Inspire · Mar 13, 2015

i can't for the life of my imagine why this would make any difference to latency. we're talking about the speed of electrons down a cable - which is the speed of light is it not?

It sounds to me like a red herring - much like the "make sure your speaker cables are the same lengths" argument.

amorrison · Mar 13, 2015

Richard-Inspire said:
i can't for the life of my imagine why this would make any difference to latency. we're talking about the speed of electrons down a cable - which is the speed of light is it not?

It sounds to me like a red herring - much like the "make sure your speaker cables are the same lengths" argument.

It has to do with distributed capacitance, mutual inductance, and the physical properties of the wires. Nonetheless, I will be surprised if I can tell any difference.

Richard-Inspire · Mar 13, 2015

those things affect signal loss in a cable, not speed. the only reason latency could be introduced would be because of additional error correction due to lost bits - which might come from a bad cable.

but 'eletrical signals' travel over 100,000 miles in 1 second, so i really don't think anyone should buy a shorter cable to expect shorter latency.

DCGOO · Mar 14, 2015

amorrison said:
Thanks for the recommendations, I have ordered all of these. I can't help but think that even apple's cable was not designed to be used as a high bandwidth conduit the way DJI is using it, so cables may vary in their bandwidth capacity. Anyway, I plan to test these to see if I can see any differences in lag.

As long as the cable is made to Apple specs, the type or length makes not difference whatsoever. Personally I just use Apple original cables. Available in .5m, 1m and 2m lengths. I have found them to be quite rugged.

Mark Mahoney · Mar 16, 2015

mike_k said:
I'm using two of these. I've only flown with them once, but I didn't have any issues.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P66F2YM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks!, just ordered one!!

Mark

CoastalBird · Mar 17, 2015

I got a short coiled Lightning cable from Amazon that works well, and keeps any extra from dangling in the way of anything. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K699IWG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's pretty stiff, but if you're putting the port side of your iPad on the right side of the controller, it is the perfect cable length. It tugs a bit if you have the port on the left, though.

kcobello · Oct 16, 2015

Aerial Drone Accessories $13.99

Morgon · Oct 16, 2015

To throw another option in the mix, I can personally recommend the Anker 1ft Lightning Cable, which I've used since June. Not as cool as the braided one above, but saves a few bucks over the others listed here.

Kevin Hancox · Oct 16, 2015

Morgon said:
To throw another option in the mix, I can personally recommend the Anker 1ft Lightning Cable, which I've used since June. Not as cool as the braided one above, but saves a few bucks over the others listed here.

I use the same and have 6 of them, 3 for each of my machines, 2 black and 1 white for each machine, i use the white for 2nd controller so don't really need spare, and being a different colour makes it easy to see which is master as well...

The Editor · Oct 16, 2015

The same way there is absolutely no difference in HDMI cables of equal rating and their claims that a more expensive one or one made with rare green marbles from the planet Krypton will give you a far superior picture, there will be no difference in latency but it scores on convenience and convenience.
If an HDMI cable is certified to a particular spec it doesn't matter whether it costs 50c or $500..... The results will be identical. The rest is snake oil.