As a computer geek, there have been times, where I needed a long run of USB cable. However, most standard USB cables measure from four to eight feet in length. What if you needed a longer stretch of USB cable? Well, the folks at USBFever have the perfect solution for this dilemma. If you have a spare Cat5e or Cat6 cable lying around, then the USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter is the solution to your USB connection problems. This device allows you to create a USB extension cable essentially limited only by the length of the Cat5e or Cat6 cable used. The maximum length is 150 feet, but seriously, if you need to hook up a USB device a 150 feet away, maybe you should not be using that type of device.

USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter

Reviewed by: Tomas Ratas

Sponsor: USBFever

Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:

USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter

Highlights:
This USB 2.0 extension adapter allows you to connect your USB device to your computer at a distance of up to 150 feet with the help of a Cat5/Cat5e/Cat6 patch cable (not included). No software is required for installation – this cable is plug n play which makes it a very convenient, easy-to-use choice. It works with any computer that has a USB port! This adapter will allow you to have your USB cameras, printers, web cams, keyboard/mouse extensions or any other USB device exactly where you want it without having to move around your computer.

Features:
– An economic way to recycle your Cat cables.
– USB 2.0
– easy to connect and install
– Powered by the USB port, no need for extra power
– suitable for Cat5 / Cat5E / Cat6 patch cord

Connection:
USB A Female – RJ 45 socket / Cat 5 Cable assembly / RJ45 Socket – USB A Male; max length: 150ft (around 45meters)

Package Contents:
– USB A Female – RJ45 socket x 1
– RJ45 Socket – USB A Male x 1

Note:
– The concept is kind of booster / repeater.

Price: US$22.99

{mospagebreak title=A Better Look at things}

A Better Look at Things

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The USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter comes in a clear plastic package with the adapter found prominently on the center. The backing cardboard is lime green and white with the Mac, Windows and USB logos found on the left lower corner of the front package.

The back of the package lists the features and additional information.

The adapters are slate grey and have a LAN connector on one end and either a male or female USB connector on the opposite end. There is a short cable between the LAN and USB connectors. The adapters measure 20 centimeters from end to end.

Installation, Testing and Comparison

To use the USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter, one will need a length of either Cat5e or Cat6 cable and the adapters. Installation involves plugging in the Cat5e/6 cable into both adapters and then connecting the male end to the PC and the female end to whatever USB device you require. Using modern OSes such as Windows XP/Vista and OS X require no additional drivers.

For testing, I used a six foot Cate5e cable. To measure transfer speeds, I used my trusty OCZ Rally2 2GB drive and HDTach RW. I connected a printer, keyboard/mouse combo and the USB drive. From the HDTachRW test (the first table is the OCZ plugged directly into the PC, while the second table is through the adapter); we will notice that the USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter has USB 1.1 speeds for data transfer. Oh, well. This should not hamper devices such as printers or mice/keyboard combos, but it will slow things down if used as an extension for some form of storage device.

Summary:

The USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter works as advertised. However, if you require full USB 2.0 speeds, then you may want to stick with a true USB 2.0 cable. This is a great way to use those spare Cat5e/6 cables that are locked away in some drawer.

DragonSteelMods gives the USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter a 4 out of 5 score.

Pros:

-Allows USB extensions of up to 150 Feet

-Simple to use and setup

-Portable

-No drivers required

Cons:

-USB 1.1 Speeds

I would like to thank USBFever for the chance to review the USB 2.0 Extension Cable to Cat5e or Cat6 Extender Adapter and for their support of DSM.

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