Jumper wires (ebay vs. Sparkfun)

[Pavius]

I'm looking to buy some male/male jumper wires.

Sparkfun offers 10 for 3.95$ (+ 3.44$ shipping). However, for the same price (including shipping), I can get **broken link removed** from ebay (off of chinese power sellers).

My question is whether anyone has any idea of the quality differences between the two, out of experience (i'm guessing sparkfun wires are better)? Has anyone purchased jumper wires off these Chinese ebayers and care to share their opinion?

 

[dknguyen]

THe difference is expensive Western labour vs cheap Chinese labour.

 

[johnsmith123]

i got the sparkfun ones, the quality is ok. Don't know about the ebay ones.

 

[KMoffett]

That would be assuming that the Sparkfun ones are not mad in China and just marked up for a profit. But, it could also be better quality wire and assembly.

Ken

 

[Chippie]

Why not make your own...from solid conductor?

Surely you have a shop near by where you can buy solid pvc covered wire suitable....?

 

[KMoffett]

Or just find some scrap 4 conductor telephone (house wiring) hookup wire. I've used it for years and never had a problem on breadboards.

ken

 

[Pavius]

I use hookup wires, but they're brittle and i tend to throw them out after every use. They just feel so... temporary. I thought using pre-made jumper wires would give things a more robust feel *shrug*

I'd be surprised if Sparkfun actually made them in house and are not just reselling wires manufactured in the far east. I am, however, convinced that they are good quality jumper wires (something i cannot say about the ebay ones until i buy them).

 

[grim]

for something totally non critical, and cheap like this, go for the ebay.

i always use ebay if:
1. it's not a disaster if it goes wrong
2. ebay is cheaper and or better deal

 

[Pavius]

Yep, that's what i ended up doing (though i got 150 wires for 9.5$). I'll follow this thread up when i get them.

 

[MrDEB]

140 pc = $6.25

never had a problem with ALL ELECTRONICS
All Electronics | Electronic and Electro-Mechanical Parts and Supplies at Discount Prices

140 PIECE JUMPER WIRE ASSORTMENT | AllElectronics.com

 

[Dean Huster]

Gee, Pavius, if you lived close enough, I'd just chop off a few feet of some cable I have. It's 50 shielded pairs and all ten EIA colors are available plus a bare drain wire and the shields. All are tin plated, #22. Fantastic for solderless breadboards. I have 50 feet of the stuff.

Dean

 

[mneary]

And if you live close enough to me, I have similar cable waiting to be chopped up. ;-)

 

[Pavius]

MrDEB - that's what i work with today. I have quite a few of these lying around. Problem is they're inflexible and brittle. It's fine to work with, but i thought the pre-made jumper wires (notice they have these plasticy tips) will be better to work with.

Dean Huster and mneary, very kind of you. If you're planning a holiday in Israel, please be sure to pack the necessary length of wire and a crimper

 

[Pavius]

Followup for posterity: overall they're OK quality. You can read more and see pics **broken link removed**.

 

[picbits]

The Ebay ones look identical to the ones I got when I bought a load of breaboard from China.

Pretty good quality actually and very very handy.

 

[RODALCO]

As already mentioned, telephone wire and 4 and 7 core alarm wire is perfect too.
Often available for nothing as off cuts and often 2 or 3 meter lengths in the skip bin at a builders site.