Sometimes a product is so well made that a catchy or creative name just won’t do, it needs to be called by its mere description, as with these…
“We designed 3 ultra rugged charging cables from the ground up and built them from military-grade materials like Kevlar and ballistic nylon… So they can keep up with your lifestyle. “ -Nomad
I’ve done many gear reviews but never thought I would be doing one for something as common as a USB (and Lightning) cable. Although to be fair, I did cover the then unique Chargekey USB, also made by Nomad.
With an official product name like “Ultra Rugged Cables”, you better live up to that name-description.
Before the now ubiquitous and constant need for USB cables, you wouldn’t have thought you needed them to be rugged, especially not ultra rugged. It’s just a wire that connects electronic devices, right?
But because of our increasingly demanding use for them, yes, they do need to be tough. We need to rely on them, not just to work all the time but to last a long time.
It’s come to the point where we rely on our cables as much as the devices they’re made for. This is why the Nomad Ultra Rugged Cables are such a welcoming addition to my vagabonding packing list.
These things are bad ass, truly. The cable is armored with 1000D braided ballistic nylon which is tear and abrasion resistant but feels good and grippy in the hands.
Under the braiding is a thick protective PVC jacket which covers the reinforced RF shielding, that enhances faster data syncing.
Then finally, protecting the fast charging 20AWG wire core is braided Kevlar. Yes, that kind of Kevlar.
These Mil Spec cables may be built like a tank but they aren’t cumbersome. They’re quite flexible and somewhat malleable for hassle free active use while being tangle resistant.
Add to that is an integrated vulcanized silicone rubber cable tie for cable management. And this aint no gimmick afterthought. This thing is a joy to use and works well with the generous 5 foot (1.5 meters) cable.
There are 3 different models in the Ultra Rugged Cable Series: the 3-in-1 Universal Cable, Lightning Battery Cable and the basic Lightning Cable (not reviewed).
The Lightning Battery Cable has a charge capacity of 2350 mAh, and it charges my iPhone fast, really fast. The battery is reliable and always charged since it’s integrated into the cable itself. The dynamic status light with an on demand button is a nice touch.
The 3-in-1 Universal Cable is Micro USB, USB Type C and Lightning. The integrated adaptor “tips” are cleverly designed to work seamlessly without getting in the way.
Get one of these Ultra Rugged Cables and you won’t be needing another one for a very long time, you can pass it down to your next device… and the next.
Nomad even offers an impressive 5 year guarantee on these – that’s quite something for just USB cables.
Other Options
- Quickly and easily connect to the latest Windows and Mac computers with Rugged’s reversible USB-C cable, or legacy computers using the included USB 3.0 adapter
- Enjoy fast USB-C 130MB/s file transfers, backups, and image browsing
- Confidently tackle any terrain with drop, crush, and rain resistance
- Take advantage of a complimentary one-month membership to the Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps
- FAST DATA-SYNC & CHARGING (USB 2.0): Supports safe high-speed charging (5V/3A) and fast data transfer (480Mbps). *Not Compatible with Type C or iPhone!
- DURABLE & RELIABLE: Ultra-durable nylon-braided jacket with a bend lifespan of 6000+ and seamlessly molded joints. Solid 23AWG wire core is housed within premium aluminum housing for safe and reliable charging up to 3A.
- EXTENDED LENGTH: Charge and use the device simultaneously on your table, sofa or bed with the extended 6.6 ft length, even works on your vehicle's back seat.
- COMPATIBILITY: Micro-USB powered devices is compatible with Samsung, Kindle, HTC, Motorola, Nokia, LG, Android Smartphones, Galaxy S7 Edge, J7, Note 5, MP3, Tablet, Sony, Xbox, PS Vita, Nintendo DS, PS4 controller, GPS devices, battery packs, Bluetooth speakers, wireless keyboards, cameras, camcorders, games consoles, hard drives, e-readers, printers and more.
- WHAT YOU GET: 2 pack 6.6ft micro USB cable with 24/7 customer service. If you have any questions, we will resolve your issue within 24 hours.
- Superior scanning performance on DPM and standard 1D/2D barcode, in any condition------Comprehensive patented features enable the capture of literally every type of direct part mark(DPM) and printed 1D/2D barcode. DPM codes can be captured, regardless of size, surface, contrast or density---including the most challenging mark, dot peen, as well as laser etch, ink mark, chemical etch, inkjet mold, cast and thermal spray.
- Ultra-rugged, the most indestructible design in its class------The DS3678-DP is the most rugged scanner yet, with the highest drop, tumble and sealing specification in its class. The DS3678-DP is built to survive an 8 ft./2.4 m drop to concrete, 23 percent more durable than any other scanner in this class. It is dustproof, sprayproof and waterproofed to IP67, it can be sprayed down with jetting water and even submersed in water for up to 30 minutes.
- Advanced illumination system------Advanced illumination provides the multiple lighting effects required to capture marks on any type of surface— including reflective, irregular and curves as well as low and high contrast marks. The built-in diffuser provides the indirect light required to capture marks printed on very shiny and reflective surfaces. The proprietary design of the diffuser also directs additional lighting to the edges of barcodes marked on a curved surface.
- Easy management with our complimentary industry-best tools------Remotely configure scanners, upgrade firmware, format data properly for your back end and monitor PowerPrecision+ battery statistics and more with 123Scan2 and Scanner Management Service (SMS).
- A Bluetooth model in a class of its own provides lightning fast wireless communication and maximum energy efficiency.------Zebra Wi-Fi Friendly Mode eliminates the wireless interference that Bluetooth devices can often create in your Wi-Fi environment. The ‘go anywhere’ rugged cradle offers superior versatility and durability. The DS3678-DP cradle is the only one in its class to offer IP65 sealing. And its industrial charging contacts withstand 250,000 insertions.
- Superior scanning performance on any 1D and 2D barcode, in any condition------The advanced imager reads 1D barcodes displayed on a screen or printed on a label faster and farther than other standard scanners. Easily read barcodes even if they are under shrinkwrap, damaged, dirty or poorly printed.
- Ultra-rugged, the most indestructible design in its class------The DS3678-SR is the most rugged scanner yet, with the highest drop, tumble and sealing specification in its class. The DS3678-SR is built to survive an 8 ft./2.4 m drop to concrete, 23 percent more durable than any other scanner in this class. It is dustproof, sprayproof and waterproofed to IP67, it can be sprayed down with jetting water and even submersed in water for up to 30 minutes.
- Extreme temperature rating------Built to handle extreme cold, heat and more, you can use the DS3678-SR anywhere, even in the freezer.
- A Bluetooth model in a class of its own for superior cordless freedom Bluetooth 4.0 (Low Energy) provides lightning fast wireless communication and maximum energy efficiency.------Zebra Wi-Fi Friendly Mode eliminates the wireless interference that Bluetooth devices can often create in your Wi-Fi environment. The ‘go anywhere’ rugged cradle offers superior versatility and durability. The DS3678-SR cradle is the only one in its class to offer IP65 sealing. And its industrial charging contacts with
- Three flexible feedback modes------Mix and match the feedback modes that are ideal in your environment — vibration, red and green LEDs located in an area where they are always easy to see, plus the traditional loud beep tone.
- Superior scanning performance on any 1D/2D barcode, in any condition------The advanced imager reads 1D and 2D barcodes displayed on a screen or printed on a label faster and farther than other standard scanners. Easily read barcodes even if they are under shrinkwrap, damaged, dirty or poorly printed.
- Ultra-rugged — the most indestructible design in its class------The DS3608-SR is the most rugged scanner yet, with the highest drop, tumble and sealing specification in its class. The DS3608-SR is built to survive an 8 ft./2.4 m drop to concrete — 23 percent more durable than any other scanner in this class. It is dustproof, sprayproof and waterproofed to IP67 — it can be sprayed down with jetting water and even submersed in water for up to 30 minutes.
- Extreme temperature rating------Built to handle extreme cold, heat and more, you can use the DS3608-SR anywhere — even in the freezer.
- Multi-code captures and processes up to 20 barcodes simultaneously------Many labels have multiple barcodes your workers need to capture. Now, one press of the trigger captures the right barcodes and applies the unique data format required for each one for instant transmission to your backend systems — all with complete control over the order barcodes are processed.
- Faster pick-list processing------Users can easily select and capture an individual barcode from any pick list.
5 Comments
Just ordered the Universal cables…. thanks for the review!
So rugged, you can probably use the cables as survival rope.
Thanks for the review, gonna get the iPhone battery one. Been wanting something like that but never knew it till now. Great price to.
Im not sure if you covered this but does the univseral one also have mini usb?
Ive had some problems with aftermarket cords not fitting in the port on the hitcase shield for the iPhone 6s. Does this one fit without removing the case?