Treedix USB Cable Tester Board USB Cable Checker Data Wire with Acrylic Case Charging Test Data Line Type-C Micro Type A Type B

Important Warning: DO NOT use this tester to connect to live devices. Doing so could potentially damage both your devices and the tester itself. It is designed solely for testing cables as intended. --------------------------- ★ Section 1 - The Review ★ • This is by far the best design I've encountered for a cheap USB cable tester. It features a straightforward circuit powered by a CR2032 battery or via a Vin pin (cable not included). Each pin of the cable connects to a corresponding light that illuminates when a cable completes the circuit. I really appreciate the broad range of compatible ports, including USB Type-A 2.0 and 3.0, Thunderbolt 3/USB Type-C 3.0 on both sides, Lightning, Micro-B 2.0 and 3.0, and Mini-B 2.0. These standards are fully backward compatible, and the inclusion of both versions ensures that this tester is 100% reliable. • The board has two sides: "Side A" and "Side B," accommodating the reversible nature of Type-C cables. For other types such as Lightning, Micro-B, Mini-B, typically only one side will light up. Generally, you should focus on the side with the most lights illuminated; the other side can usually be disregarded, except for Lightning cables. • One area for improvement.. It would be the documentation of expected pinouts and explanations of the different common combinations. However, this can easily be resolved with a quick Google search. I’ll share my understanding and research below. --------------------------- ★ Section 2 - Here’s a breakdown of what each of those pins means ★ GND (Ground): This is the reference point for electrical signals in the circuit. It serves as the common return path for electric current. • TX+/- (Transmit): These pins are used for data transmission. "TX+" is the positive data line, and "TX-" is the negative data line. They work together to send data signals. • RX+/- (Receive): Similar to TX, these pins are used for receiving data. "RX+" is the positive line for incoming data, and "RX-" is the negative line. They allow the device to receive signals from another device. • VBUS: This pin carries the main power supply voltage. It typically provides +5V to power devices or charge them. • D+ and D-: These are the data lines used in USB connections. "D+" is the positive data line, and "D-" is the negative data line. They enable data transfer between devices. • CC1 and CC2 (Configuration Channel): These pins are used in USB Type-C connections to determine the orientation of the connector and negotiate power delivery. They help devices communicate their capabilities to each other. • SBU1 and SBU2 (Sideband Use): These pins can be used for additional features, such as audio or alternate modes, depending on the type of device connected. They provide extra functionality in certain situations. • ID (Identification): This pin is used to determine the type of device connected. In certain configurations, it helps differentiate between host and peripheral roles. For example, in some USB OTG (On-The-Go) setups, the ID pin can signal whether the device should act as a host or a peripheral. • Shield: This pin is used for grounding the shield of the cable, which helps reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI). It helps protect and improve the signal integrity by grounding any external noise that may affect data transmission. --------------------------- ★ Section 3 - A valuable diagnostic tool for several reasons ★ • Signal Integrity Testing: It helps verify the quality of data transmission through the USB cable, ensuring that signals are not degraded. This is crucial for high-speed data transfer applications. • Pin Configuration Verification: The board can confirm that all the necessary pins in the USB cable are properly connected and functioning. This is important for ensuring compatibility with devices. • Identifying Faults and Damage: By testing various cables, you can quickly identify any faulty ones. This is helpful if you suspect that a cable is defective or if a company is providing subpar products. • Compatibility Checks: It can help determine if a cable is compatible with specific devices, preventing the use of cables that might cause performance issues or failures. • Preventing Scams: If you're considering purchasing cables from a vendor, using the test board can help you confirm that the cables meet advertised specifications. Then you would know to return the product for a full refund, and purchase a different cable from another vendor. This can protect you from scams where companies sell low-quality or counterfeit products. • The Frustration Caused by USB Cables: Want to organize or discard cables, but don't know which ones are functional? You can use the USB Cable Tester Board to easily help you identify the right cables to keep.

Excellent product. Very easy to use. It is easy to identify cables with shorts or opens (I had many with flaky conductors at the end of the cable). Easy to identify charge only cables vs. higher speed cables by comparing the number of LED lighted. I have used for USB A, USB C and Lightning. No need for external power supply, the included battery works great. Very happy with purchase and price.

This is a cool device for technically savvy, who can decipher the meaning of these signals. One big issue: The device has an almost invisible switch of the power source, which is set to the external power. I have not spotted this, and replaced the batteries in assumption that the battery was dead. To no avail. So I already prepared a package to send it back, but than as an experiment I plugged in USB-C cable into the power in socket, and... Success! It worked. And indeed, the terse manual section 1.1 "Usage method" says to move "the switch to CR2032 or to Power-In position." But it does not show where the switch is. However a diagram on another page "-1" I guess, ahead of the content page, indicate this switch indeed. So remember to move the switch for the battery powered usage! One common dilemma in these manuals from China is the microscopic size of letters being used. To read it I photographed the pages 9 and 10 and printed them in a reasonable size. The device itself is clearly a compromise: Much lower price at the cost of a very technical indication. If you understand the details and meaning of these signals and barely every use it, this is the way to go. Otherwise, if your job entail frequent cable testing I would clearly recommend to get a more expensive device with a status display. The 9 sockets in this gadget cover most legacy USB standards, incl. mini-USB, USB-B and Micro-USB-3.

Easy to use--put a battery in, plug in a cable and go. It does take a little getting used to reading the status LEDs. The manual is bare-bones but provides the essential info. A simple but effective continuity checker to sort my drawer full of USB cables. I was surprised at how many of my old cables were charging only (no data connections). AFAIK, this tester does not read e-marker chip (required on hi-power charging/very hi-speed data, e.g. thunderbolt, USB 3 gen 2), but it does everything else I need. Thank you treedix for this simple and effective tool at an affordable price. I would definitely buy again.

Just the best wire Tester ever. It works beautifuly. And, looks amazing. I'm going to buy another one in case I brake the one I have. Thanks

I bought the option with cover so some assembly required. Works as advertised. It’s helped me organise my usb cables.

De facil uso, permite rápidamente determinar si el cable funciona adecuadamente y que tipo de cable es

Muy bueno, te hace un mapeo de todos los pines, sin embargo creo que la mayor utilidad es cuando sabes como interpretar las lucecitas.

Has an on board connector for power - but nothing to mate to it and actually provide that power. Quite ridiculous. I have seen reviews saying the button cell battery cannot be removed - but actually it can and quite easily so. My main gripe is flux on the printed circuit board because it hasn't been washed off during manufacturing so if you see greasy spots on the circuit board and /or the soldered joints it is flux. To add to this the leads of the components don't pass through the holes far enough so can't be properly soldered to the board. You can buy a device off a well known Asian supplier for a fraction of the cost and sure it's quality isn't much worse but there is a big difference in price. With plenty use I can see one or more of the connectors coming off the Treedix board - probably taking some track with it and for all intents and purposes (except for the die hard DIY repairers) rendering it scrap. At least with the alternative suppliers in Asia they are a fraction of the cost and the loss is much easier to take.