These are complaints we come across from our senior customers regularly. Often they own a range of devices, each with their own different charging cable to track down and, to make things trickier, trying to fit the end of the cable into the port can be frustrating if they have issues with eyesight or hand mobility.
The Thors magnetic charging cable system eliminates both of these problems. Insert a magnetic plug into every device you own and thereafter one charging cable can charge any of the devices. As soon as you move your device near the cable, the two magnets find each other and start charging. We have 3 different types of plugs that will cover 99% of all modern phones, cameras, bluetooth devices and tablets.
The added benefit of this system is that once the magnetic plug has been inserted, you never need to worry about it again. The plug stays in your device 24/7 meaning you don't need the hassle of trying to insert the cable properly and the charging port of your device gets far less wear and tear too. Furthermore, with a small LED light at the end of the cable, it's easy to find your charger in the dark.
You can watch this video on my website to see the cables in use.
Which type of cable do I need?
Still need a bit more advice? Feel free to send me a message via the contact page and I can call you to talk you through it, or email me directly thors.goods@gmail.com
]]>This is a question I get asked frequently, or a customer assumes all magnetic cables work together and buys several different types.
There are 2 types of charging cables that I sell:
The width of the cable determines its capacity – with the cables ranging from a 2.0A rating to 5.0A rating.
I have the following cables in my range:
Nova - charge only - straight round head, works with Vega & Nova 2.0A 1m or 2m
Nova Flex - charge only - straight round head, works with Vega & Nova 2.1A 1m or 2m
Vega - charge only - pivoting, rotating, head, works with Nova & Nova Flex 2.4A 1m or 2m
Stella - charge & data - pivoting, rotating head, works with Stella only 3.0A fast charge capable 1m or 2m
Andro - charge & data - straight rectangular head, works with Andro only, 3.0A fast charge capable 1m or 2m
Lynx - Type C cable with Type A adapter built in, charge & data, rectangular head,works only with Lynx plugs, fast charge phone and laptop 1m or 2m
Super Nova Type C cable with Type A adapter available separately, charge & data, round head,works with Orion and Super Nova plugs, fast charge phone and laptop with PD charger 100W or 60W, 1m or 2m.
Orion Type C cable the swivels and pivots like Stella or Vega, round head - charge & data, works with Orion and Super Nova plugs, fast charge phone and laptop with PD charger Type A adapter available separately.
The world is moving toward type C fittings for both male and female ends of charging/data plugs. The EU has mandated that Type C is the only fitting to be used going forward to prevent e-waste.
]]>1) Fast charging - if fast-charging is important to you, there are a number of fast-charging magnetic charging cables we sell: Stella, Andro, Lynx, Supernova and Orion. All other cables are suitable for people who tend to charge their phones overnight.
2) Type C - this is the new standard for all chargers from 2024 onwards. Supernova, Orion, and Lynx are the magnetic charging cables I would recommend.
3) Pivoting/swivel-head - for people who want to use their phone for media while charging, a pivot head makes for a more comfortable experience. Pivot heads are also more useful while charging in the car as it allows the phone to sit at different angles. The pivot head models we sell are either the Vega (charge only), Stella.(charge/data) or the Type C Orion (charge/data) The Stella is the fast-charge option of these two.
4) Charging phone from your laptop - you will need a Type C cable to do this. The two options I sell are the Supernova, Orion, and the Lynx.
5) Affordability/Budget - if you're just looking for a cost-effective magnetic charging cable, the budget versions I sell are the Nova and the Nova Flex.
6) Data Transfer - We do sell cables with data transfer capability, however, the development of streaming technology and the large amounts of data that often require transfer these days make it difficult for the cables to keep up. The data capacity of the cables I sell is 480 kbps, however, much of what people want to transfer (i.e. music/live-streaming maps) is data-heavy, hence the 480kbps data rate is not sufficient. If you only want to transfer photos, you could buy either the Stella or Orion (pivoting heads), Supernova, Lynx or Andro (all are fixed heads).
If you still need further help, feel free to send an email outlining your needs and I will send you my recommendations.
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The EU Parliament certainly thinks so.
Why should we care?
On June 8th 2022, the EU Parliament ruled that USB-C will be the universal charging standard for consumer electronics. One of the reasons they did this was to reduce e-waste created by requiring a new charger and cable each time a new device was purchased.
Another reason to standardise ports to a USB-C is sheer versatility. Not only is a Type C reversible but it can also fill multiple roles. With a USB-C port, you can charge your device, stream video and music, transmit data and do this in either direction, from one device to another, with the right software.
One charger for multiple devices
USB-C now also offers Power Delivery (PD) for improved power delivery and multiple versatile charging solutions. This means a PD 100W/60W USB-C charging cable can do away with bulky laptop power supply leads. By using a PD charger and 100W cable you can therefore charge all your devices and this approach offers the happy bonus of being able to charge your phone from your laptop battery using a reversible USB-C cable, as power can flow both ways.
Imagine how easy it would be to travel with just one charger and cable to charge your laptop, tablet and phone. With a PD wall charger and compatible cable, this is the new reality.
Check out this example:
With a PD charger and cable, you could charge your Samsung phone at 10W (5 Volts x 2 Amps), your new iPhone 13 at 27W (9 Volts x 3 Amps, see here for test video) or your laptop at 100W (20 Volts x 4.5 Amps). Three devices with completely different charging requirements could now be charged with the same charger and cable.
New Magnetic 100W cables
At Thors we now offer a magnetic 100W capable cable so you could quickly switch between your devices and your PD charger would seamlessly ascertain via the Thors USB-C cable how much power to deliver to which device.
Not only do you get the advantage of high-capacity, fast charging but also the convenience of magnetic cables. Thors also offer 60W cables that can do this.
Say goodbye to laptop supply leads
Join the USB-C revolution and free yourself from bulky laptop power supply leads. Type-C is the new standard and when merged with the convenience of magnetic connections you will be getting the best of both worlds.
]]>So ultimately what I recommend is find a cable that is easy to us in multiple situations, supports fast charging, is well made from a reputable supplier who offers a decent warranty. Look at the best value multi packs they are offering that allows flexibility for you to choose the plugs that suit your devices and go for it!
Visit www.thors.co.nz to find all the options mentioned above.
]]>Charging your iPhone, or any new smartphone using a magnetic phone charger cable exerts a lesser amount of stress on your charging port than a typical charger.
As a smartphone owner, you have invested a great deal of money by purchasing your phone, as much as $2149 for the new iPhone 11 Pro Max with a 6.5-inch display, or $2099 for the new Samsung Galaxy Note20. Therefore, it makes sense to protect your investment where you can. A damaged charging port is one of the top 10 most common problems with modern smartphones.
Using a magnetic charging cable with an iPhone guarantees you an extra level of protection as it prevents wear on your charging port as well as preventing foreign debris from ending up in the port.
Using a magnetic charging cable will enhance the life of your phone and by reducing the wear on your phone port. Instead of purchasing a brand new device when your charging port wears out, the magnetic cable micro USB plug will provide you with the bonus of stopping debris from blocking your charging port as well as preventing wear from constant plugging and unplugging.
Unfortunately, every recharging cable begins to degrade over a period. However, while this is unavoidable, most standard cables on the market are cheaply made and of inferior quality, some only lasting several months.
The THORS magnetic cable is one of the toughest and most durable cables available and with careful use and care can last you for a much longer time than the cheaper cables.
Starting with the iPhone 8 back in late 2017, Apple has adopted the USB Power Delivery standard and all new iPhones released since then, including the recent iPhone 11 Pro family, support the same maximum charging speed of up to 18 watts. (Watts = Amps x Volts)
However, in order to use that maximum speed, you do need to have an 18W power adapter as well as a cable capable of handling the amps. Apple was notorious for not providing such an adapter in the box with most iPhones. Only the iPhone 11 Pro Max and the iPhone 11 Pro ship with such an adapter. For all other iPhones, you need to purchase this adapter separately.
You can however use a third-party power adapter that is not made by Apple and still get those fast, 18W charging speeds. You must make sure that the adapter you purchase supports the USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) standard. For example, a standard Samsung Galaxy S20 series phone charger also supports the same USB-PD standard and will also deliver the maximum 18W charge to iPhones.
Samsung Galaxy Fast Charging Explained
Samsung has been supporting different fast-charging standards in the past, but it has now adopted the widespread USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) standard with the Galaxy S20 series and the Note 10 series of phones.
There are some nuances, though: for example, only the top tier Galaxy S20 Ultra and Note 10 Plus support a super-fast charge rate of 45W. To achieve those charge rates you need to purchase a separate power adapter from Samsung. The regular S20+ and S20, as well as the Note 10 only support 25W charging speeds, and they come with 25W adapters in the box.
Earlier Samsung phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, S10 and S10e only support the Qualcomm QuickCharge 2.0 standard and they max out at charging speeds of 15W.
For somebody who's always on their phone or prefers to get a quick top up before going out, you can use your Thors fast charging magnetic cable, which can handle up to 3A of current, however using a slower charger will negate your reason for purchasing a new fast charger.
The Stella Magnetic data/charge cable allows the transfer of information from your phone to a computer or some other USB device like a drone, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. www.thors.co.nz has the Stella data/charge cable in 1m and 2m lengths and adapters for iPhone, USB type-C as well as micro USB
A magnetic charging cord, but you can find many lingering questions about safety. You can certainly not be too cautious, and you have to be sure beyond any uncertainty that a magnetic charger won't damage your device in any way.
The magnetic USB c cable appears much like a micro USB connector in the beginning glance. However, it is much more oval fit and somewhat thicker to support it's a most significant feature: unflappability.
Like Magsafe and Lightning, the Thors magnetic charging cable USB type-C does not have up and down orientation. Simple line up the connection plug correctly and plug it in. You won't ever have to flip it through to plug it in the ‘right way’.
The Thors magnetic cable micro USB connection plugs have the same trapezoid shape as the standard plugs and need to be aligned in the correct manner, ie they will only fit in one way.
The Thors iOS/Lightning connector plugs need to be placed with the pins facing down and the blank plate facing up to correctly get a charge in your iPhone.
]]>Phone charger cable is a central accessory for a smartphone since your phone is as well as useless if you have a flat battery.
Although you will find variously priced charging cables, it is essential to purchase a good quality, longer-lasting one. A cheap charger will not just diminish your phone's battery life, it'll also potentially damage your phone by overcharging. Buying a quality charging cable is therefore very important. The benefit of getting a quality magnetic charging cable with the additional features and benefits becomes instantly apparent.
A magnetic phone charging cable is an accessory that each smartphone user should have. If you're currently doubting, here are five reasons why you want the best charging cable for iPhone
Issues to think about when selecting a magnetic iPhone charger
How does a magnetic charger work?
A magnetic lightning cable features powerful neodymium magnetic ends that transmit energy. The Thors magnetic charging cable functions by transferring power from the charger down the cable, out through the magnetic end connection to the magnetic plug which sits in the device. The magnetic charging cable also includes a unique induction coil that can help to create an alternating electromagnetic flow.
The magnetic plug in the phone passes the energy to the phone coil, which then converts the power back into the battery pack. This kind of charger is ideal for several types of settings. Many users are increasingly preferring this mode of charging since it's a much more flexible way to charge a multitude of possible devices.
To take advantage of this type of charging you will require a smartphone that can support the plug fitting and a Thors magnetic cable to deliver the power to the phone.
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There are three main types of smartphone charging cables
Apple's original Lightning cable
Micro USB, which is used in a wide range of devices
New standard, USB Type-C cable
It is essential to understand the differences because each has different characteristics and adopted models.
Apple's original Lightning cable
Lightning cable is a cable used in Apple products. It is used not only as an iphone charger cable but also as a cable for transferring audio and video. Since it is a cable initially developed by Apple Inc, it can only be used with Apple products. It can be used with an iPhone or iPad and can be shared between the two devices.
Micro USB is used in a wide range of devices
The cable mainly used in many earlier Android devices is micro USB. Micro USB is found not only in Android devices but also in many other devices.
It is a standard used not only for tablets but also for devices other than smartphones such as digital cameras, kindle type e-readers, mobile routers, gps units, hearing aids, vapes, rechargeable speakers, electronic toys, games and most things with rechargeable batteries. If you have some of these devices, it is convenient to use your Micro USB cable for purposes other than charging your smartphone.
New standard USB Type-C cable
In Android devices, micro USB was the mainstream, but in the last three years, the mainstream is changing to USB Type C charging cable. The USB Type-C cable has features similar to Apple's Lightning cable. In addition to the symmetrical design, there is no distinction between top and bottom, additionally it features data capability for outputting video and audio. New models often use a USB Type-C cable, which can also be used with many devices, just like micro USB cable.
Now available is the magnetic USB charging cable where you can use one cable to charge a multiple of different devices. This is done using multiple magnetic plugs that sit in the devices and the cable magnetically attaches to the end and charging begins automatically once connected. www.thors.co.nz carry such a range of affordable easy to use cables.
How to choose a smartphone charging cable
Chose a cable that matches your devices charging port
First, you must check the charging port on your device to see if it is a Lightning, Type-C or Micro USB type charging cable required. Google is your friend here – type ‘what charging port does my “XX” phone have into your search engine’ If you make a mistake in the cable standard itself, you will not be able to charge it in the first place, so be careful.
If it is an apple device later than iPhone 6 it will be a lightning connection. If it is an Android charging port, check whether it is the old micro USB or the new standard USB Type-C cable.
Choose length according to usage
The length is significant for the usability of the fast charging cable. It is easier to use if it is longer especially if you are using your device in bed, or you sit a long way from a power point, there is an insignificant amount of voltage drop going from a 1m to 2m cable. If you like to charge your device on long journeys in the car consider a longer cable to reach over to the rear seat passengers. If you are elderly and charge your tablet and smartphone next to your chair, then a cable long enough to enable you to easily do this will be a big help. If you want to use your smartphone while charging at home, we recommend using a long one that is easy to find and charge with.
On the other hand, if you do not touch your smartphone while charging, it's convenient to use a short cable that doesn't get in the way, especially if charging on a benchtop. Also, if you travel with your cable, one that is easily bundled up and quickly unrolled, should be a consideration. To select the optimum cable, you need to consider not only the length but also where you will use it and how easily it is to roll up without getting tangled.
www.thors.co.nz carry a range of 1m and 2m magnetic USB charging cables in a variety of colours.
Choose a cable constructed of durable materials
The charging cable is a consumable item, and unfortunately will eventually break from continual use. However, how long it lasts depends on the material of the cable, so you have to pay attention to the construction details.
Consider durability, it is recommended that the cable itself be made of something more resilient than plastic, many good quality cables are now using braided nylon as an outer shield. The ends where the USB connection is also comes under heavy stress, TPU plastic is a durable covering that lasts much longer than the standard plastic finish. Having a cable with a 90-degree connection also puts less strain on the device charging port as well as the cable, thereby extending the life of the cable and the phones port. Once the charging port on your device gets worn the standard cable may not connect every time and so the user may charge their phone only to pick it up and find it still with a flat battery. Once standard cables get worn and split they should be replaced with heavy duty braided cables that will last much longer
www.thors.co.nz cables are rugged and durable and are finished in a heavy duty, yet supple braided nylon, guaranteed for 12 months free from defects. Thors cables also rotate 360° with their unique magnetic swivel attachment and they feature a hinged pivot that allows the user to continue to use their device while it is being charged.
Fast charging
If your device supports fast charging then you can quickly top up your battery with as little as a 10 minute charge. Older devices like iPhone 6 only support 1.6 amps and comes with a 1-amp charger so putting 2 amps into it will not speed it up. However, many of the newer devices deliver up to 2.4 amps safely to your phone. You will need the original wall charger as most laptops only deliver up to 1 amp and a cable capable of handling up to 3 amps. All Thors cables support from 2.1A up to 3A fast charging – even via their unique magnetic attachment system. See specifications page for more details.
Smart charging.
If you have a smart charging cable you will find that the cable regulates the amount of charge the battery in your phone receives. This is to prevent overheating of the battery when it is either very low or almost full. Smart cables reduce the flow of charge as the battery nears fully charged to prolong the battery life of your device. All Thors cables carry a 56k resistor in them to regulate the flow of charge to your device and to thereby extend the battery life in your precious device. Visit www.thors.co.nz for more information
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